Join my Second Creativity Workshop Happening in November 2018

Last year in November of 2017, I conducted my first Creativity Workshop. My passion on the subject of creativity comes from my experience of uncovering my authentic self by respecting my inner creative needs. This was a very rewarding and enlightening experience for me and my attendees.

And this year, on November 10, I’m conducting the workshop again.

The first Creativity Workshop wrap-up post can be found here. The people who came all recognized the importance of creativity in our lives but it was as if we all needed to hear this from one another to truly appreciate our own longings.

I wrote, “And I now understand the same fear that threatens to keep us from our truest and most authentic self is the same as that which keeps us from our most creative selves. I find this kind of knowledge is too juicy to keep to oneself. Because if you can separate yourself from your fear and feelings just long enough to make a better choice that makes you feel better, at least you know you have a choice.”

I have been called an Ambassador for Creativity and I think that’s flattering and true. We all deserve to enjoy the process of flow and finding out what we think of our worlds and ourselves separate from all the worry and to do lists. Consider joining our small group as we explore what creativity means to you.

The workshop will be held from 10 Am to 12:30 Pm at the Retreat House at Hillsboro at 22005 Church Street in Hillsboro, Maryland 21641. Seats are limited and Tickets are free and can be reserved by going to this site. There is a suggested donation and light refreshments will be provided.

I look forward to seeing you there!

And If you enjoyed what you read, subscribe, via the subscription box in the sidebar, to my thrice weekly posts via your emailbox. And visit me on Instagram to see my daily pictures, friend me or like my page on Facebook. Or come find me on Twitter or Pinterest too. I am always practicing Intentional Intouchness so chat at me please. I live for conversations.

And, as always, Thanks to you for your visit.

The End of My Icad (index Card a Day) ’18 Challenge

All the daily creativity came to a screeching halt nearly a week ago with the last day of July and the 61^st card. With the combined 100 day project and this one, I had created every day for 118 days straight. I felt neither overly happy nor sad for the halt. I had fulfilled my challenge to myself. But I must admit that I have felt slightly untethered since then. A feeling that was echoed by at least one other artist who had done the challenge with me.

Day #1 through Day #22 of the ICAD ’18 Challenge

Day #23 through #42 of the ICAD ’18 Challenge

Day #43 through Day #61 of the ICAD ’18 Challenge

I considered that I could and should replace that daily habit with some other intention. But that was swallowed up in a flurry of Summer activities which were all good. But I am also asking this of myself, why does it take an outside “force” to get me to commit to the art. What about being obliged to myself? Or perhaps, what do I create in my life that makes me accountable to regular artwork?

Our creative needs are ours to fulfill. And if it requires a little trickery on our parts to get ourselves to creatively comply, so be it. Any challenge is good even if that means creating your own like I did in June for the Our Creative June Challenge, well then let’s do it again together. I live for a creative community and I think everyone deserves to have one of their own.

And If you enjoyed what you read, subscribe, via the subscription box in the sidebar, to my thrice weekly posts via your emailbox. And visit me on Instagram to see my daily pictures, friend me or like my page on Facebook. Or come find me on Twitter orPinterest too. I am always practicing Intentional Intouchness so chat at me please. I live for conversations.

And, as always, Thanks to you for your visit.

All the Things

She said she was going to get “ All the Things” done while she was kid free. And I knew exactly what she meant. And now I realize why it felt so familiar. Both with my to do lists and in my creative endeavors, I fear “All the Things” are beyond what anyone needs to try to do. And I am overwhelmed and in a constant state of lack for pursuing this lie of accomplishment happiness.

Seems this is very much a Creative’s curse. We are excited by all the possibilities and want to see how each thing will add to our lives. All the thoughts, ideas, tidbits, inspirations, projects, collaborations, and goals are truly awesome by themselves. But grouped together, they suddenly become a swirling stormy pool of chaos that I find so easily sucks me in and pulls me under. And if the word “Should” is attached to them, they are double doomed.

Everything has merit until it all becomes too much. Then none of it matters. Because you wouldn’t know where to start. This state of affairs has possessed my mail program, my desktop, my craft room, my attic, and my garden. And I am beginning to get the sneaky suspicion that I have unconsciously masterminded it all this way to keep myself from actually making progress.

Why, you ask, wouldn’t I want to be making progress? Because progress may mean more visibility than I am comfortable with. More work, more responsibility, and more more more. So I am just making sure I have less by having more? Yup, it’s a system that didn’t work for my creative predecessors and fellow creatives, and definitely isn’t working for me.

So what do I do? Begin again to clear out the clutter and the cobwebs mentally and physically so that I can feel the ease of creating without the confusion. I believe that new ideas will always find you. That inspiration is right behind you. And that we have limitless amounts of talent to deliver up our unique vision to the world.

Every day is a good day to start over again. Let’s begin again. Read my earlier post on my Empty Box Method to get an idea on how to move and sort through your chaos.

And If you enjoyed what you read, subscribe, via the subscription box in the sidebar, to my thrice weekly posts via your emailbox. And visit me on Instagram to see my daily pictures, friend me or like my page on Facebook. Or come find me on Twitter orPinterest too. I am always practicing Intentional Intouchness so chat at me please. I live for conversations.

