Movements of my soul -- Introduction to Family Constellations workshop - Sunday 6/27/2010 in Vista, CA.

First family constellation final healing, Oil pastel drawing, © 2009 Jaime Lyerly

I have been changing....

Changing what I am,
what I want,
how I live,
what I do,
what I need,
and how I deal with it all.

During my time of major flux (my partner moving to Berkeley, my son graduating from middle school, my job not being what it used it be, my high stress life taking a toll, researching graduate schools and more) , I usually turn to art-making as a way to cope.

However, it has been a desert of non-productiveness in my life recently.

A lull in creative expression for a week to "unwind" from classes ending has turned into month of no art making.

A few nights of just watching tv has turned into a sleepless nights playing video games.

A break from class work has turned into a break from living.

How does this happen? I am not sure.

But during this time of low productivity has come a huge blessing - a time for "soul work."

Through artist and healer Ellen "Ellie" Benfatti, I learned of Family Constellation work, which is based on social psychology, family dynamics and energy healing.

She calls the changes that occur because of this healing, "Movements of the Soul."

I won't go into too much detail about the constellations here, but I can say that they have changed my life.

Every aspect of it from how I make art, who I think I am, what do I want, how do I get it, and how do I deal with this thing called life.

And it is a lot to process! Which is why I my blog has been neglected and you see me less on the social networking sites. I'm still here.... just thinking, feeling and trying to understand it.

So please bear with me as I morph into this new person that is greater than the sum of her parts.

Want to know more about Family Constellation work?

Great! Check out the links above and the book called The Healing Power of the Past.

Live in San Diego area? Even better!


Ellie is having a three hour workshop this Sunday, June 27, 2010 from 10 am to 2 pm which is an Introduction to Family Constellations. 


Here is the info from the Facebook event: 


This is an introductory 3 hour workshop. If you've wanted to join Ellie to experience the transformational work of Family Constellations but haven't had the funds or the time now is your opportunity. Ellie asks that all participants contribute a donation of $25.00 to cover the expense of the conference room. Ellie will do 1 constellation chosen by lottery and 1 constellation as a group. Great opportunity for those of you who are wanting to experience more success in your personal finances, life's passion and or career. Ellie will be focusing on Money and the Heart. You must RSVP to attend. Please RSVP by email to: eangel11@gmail.com. If you don't RSVP you will not be admitted to the event. Sorry no exceptions space is limited. When you RSVP please provide name, phone number, and names of guests who are attending with you. 


Note: I will be attending this event!

It really is an awesome experience, and I felt compelled to share it with my friends and readers.

To your health and wellness and deep soul movements.. ~ Jaime Lyerly

Art and Fear - part one - You are not alone

My last two posts have been so different from my normal, perky blogging style. I'm so sorry you had to suffer for it.

I just started reading "Art and Fear" by David Bayles and Ted Orland and it is amazing.

It is one Ah ha! moment after another. I am only 20 pages in to the book and I am ready to buy copies for all my artist friends so that they can experience this book.

The crankiness that I have been experiencing recently (and blogging about - see The Psychology of Collaboration and Casting a wide net) is all about self-doubt. The "Art and Fear" book tells me that I am not alone in this self-doubt, and that it probably never will go away. I just need to work with it.

Usually, I just avoid blogging (and contact with other people in general) when I am feeling confused or unsure of myself. However, I am beginning to realize that even these lows are part of my artistic journey, and that is what my blog is about. So I will question myself and hopefully, you will know that your are not alone on this either.

So from this low, I tell you my good news - Two of my newest encaustic pieces got into the juried San Diego State University Student Award Exhibition XII.

I am thrilled because these works are very new, and I think some of my best work. The irony is that is NOT my "student work." This is the work that I do outside of my assignments, although I do bring them into my sculpture class for critique sometimes.

One of the pieces is the 30x30x2" untitled encaustic painting from the Gatherings series which is in the blog post below. The other is called Collection (Fibrous Waximus) and is a wall installation fiber and encaustic sculpture. I need a good installation shot for the blog and I will get you one next week.

The show opens on March 15, 2010 at the San Diego State University Everett Gee Jackson Gallery and Flor y Canto Gallery, and is up until March 24, 2010 until 3 pm. I hope that if you are in the area, you can check it out.

Back to my art and fear - I am working through this.

Yesterday, I was working in some wax and nothing was feeling right, so I took out some boards and started drawing on them with charcoal. A few hours later, I had a triptych that is complete. Usually, I spend a long time thinking about my work, and making it, but it hardly ever feels done that quickly. These feel done and I am shocked! Am I learning to accept the inspiration? Maybe... no, scratch that - YES. That is just fear talking.

And until that inner critic decides to take a vacation, I will continue to crank when I am feeling uninspried and unconnected. But I am working through it. And you will too...

Art and Fear... what is stopping you?
~Jaime Lyerly

Artists - Design your PowerPoint presentation

photo (c) Freefoto.com

Isn't great when the information you need falls into your lap right when you need it? Talk about synchronicity, energy, attraction or whatever - it happens all the time.

My connection today is has to do with my Japan and China Study Tour scheduled for this summer. Although the trip is not going to include studio time like I had originally thought, we are still going to visit two art colleges, one in China and one in Japan. Now to the exciting news...

I have volunteered to give a presentation of my art a group of about 50 students at a university in Japan! It is a great opportunity for me.

