Tapping Into Your Inner Peacock

photo by Jill Allison Bryan taken at Kalachandji's in Dallas

Imagine a world where peacocks tried to hide their magnificent colors away because they worried they might be presumed too bold or showy...or because they were afraid they weren't just the right shade of blue, green or purple...or because they thought all the other birds were so much more beautiful than them so why even bother?

Sounds downright unnatural, doesn't it? That's because it is! Peacocks were born to proudly parade their brilliant feathers in all their glory.

Now if you happen to be one of the many people who try to hide your own magnificent creative colors because you're worried that you might be seen as "showing off" or because your afraid your own personal creative process "isn't good enough" or because you think everyone else's creative endeavors are so much better than yours "why should you even bother?" I'm here to tell you that line of thinking is just as unnatural as a peacock trying to hide its brilliance.

I truly believe that you and I are born to share our creative light with the world in a multitude of ways whether it be painting, writing, crafting, gardening, dancing, making music, taking photos, hosting dinner parties, decorating, acting, scrapbooking, knitting...the list goes on and on. As I love to say, your Creative Oasis is whatever makes your heart sing and time fly!

What's one small way you might tap into your 

inner peacock and share your creative colors with the world today?

If you could use some help making the time and space for creative fulfillment in your life sign up here to receive a free copy of my short e-book Permission to Be Creative 101, Mid-Week Oasis Moments (bite-size bonbons of creative inspiration served weekly) and my monthly Creative Oasis Pages newsletter.

And if you're interested in learning more about how one-on-one creativity coaching may be just what you need click here to read more about Creative Oasis Coaching and how to schedule a complimentary session to see if it might be right for you.

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

Jill Allison Byan

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!

CRAVE Dallas Has Arrived

Creative Oasis Coaching is proud to be featured on pages 52 and 53

CRAVE Dallas 2nd edition features Creative Oasis Coaching

What is CRAVE?

CRAVE is a savvy lifestyle guide devoted entirely to local businesses owned by women. CRAVE Dallas will direct you to some of the best local spots – boutiques, spas, cafes, stylists, fitness studios, personal services and more. And you'll meet the inspired, dedicated women behind these exceptional enterprises.

If you'd like to purchase a copy for yourself or for a great Christmas gift for your girlfriends, email me at creativeoasiscoach@me.com and I'll send you a one ASAP. Each book is only $20, and I'll ship as many as you'd like to order for the flat shipping fee of $3.00. (*Be sure to check out the Creative Oasis Coaching coupon in the back for a special offer that adds one free coaching session to any package purchased.)

Personally, I found several businesses that I intend to check out immediately the very first time I flipped through this gorgeous book. The high quality photography captures the spirit of each business so beautifully. I'm truly honored to be featured with all of these inspiring women who are making their dreams come true with heartfelt passion and authenticity.

I had the opportunity to meet many of them at the CRAVE book release party and heard some amazing stories of how these businesses began and dreams for the future. I love supporting local business, and CRAVE makes it easy to do just that.

Hats off to Jenn Sprinkle of Jenn Sprinkle Creative for organizing this 2nd edition of CRAVE. Be sure to check out her fabulous selection of unique designs for journals, iPhone cases, posters and more!  http://shop.jennsprinkle.com

photo by Katie Cassidy of www.kcassidyphotography.com

Drop me a line at creativeoasiscoach@me.com to place your order today. 

All the best from my Creative Oasis to yours,

Jill

Asked for Two Cents & Received Gold

photo by Elle Parks

This past weekend I posted a simple request on my Creative Oasis Coaching facebook page asking my former and present clients to share their two cents about Creative Oasis Coaching and what it has meant to them.

"If you've ever taken one of my classes, workshops, retreats, have been coached by me or gone on a Day Trippers outing, can you share one word to describe it? Thanks so much!"

The response was overwhelming, heartwarming and tickling – as in it tickled me pink. I know sometimes people have a little trouble understanding what it is that I do exactly as a creativity coach, a certified Master Kaizen-Muse® Creativity Coach to be precise. And even when I tell them that I help people make the time and space in their busy lives to enjoy creative fulfillment, they may still be left scratching their heads. So I'm thrilled to have this feedback to share. Perhaps it will help round out the picture of what Creative Oasis Coaching has to offer and how it touches the lives of those who choose to join me.

