Looking on the Sunny Side of Life

I tend to look on the sunny side of life, at least I try to more often than not. Though I know we need the dark to see the light and bad times come hand in hand with the good…at this stage in my life, I’ve come to see the power in dwelling in the positive rather than the negative…expecting the best rather than the worst…seeing the good in people rather than the not-so-good whenever possible…remaining hopeful!

When I found this wonderful Helen Keller quote I knew I wanted to pair it with a photo I took on an early morning beach walk last week. What’s more hopeful than a sunrise? It’s literally the beginning of a new day…the opportunity to begin again…a fresh start.

With that in mind, what’s one small way you might “keep your face to the sunshine” today? What’s one simple way you might begin again? Do you have a project you’ve laid aside you’d like to revisit? Has it been too long since you last played the piano, picked up your needlework or took out the scissors and glue? What if you gave yourself five or ten minutes to get reacquainted with your creative calling?

"I Am Not Alone" painted and donated by Michelle Stroescu for Infinite Possibility – A Night of Music, Art & Women Helping Women"

I wrote and recorded a song called “I Am Not Alone” for my CD, “Dancing In Limbo” that shares the reminder that rain combined with sunshine can create the magic of a rainbow. How might you play with the concept of light and dark in your creativity? My talented friend, Michelle Stroescu, painted and donated the artwork above for my CD release/silent art auction event, "Infinite Possibility – A Night of Music, Art & Women Helping Women" which raised more than $10,000 for Women for Women International. (click here to see all of the amazing artwork which was donated by my generous, talented female friends for the event)

As always, I’d love for you to share anything that was sparked for you by this post and please feel free to share it with anyone you feel could use some permission to make time for their creative passions.

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!

Summer Oasis Moments

Sunrise runs along Blue River in Breckenridge, Colorado…

...hikes with my family in the fresh mountain air…

the penny-candy delight of reading a big ‘ole tween pop-fiction book (Ok, I admit…I finally read “Twilight” and loved every minute of it!)…a fabulous road trip with my husband playing DJ and hour upon hour to dream and talk about the future…watching my mom teach my daughter how to knit (Thank God for Nana! She teaches Riley Anna so many things that she’d never otherwise learn from her not-so domestic mother.)…sleeping late… 

Energy Effects at MCA of Denver

...exploring the amazing Museum of Contemporary Art Denver…a spur of the moment, 4-hour lunch with my sweet aunt who I don’t get to see nearly enough…yoga classes...watching Riley Anna and her friend be filmed for the video of our good friend, Jimmy Baldwin's new song ...

"Peace, Love & Chicken Fried Steak"

...extended family sleepover at Camp NanaGrandaddy with Grandaddy’s Famous Flapjacks for breakfast…painting and decorating Riley Anna’s new “big girl” room…ultrasound photos of my niece who should be making her appearance very soon.

In addition to all of these soul-nourishing oasis moments, I managed to play a few gigs to promote my new CD, “Dancing In Limbo,” coach some fantastic clients, share several Creative Oasis Coaching presentations and a teleclass, launch my new website and finally organize my office/music studio (with the help of Debbie from Make My Life Simplified it was actually fun!). I’ve also created a 6-week group coaching course, “Welcome To Your Creative Oasis™” which I’ll be sharing this fall at the inspiring Pigment School for the Arts (owned by my friend, gifted artist and teacher,  Tori Webb Pendergrass.) Tori was one of the 13 talented artists who participated in Infinite Possibility – A Night of Music, Art and Women Helping Women.

I’d love to hear about your favorite summer oasis moments.  Which sounds and colors and feelings still play in your mind? What smells and tastes and images will always remind you of the summer of 2010? Which experiences felt like an oasis to you?

Our lives are made up of many moments…it’s up to us to fill those moments with all the good we can. Let’s raise a glass of lemonade to the beautiful memories of summer that still linger in the not too distant past and to the infinite possibility in all the wonderful moments that await us this fall.

All the best from my creative oasis to yours,
Jill

Giving Credit Where It’s Long Overdue – To You!

One of my favorite creative coaching tools is the “credit check-in.” By simply listing all of the things that you did get around to during the week you often realize you accomplished much more than you thought you had. We tend to dwell on all that we haven’t yet crossed off our never-ending, crazy-long, take-care-of-everyone-else-on-the-planet first to-do lists. You know – everything that needs to be done, didn’t get done and a few things we can’t imagine how there will ever be enough time in the world to get done. This just serves to frustrate and overwhelm us. Frustration + Overwhelm = Bad Feelings. Credit Check-in + Self-satisfaction = Good Feelings.

