Double Rainbow Creative Connection

Earlier this week my daughter and I wanted to take some fun outdoor head shots in the wooded area behind our condo in the Colorado mountains. By the time we'd chosen outfits, put on make-up, fixed our hair and headed out, it started to rain.

Our creative plans foiled, we went back inside to wait out the storm, I'll admit, more than a little disgruntled. We were losing precious "golden hour" light and grumpy about having our mother/daughter photo shoot put on hold by Mother Nature.

Soon enough the rain let up and I suggested we bypass the muddy woods and take some shots by the gorgeous flowers at the front of the property. We never made it to the flowers.

Upon stepping foot outside we were stopped in our tracks by the truly glorious, choir-of-angels-singing-hallelujah sight of an amazingly vibrant and wide-arching double rainbow.

We were delighted by the brilliant prismatic display. Mother Nature instantly forgiven, we snapped dozens of photos of the rainbows and each other before heading back in, creative itches well scratched.

I love the metaphor of the rainbow. The natural example of sunshine (or happy times) and rain (or dark times) coming together to create something so beautiful and hopeful.

"When it rains on your parade, look up rather than down. 

Without the rain, there would be now rainbow." 

~ Gilbert K. Chesterton

After looking up rainbow quotes I had fun coming up with one of my own. As you can see above, I combined it with one of my photographs and Creative Oasis Mantra #3 was born – my double rainbow creative connection! 

How might you shine your creative light into the storms of life this week? 

* Stuck waiting in a long line or traffic jam?

What if you transform a frustrating moment into a pleasant pause?

* Dealing with a troubling health issue?

What if you create a quick collage in response to the way you're feeling?

* Have a spat with your partner?

What if you write an apology in haiku form? 

I'd love to hear ways you choose to use creativity to shine a little light onto any dark days  you may have in the coming week. Please feel free to share in the comments section below if you'd like.

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

Jill

P.S. ~ If you enjoyed this post and would like to receive bite-size bonbons of creative inspiration like this in my Mid-Week Oasis Moments plus a free copy of my e-book "Permission to Be Creative 101" join me here: http://www.creativeoasiscoaching.com/newsletter.html.

If Only I Had More Time (Good News – You May Have More Than You Think)

“Feel like you don’t have time to read this one page, much less enjoy any of the many creative projects, plans and dreams you have waiting on the back burner? I understand and that’s why my 12-week teleclass series based on the Amazon Best-Seller Creating Time – Using Creativity toReinvent the Clock and Reclaim Your Life by Marney K. Makridakis is the one for you!”                                  

If Only I Had More Time!

If you’ve ever had this thought, (and let’s be honest – who hasn’t?!) then Creating Time for Your Creative Oasis is the teleclass for you! We’ll spend 12 weeks together exploring unique new ways of thinking about time created especially for creative types like you and me in the fabulous book, Creating Time – Using Creativity to Reinvent the Clock and Reclaim Your Life by Marney K. Makridakis.

Prompts and Permission and Peeps, Oh My!

Prompts ~ Each week we'll dive into low-pressure, creative play as we explore Creating Time. All handouts, creative prompts and activities are totally optional. There are no Homework Have-Tos in this teleclass…only Creative Play Get-Tos based on what appeals to your creative sensibility, desires and schedule.

Permission ~ Enjoy dedicated creative "me time" that's so much easier when you join a class. You’ll also learn gentle ways to practice giving yourself permission to create the time and space for the creative projects, plans and dreams you’ve had on hold for far too long.

Peeps ~ Not the sticky candy kind, but rather a group of kindred creative spirits who just like you (and me!) are looking for ways to spend more time doing the things that energize and delight them creatively. Our weekly group calls will provide a gentle accountability, support and camaraderie that will help keep us motivated and inspired through our 12 weeks together. (See what past participants in the class have to say about their experiences below.)

"This class with Jill has helped me to think differently about time. I’ve now made friends with time and even though time and I are still working on our relationship, I feel it will only get better as I learn to use the tools that Marney shares in her fabulous book. I love how Jill is able to guide the group in a serendipitous way. Her willingness to change and experiment with new ideas is contagious. I love that all of the class members learn from each other. I hope to take more of these Creating Time classes from Jill as I continue through my life and need reminders that there may be a better way to transcend time."  
– Debbie Stinson

"Creating Time for Your Creative Oasis has changed my life. For me, exploring Marney’s Creating
Time book was definitely best done as a workshop with Jill Allison Bryan serving as our amazing leader. I feel so lucky to have participated over the past 12 weeks."  – Kathleen Lohr

Bonus! Creating Time Tips Straight from the Source

Marney K. Makridakis,

Best-selling author of Creating Time and founder of Artellaland.com

For an extra special bonus, the author of Creating Time Marney K. Makridakis will join us during one of our calls. She’ll lead a portion of our telelclass and share some information about her exciting upcoming programs as well. (As member of her Mapping and Mentoring with Marney program, I can tell you that we are all in for a real treat!)

Are You Ready to Create More Time for Your Creative Oasis?

