to create is to invite vulnerability
Every time I hit send to invite folks to an offering, I find myself navigating tender waters within.
How will it be received? Will folks accept the invitation? Will my readers be interested? Did I adequately express the heart and inspiration behind the creation or offering? Will that resonate beyond me?
It's not unfamiliar territory to an artist at all, but interesting how it is consistent in the process and experience, no matter how many years you move through the cycle.
I suppose the audacity - for those of us lit by undeniable creative fires - is that we have to keep trying... whether a thing is received in the way we hope or not.
There is a creative spirit that gives us the insight to see something that wants form, and the breath to try to give it the attention it calls for, and learn something in the process of offering it up. This is true for humans, not just humans who identify as artists, of course.
The past few days have been one of these all-too-familiar work-waves in my creative process, culminating with this morning - when I opened doors for my next offering, the Creative Practice Circle, and shared it with my subscribers.
It is not flashy or full of big promises and strategic pre-launch hype. Instead, it comes from a place of deep joy, percolating intuition and a tinge of rebellious realness - the kind that tries to listen to the voice that says, 'not the way everyone else is doing it. no, not that way. try this way. follow the connections you sense; it’s about more than you. ok - now, it’s ready, imperfect and true and ready to share.’
Painting can be like that, too. And writing, and sketching, and making a song… creating anything at all from an inspired, honest place within, really.
This new live-online Creative Practice Circle won't be for everyone - but seats are already being claimed today, and that fills my heart - as I know the circle and time together in Creative Practice will fill those who show up.
The mysterious gift of it all becoming something I merely initiate and hold space for, makes my own tender process of visioning, tending details, and sharing an invitation, come what may, all worthwhile.
Where my Spirited muse calls, I follow - to see what can happen, beyond me.
Is there an invitation, idea or offering imprinted on your creative heart, that you’ve felt called to make, explore, express, or accept and show up to? I hope you’ll trust that call and follow where it leads you.
If you like, learn more and join the Creative Practice Circle
also… diatoms are most amazing, don’t you think? (that’s what you see on the left side of my art journal spread above). they have a huge impact on our climate for such mysterious little things. i’ve been fascinated by them for decades... they’ve inspired my clay and paint creations in the past, and i seem to circle back to them periodically in a contemplative sort of way. they’re like a mysterious key i haven’t figured out yet in my visual language. good stuff.
