I have this friend Suzy. She’s spunky and funny and always adds color to my day. Today is no exception. She found rainbows in fresh fruit. That makes me cartwheel!
Today, try to find a spot of color that captures your imagination. Take a picture and share it. Share it on your blog or send it to me and I will share and together we’ll make the world a brighter place!
It Doesn’t Have to Make Sense
Original Mixed Media Piece by Natasha Reilly © 2013.
In the continued exploration of my creative voice, I decided to push more limits. I had been caught up in things having to “make sense.” As I let go of that idea and began to play, I felt frustration at first. There was a part of me that wanted to revert to what was “safe” and what I “know.” I found myself questioning what others would think but I pushed forward. I fought with the paint and the canvas until I had a thought. What if I added other materials to this work? That thought annihilated my blocks. In adding new materials I returned to a state of wonder and play.
We tend to think of “play” as something meant for children but here’s the thing. Playing allows us to wonder and wonder leads to innovation. Play is essential to creative thought. Much like schools cutting art programs, when we cut play from our life we lose a valuable tool needed in order to evolve and create new works.
Today, take a moment to yourself and just play! Try it you just might like it 
Then be sure to share here in the comments. Link back to your work!
To work more with creative voice, feel free to sign up for my new workshop, The Art Soiree.
And if you have a moment, drop by Paint Party Friday to bask in more creative goodness!
Play. Stretch. Discomfort. Excitement. Frustration. Surprise. Exceptional Fun. Elation. Deep Belief. Healing. Joy. Begin Again.
Recently, these have been the steps along my path. My artistic journey has become an integral part of my life. Thing is I’ve always known it was supposed to be but I put a million other “more important” things before it. Now, as I incorporate it into my everyday I find myself it’s like a key that unlocks more patience, creativity and love which inspires me to be more present and share more. It’s funny, I thought being creative would take away time I needed but it enhances it.
As I challenge myself to create new things, try new techniques and bring things I’ve only ever imagined to life I find I am expanding beyond my limits. Playing with new art materials, setting intentions, and allowing myself to experiment is opening new avenues for me not only in my artwork but in my life. I am beginning to recognize where I was limiting my vision. In doing so I am beginning to look at the world around me with wonder. AH! I was striving for that feeling – the magic and wonder of childhood and each time I challenge myself, frustrate myself and try something new I find it. It’s intoxicating.
A doll. I never thought I’d make a doll. Sure, I tried to make one for my daughter once but truth be told, she was kind of flat and a little lumpy. I did not make the body of this doll but I did create her face and decorate her with materials at hand. When I first laid eyes on her I had a vision of what she “needed”. Honestly it was a vision of what I am programmed to think others would want. Happily however I didn’t have materials for all I envisioned. So, I grabbed what was on hand and doing that – working with materials outside of my comfort zone – opened up possibility that I could create her for me, to make me happy, to be what I truly want. I hadn’t pictured her in a dress. I hadn’t thought of painting her body or painting flowers on her legs (my daughter suggested that and began with a flower.) But look at her in her wee fuzzy clogs (they make me laugh!) and her little anklet. She is who she is and I sooooo dig that. I LOVE her hair – in fact I think she needs more. She’s a work in progress.
This character has been in my head for many years. She’s now in my hands – a physical form. She and her friends are coming to life in my art and in my writing and it’s simply magical. Magical! Though she’s mixed media, she’s been painted (I love throwing paint everywhere! So I’m going to share her with Paint Party Friday too.)
Play. Let go. Play. Let Go. Today, find a moment to just play. Let yourself get scared and frustrated. Sink into feeling lost and unsure because on the flip side of all those emotions is joy and celebration. On the flip side, you will find the true freedom in being you and sharing your voice!
Play.
Let Go.
Create.
Begin Again.
Don’t be fooled by this wee girl. Don’t dismiss her as cute and nice. She’s a sassy fireball filled with a powerful voice just like YOU and she’s about to start a revolution, The Art Soiree: a NEW e-course!
In a world that tells you what to wear, eat, think and feel in order to fit in, I’m inviting YOU to discover, embrace and use your unique voice! The Art Soiree is a 5-week workshop in which you play, experiment, discover and learn to tell stories in your distinctive voice using paint, photography, writing and more. It is about being who you are – not who you are in the moment – but who you truly are and infusing personal and professional relationships and the world-at-large with your inimitable voice.
During this 5-week workshop, you will:
- Create art and writing pieces that are an authentic reflection of you (no formal art or creative writing training necessary just a willingness to play with wild abandon)
- Begin to see the world in new ways through photography (no formal photography training necessary just a willingness to be an explorer in your life)
- Guidance on how to transform ”negative” emotions and ideas into constructive, intuitive building blocks because our richest and most valuable material lies in darkness (no formal training necessary just a willingness to love with your whole heart)
- Secret guerilla gratitude missions (no secret mission experience necessary just a willingness to experience major amounts of gratitude)
- Play exercises to inject some serious fun into your daily life
- Engaging, inspiring videos
- PDF’s with information that you will refer to again and again
- A private class space and safe environment where you can share with like-minded souls
- A community that you can remain connected with after the class
- Personal attention from Natasha
The cost of this fabulous art party revolution is $55 and it begins on May 28th.
