the Creative Thursday blog

We appreciate your Support for Season 2!

Late yesterday our second Kickstarter Campaign went LIVE! Thank you for all your support with Season 1! For sharing your stories and backing our first campaign to make this interview series a reality.
We'd love your support to help make Season 2 happen! Planning for a launch this Fall 2017
Can't wait to bring you the stories of 6 more inspiring creatives ❤️Marisa
p.s. I will be a mermaid in this season 😉

Empty Walls Just Aren't Right! join us this Saturday!

Ok friends! Here we go!

This morning we realized that pulling together a new space and a group show featuring almost twenty artists in 3 weeks might be a bit ambitious ;) But we're excited!!! And the momentum is going!  We also invited lovely, "on it" artist friends for this first show who are talented, efficient and {thankfully} move as fast we do. 

An Eclectic and Awesome group show featuring Outi Harma  Jenean Morrison Cathy Nichols, Melissa Moss, Matt Adrian, Kim Bagwill, Jaime Derringer, Lori Portka, Amadea Bailey, Gus Harper, Christine Mason Miller, Sarah Stevenson, Matt Hanover, Liz Kalloch, Isabelle Bryer, Sarah Stone and Brad Davis and me!

If you'd like to share this opening with your Los Angeles friends you can invite them here via Facebook. And now we're all official with a website, so you can keep up with us there too!

Can't wait!

See you Saturday! @ the pArty 5522 W. Pico Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90019

We're opening a Studio!

I kid you not. A lot has happened in exactly 2 weeks. 

On the wish list; a studio big enough to paint much larger paintings. So just a couple of months ago, I started talking to a few friends about the possibility of sharing a space?

Fast forward to 2 weeks ago, a space came up {that another friend was leaving} that hadn't even occurred to me to take it as a painting studio because it has a retail storefront in a great central LA location?! What, what? you mean we can have a studio space that also acts as a gallery/shop? And what? I could finally have a space to host those events I've been thinking about for years? And I will now have the perfect place to teach, shoot video, and host all of my talented {even out of town} creative friends who want a place to teach workshops in L.A.?  Yes, yes, yes, and yes!!

Done and done. 3 friends, me, Outi Harma {who I met in 2004 and used to share space with in the 10 women gallery} and Jenean Morrison who I met designing fabric in 2011. Also a former Groundlings Theater Member, Holly Mandel will be teaching Improv classes starting this month. A creative collective, filled with favorite people and creative pursuits all under one roof. You know, we have big plans, BIG PLANS! The photo above was taken minutes after Outi and I signed the lease this past Sunday :) You can also a quick time lapse video of us starting our first paintings in the new space on Instagram.

Still in a little bit of shock with how fast this all came together, there's a lot more to share! Stay tuned! but first save the date October 22nd: our first art show opening in our new space! 

Episode 1 is LIVE! featuring Erin Dollar

 

I'm writing this to you as I watch the spinning wheel of my 2nd ever YouTube video upload. With 67 minutes remaining until the first episode of a project we've been working on for 2 years and imagining since my podcasting days goes live; this particular creative Thursday is feeling surreal.

When I started Creative Thursday, I wanted to design and make art. I didn't initially realize how valuable hearing others' stories was until I really started going for things in my life, and by things I mean - making the choices that feel risky and require BIG leaps of faith. Knowing that fellow business owners, creatives especially, made it through to the other side of those uncertain times over and over again {both professionally and personally} gave me the determination and confidence to keep going in everything I've had the courage to try. And those same stories have also taught me how to know when it's time to stop and change the direction I'm going.

When you're an artist, a creative business owner, an entrepreneur, especially one who is braving it in the online world in any number of industries, you learn super fast that there is no rule book.  No one, not even the most successful, can tell you the exact path that will work to get you where you want to go. Not only because we are all making it up as we go, but the game has changed. This is why it's more important than ever to hear stories and learn from others, and the reason why I am creating this series. Ultimately though, You will always be the only one who can discover your path. Honestly, minus the fear and sleepless nights, the uncertainty is {supposed to be} one of the most exciting parts of choosing this life. And I know this to be true, because here I stand again, with 48 minutes remaining, headed into a new adventure filled with anticipation and uncertainty. And while it's scary, it's also crazy EXCITING! and worth everything it's taken to get here.