Today I had a “physician – heal thyself!” moment. About a bazillion things that I need and want to do (that’s barely an exaggeration!) raced through my mind. Things to promote my new CD, “Dancing In Limbo”… things to better serve my Creative Oasis Coaching clients … things to do for my family … things to do for my friends …things to do for the planet (when I get on a roll – watch out!) … lots and lots and lots of things!

Just about the moment I felt overwhelm wrapping around me like a boa constrictor and I couldn’t take a deep enough breath, I received a wonderful e-mail from a past client. She wrote to thank me for some of the tools that we’d used together during our coaching sessions and to let me know they were still essential to helping her make the time and space in her busy life for her creative passions (which includes writing a fabulous blog that you can check out here). “Oh yeah,” I remembered, “These fantastic tools are available even to me 24/7, but sometimes we just need a little reminder.”

So I took a break from obsessing about everything that needs to be done and did a credit check-in for myself. I made a list of everything I’ve accomplished in the past week. (even laundry and making lunches – everything that took even a few minutes of my precious time) Then I read it over and let it really sink in. I’m not shy, so I’ll tell you – I’ve been kicking booty this past week! Yes – there is still much to be done – but NEWS FLASH – there always will be. And if there weren’t life would be boring and stagnant and no fun, in my book anyway. I felt so much better realizing all that I had already successfully accomplished. I was able to take a deep breath and feel a blessed release from that awful overwhelm that had been creeping in. (insidious bastard that overwhelm!) I share this in the hope that it will serve as a reminder to you to take a minute to give yourself the credit your due. I promise it will feel great and you deserve it!

All the best from my creative oasis to yours,

Jill

p.s. - I'm thrilled to be the featured coach in this month's MUSE FLASH by Jill Badonsky. Pop over and check out her monthly musing here. It's always inspiring and fun!

Music, Art & Love Raised Over $10,000 For Women for Women International!

“Infinite Possibility – A Night of Music, Art & Women Helping Women” was a tremendous success and, I believe all who attended would agree, a whole lot of fun. What began as a creative daydream about how to celebrate the release of my solo CD, “Dancing in Limbo” became a dreamy reality on the evening of March 27.

An amazing group of people gave freely of their time,

talent and resources to create an event of a lifetime and in the process raised $10,775 to benefit Women for Women International.

I introduced you to most of the artists here on my blog. You can still view all of these short films (most are 3 or 4 minutes) by visiting my youtube channel at http://www.youtube.com/user/creativeoasiscoach. They’re a wonderful source of inspiration for anyone who longs to make the time and space in the life to pursue his or her creative passion.These gifted, giving women shared their talents generously by creating and donating artwork that raised more than $6,000 on the night of our celebration through silent auction. Additional profits were raised by our generous sponsors, individuals and businesses who donated to

our fabulous raffle prize basket, and the wonderful

guests who purchased tickets, CDs and special “Dancing In Limbo art & lyrics” books for a grand total of $10,775 profit to benefit Women for Women International.

The ultimate success of this event was also due in large part to the big-hearted offers of time and support from an amazing group of women who I am so proud to call my friends. They rallied to find sponsors, sell tickets, haul supplies, set-up, break down and offered me a non-stop flow of encouragement and support that lifted me up and carried me along even on the days I didn’t think I could do it. I am so grateful to them all.

I’ve learned so much more from this experience than I can relate in this short space – but I imagine I’ll be sharing more in the coming days and weeks as I process it all.

For now, I do know this – we are all capable of doing more than we think we can – sometimes you just have to follow your heart and see where it leads – and, finally, the power of love, music and art can come together in amazing ways to create awareness and raise funds to help women around the globe positively transform their lives and the lives of their families while lifting up everyone who participated in the process.

All the best from my creative oasis to yours, Jill!

Singer/Songwriter/Creativity Coach/Head Chica-in-Charge of Creative Oasis Coaching

Following My Heart into Infinite Possibility

What is Infinite Possibility? It's a theory that in each and every moment there exist an infinite number of possible choices and outcomes in life. It's also a song on my upcoming solo CD, "Dancing in Limbo." And, it's the name of the event I'm hosting here in Dallas on Saturday, March the 27th to celebrate the release of said CD in collaboration with 13 talented female artists who have each created and donated an original piece of artwork inspired by the songs on my CD. These beautiful pieces will be sold in a silent auction and I will perform the songs live at the celebration thus creating the event "Infinite Possibility – A Night of Music, Art & Women Helping Women" with all profits benefiting Women for Women International.

In the short video below, I share my journey into Infinite Possibility and invite you to join me.

