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

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