Cynthia Morris's Blog, page 32
May 2, 2017
Letting go of one to open to the next
Last summer, while teaching my Capture the Wow class, I had the idea to do a series of cups… 365 of them. I figured, I draw a lot of cups, why not go ALL IN. Unfortunately for me, when I get an idea I often jump into action right away.
I went for it. Cups from travels. Cups from a madcap Fika Passport dash. Cups from home.
Doing a project for an entire year is mucho difficult. I went way beyond my desired quitting point at 100. My Facebook friends encouraged me and gave me ideas, which I tried. I was able to keep going by doing series within series. I did the cups Tarot series, a turmeric latte series, and started a whole pattern series. Playing with pattern had always In the end, I made 185 pieces.
It’s hard to quit something. I am all for commitment to the finish line. But when I got to 170 or so and felt I was becoming disingenuous, I had to take another look at my commitment. Being miserable about my projects isn’t an option.
Then the 100 Day Project came around. I loved it in 2015 and I wanted to do it again. I find myself most engaged and excited about making art when I am working at my creative edge. That’s the place in my art or writing that I am learning and growing the most. The edge is often a technical challenge, something I am trying to learn and hopefully master.
I saw a Frida Kahlo exhibit in Mexico last week so of course I had to paint her!
So for the next series, the 100 Day Project, I am depicting people. I’ve felt insecure about this for a long time and it’s time to get over it. Here’s my chance to paint realistic or imaginative people who inspire me, including self-portraits. I’m having a blast and gaining confidence. Check out my series on my Instagram account.
It might appear flaky to shift gears like this and abandon one series for another. But I cannot worry about how it appears to others. I only need to follow my original impulse and make what’s meaningful to me.
I might resume the cup series, but for now I am focusing on painting people.
What might you want to shift – what is wanting to shift you? If it mattered only to you, what would you do? Share your thoughts below.
The post Letting go of one to open to the next appeared first on Original Impulse .
April 18, 2017
Simple meditation tool for more creativity
Last year, I began teaching a new class that brought me back to the origin of my life as an artist. Drawing as Meditation had such a powerful impact, and yet it was so simple. My students showed me that there is a great hunger to slow down, savor, and feel more attuned creatively.
It’s amazing – in the true sense of the word – how our senses can offer us a new experience in any moment. Yet we allow our senses to be dulled. We fall prey to:
• Too much information
• Moving too quickly
• Doing more than one thing at once
• Overeating, overdrinking, over consuming anything
We are at the same time overloaded with input and starving for true, first-person information that really fuels us. With an abundance of sensory input, we crave depth. For that, we can start with something we all have access to anytime, anywhere: our senses.
By the end of my Drawing as Meditation class at Camp GLP, participants claimed a greater sense of freedom and permission with their drawing, and their creativity in general. The process I lead is very simple but had a big impact. I credit it to beginning the workshop with this meditative exercise.
I use this at the beginning of my Capture the Wow and Drawing as Meditation workshops. It helps us shift our state of being quickly and easily. We’re then more receptive and appreciative of what’s around us. The exercise is called Sensual Atunement.
Engaging our senses intentionally allows us to experience life more richly in any given moment. And they’re there for us always. When we atune our senses, we experience the world more vibrantly. This helps us to feel and be more creatively inspired.
Another gorgeous tree in the park in Denver
Sensual Atunement exercise
Here is the exercise for you to try – it can take as long as you like and as little as three minutes. Read all the instructions first, then guide yourself though this simple process.
Before we begin, write down three words that describe your state of being. These words could be: overwhelmed, anxious, calm, stressed. No judgement, just jot down the words that describe your current state. Set that aside.
To start, find a place where you can be uninterrupted. You will be closing your eyes, so make sure you are in a place where you feel safe doing so.
The meditation usually takes up to five minutes. What we will do is go through each sense, one by one, asking two questions:
• What do you notice?
• How would you describe that?
Now, close your eyes. Start with smell. Take a deep breath in. What do you smell? Continue looking for smells, both subtle and gross. Take a minute to smell everything you can.
How would you describe that? Play with putting words to what you smell. How would you tell someone what you smell? What words would you use? Be as creative as you want.
Next, let’s go to sound. What do you hear? Tune in to the sounds in the room, outside of the room. Listen to the small sounds and the loud sounds.
How would you describe what you hear?
