The (not so) Serious Business of an Art Picnic

Every 2 weeks I meet with a great group of creative women entrepreneurs in my 'hood. We're there to encourage and support one another as we face the challenges of our various businesses. We celebrate our successes, talk through fears and struggles, share resources and strategies. It's invaluable! One of the things that totally amped up the power and connection of the group was when we turned our coffee meetings into art picnics.

What's an art picnic? In January, I interviewed the ever-inspiring artist Leah Piken Kolidas of Creative Every Day for a series of interviews with highly creative bloggers that became the e-collection Your Creative Spark. One of the things Leah shared was her concept of art picnics - getting down on the floor, spreading out your art goodies and letting yourself play!

I mentioned this to the group; eyes brightened, ears perked up, and we gave it a try. Everyone brings a few things to the table at the coffee shop we've set up as home. Magazines, scissors, envelopes, stickers, origami paper, book pages, magnets, inspiring Yogi tea tags, everywhere. And we cut and paste... or not. We chat. We laugh. We get teary. Amidst the creative activity, we ask each other, "How do you deal with..." "Do you know anybody who..." "What do you think about..." And somehow, amidst the play, the conversation is easier, the pressure less and the flow so easy and natural.

And if you have an upcoming meeting of some kind, whether it's for work or business or volunteering or your community, why not bring a few art supplies and see what happens? See what a little creativity can do to the tone, the content and the progress of the meeting. I'd love to hear what it's like for you - and I bet Leah would too!

If you'd like to experience an art picnic for yourself, Leah leads Virtual Art Picnics. She's a wonderfully encouraging, gentle leader and is sure to create a safe and supportive space for your creative exploration. Her next Virtual Art Picnic is June 17th. You can find out more about it here.

What would happen if you brought your creativity with you everywhere? (PS. You do)

Guess what's coming?

This Friday, May 1, 2009 is the 4th annual
Shyne Like a Star Virtual Dance Party

All you have to do to participate is dance for 15 minutes.
Choose some tunes that move your soul.
Dance alone. Dance with your Mom.
Dance at your meeting.
Dance in your kitchen. Dance in the park.
Just dance for 15 minutes on May 1st
and join the "dance is for everybody" revolution!

I'll put up a Mr. Linky on Friday so you can share your experience
or just share that you're going to participate and dance!

Inspiration: The Artist's Creed

Thank you, Jessie, my dear friend and co-inspiratrix, for posting this.

Thank you, Jan Phillips, for creating this.

I hope you all enjoy. May we all believe.

You are cordially invited...

To the 3rd Annual

Shyne Like a Star

Virtual Dance Party

May 1, 2008

All you have to do to participate is dance for 15 minutes.
Choose some tunes that move your soul.
Dance alone. Dance with your Mom.
Dance in your kitchen. Dance in the park.
Just dance for 15 minutes on May 1st

and join the "dance is for everybody" revolution

Thinking about...

"Improvised and expressive art forms include theatre and dance improvisation, clown theatre and certain types of visual art that encourage spontaneous expression in favour of preplanning. the concept of beauty in these art forms relates to a sensitivy and honesty of expression and should not be confused with the beauty of traditionally perfected art forms such as classical music and ballet." Kathleen Rea, The Concept of Wild Beauty in Improvised and Expressive Art Forms

Do you know, when I first read that paragraph, I cried? There was something so important to me about this definition of beauty, this "wild beauty" as Kathleen calls it. I recognized it. I am passionately in love with it. In the theatre, I've experienced it as that moment in rehearsal when suddenly everything goes quiet and still, and everyone knows that something magical has occurred. It's indisputable. It's immediately recognizable. Your hair stands on end. Goosebumps arrive. Or for me, tears. It isn't a moment of classical aesthetic perfection. It's a moment of truth. This 'wild beauty' is a sacred moment of aliveness.