Class - Embracing Mama Gaia

One of my favorite themes for a workshop, especially in April when we celebrate Earth Day, is an encounter with Mama Gaia. So when my friend Margot and I began heart storming for our next class in her beautiful rural space, we quickly agreed on Embracing Mama Gaia! 

We began putting out invitations, and I was especially pleased that two Oregon

Linda Allen

students enrolled in this year's Color of Woman teacher training came! Both Angie and Linda have painted with me a couple of times, and decided that though they are so busy with CoW and life, that this would be a good "reset!" They also felt it was a good way to observe another teacher, as they discover their own flow. (And they loved seeing my prompt cards!) 

Margot and the other three students had painted with me before as well, so the class was easy for me! And I love seeing the paintings develop! 

The Critic and Comparison Queen peeked in, but we sent them outside to smooth out the gravel in the driveway! (One of my favorite distraction tactics!) One beloved with an active critic later shared that she'd sat with her journal and what was coming up, and was able to see more of the issue, and shift it - yes!! She's struggled with this in other workshops, so it was a powerful breakthrough! 

I appreciate Intentional Creativity classes the focus on drawing on one's own images and symbols, and on inner light, and these blessings of insights. Unlike the popular *paint and sip* parties, with most participants creating cookie cutter paintings, each of our IC images is richly unique, from colors chosen to angles, shapes and symbols. 
Each student is invited to delve a little deeper, and see what messages their process and painting carry for them. Each is fascinated by the diversity of images arising from the same (open ended) instructions! 

Embracing Mama Gaia

During our morning circle, I invited each participant to share a favorite mineral, a place in nature, and a metal. I shared about lithium and boron, Breitenbush Hot Springs, and that while I usually wear silver, gold often appears on my canvas. I was intrigued how often salt was mentioned, and the metal copper! The ocean and Mt Shasta were brought in, and the wonderful lichens hanging from Margot's trees.

When we chose our underpainting colors, I also had them then choose metallic paint - I think we all got some copper! I brought along stencils and Dylusion paint, and we used those on an early layer - ferns, leaves, raindrops, sacred geometry ... I continued with my stencil on the sides of the painting, and liked the addition of pattend.

It was a wonderful, rich and powerful weekend. 

my Gaia- in process

Several students continued with their paintings after they were home, and the results are stunning. Mine is in process as well, with stars and symbols beginning to appear. I like the sheen of Micaceous Iron Oxide (Hemetite!) in her hair, and the salmon beginning to emerge. 
Others were content after they finished Saturday, and already knew where their lady would reside. 

What's on your canvas or appearing in your notebook?

Happy Paint Party Friday! 

Color of Woman - Priority Enrolment

This weekend I'll be teaching "Musé of Harvest" at my friends Margot's, my third class in her space. We have 9 enrolled, and a tenth would like to come, awesome! But, can we fit one more?? (It's a garage studio, and we had 5 for our last class!) 

It is wonderful to see the interest in this mindful art practice, and I appreciate energy

RaSani Spiral

opportunity to extend the Red Thread. This fall I participated in the RaSani Body Mind Spirit fair, where Margot advertised our first class last fall, and invited fair goers to add a leaf with a prayer to a Sun spiral at my booth. 

In this weekend's class, we'll explore what we wish to harvest from this year, what's going on the "compost," and seeds we want to save for the future. We'll share the Red Thread, and contemplate what "our piece" is. We will journal and paint, and at the end of the day, each person will have a unique painting, encoded with symbols and their own process.

Last week, the Color of Woman class of 2017 gathered virtually and in person for a completion ceremony! With the California fires, we decided to reschedule the actual graduation gathering in January (Cosmic Cowgirls Ranch in Sonoma weathered the fires, but the area was still smoky and travel was challenging!) 

Nadya with Shiloh Sophia

While my SiStars in the Guild and I offer individual sessions, classes and workshops around the world, Shiloh is busy interviewing students for next year's Color of Woman teacher training, a nine month quest! 

This is a wonderful opportunity for anyone who loves inquiry and creativity, and is interested in sharing those with others, as a way to process experiences. There's a free class Wed Nov 8, Consciousness and the Musé. This will include both an IC (intentional creativity) process, and more information on the training. (You can view live, or watch later) 
Women will be gathering from around the globe, the training can be done entirely online, and there are "in person" options in several areas for the painting segments. My roommate at graduation was from France, others had arrived from NZ, Canada and around the USA. 

If you're already familiar with Shiloh's work and teaching, through my blog and/or participating in her offerings, you may be ready to apply, and schedule your 1:1 interview with Maestra Shiloh!! Are you shaking in your boots at the thought?? Good!! 

With Priority enrollment, there is a significant savings on tuition, and the 2018 class is

Serena of the 7 Seas

already half full. (There are several love loans available, for those who need to make payments! I was blessed to receive one for my own training)

This is such an amazing experience! 
I did my CoW quest in 2015, ... I didn't intend to sign up, though I watched the invitational video, I didn't think I was quite ready... 
I registered to paint my Legendary Self (the prerequisite) ... and then, Shiloh opened registration got a few more students!! Dang! ... ok, I'll apply, 
... when I had my interview with Shiloh, she was in the car, with her husband Jonathan behind the wheel, and we don't lose signal in the tunnel!! ... and it was a strong "yes!!" for both of us. Who knew? 
I offered my first classes within the first couple of months, both Red Thread Reiki, and a Mystical Mermaid class with my friend, IC teacher Lora, ... I was on my way! 

Is Color of Woman your next step?? You're invited to consider the possibility! 

Winged One Playshop

In the studio

My friend Margot invited me to offer a painting Playshop at her Corvallis studio over the weekend, and we gathered to paint our Winged One, and give our dreams wings.  Four of her friends joined us for a lovely time of journey, sharing, red thread and painting.
Though I'm teaching, visiting her country  home always feels like a retreat to me as well. This is the second class I've offered there, and both have been well received. I played harp for our journey, we drew cards from the Mother Mary Oracle, and read poems from"Tea With the Midnight Musé."

Margot and Sherrie with their Winged ladies

As with all workshops, I love it as students get into their own painting grove, and each is drawing from her inner images and inspiration. Their creative Musé takes the lead, and their own style begins to emerge. 

As Shiloh says, "We us a step by step method, and my request is that you DO stick with the method. Magic will come - even if you are already brilliant at painting! And especially if you're Not!
"There's something sacred about the container; about the formula holding you, that allows for freedom to emerge! You are going to create an intuitive painting, from the heart of your own self. You'll learn to use your visionary lens for Active Imagination to connect with the light and spaciousness of your own sovereignty."

Through Intentional Creativity, you may:

Lillian and Sherrie

• Discover and integrate your own gifts and treasures
• Create poetry and prayers inspired by the process
• Receive clarity on what you are here to cause and create
• Access your own imagery and symbols which may only have meaning for you, or may affect the collective
• Embrace painting as a sacred practice

It's pure magic!

Sharon and Nadya