And, as always, Thanks to you for your visit.

The 100 Day Project: Days 55 through 75

Back in April I started something I had previously believed was impossible for me. I began a 100 Day Challenge. I am doing a sketch a day with pencil and pastels on a 4 x 6 card. I am using everyday objects as an homage to the ordinary everyday experience that we all have in common. And I’m actually on day 76!

I knew I could do this challenge based on my previous Summer’s completion of the ICAD (index card a day) challenge which is two months long. And in fact, I decided to go ahead and do the ICAD challenge this year in addition to the 100 Day Challenge because it’s giving me a different medium to play with too. And just for good measure, I am hosting an Our Creative June #OurCreativeJune creativity challenge on Instagram for anyone who wanted to do something for only 30 days. I was already there!

”The creation of something new is not accomplished

by the intellect but by the play instinct.”– Carl Jung–

I am sincerely grateful for all the enthusiastic creatives who turned me on to the concept of daily creation. Partly because it allowed me to regain trust with my inner creative 6-year-old. But I now truly appreciate the superpower that authentic creativity is. And having a supportive community to nurture this scary process is tantamount to your success.

On her blog Daisy Yellow, the host of the ICAD challenge Tammy had this to say about the feelings that come up within one of these long creative challenges in her recent post on 12 tips for success in an index-card-a-day challenge:

“After the first 2 weeks there’s a very good chance that you’ll hit a plateau where you really have to push to stay on track. That’s the most difficult part!!! It takes time to get into the groove. But suddenly there will be a break-through and you will feel like it’s second nature to create something each day. That’s the goal, my friends, to incorporate a positive creative habit into your daily life.”

I have begun to truly understand my chosen medium of pencil and chalk aka pastels. I’d even say I’m developing confidence. And the collection of objects will make a truly interesting display once it’s completed my 100^th day. I hope any and all of this has inspired you to dabble in something creative. And perhaps there’ll come a day when you as well can join in and see where it takes you. But meanwhile, thank you for cheering me on !

Want to see the previous posts on this project?

For The 100 Day Project, Day 34 through 54 go here !

For The 100 Day Project, Day 14 through 33 go here !

For the first two weeks of my 100 Day Project 2018, go here ! 

And If you enjoyed what you read, subscribe, via the subscription box in the sidebar, to my thrice weekly posts via your emailbox. And visit me on Instagram to see my daily pictures, friend me or like my page on Facebook. Or come find me on Twitter orPinterest too. I am always practicing Intentional Intouchness so chat at me please. I live for conversations.

And, as always, Thanks to you for your visit.

Our Creative June Week One

A week into Our Creative June creativity challenge on Instagram and the excitement is all there. To feel and watch as people grab a hold of the idea of creativity as a gift they can give themselves daily is so satisfying. I know that for me, it always brings such a jolt to my esteem when I create. And then sharing it with my community gives me another happy zing.

Am delighted to say that after a week run, there are over 120 posts of creations on the #OurCreativeJune page and there are at least 25 participants including myself. I give you a smattering of some of the art that’s happening. These are all the other creators. I will follow up with a post of my own work soon.

I understand now that I am an Ambassador of Creativity. That having felt its immense healing powers in my life, there is every reason to share the wonder and joy of this gift with others. I don’t care if you don’t share what you creatively do with others publicly, just as long as you make something for you and feel the ease and comfort that it provides.

In the Instagram post that announced #OurCreativeJune, I wrote, “The antidote to fear is love. I believe creativity and the practice of being in touch with who you really are is the greatest act of self-love.”

My IG friend Kylie gave this back to me by saying,”I love the way Shalagh refers to the practice of being in touch with who you truly are as creative expression. We too often refer to creativity in terms of making something with paint or paper etc but it’s more than that. It’s authenticity, unique thought, honoring what makes you feel good, breaking a routine, reaching out to make a new connection, being yourself or looking at your life, a situation, a relationship with a fresh (and more helpful perspective).”

Where there is love of oneself and authenticity, there is peace and no anxiety. While engaged in creativity, you do not feel the anxiety or fear of a nuclear attack. All you feel is flow. And that is some powerful mojo.

I’m doing two creative pieces a day now. I am still engaged in the 100 Day Project with sketches of everyday objects. See the first post here. And the Icad project (index card a day) has me doing collage or whatever alternate medium I’m in the mood to use. Anyone can jump into our month at anytime with any sort of creativity. Writing is something I do a lot of but don’t acknowledge except it’s highly creative. Photography and Cooking too. So feel free to switch up mediums and just jump in occasionally. There aren’t any true rules but to indulge our creativity.

If you enjoyed what you read, please subscribe, via the subscription box in the sidebar, to my thrice weekly posts via your email box. And visit me on Instagram to see my daily pictures, friend me or like my page on Facebook. Or come find me on Twitter or Pinterest too. I am always practicing Intentional In-touchness so chat at me please. I live for conversations.

And, as always, Thanks to you for your visit.