May Your Dreams Be Larger Than Mountains...

Want to Steal Creative Stuff With Me?

photo by Scott Elliot

In his New York Times Bestseller "Steal Like An Artist: 10 Things Nobody Told You About Being Creative," Austin Kleon shares dozens of inspiring quotes and stories that he stole from others. Well, I don't know that I'd call it stealing (though I think Austin would happily call it that!) but he definitely borrowed, compiled, illustrated and shared them in a fresh, inspiring way. I found myself highlighting almost every single page...jotting notes...and having semi-brilliant ideas, one of which was to finally create the Creative Oasis Book Club™.

I have shelves filled with lots and lots of fabulous books about creativity. I'll read a review in a magazine, stumble across a book on amazon.com or find an appealing title in a real live honest-to-goodness bookstore (thank goodness these still exist!) and think to myself, "I MUST OWN THIS! This will inspire and enlighten me. This will surely share the keys to the creative kingdom. This may change my life!" 

Then I buy it. Then I put it on my shelf. Then I look at its spine each day longingly and think to myself, "I really should read that book someday soon." Or I'll actually start to read it and then something shiny gets my attention and I'm off in another direction. Then I read review of another great title and think to myself, "I MUST OWN THIS!" And the cycle repeats itself.

Thus, I find myself in the position of owning dozens and dozens of wonderful books on the subject of creativity of which I've only read bits and pieces. On the other hand, I also own dozens of creative books that I've visited so many times the pages are dog-earred and filled with highlights and notes and feel more like an old friend than a book. 

So I thought, what better way to dive in, explore, revisit and share these books than to create a book club? Joining and creating groups as well as taking classes are wonderful ways to create the time and space for creativity in our lives. Thus – the Creative Oasis Book Club™ was born.

For our first book, we'll read "Steal Like An Artist" by Austin Kleon and meet for two 1-hour teleclasses. The wonderful thing about offering the Creative Oasis Book Club™ as a teleclass is I'll record our sessions, so if you're unable to make a call live that's okay. You can simply listen to the recording at your leisure. You'll be kept in the loop with any follow-ups and creative prompts the class receives by e-mail. To join us, register by sending me an email at creativeoasiscoach@me.com.

Creative Oasis Book Club™ 

"Steal Like an Artist" by Austin Kleon

Two teleclass series will meet Friday April 12 & 19 from 11am to noon (central) 

FREE ($50 value)

(To celebrate the first ever Creative Oasis Book Club, I'm offering this two-class series free of charge. Future teleclasses will be priced based on the length of the book and the number of classes.)

Register by emailing creativeoasiscoach@me.com.

In May, we'll read The War of Art by Steven Pressfield. You can read more about that Creative Oasis Book Club™ selection by clicking here.

Until next time, all the best from my Creative Oasis to yours,

Jill

Mid-Week Oasis Moment – Say Thanks to a Teacher

For this Mid-week Oasis Moment, I was inspired by the 

The Awe-manac – A Daily Dose of Wonder by Jill Badonsky. 

(From the page for February 27th)

Written in the style of a Farmer's Almanac, each day of the Awe-manac offers Soul Vitamins (quotes), Awe-servances (Birthday shout outs to inspiring peeps through the ages), Aha-phrodisiacs (fun ways to turn on your creativity), Doses of Mirth (funny stuff), Journal Juju (creative prompts) and more.

I love that I can flip open the Awe-manac on any day of the year and find a little creative inspiration. Today I happened upon the image above in black and white and decided to have a little fun creating a colorful toast of thanks to Jill Badonsky, since she's been one of my great teachers. I'll also share today's Journal Juju with you.

"Make a list of teachers or other people who have 

had an influence on you and beside their name 

write a word of two of how they inspired or helped you."

In my case I would write, "My teacher, Jill Badonsky, inspired me by introducing me to the world of Kaizen-Muse® Creativity Coaching, helping me get out of my own way and back to music, writing and discovering a wholly unexpected new career as a creativity coach and teacher myself. Thanks, Jill!

Jill Badonsky and me at a reading for her latest book
The Muse Is In: An Owner's Manual to Your Creativity in Austin, Texas

Cheers to all of the wonderful teachers we've had throughout our lives! 

What's one small way you might honor a teacher who has had a positive impact on your life?