"Jill is an outstanding teacher. More than that.... she is a leader who has this wonderful way of bringing you back to yourself. Whatever it is you are thinking about taking don't hesitate. Sign up. Not only did I get tons of new ideas and information in her class, I also made new friends... kindred spirits. Run, leap, scamper, skurry, charge forward and sign up. You will not regret it. Sorry. I couldn't think of one word.... Ok FUN!!!" - Margaret Wolf, photographer

"nurturing" – Donna Wallace

"You are in for a delightfully insightful and enriching experience to be coached by Jill. Go for it!" – Twyla Smith

"Brain twisting, in the best way!! : ))" Rosemary Cingari

"The first word that came to mind was nourishing, so even though I'm half asleep I'm going with it - Nourishment for the artistic soul :)" - Polly Simon

"life-changing. does a hyphenated word count?" – Dawn McMullan

"Stimulating...motivating...Incredibly fun! (one word won't do!)" – Sherry Houpt

"illuminating... Hope you have an incredibly, stimulating, motivating, fun and illuminating day! ;)" – Linda Bourgault 

So there you have it. I asked for their two cents and got gold instead! I love the words they chose, the sentiments and the women themselves. That's another wonderful bonus of attending Creative Oasis classes and workshops – meeting wonderful, inspiring, talented women like these!

Thanks so much to everyone who shared. I look forward to the next time we're together in the same creative oasis!

If you're interested in checking out the workshops and classes I'm offering in Dallas this fall click here for all the information and registration links. If you'd like to receive my monthly Creative Oasis Pages to keep up with all the creative fun we're having just send me a quick email at creativeoasiscoach@me.com and I'll be happy to bring you into the loop!

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

Creative Oasis Fall 2012 Classes & Workshops

Craving Creative Fulfillment?

This fall Creative Oasis Coaching is offering more ways than ever for you to learn and practice easy, effective ways to enjoy a creatively fulfilling life! These classes and workshops help you make the time and space for your creative passions – whatever they may be – even with your busy schedule!  They're also a great way to meet other interesting creative loving types who find it challenging to get to their creative interests as often as they'd like. (Sound familiar? You're not alone!)

Pre-registration is required for all classes and workshops. Space is limited to 8 people per session, so please register to reserve your space as soon as possible. 

#1 – "LIVING THE CREATIVE LIFE" 
WORKSHOP          

Saturday, September 8th

1:00 – 4:30pm

$99 

(includes creative supplies and handouts)

A great introduction to Creative Oasis Coaching. We'll explore fun and effective ways to make more time for creativity in your life. Writing, photography, cooking, painting, singing, gardening, scrap-booking…whatever your heart longs to do, you’ll be introduced to unique tools and techniques to help you easily enjoy the creative satisfaction you desire. 

Location:

Pigment School of the Arts

4605 West Lovers Lane

Dallas, TX  75209

For more info or to register, please email creativeoasiscoach@me.com.

#2 – "HOW TO LIVE A CREATIVE LIFE" 
6-WEEK CLASS

6-week course dedicated to weaving creativity into your busy life          

Tuesdays – September 18th through October 23rd 

10:30 to Noon

or

Thursdays – September 20th through October 25th 

6:30 to 8pm

$275, plus $15 materials fee

                           

A more detailed exploration of and opportunity to practice creativity coaching methods designed to help you to experience more creative satisfaction. No matter what your interest – blogging, photography, cooking, writing, collage, watercolor, needlework, gardening ­– whatever creative expression you love, you’ll learn and practice innovative tools and techniques to help you enjoy the creative fulfillment you crave. Choose the morning or evening session.

Location:

Artistic Gatherings

9440 Garland Rd., # 138

Dallas, TX  75218

For more info or to register, please email creativeoasiscoach@me.com

#3 – "PERMISSION TO BE CREATIVE 101" 
MINI-RETREAT

         Saturday, October 13th

10am – 3pm

$85 for CAC members

$115 for non-members

plus $10 materials fee 

(Please bring a sack lunch.)