What I also didn't realize when I started out - besides the fact that Creative Thursday is a perfect name for a weekly series ;) - is that I too have a voice, a story to share and a desire to share it. It was podcasting that opened that door for me and then blogging and then my book. And the door has remained open because of you. As I wrote to my Facebook group yesterday, all of you, especially those who have commented, written me emails, taken my classes - over all these years - and most recently supported the Kickstarter for this series - your continued encouragement of me sharing my voice and story has given me the courage and dedication to continue developing this series to share more amazing people and their stories with you. 

We're keeping it real. And by real, I mean genuine not drama. I've always been frustrated with quick snippets of interviews and conversations with all the predictable questions and no substance. I happen to be someone who does have an attention span for compelling, quality, audio and film creations. And I know I'm not the only one. These 6 episodes are long form, with each running between 50 and 55 minutes. There is editing of course, but mostly these are the entire conversations we had. And usually it takes about 20 minutes before we fully get into the focus that the episode reveals to us. While I knew all of the interviewees beforehand, and had a general idea of the topics I wanted to cover, I had no agenda. I wanted the conversation go where it wanted to go, and I knew all of these awesome, inspiring people could go there.

With all of that said, I hope you are going to LOVE this series. 

To view the first episode featuring Erin Dollar of Cotton and Flax, click on the video link above. You can also subscribe to the new Creative Thursday YouTube channel and this way you will be notified every time a new episode is added over the next 5 Thursdays. I will send out an email when they go live as well. And stay tuned to my Periscope channel, as we're working on having live Q&A's with the interviewees. To learn more about Erin and her beautiful work with Cotton and Flax you can find her at cottonandflax.com.

podcast #53 :: letting loss into your heart ~ a conversation with Leslie

click here to listen to the podcast

As promised, 3 weeks in! I'm still podcasting :-) and this time I have a special guest, someone very dear to me, my yoga teacher for the past 12 years, Leslie Peters.

I'm going to keep the written intro to this brief as everything I want to say to you to introduce this episode, is in the opening of  the podcast itself. Also, it's a longer one, approximately 1 hour and 15 min.

A delicate topic, or rather many delicate topics Leslie and I talk about, all contained under the umbrella of loss. However the intent by sharing this conversation and inviting you into the discussion with us; is not only to provide soothing and comfort for all of us, but maybe, together, we can think about what it might be like to approach this universal experience of transitions in life with an open heart.

Links mentioned in this episode:

Iyengar Yoga

Peters & Love - Senior Care Consultants

Brene Brown TED talk on Vulnerability

Marc Maron WTF - {still one of my favorite podcasters and podcasts}

getting help with your book

 

So I’m back on Facebook, podcasting again and blogging more….Another plan I have with Creative Thursday is to introduce you to and/or update you on projects by creatives/entrepreneurs I personally know, more often. Now, just for the record, I know there are a lot of affiliate recommendations happening these days and this is not one of them. Should I ever be an affiliate to a project I support, I will let you know.

As I’ve mentioned recently, for me: the internet is becoming saturated with voices, products, classes...While I believe the cream will always rise to the top, why not do what I can to get it there a little faster? One of the ways I would like to help cut through the saturation is by recommending people I am inspired by, know and trust. 

Christine aka SwirlyGirl is one of those people. You might already know her, or remember her? as I’ve mentioned her here many times throughout the years. My first commenter, the first person I reached out to online, who became an in person friend, and one of the first to support my work, not only by buying some of my very first daily paintings, but also by sharing my blog and my podcast with her online circle of friends way back in 2006, remember those early internet days…!

We also did a podcast when she self-published her first book. You can still listen to it here.