(Hint - it doesn't have to be hard - even remembering them with a smile would be nice, wouldn't it?)

Until next time, all the best from my creative oasis to yours,

Jill

P.S. – If you'd like to have Mid-Week Oasis Moments (bite-sized bonbons of creative inspiration) delivered each week please sign up here: http://www.creativeoasiscoaching.com/newsletter.html

You'll also receive a free copy of "Permission to Be Creative 101" – my short e-book that will help you take the first small steps to make the time and space for creative fulfillment – your Creative Oasis – in  your busy life!

Creative Oasis is in the News

photo by Ron Heflin for Dallas Morning News

The Dallas Morning News to be exact. In the Art & Life section on Saturday, February 16, 2013 there was a nice article by Jamie Knodel under the headline:

"Reigniting the creative spark - 

coach helps clients fan their burning passions"

Click here to read the article in its entirety.

Collage from Creative Oasis class

I'm so grateful for this wonderful opportunity to spread the news about Creative Oasis Coaching and let people know that it really is possible to create the time and space for creative fulfillment in their lives, no matter how busy.

I'm also excited to share my all new updated website for Creative Oasis Coaching. Check it out and let me know what you think. www.creativeoasiscoaching.com

There are lots of great classes and Day Trips coming up in person in the Dallas area and teleclasses on-line for those of you all over the world including the all new Creative Oasis Book Club. I'd for you to join me.

Until next time, all the best from my Creative Oasis to yours,
Jill

Introducing the Creative Oasis™ Book Club

If you’re like me, you’re often intrigued and excited to learn about a new book that sounds just wonderful. The kind of book that will inspire, teach, share great ideas and help you in some way on your creative journey.

So, of course, you buy the book. You may even read the first chapter or two. And then life comes along with its to-do lists, laundry piles and Downton Abbey re-runs and the next thing you know your new book has joined a growing pile of creativity books teetering in the corner that you promise yourself you’ll get around to reading someday. For me, odds are I’ll find another fabulous, life-changing book to purchase before I even make a dent in my current teetering pile.

That’s why I’m thrilled to announce the Creative Oasis™ Book Club. Several times a year, I’ll choose a book from my growing, teetering pile and share it in a teleclass format. (I’ll also share books that I’ve actually finished and just love so much that I want others to experience them too!) 

Each book club series will include permission slips and creative prompts to help us dive a bit deeper into the book. (Participants are responsible for securing their own copy of our chosen book.)We may also use exercises and activities found in our book if that applies. Our teleclass calls will be one hour long and depending on the length and type of book, we’ll meet once, twice or up to twelve weeks in a row. All calls will be recorded, so if you miss one, no worries. You can always go back and listen to the recordings.

The price of each book club series will vary accordingly, but to kick things off, our first Creative Oasis™ Book Club will be FREE! Click here to let me know you'll be joining us.

For our first teleclass, in the spirit of keeping things Kaizen and using small, gentle steps, I’ve chosen a short, fun and easy-to-read book, “Steal Like An Artist - 10 things nobody told you about being creative” by Austin Kleon. 

Although this book is less than 150 small pages (many filled with illustrations) it's so chock full of wisdom and inspiration I believe we'll want to spend two weeks soaking in all of its creative goodness.

Again, since this is the inaugural Creative Oasis™ Book Club teleclass, I'm offering it for FREE (a $50 value)! If you'd like to join me please register by clicking here and sending me a brief e-mail. 

The two calls for this book will take place Friday, April 12, 2013 from 11am to noon and Friday, April 19, 2013 from 11am to noon. (central time) Remember, all calls will be recorded, so if you miss a class, you can always go back and listen to the recording on your own time.

I'm so excited to finally be able to offer this series and look forward to sharing some excellent books with you all. I believe the Creative Oasis™ Book Club will provide a wonderful way for us to spark our own creativity, share our questions, insights and aha moments while enriching our lives with these fabulous books.

Until next time, all the best from 

my Creative Oasis to yours,

Jill

Jill Allison Bryan

www.creativeoasiscoaching.com

Creative Oasis Day Trippers™ Ride Again!