$275 includes

* 12 one-hour class sessions via group teleconference
(no special equipment needed ~ just your phone)

*E-mail follow-ups for each class call

*Printable creative play sheets

*Links to each teleclass recording

(so you can listen if you’re unable to make the live call)

Group class calls will take place each Wednesday beginning

September 3rd through November 19, 2014

2 to 3:00 pm Central Time

                                      

Use the "Buy Now" button above to register and save your place in the Fall 2014 session of my  "Creating Time for Your Creative Oasis" teleclass today.

I look forward to sharing this fun and transformative creative experience with you!

Have questions? For more information contact Jill at creativeoasiscoach@me.com.

Another Happy Creative Summer Kit Fan Shares Her Story

I'm delighted to share the story of another happily satisfied fan of my "Create the Summer of Your Dreams" DIY Kit. 

A professional organizer (MakeMyLifeSimplified.com), a photographer and nature lover, Debbie Stinson is a longtime friend and client of Creative Oasis Coaching.  She kindly agreed to share some of the fun experiences she's enjoyed so far using her kit to create the summer of her dreams.

"I purchased pretty new flowers to plant in front of my home. I had so much fun getting my hands in the dirt that I didn't even notice the heat or the time. 

Now I have more flowers to photograph and I'll smile and be reminded of my Summertime Oasis every time I walk to my front door.

By the way, my early morning walks at the Arboretum are a direct result of the opportunity you gave me to "Create the Summer of my Dreams" using your fun DIY e-kit. 

I love feeling that I'm on a good summertime path. 

Thanks so much for creating and sharing this kit.

I look forward to continuing to let it guide me on a creative journey through the summer sunshine!"

~ Debbie Stinson (MakeMyLifeSimplified.com)

As you can imagine, I was tickled as pink as the pretty flower picture she shared to receive Debbie's awesome feedback and I'm so pleased to share it with you too. (Click here to read the stories of other happy customers!)

The good news is you still have time to delight in some satisfying creative experiences of your own and create amazing summer memories using my "Create the Summer of Your Dreams" kit. (Click here  for all the details and to purchase your own kit today.)

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

Jill

Jill Allison Bryan

CreativeOasisCoaching.com

When the World is Your Museum...

My recent beach trip provided so many beautiful reminders that we can enjoy living a creative life even when we're not creating or producing. In fact, we can delight in creativity using the simple act of observation. I found the gorgeous nautilus above on an early morning walk.

Awed by its smooth, flawless form and deep, rich colors I felt like I had discovered a true treasure…a natural sculpture as fine as any you might find in a museum or gallery. Simply holding it in my hands, observing it and sharing it with my family and now with you feels like a satisfying creative act.

As I've said before, "You'll find treasures everywhere you look, so remember to look everywhere."

(Click here to visit this past Mid-Week Oasis Moment post - 

Diamonds in the Dew and Rainbows on my Wall.)

How might you enjoy the creative thrill of discovering natural art this week? 

* What if you take a walk, run, hike or bicycle ride with the simple intention to stay on the look out for natural art?

* What if you challenge yourself to find something lovely and snap a quick photo to share?

* What if you play with an easy photo app to create a fun visual reminder? (I love playing with apps like "FX Photo Studio" to create fun visuals like my nautilus picture above.)

* What if you write a simple haiku about your natural art discovery? (Three lines - 1st line has 7 syllables, 2nd line has 5 syllables, 3rd line has 7 syllables) For example:

Smooth round nautilus

What secrets lie within your

Perfectly pink curves?

* And last, but not least, what if you simply observe and appreciate the beauty you find in nature to add creative satisfaction to your day! 

I'd love for you to share your natural art discoveries and inspirations in the comments section below.

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

Jill

www.creativeoasiscoaching.com

P.S. – You'll find easy and fun ways to tap into creative pleasures using my 

Create the Summer of Your Dreams Do-It-Yourself Kit. 

Click here for all the details if you like! 

Which Creative Oasis Places Inspire You?

I snapped this photo on one of my glorious, solo sunrise beach walks during our vacation last week. Just looking at it now I'm compelled to take a deep breath and relax a bit. (If you just took a deep breath  and relaxed a bit too – yay!)

I am a beach lovin' gal…no doubt about it. I can honestly say that break-of-day beach walks are one of my absolute favorite pleasures in life. 

Perhaps one reason they're so special is the fact that I don't actually live at the beach so that heavenly feeling of my toes sinking into cool soft sand usually only happens once or twice a year at best. (Much more frequently in my dreams though.) 

A week of early morning beach walks can energize me for months! The same can be said of my early morning runs by the river in Colorado. There are just certain spots on this planet (my Oasis Places) that always re-energize, delight me and set my spirit free. I believe with all my heart that time spent enjoying them is time well spent!

Though my beach and mountain times are fewer and farther between than I might like, I'm blessed to live a short ten minute walk from a lovely little lake here in East Dallas. My sunup walks and runs always contain a dash of vacation feel and a nice a way to enjoy a boost of Oasis Places energy.