Relentlessly supportive, honestly she is one of the few people I know who will think of helping others, often before herself. She started and ran a successful creative company long before the internet. An eloquent, thoughtful writer, she has since had another book published. And organized, did I mention how organized she is? This awesome lady knows her stuff. 

Christine is not only a friend but we’ve worked together as well. We’ve taught classes and joined forces on a few projects including a couple of art shows. One thing you learn is that not all friendships can become working relationships, but Christine can bridge that gap. She is a great collaborator.

 What I’m saying here; If I were looking for guidance with my book, Christine is the one I would want to help me.

That’s why I have to share her newest project with you “The Conscious Booksmith” - even following my earlier post addressing too many 'online classes' - this should tell you just how much I recommend Christine as a teacher. And seriously, just watch the video above. Knowing Christine this is one of the best, most sincere videos out there in promotion of a course. There are a few, just a few offerings that I do recommend and this is one of them. I know, Christine will go above and beyond to help you develop and share your voice.

 

More about the “The Conscious Booksmith” from Christine:

The course has been carefully designed to provide a solid foundation and organized structure to support you in the process of creating your book. At the end of the course, you will have a beautiful binder full of downloadable tools, inspiration and resources and will be well on your way to holding your book in your hand.

The intention for the course is two-fold:

1. We will take your book idea – which usually feels huge and overwhelming – and break it down into smaller, more manageable parts.

2. We will explore your values, priorities and ideals so the book creation process unfolds on your terms.

There are plenty of books, courses and encouragement for those wanting to pursue a six-figure book contract and the New York Times bestseller list. While I love big plans and grand visions, I believe any dream – small, medium or large – is best served when pursued with careful thought and intention. When our dreams are brought to life mindfully – and reflect our day-to-day lives – they are imbued with that much more joy, light and truth. Things like families, pets, grocery shopping and laundry are all part of the process and integral elements of our journey.

This is an invaluable opportunity to tap into to the knowledge, wisdom, experience, inspiration and encouragement of an artist, author and creative entrepreneur with 18+ years of experience who loves to support the dreams and visions of others.

Just For Fun {is here!}

For the first time in 6 fabric collections, with the help of some lovely and talented people, I am excited to finally share with you some ideas for how I envision my fabric being used.  Especially this collection, which is intended to be exactly as it's called: 'just for fun' for grownups and kids alike.

A few of my fellow creative entrepreneurs and I got together on the weekend. We combined our talents and our products and had a party 'Just for Fun'! 

The fabric is available in stores now and bundles were just added to the shop.  Hope you really do have a lot of fun creating with this collection!! From tablecloths, to napkins, aprons, dresses, bowties, bunting, party decor to pillows and quilts... that should get you started.

 

Fabric by Marisa  + Creative Thursday for Andover Fabrics. Invitations by Christine of Darling Studio. Desserts and Decorations by Emilyn of Love Em Sweet. Photography by Miha Matei. Sewing by Marisa and Jennifer Au Chon.

 

Stitch Savvy

I've been asked to review a couple of books this year. First up: Stitch Savvy

I met Deborah at my very first quilt market, and pretty much love everything about this lady. She is who she is, a straight shooter, fellow creative, awesome sewer who continuously cracks me up. And she's a great teacher and author. This is her second book. Her first, Stitch by Stitch, a must have for every sewer,  she sent to me as a gift with a little note encouraging me in my very early days of sewing. 

As I've mentioned sewing was always intimidating for me so I take my teacher and book recommendations seriously.

Sewing is not something to be elitist about. You know the whole, 'I sew and you don't so therefor I'm superior to you.' Seems silly right, especially when it comes to creative pursuits - but we've all gotten that from someone at sometime. We humans have taken that attitude often when it comes to all kind of activities that can feel challenging at first, and it's time for that sh*t to go.