The sky is more than just blue and the stars are different for everyone. Come experiment with your voice to add color, vision and magic to the world. Let’s send gorgeous, positive, creative, playful, joyous ripples out into the world.
Are you ready to play?
Dear Magical Brain,
It’s a chair, right? Oh no! It’s so much more!
Thank you for being far more powerful than the Overthinking bandit who often pops in for a visit.
When I looked at my daughter’s well-loved chair and saw a rip in the seat my initial reaction was cover it up. Almost immediately I heard the knock of Overthinking but instead of answering I moved to action and grabbed some colorful duct tape. I went over and over the seat transforming into something new, something my young daughter has fallen in love with all over again.
I think that’s the trick. If we can trust that voice we hear – which speaks up almost immediately – that asks us to think outside the box and get creative (a natural gift) then we move to action. It’s when we invite overthinking in for tea that we tend to lose our focus. Like those “cool” kids in high school, overthinking isn’t brave enough to show up anywhere without its friends, self-doubt and what if. Now don’t get me wrong in the right situation “What if” can be cool to hang with but if what if hangs around too long inaction shows up and before you know the day is done and you’ve accomplished nothing.
So thank you imaginative, intuitive, magical brain for coming to visit with energy boosters to get me creating instead of merely thinking about creating and bringing the voice of one adorable little girl to life.
Love,
Natasha
On March 1st, I stepped into the Screw Work, Let’s Play 30 Day Challenge led by John Willams and Selina Barker and it changed my life. My project was to play and create art with people. I had no idea where that would lead but I started to play and found myself working with not only individuals and small groups but companies such a Big House Publishing featured in this video, as well. This is the mini-documentary I created at the end of the project. But that’s the thing, this is not the end. It’s just the beginning.
I am so thankful to Selina Barker for inviting me to check out the AMAZING 30 Day Challenge that she and John Williams, author of Screw Work, lead. The moment I read about it and heard her talk about it I knew I simply had to take a leap. It is changing my life for the better. I’m so thrilled to step back into this Nacho arena. Lots will be happening here so come play!
Love Inspires Love
Original Painting by Natasha Reilly, 2013
As I sat with this painting, I had a strong feeling that it had something to do with love but I wasn’t sure what. Then while listening to a talk yesterday I was struck with the image of the heart and people dancing or celebrating. I was also struck by the idea that people should “do what they love” – an idea I firmly which I believe – but I took it one step further in thinking that they should do what they love with love. When you are sharing yourself and the things that move your soul with another, love is transferred. Like confetti it falls down upon everyone around you.
I’m not sure that this painting conveys my thoughts or feelings adequately but it has inspired another work. Love has been transferred.
Love inspires love,
always.
No, I will NOT keep it down!!
Original Painting by Natasha Reilly © 2013
She has been the “good girl.” She has been quiet and polite, often holding her tongue and compromising her truth. She has beaten herself up for being too loud, rocking the boat and not being who everyone else wants her to be. And she’s NOT going to anymore. This is a Sassy Girl Rebellion. She says,
“This is my voice. It is BIG but not too much – never too much. As I unleash it, I am unleashing the very best parts of me. When I share it, I am acknowledging that I am a creation filled like a Christmas present with unique magic.
I will raise my arms and open my mouth with eyes closed because I don’t need to see your reaction to know that sharing my voice is ok. I don’t need to study your eyes, your mouth and your gestures to see if what I have to say is pleasing to you. I did not come here to dress up my thoughts in a pretty box wrapped in a bow for you to open and merely utter, “Pretty.” I came here for me.
I came here to share the powerful, unforgettable, unrelenting strength and magnificent, playful, stunning beauty that’s inside of me. I came here to be the honest, vulnerable, open, witty, brave, funny, unsure, breathtakingly me, I know I am.
I may not always know how my voice will come out – it might be spoken, written, drawn, painted. It may be in the way I dress, the way I move my hands or simply in a glance. I never really know what shape it will take but I do know this….
This is my voice.
It is a beat,
a word,
a song.
This is my voice.
It is free,
formless,
a poem.
This is my voice.
It is bristles,
Droplets of color,
a painting.
This is my voice.
It is flowing,
Movement,
a dance.
This is my voice.
It is an idea,
the pen stroke,
the sketch.
This is my voice.
It is a blossom,
nurturing food,
a garden.
This is my voice.
It is symphony of color,
joy on the night sky,
fireworks.
This is my voice.
It is the deep and rolling,
shrouded in mystery,
an ocean.
This is my voice.
It is endangered,
protected,
a wild animal.
This is my voice.
It is naked,
vulnerable,
my baby.
This my voice.
It is warmth,
Light,
The sun.
This is my voice.
It is glittering stars,
luna love,
the expansive night sky.
This is my voice.
It is the salve,
The bandage,
healing.
This is my voice.
This is me.
- Natasha Reilly 2013
I’ve been in a reflective space that has tapped into every emotion. Truly, it’s been an incredible period of time and now things are bubbling forth. Exciting things are coming. Keep an eye out of the next Nachos newsletter.
The Heart
Original Piece by Natasha Reilly, © 2013.