Do you have a closet full of creative projects you haven't touched in ages? Do you long for the time to dive into creative endeavors – painting, writing, gardening, scrapbooking, dancing, singing –  in short, whatever energizes and delight you while adding joy to your life? This mini-retreat, set amongst the inspiring classrooms of the Creative Arts Center of Dallas, is another great introduction to Creative Oasis Coaching and share great ways for you to get back on track with your creative passions!

Location:

Creative Arts Center of Dallas

2360 Laughlin Dr.

Dallas, TX 75228

For more info or to register, please contact the Creative Arts Center by calling 214-320-1275 or visiting their website at http://www.creativeartscenter.org.

Are you ready to stop making excuses and start making the time and space in your life for creative fulfillment? Then sign up today for the Creative Oasis Coaching class or workshop of your choice, and take the first small step to turning that dream into a reality.

Email me at creativeoasiscoach@me.com and reserve your space today!

All the best from my creative oasis to yours,

Jill

Jill Allison Bryan

Founder of Creative Oasis Coaching

Certified Master Kaizen-Muse Creativity Coach

Singer/Songwriter

www.creativeoasiscoaching.com

Is Creativity The Fountain of Youth?

(as seen in the September 2011 edition of Natural Awakenings Magazine - Dallas Edition pg. 18)

“There is a fountain of youth. It is your mind, your talents, the creativity you bring in your life and the lives of people you love.” – Sophia Loren

At age 77, Academy Award winning actress Sophia Loren still shines with the energy and enthusiasm of someone half her age. What’s her secret? Could her words hold the key to her ability to retain her joy de vivre well into her 70’s?

Studies have shown that people who remain engaged in some type of creative endeavor, whether it be art, music, gardening, cooking, writing, photography, needlework or other creatively satisfying pursuits enjoy a variety of health benefits throughout their lives.

"The most important finding is that creative activity helps people stay healthy," says author John Mirowsky, a sociology professor at the University of Texas at Austin. "Creative activity is non-routine, enjoyable and provides opportunity for learning and for solving problems. People who do that kind of work, whether paid or not, feel healthier and have fewer physical problems." (1) Creative work and health. Mirowsky, J., Ross, C. E., Journal of Health and Social Behavior 2007 Dec;48(4):385-403

History is filled with examples of people who accomplished some of their best creative work later in life. Benjamin Franklin invented the bifocal lens at the age of 78, Frank Lloyd Wright completed the design of the Guggenheim Museum in New York at 92, and Maya Angelou is still an amazing creative at the age of 83. Consider Georgia O’Keeffe who painted into her mid-80’s. When her eyesight began to fail her, she started working in clay so she could keep creating.

Of course, you don’t have to be a famous inventor, artist or poet to enjoy the benefits of the creative process. Simply allowing some time and space in your life for creative fulfillment is beneficial. If you’d like to experience more creativity in your life consider hiring a coach, taking a class, or joining a group that shares your creative interests. At the very least you’ll add a healthy dose of joy to your life and possibly some additional years.

Jill Allison Bryan is a certified Kaizen-Muse® Creativity Coach, founder of Creative Oasis Coaching ™ and a singer/songwriter. You can learn more about Jill’s creativity coaching and music at www.CreativeOasisCoaching.com 

Announcing Fall 2011 Creative Oasis Classes & Workshops

A Creative Oasis class last spring at Pigment

Announcing the Fall 2011 line up of Creative Oasis classes and workshops!

(Register to secure your space in the fun today.)

  

LIVING THE CREATIVE LIFE

A 6-week course dedicated to gently lifting

your creative dreams to the top of your to-do list!

Everyone deserves to experience creative fulfillment. Even if you don’t consider yourself especially creative, you can easily make the time and space in your life to enjoy your own Creative Oasis™. Whether it’s cooking, writing, painting, making music, comedy, scrap-booking, creating collages, blogging, gardening, performing, organizing –

whatever it is that your heart longs to do – that’s your Creative Oasis™. 