Do you ever marvel at the cornucopia of creative experiences available in our world? I know that right here in my hometown of Dallas, Texas there are more intriguing things happening on any given day than I could ever hope to experience.  A few years ago, feeling frustrated by my propensity to clip information about upcoming exhibits, shows and events I'd hoped to attend only to find the clipping at the bottom of a pile on my desk two days after it had closed, I created the Creative Oasis Day Trippers™.

Once a month (sometimes more if time allows) I send out an invitation for the Day Trippers to join me as we explore an art exhibit, lecture, music, culinary event or some other hands-on creative experience, class or workshop. Once you sign up, you receive a pre-trip creative prompt and usually we share some sort of experience during our time together. Then I'll send a follow up email for ideas of how to continue the creative thread on your own at home. This gives you the opportunity to not only get out and enjoy some fun and camaraderie with other creative spirits, but to explore the event in greater depth and use it as a jumping off point for your own creativity.

We have two wonderful outings scheduled for February and March. Check out all the details below and then drop me an email to register and join us for one or both.

The best way to keep up with where the Day Trippers are heading next and all my Creative Oasis offerings, is to sign up for my Creative Oasis Pages newsletter here.

FEBRUARY TRIP

What:

"Cosmic Telephone Party Line" 

Large scale portraits of outsider artists by Tim Kerr

When:

Saturday,  February 23, 2013

1 to 3pm

Where:

Webb Gallery

209 - 211 West Franklin

Waxahachie, Texas 75165

Cost:

$15 Creative Oasis Day Tripper Fee

Exhibit is free

Save your space by emailing me at creativeoasiscoach@me.com.

MARCH TRIP

http://artisticgatherings.com

What:

Pottery Painting Party

When:

Thursday,  March 14, 2013

1 to 3pm

Where:

Artistic Gatherings

Casa Linda Plaza

9440 Garland Rd., Suite 138

Dallas, Texas 75218

Cost:

$15 Creative Oasis Day Tripper Fee

plus the price of the pottery you paint (varies by piece)

Save your space by emailing me at creativeoasiscoach@me.com.

For now, Creative Oasis Day Trippers outings take place in and around the Dallas/Ft. Worth metroplex, but someday will wander further from home...perhaps the Hill Country...Round Top...Austin...Marfa...skies the limit I suppose. Where would you like to go for a creative get away with the Day Trippers? Put on your thinking cap, and I'll do the same. I'd love to hear your ideas.

Until we meet again, all the best from my Creative Oasis to yours,

Jill

Jill Allison Bryan

www.creativeoasiscoaching.com

Yay! My Video for Michael's CR8TIME Campaign is up!

CR8TIME™ page on Michael's website

If you're familiar with Creative Oasis Coaching™ then you know that helping people make the time and space for creative fulfillment in their busy lives is my passion. So imagine how thrilled I am to be part of the new CR8TIME™ movement, sponsored by creative companies like Michael's, Jo Ann's Fabric & Craft Stores and more.  

CR8TIME™ aims to help people find ways to explore and express their creativity no matter how busy their schedules. You can learn all about the CR8TIME™ movement by visiting their website at www.CRE8TIME.org. On Michael's website, you'll also find a CR8TIME™ page under their LookBook section that features a series of "Why I Create" videos. You can watch the video featuring me and some of my beautiful clients below. 

This video is a wonderful representation of my Creative Oasis™ classes and workshops and I have to thank all of the people who made it possible. The video was shot and edited by Sandy Abernethy and produced by Amy Lou Abernethy of Abernethy Media Professionals. The class was held in the beautiful, inspiring setting of Pigment School of the Arts run by Tori Pendergrass and a place that I am always delighted to share workshops. The lovely class members (have you ever seen such gorgeous smiles?) are all women who attend Creative Oasis™ events and never cease to inspire me every time we're together! 

I think this video does a great job of explaining what it is I do as a creativity coach, and I am so grateful to be able to finally share it with the world. I'd love to know what you think about it so please feel free to leave me a message below if you like and be sure to share it with any friends you think would enjoy it. 

This spring there's a lot happening with Creative Oasis™.  If you're interested in upcoming classes and workshops visit http://www.creativeoasiscoaching.com/classesandworkshops.html. Be sure to sign up for my Creative Oasis Pages™ newsletter here to learn about upcoming teleclasses, workshops, my new line of ebooks and Creative Oasis Day Trippers outings. 

Until next time, all the best from my Creative Oasis to yours,
Jill