Now, taste. What do you taste? There might not be an immediate taste…keep exploring. What do you taste in your mouth right now?
How would you describe that?
Next, touch. What do you touch? What does your body touch? Your clothes? The place you are sitting on? The air on your skin? Feel it all.
How would you describe the touch now?
Before you open your eyes, tune in to the sixth sense. Intuition. Vibe. Energy. What do you notice?
How would you describe that? Again, be creative here.
Lastly, open your eyes.
What do you see? What do you notice that’s different from before you closed your eyes?
How would you describe that?
You can use this exercise whenever you feel frazzled, overwhelmed, confused about what to do next, or whenever you want to feel more present and grounded. It’s easy, portable and doesn’t require anything but a few minutes of your attention.
You can use free-writing to capture your experience from this exercise. Try it and let us know how it goes below.
Ommmm out with us in personPractice this exercise and other fun games to wake up your inner artist. I love leading the way to reunite you and your creativity.
Capture the Lake Louise Wow, Banff, Canada May 22nd – 26th, 2017
Capture the Boulder Wow Sunday, June 4th, Two Hands Paperie, Colorado
Capture the Paris Wow September 7th – 12th, 2017
The post Simple meditation tool for more creativity appeared first on Original Impulse .
Attuning the senses
Last year, I began teaching a new class that brought me back to the origin of my life as an artist. Drawing as Meditation had such a powerful impact, and yet it was so simple. My students showed me that there is a great hunger to slow down, savor, and feel more attuned creatively.
It’s amazing – in the true sense of the word – how our senses can offer us a new experience in any moment. Yet we allow our senses to be dulled. We fall prey to:
• Too much information
• Moving too quickly
• Doing more than one thing at once
• Overeating, overdrinking, over consuming anything
We are at the same time overloaded with input and starving for true, first-person information that really fuels us. With an abundance of sensory input, we crave depth. For that, we can start with something we all have access to anytime, anywhere: our senses.
By the end of my Drawing as Meditation class at Camp GLP, participants claimed a greater sense of freedom and permission with their drawing, and their creativity in general. The process I lead is very simple but had a big impact. I credit it to beginning the workshop with this meditative exercise.
I use this at the beginning of my Capture the Wow and Drawing as Meditation workshops. It helps us shift our state of being quickly and easily. We’re then more receptive and appreciative of what’s around us. The exercise is called Sensual Atunement.
Engaging our senses intentionally allows us to experience life more richly in any given moment. And they’re there for us always. When we atune our senses, we experience the world more vibrantly. This helps us to feel and be more creatively inspired.
Another gorgeous tree in the park in Denver
Sensual Attunement exercise
Here is the exercise for you to try – it can take as long as you like and as little as three minutes. Read all the instructions first, then guide yourself though this simple process.
Before we begin, write down three words that describe your state of being. These words could be: overwhelmed, anxious, calm, stressed. No judgement, just jot down the words that describe your current state. Set that aside.
To start, find a place where you can be uninterrupted. You will be closing your eyes, so make sure you are in a place where you feel safe doing so.
The meditation usually takes up to five minutes. What we will do is go through each sense, one by one, asking two questions:
• What do you notice?
• How would you describe that?
Now, close your eyes. Start with smell. Take a deep breath in. What do you smell? Continue looking for smells, both subtle and gross. Take a minute to smell everything you can.
How would you describe that? Play with putting words to what you smell. How would you tell someone what you smell? What words would you use? Be as creative as you want.
Next, let’s go to sound. What do you hear? Tune in to the sounds in the room, outside of the room. Listen to the small sounds and the loud sounds.
How would you describe what you hear?
Now, taste. What do you taste? There might not be an immediate taste…keep exploring. What do you taste in your mouth right now?
How would you describe that?
Next, touch. What do you touch? What does your body touch? Your clothes? The place you are sitting on? The air on your skin? Feel it all.
How would you describe the touch now?
Before you open your eyes, tune in to the sixth sense. Intuition. Vibe. Energy. What do you notice?
How would you describe that? Again, be creative here.
Lastly, open your eyes.
What do you see? What do you notice that’s different from before you closed your eyes?
How would you describe that?
You can use this exercise whenever you feel frazzled, overwhelmed, confused about what to do next, or whenever you want to feel more present and grounded. It’s easy, portable and doesn’t require anything but a few minutes of your attention.