So often we let procrastination, perfectionism, and a general feeling of being overwhelmed by our busy lives stop us from making the time for activities that energize and delight us.  It doesn’t have to be that way. As a certified Kaizen-Muse® Creativity Coach, I offer a treasure chest of easy to use tools and techniques that can help anyone enjoy creative satisfaction in their lives.

During this unique 6-week class I’ll share these tools and techniques in a fun group setting that provides camaraderie, support and gentle accountability.

When:

Class offered

September 20 through October 25, 2011

Tuesday mornings 10:30am to Noon

 or

September 22 through October 27, 2011

Thursday evenings 7:30pm to 9:00pm

Where:

Pigment School of the Arts

4605 West Lovers Lane  

Dallas, TX  75209-3133

(214) 352-2787

Cost:

$275 (or $250 with a friend)

includes six sessions, materials and e-mail follow-ups

To register contact creativeoasiscoach@me.com.

PERMISSION TO BE CREATIVE 101

A fun one-day workshop introducing easy and effective ways to make

the time and space for creative fulfillment in your busy life

This workshop designed to energize and enlighten you will feature boxes to think outside of, stereotypes to set free, labels to shed, inhibitions to release, creative identities to try on for size and unique ways of looking at life through the lens of creative thinking.

You’ll be introduced to fun idea generating techniques, a sampling of Kaizen-Muse® Creativity Coaching methods, mind-mapping and easy-to-use tools and techniques to help you tap into your own creativity on a more regular basis. You’ll enjoy the delight of creative expression for the pure sake of joy. You’ll begin your own Creative Oasis™ Journal – a self-created manual of inspiration filled with insights from your inner wisdom and accessed by the unique tools and techniques of creativity coaching.

When:

Saturday, September 17, 2011

10am to 4pm

*Pre-registration required

Where:

Creative Arts Center of Dallas

2360 Laughlin Dr.

Dallas, Texas 75228

214-320-1275

www.creativeartscenter.org

Cost:

$95 for CAC members

$125 for non-members

plus $15 materials fee

(Please bring a sack lunch.)

To register contact the Creative Arts Center at

214-320-1275 or visit their website at www.creativeartscenter.org

*Note – Permission to be Creative 101 will also be offered Saturday, December 3, 2011 from 10am to 4pm.

Bohemian Snow Day Play

“When life hands you lemons make lemonade,” the saying goes.  The first week of February life handed us school-closing snow and ice that kept many of us in Dallas/Ft. Worth homebound with kids that were soon bouncing off the walls. 

Bikini Snow Chick by Ashley Thames Brown

Snow Rita

What did we make with all that snow & ice? According to facebook posts, on the first snow day my friends made snow chicks in bikinis,  snow ice-cream and even snow-ritas. (The love of all things Tex-Mex runs deep down here y’all!) In other words, we made the best of it. We consumed mass quantities of hot chocolate and marshmallows, made fires, played games and watched old movies. 

Then came the second snow day…as my friend Juliana Finch would say write-play-repeat! We did it all again.

Next came day three. Insert *@*#*&&%%!!!* expletive of your choice. By the fourth phone call from school confirming that once again they would be closed due to inclement weather it was time to put on my get-really-creative-and-think-outside-the-box hat.  Thus “Boho Snow Day” was born.

I had several creative projects that I wanted to get to for a group class that I’m teaching here in Dallas called, “Welcome To Your Creative Oasis”, for a group teleclass I’m participating in with Jill Badonsky – “Blissfully Imperfect – Liberating Creative Joy” and for my Creative Oasis Day Trippers group.

Bohemian Dress Up

My daughter loves role-playing, so I figured if I offered to turn our dining room into a Soho-esque artist loft and us into bohemian artist-types (complete with the proper boho-chic fashions) I’d have a good chance of getting her to hang out and do some fun creative stuff with me for an hour or two and give video-chatting on her computer a rest. 

Scarves helped transform the
dining room into a Soho loft

It worked! The proof is in the photos. We had a blast dressing up, hanging scarves and shawls around the room (it helps that I have a slight Stevie Nicks fascination), lighting candles and playing with creative projects. We wrote in our journals. We made Artist Trading Cards. We listened to music. (The New Bohemians, of course!) And I got at least few things accomplished that I wanted to without locking myself in my office and leaving Riley Anna to her own devices.