That is one thing I will always be thankful to blogging for. Bloggers have made so many activities way more accesible and approachable. Sewing in particular. {be sure to check out Deborah's blog too}

These are the reasons I like Deborah's books so much, they are friendly and supportive right fromt the get go. She writes like she's your friend, talking to you, walking you through the steps, and thinking about any question you might have along the way, always ready with tips and ideas to make the process easier. The photography is beautiful, and the step by step instructions are simple and clear, not overwhelming at all. These are books from the heart. Her love for sewing and teaching comes through. Deborah really wants everyone to know that they too can sew, and she is here to help us. And that's that. Nothing more nothing less. 

Filled with a variety of projects for all different levels, each teaching you new techniques to expand your knowledge and confidence. 

What I also love is that at the end of each project Deborah has reommendations about what project to try next. I can't wait to get started with my favorite one first. Ok fine, I'm a little biased - and - thrilled with how sweet this tea cozy is using Creative Thursday fabric, Meet the Gang and my very first Spoonflower designs that Deborah was so sweet to purchase as soon as I made them available online. Then I want to try every recommended project after that, a Tufted Duvet, a Lovie Blanket, and a Picnic Basket.

Did I mention that Deborah is also a mom to 4 kiddos? With the level of detail in this book, makes me immediately want to ask, how did she do it all? But then, I think we are all constantly asking that of each other these days. And no one really has the answer, other than somehow you just make it work and get it done. And I'm so glad, because then we get more books like this. 

I leave you with one of my favorite Deborah quotes from the book that pretty much sums it up. And if you'd like a copy she'll be giving away two copies tomorrow at her blog.

"Remember that your instincts are way more important than rules" ~ Deborah Moebes

it still isn't easy

No matter how many years I put myself and my art out there it still feels awkward to stand in front of it at an event. I love it, I feel proud, and then I also feel completely vulnerable in a way that the online world has {mostly} sheltered me from. At this point I'm probably so used to sharing and selling online, that I almost have to relearn how to be  in person with my art.

I'm sure I have said it before {most likely after my last Renegade}, I much prefer when a customer can just purchase what they love, on their own time, and I know about it once they've made that decision. Truthfully I think I prefer to be a customer in the same way.

Most of the creatives I know, we just don't like 'selling' our art. I mean we LOVE selling it, just not selling it, you know the difference?  While this event was more of a celebration than a show, I still felt especially vulnerable. 

And this is why for this night in particular, I am so, so {that's a double so} thankful to my creatives who came! We know. We just know what's it like to put yourself out there. And we show up for one another, not just in words but in person. Most people don't get this, because they simply don't want to or aren't willing to put themselves out there. It takes bravery. It always does, even if you've done it before. Sometimes I think we forget this because so many of us are making it look easy, but everyone I know feels butterflies in their stomach every time they share new work or ask someone to come to their event. No complaints here, just awareness and observation. I chose this life as a creative entrepreneur and I love it, even down to the butterflies.

This doesn't mean that I don't absolutely understand that life is crazy, busy for most, especially at this time of year and that we can't all make it to everyone's events all the time {because we are also more global and not living in the same area}...but if you can, do. It's means so much when people show up in support of one another. Somehow I think I got this in a new way this weekend. It reminded me that I want to support others more, because when you do it's big. Every little bit matters.

I was joking that the thing with writing a book is that by the time you have the event to celebrate, you have no more friends to invite. Because most likely it's been all consuming leaving you without much capacity to socialize let alone be a great friend {or blog...ahem} But everyone understands. We know that life has moments, personally and professionally where you just have to go inward for a while. So to everyone who came on Saturday thank you!!!! It meant a lot that you were there. 

And by the way that dress I'm wearing, it's my fabric and I sewed it myself and I will tell you again the next time I see you {that's for you Anne xo}

 

by the way - you should also know! I'm having a final holiday shopping sale at the shop today only until 11:59 pm PST. 15% off with the coupon HOLIDAYTIME

throwing a party

Tonight! In honor of Susannah and her beautiful new book. 

I've also had too much fun whipping up some party decor for the occassion ~ that might also be a sneak peek to something new that I'll be adding to the shop {soon}.