You can use free-writing to capture your experience from this exercise. Try it and let us know how it goes below.
The post Attuning the senses appeared first on Original Impulse .
April 4, 2017
Spring Clean Your Creative Life
With spring’s arrival, we often feel a sense of newness and vitality. Along with that comes the inevitable spring clean. While I love the idea of dusting my baseboards and refreshing my closet, I get more excited when I think about refreshing my creativity.
You, too, might feel an urge to freshen up your art or writing practice. When we clear our space – our physical, emotional or mental space – we make room for better, fresher ideas and projects.
Here are some ideas for how to bring a sense of vitality and vigor into your making process.
Clear out your supplies. What art or writing materials have been sitting around unused for more than a year, waiting for ‘someday’? Assess your stash and consider donating anything you haven’t touched in two years. Hoarding stuff isn’t productive. All that extra stuff/possibility may just be taking up space for the projects that want to be made.
Tidy up your digital files. My photo files from last year’s artist residency in Paris are a mess! I can’t wait to get in and tidy them up. This will reduce the amount of time I spend searching through my Dropbox folders. Do you have multiple, outdated drafts of your writing? Perhaps the images of your art aren’t organized.
Make more space for your dreams. I returned home last night after a week away. Before collapsing into bed, I watered my precious succulent collection. Even in my jet lag stupor, I realized that most of my plants had outgrown their containers. I could see the sweet plants doing their best to thrive despite pots that no longer suited them. Immediately I wondered how that might relate to my creative dreams. Am I holding too small of a space for myself and my dreams? What might it look like if I opened possibility a bit more and gave myself room to dream bigger? What about your creative dreams? Time for new perspectives, perhaps?
Ditch old projects. While I believe in finishing things and following through on my commitments, I also know that some projects aren’t meant to be finished. I’m setting aside my 365 Cups series for the moment so I can work on something that feels more relevant and challenging to me. What projects are on a cold front burner that could be set aside for now to make room for things you really want to work on?
Get current with beliefs. Sometimes we’re operating on old beliefs that no longer suit or serve us. Some beliefs around creativity include:
If I am creatively actualized, I will lose relationships.If I do my creative work, I will become a target for others’ criticism.If I do my creative work, my other obligations will suffer.I would love to do that, but I am not good enough.When you get an exciting idea for a new project, notice the beliefs and fears that arise to meet your idea. Jot down that belief or fear and ask yourself if that’s still true for you. Then choose something else to put in its place.
After reading this list of potential cleaning projects, which area do you feel calls for your attention the most right now? Which area, if you did some spring cleaning there, would make a big difference for your creativity?
I hope you do some spring cleaning for your creativity – it will feel so good!
How will you spring clean your creative life? Leave a comment below!
The post Spring Clean Your Creative Life appeared first on Original Impulse .
March 24, 2017
Three Gifts from Mother Nature to Artists
I spent yesterday morning wandering along Boulder’s creek path. Benches here and there gave me a place to pause and make notes about upcoming projects. Walking and writing seem to help me access insights and ideas more easily.
I’m not alone in relishing time in nature to keep me creatively fueled. Many of my clients report that nature helps them feel more calm, relaxed and connected to the bigger picture. Nature is abundant with inspiration, and I love these three ways to treat my artist to nature’s gifts: Forest Bathing, Long View and Water Inspiration.
Forest BathingThe Japanese have a concept called ‘Shinrin-yoku’ or Forest Bathing. The idea is that contemplative walks in the forest reduces stress, anxiety and anger. Inhaling the natural oils of the trees can help us relax, allowing clarity and creativity to emerge. I personally love the cozy feeling of being in a forest, where the trees shield me from the sun and inspire me with their elegance.
When I ask my clients what they get from being in nature, many of them refer to a sense of connection, peace and restfulness. Gazing at the horizon, scanning the night sky, viewing mountains or the ocean can bring us a sense of feeling part of something bigger than ourselves. Oddly, this doesn’t diminish us but instead can give us a sense of peace and connectedness.
This kind of space inspires us to take the long view on our projects. Stepping away from minutuae and looking out and up can help connect the dots.
Many people report insights and ideas arrive in the shower or bathtub. Studies about negative ions in water show that the abundance of negative ions found in running water contribute to positivity and creativity.