Our Boho Snow Day was as fun for me as it was for her, and it was an excellent reminder that when we add an element of child-like play to anything we do – it becomes more joyful. Sounds simple…makes sense…but we can all use the reminder.

Journaling...

is fun!
(yes...we dressed up the dog too, poor guy)

As Bea Silly, Muse of Play, Laughter and Dance says, “Fun is an elixir of spontaneous ideas. Solutions that seemed so elusive earlier appear effortlessly in the midst of play. To engage in the kind of play that stimulates ideas, mortals need to take themselves less seriously and make room for making things up, kidding, and goofing off.” (Quoted from “The Nine Modern Day Muses and a Bodyguard” by Jill Badonsky.)

Artist Trading Card

Can you imagine how child-like play might open you up to the creative process? Why not fetch your feather boa out of the mothballs (or if you don’t own one – go buy one for heaven’s sake – everyone needs a feather boa!) and throw it dramatically around your neck then dive into five minutes of creative play. Write in your journal as if you’re a movie star from the days of the silver screen…create a collage like your Lady Gaga designing your next crazy costume…plan a menu for a dinner party for the rock stars you’re inviting over next weekend (and if you don’t know any rock stars…have your neighbors over to enjoy it instead.)

I’d love to hear how you choose to use child-like play in your creative process! (oooo…and send photos too please!)

All the best from my creative oasis to yours,

Jill

Visit The Creativity-Portal to find this article and many more written by me and other certified Kaizen-Muse Creativity Coaches.

Have You Ever Tried To Put On A Sari Without A Mirror?

This query, asked by Ayurvedic Cooking goddess Elaine Dodson, stopped me in my tracks. Resplendent in a brilliant flowing sari, she posed this curious question as we headed into the great room of the Double J Hacienda & Art Ranch. Elaine was about to lead another wonderful cooking class during a weekend Ayurvedic Retreat and had just dressed in a room sans a full-length mirror.

“Um…to tell you the truth, I’ve never tried to put on a sari period…under any conditions,” I laughed. To Elaine who has been a devotee of the Krishna Consciousness Movement since the 1970s, has lived in an ashram, cooked for gurus and founded the award-winning Indian restaurant Kalachandji’s, this question was as simple as asking “Have you ever tried putting on mascara without a mirror?”

I keep thinking about her question, and I now realize what I find most fascinating is that to Elaine, she’d asked something fairly run-of-the-mill. But to me, she might as well have asked whether or not I’d ever accidentally hopped into my Lamborghini and driven off when I’d meant to take my Bentley. Her question seemed that far-fetched and exotic. 

Of course, things that are second nature to us may seem unusual and even outrageous to others. My daughter came home from school indignant after some of her friends refused to believe that her grandfather races sport cars. “They just don’t get it, Mom! They say a grandpa can’t be a race-car driver, but they don’t know my Grandaddy!”

For me, simply spending time with people like Elaine and my dad is inspiring. Believe me, I have no hidden desire to become the personal chef to an Indian Swami nor do I wish to race cars at speeds topping 100-miles-per-hour ­­– but I’m all about hanging out with people who do!

I have a friend, Dawn, who traveled to Africa on a mission trip a couple of years ago that changed her life. She can’t wait to get back there, but in the mean time she writes an amazing blog called Bringing Dinner Back which shares information about Africa in conjunction with the importance of bring her family together at the dinner table at least once a day. She also helps a group that runs a small orphanage called Congo Restoration, moved to action by her experiences in Africa.

Will I ever be brave enough or selfless enough to take a trip like that? I admit I have a tough time visualizing it, but just knowing Dawn and reading her heartfelt and intelligent insights, I’m moved to learn more about other cultures, to stop taking my own blessed life for granted and moved to make a difference when I can.

In Kaizen-Muse Creativity Coaching, exposure ranks as one of the most popular techniques we share for finding inspiration when you’re feeling stuck. Being exposed to the creative passions of others (be it cooking or racing or traveling) can sometimes be just the spark you need to ignite your own creative fire.

Who lights your creative fire? 

Here's a big thanks to all those who do!

Jill