Even though we can't live our lives in permanent vacation mode, we can tap into the rejuvenating feeling right in our own home anytime we like!

What's one small way you might spend a little time enjoying some Oasis Places Energy today? 

*Perusing through some favorite vacation photos? 

*Five minutes googling places for a "dream" trip you'd hope to take someday? 

*Creating a quick collage using images from magazines that give you that special vacation feeling? 

If you feel guilty about spending time in your Creative Oasis Places, why not practice using the mantra above as a gentle reminder? 

"Time spent in places that set your spirit free is time well spent."

How about you? Where are your favorite Oasis Places at home and abroad? Where have you traveled again and again? Where do you dream of visiting someday? I'd love to hear - if you'd like to - share your thoughts in the comments section below.

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

Jill

www.creativeoasiscoaching.com

P.S. – You'll find easy and fun ways to tap into the creative pleasures of your favorite summer oasis places using my Create the Summer of Your Dreams Do-It-Yourself Kit. 

Click here for all the details if you like! 

O'Keeffe, Van Gogh and You

"When you take a flower in your hand and really look at it, it's your world for the moment. I want to give that world to someone else. Most people in the city rush around so, they have no time to look at a flower. I want them to see it whether they want to or not."

                                ~ Georgia O'Keeffe

  

"Great things are done

by a series of small things

brought together."

~ Vincent Van Gogh 

If you're inspired by the outrageous, sunny beauty of sunflowers you're in good company. Artists like Georgia O'Keeffe and Vincent Van Gogh were clearly taken with the hopeful brilliance of the sunflower. 

I invite you to enjoy some time in the coming weeks playing with your own creative response to the sunflower. You may choose to take O'Keeffe's words to heart and slow down for a few minutes to simply hold a sunflower in your hands and absorb its beauty. Or you may take Van Gogh's Kaizen approach and choose a few small steps to take for a sunflower inspired creative piece of our own. 

Of course, you don't need to be a painter to enjoy a little sunflower power in your life. (Check out the suggestions above and below for some ideas to help you begin.)

* You may choose to add a dash of bold gold to your outfit for the day.

* You may write a quick "ode to a sunflower" in haiku form.

* You may doodle a page filled with sunflowers.

* You may be on the look out for sunflowers and notice how often you see them, letting each sighting serve as a fun reminder that creativity comes in all shapes, forms and sometimes in the most unexpected places.

* You may want to download and print this free Van Gogh Sunflowers coloring page or google your own. (There are lots and lots of wonderful free coloring pages to be found on the internet.)

Click here to download your copy to color or paint.

Since releasing my Create the Summer of Your Dreams Kit with a sunflower as its symbol I've been seeing sunflowers everywhere! On my walks, in stores, on the side of the road, in a friend's headband, on billboards, even in my twitter feed in a Huffington Post story about 3D printing. 

If you're pondering purchasing your own copy of Create the Summer of Your Dreams Kit but haven't yet, I invite you to click here to see what some happy customers are saying about their creative experiences playing with this fun do-it-yourself creative e-kit. You can also find all the details about everything that's included and purchase your own copy for just $19.99 right here. 

Until next time, I hope you enjoy your sunflower creations and inspirations whatever they may be and that they bring an added splash of color and creative play to your summer!

Jill

 (Spotted this lone sunflower in someone's front yard and couldn't resist!)

www.creativeoasiscoaching.com

Fun Reviews of Create the Summer of Your Dreams Kit

I've received some fabulous feedback for my Create the Summer of Your Dreams Kit and couldn't wait to share it with you all! I hope this gives you an idea of how my do-it-yourself e-kit can help you dive into a summer filled with creative satisfaction and fun.

Check out this inspiring testimonial by Twyla Smith:

"Without Jill’s Create the Summer of Your Dreams, I would not have taken the time to pause and remember these happy memories. What a great gift of encouragement to celebrate summers past and present. Now that Jill has helped me remember the joys and playfulness of summer, I feel re-energized to create this summer of my dreams and make new memories by: 

 * Taking a train ride to have lunch with a friend
  * Motoring through the Cotswolds English countryside with my niece
 * Enjoying a 4^th of July Breakfast Picnic with my husband
  * Taking photographs of my great nephew and niece in the grass and summer trees 
 *  And so much more!

Thank you, Jill, for your inspiring Create the Summer of Your Dreams Kit

and its playful, no pressure prompts and activities."

~ Twyla Smith 
(http://threeyellowfeathers.typepad.com)

photo by Janet Calhoun

Another happy Create the Summer of Your Dreams Kit customer, Paula Graham, shares a lovely review on her Creativity Buzz blog. Click here for this fun-to-read review which includes a few of Paula's favorite prompts and some ways she's already begun creating a dreamy summer for herself using the 35-page booklet, five interactive fun sheets and creative resource reading guide included in her kit. 

Click here to find all the details of everything included in your DIY Create the Summer of Your Dreams Kit for just $19.99.

Here's to creating a summer filled with the experiences you long to enjoy!

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

Jill
www.creativeoasiscoaching.com