I don’t need a study to know that being near water helps me feel more relaxed, calm and joyful. I grew up swimming and skiing on a lake in Michigan, so water feels like my natural element.
There are many ways to spend time in nature. From plants and flowers in the home to visits to a local park to escapes to remote locations, time in nature fuels us.
Which of these three gifts from nature do you prefer? Perhaps you have another favorite way to bring Mother Nature into contact with your inner artist? Let us know in a comment below.
I’m grateful that I get to take weekend hikes here in Colorado. I’m also grateful that I get to teach in other beautiful locations. In May, we’re going to the stunning Banff National Forest in Lake Louise, Canada.
We’ll spend four days together at the Fairmont Chateau, where I will lead my Capture the Wow workshop. There will be the perfect blend of group time and solo time, when you can wander around the gorgeous glacial lake, hike in the forest, or simply rest on the terrace absorbing the view.
The post Three Gifts from Mother Nature to Artists appeared first on Original Impulse .
March 23, 2017
Capture the Wow Retreat Workshops in Canada and Paris 2017
Hey, creative dynamo! Let’s run away with our artists together this year! I have several creative getaways planned for us and there’s still room for you to join us.
Lake Louise, Canada May 22- 26, 2017
Won’t it be fun to recharge and play at a Hogwarts-esque Chateau on a lake in Canada? I’m thrilled to get some time with you and Mother Nature at the stunning Fairmont Lake Louise.
We’ll have four days to Capture the Wow of Banff National Park, with its glacial lakes and forested peaks. Canada is a great deal for Americans now – ready for a sweet entry into summer? All the details are here.
Capture the Paris Wow September 7th – 12thThe early registration discount for Capture the Wow Paris ends on April 1st! Save $$ by signing up now. We have four spots left – is one of them yours?
BONUS! We’ve partnered with the wonderful, stylish, eco bag company Haiku to do something special for you. If you register for Capture the Paris Wow before April 1st, we will gift you a Haiku Travel Set. I LOVE mine. It’s made my travel so much more smooth and stylish. This is a must-have for your travel season.
Secure your spot here on our Paris Capture the Wow retreat today to get the early registration discount and the Haiku Travel Set.
The post Capture the Wow Retreat Workshops in Canada and Paris 2017 appeared first on Original Impulse .
March 22, 2017
Travel with your inner artist leading the way
When I lead my Capture the Wow retreats in Paris, we don’t travel in the usual ‘see that’ and ‘buy this’ way. Instead, we seek to experience ourselves and the world in new ways. Our goal is to bring our creativity to the surface.
But it’s more than that. Over many years leading this retreat, I noticed a pattern. Everyone had a part of themselves that wanted more air time: the creative part. They’d come to Paris to find her and enjoy her.
From our time together in Paris with our artists, I’ve learned a few ways to make it easy to tap into our creative side both at home and around the world. I’ve come to realize that artists travel in a certain way.
Of course, every artist is different, and it’s presumptuous to think we all travel in the same way. But I believe that artists are porous to the world in ways we can all adopt and benefit from.
Which of the following would you like to have more of in your life:
• more mental space to allow insights to land
• new connections with people, places and ideas that freshen your perspective
• reliance on your mental, emotional and physical capabilities to stretch and grow you.
There are many more benefits to traveling as an artist, but I’ll leave you to discover what happens when you slow down, savor and reflect on your experiences. Try the artist’s perspective on with the practices in my Travel Like an Artist manifesto below.
Remember, these practices can be used at home – no plane tickets required to ‘travel’ like an artist.
What does it mean for you to travel like an artist? I’d love to hear your perspective. Share your thoughts below!
Want the Travel Like an Artist manifesto for yourself? You can download your favorite version now to spark love between you and your artist.
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March 20, 2017
Let’s get intimate with pastries in Paris!
Pain au chocolat in the morning, a fruit tart with afternoon tea…maybe an eclair sneaked in on the run. My all-time favorite Paris pastry shop is in my new Paris e-book. Find out where I get the best pastries in Visit Paris Like an Artist. You will love this unconventional guide to travel and art! Your copy is waiting for you now, and so is your inner artist. RSVP for fun here.
The post Let’s get intimate with pastries in Paris! appeared first on Original Impulse .
March 17, 2017
March 16, 2017
Sneak peek of my new e-book cover!
Getting so close to releasing this to the world. Squeee! Oui!!
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