Why I started offering workshops for CreativesHave you been wanting to start something new, but were unsure about how or where to begin? Honestly, I think we have all been there at some point in our lives and today I'd like to share with you a more personal post about why I started this blog, which led me to create a workshop series for creatives. For me, I find that most things evolve naturally, soon after I make the decision to dive in! My natural tendency is to leap first and ask questions later. I know that some of might consider that a risky way of doing things. You might be encouraged to hear Seth Godin say, "The only thing worse that starting something and failing is not starting something" and I think you know exactly what that means. Continue reading to find out what worked for me and how I hit reset and got going! But first, a little background about how I was feeling 16 months ago and what led me to start blogging again. About 2 years ago, I was teaching art and designing interiors, yet feeling creatively overwhelmed. My side work in interiors was as demanding as my work in art education and that slowly came to a halt as I tried to keep all of the balls up in the air. I felt short on time, energy and inspiration, and I am guessing that many of you; creatives, artists and entrepreneurs can relate to that feeling? Did I say that I had a 2 1/2 year old at the time??? I won't even mention my summer job as a Program Director at a prestigious art academy because then you might all think that I was completely crazy working over 60+ hours per week, while trying to be a fantastic parent. So, add up all of those things and 2 years ago, I was falling short on energy in every way. In November of 2016, I decided to do 3 things about the creative burn-out that I was feeling. I decided to step back from over-doing it, so that later I could step up to the plate with more clarity and renewed energy. I decided to start attending a handful of creative workshops and to start blogging around the same time. First, I decided to attend a handful of workshops in and around Los Angeles area. I know you must be thinking, but how in the world did you make time to do more? And the key really was giving myself all of the time that I needed to accomplish these classes, spacing them out, and also not doing some things as well like watching tv every evening, or attending every event or party. The time that I reserved to attend workshops was during my son's nap-time on Sunday afternoons. The workshops were mostly held at museums, wood shops and even one later in the year was out in Joshua Tree. I will give you the full list of workshops that I have attended in the past year in Los Angeles, in case you would like to get started reconnecting to your creativity! In the art classroom, I noticed that I was creating a lot of valuable content for all my teaching artist endeavors, so much so that I could probably write a book or start a blog. I decided to blog about and photo document some of those more crafty projects on my other Sunday afternoons. I find myself coming back to the content time and again. In this way, the content outlasts, the one time use in the classroom. So in the long term, I hope to create some ebooks and courses in the future. In summary, the 3 things that I did to become reconnected to my inspiration was slow down, attend a few workshops, and document my creative work through blogging. Doing those things really helped me to gain clarity about what am doing and why I am doing it. I am not here to live in a creative frenzy! In short, stepping back led me to an a-ha moment of clarity: This year, I founded the Creative Sundays workshop series for adults who are seeking to reconnect to their creativity. In fact, I ran a few workshops throughout 2017 to find out more about what interests my audience. Over the years, many of my student's parents have approached me to see if I would consider giving adult classes and some have said that they would want to spend the afternoon in the studio with me. I saw that interest in my interior design clients as well. They were lovers of art and some were interested in creating handmade objects for their homes. I listened to their requests and I am dreaming up ways to offer new workshops. Recently, a workshop attendee turned and ask me, "So basically you travel the world teaching and attending workshops?!" sounds pretty amazing! and I have to agree that it does. With an upcoming trip to Japan and India this spring, I can't wait to more about the ancient secrets of 8th century Shibori, I am feeling incredibly thankful and inspired about I am doing. I couldn't be happier offering private lessons in Shibori and natural dye retreats that align with my current interests artistically and spiritually. Please attend a workshop with me, if you are even feeling a bit of a need to recenter artistically, you will not regret the time that you invested in yourself. If you are feeling like you do not have the time to take a weekend class or a retreat, then I recommend that you read something inspiring! If you are a creative searching for a path to follow your passion, then you might enjoy, The Crossroads of Should and Must. Natural dyers, might enjoy Natural Color by Sasha Duerr, which explores plant dyes by season and has beautiful photography. I just got it in the mail this week. Here are a few links more links to help you get back on the path to accessing your highest level of creativity and satisfaction.
Creative L.A. based workshops:
Online Inspiration:
I will be sharing my favorite books for getting inspired creatively soon! Finally, I'd love to hear from you what helps you to stay inspired? How do you connect to your inner creative guide? and what kind of workshops would you like to see offered? If you enjoyed this article, then please join this creative community and you will receive bi-monthly updates on events, projects and inspiration.
2 Comments
2/8/2018 11:16:18 pm
My husband and I work in the floral event industry and we own a floral design studio. We find that our inspiration comes from getting out into nature. We live in the PNW so finding inspiration isn’t very difficult, however being euntrapeneurs and working 60+ hours a week doesn’t allow for much frolicking as one would like. We began to schedule in our time to go out into the woods and allow ourselves to be mesmerized by the tiniest mosses growing on trees or the beauty of a fern that is perched of a cliff or the or just the sheer magic that is the spuds of the forest. It’s not hard to be inspired when you slow down and allow yourself to be still.
Reply
2/9/2018 09:58:42 am
Hey Vince! I know how creative you are. Running a floral studio sounds amazingly inspiring but I bet the business side takes a lot of hard work! Nature is such an inspiration and I love that you guys take time to get connected with nature. From your description, I can feel the magic of the PNW and almost smell the fresh moss in the air. Can't wait to visit your floral design studio some day!
Reply
Leave a Reply. |
HI, I'M HILARY.
This is where I share inspiration for creative well living & following your dreams. With a love to sustainable conscious creation. You will notice that I offer workshops that inspire you to LIVE a soul-inspired life and manifest your dreams. I hope to meet you at one of my retreats or inside one of my group programs. I truly believe in the power of community and connecting with visionary femme creatives like you! For weekly inspiration -find me on YouTube Categories
All
FAVORITES
Archives
September 2024
BLOG COURTESY:
All layouts on this blog are created solely for, Hilary L Hahn I enjoy sharing information and love when others enjoy my ideas enough to post the links on their own sites. I simply ask that you credit photos and link back to all original posts. Any comments that are inappropriate or spam will be deleted. All other rights reserved. |