In the beginning, I was searching for a creative way to celebrate the release of my CD - something outside the box and preferably not inside a smoky bar. I had no experience creating an event of this magnitude, fundraiser or otherwise. I was simply so inspired by the idea of combining music and art and finally having the opportunity to collaborate with some of my many talented artist friends and raising awareness and money for Women for Women International while I was at it - that I employed the "ready-fire-aim" strategy. I more or less just followed my heart and went for it. Luckily, I've had help and support from many, many wonderful people along the way including generous sponsors, raffle prize donators (now worth more than $1,000!) and, of course, the 13 gifted artists.

My good friend, Kim Hammond, was the ideal artist to pair with my song "Infinite Possibility." She and I share a long history of serendipitous moments, as well as psychic connections and experiences. I think she does an excellent job of describing her take on Infinite Possibility in her short video below.

If you're interested in attending and/or supporting "Infinite Possibility – A Night of Music, Art & Women Helping Women" please visit the website link above. It's been truly gratifying to hear from people in other countries and states who are sending in donations and buying tickets to lend their support though they won't be able to join us for the actual event. Their reaching out has proven to me that the ripple effect is real and the possibilities are indeed infinite for us to do good in the world. What a joy!

An Artist Who Won’t Change Her Spots For Anyone

Tori Webb Pendergrass says that it’s not really a choice, she simply must remain true to her own artistic style. Several years ago, when her mother suggested that Tori try painting pieces that would appeal to a wider audience, rather than attempt to change her personal style, Tori was inspired to create this piece.

“The leopard represents me, comfortable in my own skin, while the different 'outfits' hanging in the painting represent other personas that people might like me to be.” In remaining true to her calling, Tori has built a thriving career around her art.

Tori draws on her personal narratives to create vibrant yet primal pictorial stories infused with magical realism. She has exhibited her works in galleries, colleges and rock ‘n roll clubs around the world.

For Infinite Possibility – A Night of Music, Art & Women Helping Women (the celebration for the release of my solo CD, "Dancing in Limbo" & silent art auction benefiting Women for Women International), Tori painted a piece inspired by my song “RSVP,” which she discusses in the video below.

(click here to connect directly to our YouTube channel)

I find myself inspired not only by Tori’s compelling art, but by her ability to fully inhabit her life as an artist as well. In addition to creating and showing her own fine art, Tori owns and operates Pigment School of the Arts, an art school where she teaches and nurtures creative minds of all ages.

Visit her school at www.pigmentarts.com and view her personal portfolio at www.urbanimps.com.

“Limbo” Offers A Solid Place For This Artist To Begin

While one might think of limbo as an indeterminate state of oblivion, “Dancing in Limbo” actually provided artist Martica Griffin with a tangible jumping off point for her painting of the same name. “I always like having a basis to begin a new piece,” says Martica. “It makes things so much easier.” This time the basis to begin happened to be the title song of my soon-to-be-released solo CD, “Dancing in Limbo.”

Martica created and donated her painting “Dancing in Limbo” for my upcoming CD release/silent art auction fundraiser. “Infinite Possibility – A Night of Music, Art & Women Helping Women” takes place in Dallas, Texas, Saturday, March 27, 2010 and will benefit Women for Women International. Please check out the all-new event website (www.infinitepossibilityevents.com) to learn more about the cause, meet the participating artists, see their amazing artwork, hear some of my music and learn how you too can be a part of Infinite Possibility.

The video below shows Martica in action as she shares a bit about her personal creative philosophy. (In the weeks leading up to Infinite Possibility I will introduce all 13 artists and share their videos here and on the event website.)

(To view full screen through YouTube click here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K2uGHrf5lGU)

Although “Dancing in Limbo” was the first time Martica painted a piece inspired solely by a specific song, she often uses themes as a starting point for her artwork. At present, she’s working on a new series titled “Charms of the 50 States” in which she draws inspiration from charm bracelets and offers her non-representational take on well known state symbols and icons.

Martica is now concentrating on “Southern Charms,” 10 paintings that will cover the South and still leave 40 states worth of inspiration to spare. She’s excited to announce that she will be the featured artist at Tinney Contemporary this April where “Southern Charms” debuts Saturday, April 3rd.

Martica and I became friends years ago when my first copywriting job out of college took me to an advertising agency in Nashville where she was an art director. She now owns and operates a long-standing Nashville advertising agency, ASAP (Alternative Strategic Advertising & Promotions.) As a friend, and as a creativity coach, it’s been a joy for me to watch Martica’s journey back to her love of painting over the last ten years or so. After watching her short film, and seeing her fabulous artwork, I think you’ll agree that this is a woman who has definitely created her own Mid-Life Oasis™.

All the best from my creative oasis to yours,

Jill Allison Bryan

Singer/Songwriter/Creativity Coach/Believer in Infinite Possibilities