I am lounging in a lush green recliner in an office near Greenlake, Seattle, a narrow pillow over my eyes. Urban mystic Judith Laxer has one hand on my ankle. In the other hand she’s shaking a small gourd rattle. Her eyes are closed. Every once in a while she opens them to write notes on a […]
Tag: art
5 Easy Steps for Breaking Through Anxiety into Creativity
Years ago, a journalist friend in Seattle came over to my apartment. She’d just returned from Afghanistan, where she was responsible for setting up a newsroom and training local journalists. When she arrived, she was so exhausted and drained to her very core, she could barely walk or talk. I knew the feeling. I’d given […]
Art is our Activism
Why not just postpone the novel launch? It’s a legitimate question. Why not wait until the fires were over, until I was home (unless, of course, my house had burned down, which I didn’t know for a long time during evacuation)? Why not get settled, then publish your novel? My answer: We have no time to wait! It’s now or never. We have to step up.
Writing is my activism. I’m also a visual artist. Art is my activism. It isn’t something you put off. It’s what makes the difference in a world out of balance.
How Creative Discipline Rewires Your Brain
In 2007, Harvard Medical School conducted a study around a five-finger piano exercise. Half of the participants were told to play for two hours a day, five days and keep to the metronome’s 60 beats per minute. The other half were asked to simply think about practicing the piano, holding their hands still while playing the music […]
Revolution of Voice: Re- Visioning
What is Revolution of Voice? Many of us are being called now to find our authentic selves. As with the #MeToo movement, and with people of all races standing up and speaking their truth, we’re seeing an outward expression of this revolution. As an artist and coach, I’m intrigued with the inner transformation, those […]
“Who Do You Think You Are?” The Top 5 Blocks For Writers
The book coaching process, especially at the beginning, can be a very safe space. The coach is there to nurture the new writer, to allow experimentation, offer inspiration, provide support, and pass on constructive advice. We aim to OPEN the writer, and that only happens with unconditional love for the person and the creative process. […]
Outside the Lines, November 15, 2016
Guess what’s coming for Christmas. I’ll be offering portraits for sale. Want a painting of your child, or spouse, or girlfriend, or dog? Send a photo and I’ll have it done in time for Christmas. The following is a portrait of jeweler Robert Williams in Massachusetts, a very gifted creator of fine jewelry. I call […]
Outside the Lines, October, 2016
Entering month 10 of the painting a day series, Outside the Lines, I was completely burnt out. I couldn’t conjure up the energy to come up with ideas every day for a painting, let alone execute one. It was made even more difficult by the fact that I’m writing my third novel, FIRE, and am so deeply […]
Empowering Your creativity 