I am so excited to present my art to a captive and international audience. Public speaking is hard for me, and I am not sure how the language barrier will be addressed. Will there be an interpreter? Do I need to calculate my presentation time and speech to include this interpretation? Are they going to be culturally offended by my artistic nudes? Are all the students going to be studio art majors? Will there be time for questions? These questions lead back to presentation itself.

Enter the synchronicity! The article waiting for me in my inbox today is called Design your PowerPoint presentation from Alyson Stanfield, the Art Biz Coach. This post reminded me that 1. Start working on my presentation NOW, 2. Text on the slides will just distract them from my art, and 3. Practice, practice, practice my speech so I won't be so nervous. Wonderful! Please check it out.

For artists who are not in the know yet, let me enlighten you to the power of the Art Biz Coach. Alyson Stanfield's Art Biz Coach newsletter, blog, and book "I'd rather be in the studio!" are amazing resources for artists who are marketing themselves. The newsletter comes every Monday and is brilliant start your week. It will help you promote your art, figure out why you need to blog, and help you make your time out of the studio more productive. It kicks me into gear to promote myself, and reminds me why I started my blog - to connect with other artists! If you haven't noticed, most of my blog posts are written on Monday. Guess why? You got it!

So now that I have turned you on to the Art Biz Coach's fabulousness, you can help me with my "Your turn" section! I love hearing from you super-talented and super-helpful artists!

Your Turn: What do you do to prepare for a presentation of your art via PowerPoint? Is there something in Alyson's article that you don't agree with (bullet points, perhaps)? Anyone ever had to deal with a language and cultural barrier when preparing and giving a presentation?

Until next time, happy art-making! Enjoy the journey! ~ Jaime

5 books to help Artists to Live their Creative Dreams

I asked myself today: "What inspires me?"I love to read and cannot get enough of books about creativity, art marketing and how to live a creative and artistic life.

A search on my county library system for "creativity" shows a list of 230 books. Living an artistic life falls under "self actualization" and that search shows a list of 423 books!

What is an artist with limited time to do? Jaime to the rescue!

I have narrowed down the enormous selection to 5 books worthy of your precious time away from the studio. Not only are they all fantastic, they will help you to live the life you dreamed of.
Note: All images swiped from Amazon.com where all these wonderful books are sold. The links go directly to the authors' personal sites.

Read and be inspired!
1.Make Your Creative Dreams Real: A Plan for Procrastinators, Perfectionists, Busy People, and People Who Would Really Rather Sleep All Day by Sark

Sark’s charming art, handwriting and refreshing honesty will delight you. She helps all of us to choose what we love and do it!

Highlight: “Micromovements” help you go move towards your creative dreams, even when they seem overwhelmingly big. They are short tasks to get past your inner perfectionist and to move procrastinators (like me!) into action.


2. I’d Rather Be in the Studio by Alyson Stanfield

I cannot say enough good things about this book. It helps with everything from social networking, business planning, artist statements, and marketing yourself as a professional artist. An absolute must for any artist.

Highlights: Tie between the Artist Statement and Social Networking sections. Write an exciting artist statement to tell about yourself, your art and your process. The social networking section will help you get out there in the world to tell them what you do. Better get that blog and
website rolling!

3. The Savvy Crafter's Guide To Success: Turn Your Crafts Into A Career by Sandy McCall

Don’t let the term “Crafter” throw you off: this book is for artists too! Interviews with artists who are supporting themselves by making and selling art help inspire you to think outside of the gallery.

Highlight: Full of lots of beautiful artwork throughout the book. The forms (such as a workshop contract) that you can use as a template to prepare your own documents are priceless.
4. Living the Creative Life: Ideas and Inspiration from Working Artists by Rice Freeman-Zachery
See inside other artists’ studios and learn through photos and interviews how they work. Spark your own creativity with prompts that are fun and inspirational.

Highlight: The “Try This” section! Prompts which address different aspects of the living the artist’s life and how to keep the creativity flowing out into phenomenal art.

5. The Creative Entrepreneur: A DIY Visual Guidebook for Making Business Ideas Real - Lisa Sonora Beam

Using visual journaling, you explore the aspects of business that usually make artists shudder.

Highlight: The SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats) Analysis section helps you figure out your business strategy in a fun and non-threatening activity. The business work that creative people can enjoy!

Your Turn: What books inspire you to live your best, fullest and most creative life? What keeps you coming back for more? Share with us!

Recording and Sharing the Process of Art

I have recently came across so many amazing artists, that I cannot keep them all to myself. You need to know them and I am here to share! A lot of them are participating in the smARTist Telesummit 2009 this week, which has been super.

One of the things that makes me stay long on their blogs and web pages are descriptions and pictures of their PROCESS. Finished art work is great, but seeing the messy beginnings, sketches and models brings me closer to the artist than a finished product.

So in the spirit of exploring this artistic journey, I will start posting some of my own sculptures and works in progress. Until then, please check out these amazing artists and see how they lay out their path on the Artistic Journey.

Cathy Erdmann - spirited figures in clay and bronze
Rebecca Shapiro - abstract paintings in encaustic

And for when you are not connected to the internet, books!:
"The Figure in Clay" by Lark Ceramics -show amazing figurative sculpture in process and descriptions of the concept written by the artist. Most inspiring!

For music to inspire your own process, we have my partner and independent record company owner Chris Miner of Mind Altering Records. His music is exploding with colors and is expansively inviting to your creative muse.

All these artists and more can be found on Facebook. You need to connect with them! They need you!

I love to see works in process! Artists, let me connect with you and show your pieces in progress! I'll show you mine soon.

Jaime