Sparking Art and Creativity

“Creativity often consists of merely turning up what is already there. Did you know that right and left shoes were thought up only a little more than a century ago?”
— Bernice Fitz-Gibbon

Muse Journey

Creative Process, Muse Circle Support, Creativity Coaching

Muse Journey magically transforms obstacles to creativity a little each week as we study and apply the creativity tools of the Nine Modern Day Muses. This is both a book study, art process, and dream-sharing group. We use many mixes of media with journaling and focus on a particular creative project or dream. Muse Journey is a great place to connect, be appreciated, and have fun implementing Kaizen while building a creative practice.

See 2010 Schedules for
A Muse A Month or Muse Journey Weekend Workshop or Muse Journey Teleclass

What are the The Modern Day Muses?
We use the book, The Nine Modern Day Muses (and a Bodyguard), 10 Guides to Creative Inspiration for Artists, Poets, Lovers, and Other Mortals Wanting to Live a Dazzling Existence, by Jill Badonsky, M. Ed.*

At Sparking Art Studio, Muse Journey participants,...

gain focus and momentum for creative endeavors
develop strategies to utilize strengths effectively
reveal obstacles and break through creative blocks
celebrate the ability to create, laugh and see life anew
learn to see and respect yourself as a creative person
surround yourself with inspiration and creative brilliance

For more info, email Laurel or see below

MUSE JOURNEY TESTIMONIALS

I am so inspired by what Laurel does as a group facilitator for Muse Journey. When I work with her, I don't feel the pressure to produce something but rather I am engaged in the process. I really appreciate her intuitive facilitation. The combination of The Nine Modern Day Muses and The Kaizen Way is engaging and easy to do. Laurel, you are WAY COOL!!!
-- Rose, Graduate Student, Portola Valley, CA

Joining Muse Journey was nourishing for me at a time when my career and studies were very demanding and stressful. Laurel has an incredible knack for catalyzing creativity in realistic and manageable ways. I gained balance and energy while taking a creative journey with other like-minded people who offer support and encouragement the whole way.
-- Regina, M.A., Doctoral student, Clinical Psychology, San Francisco Bay Area, CA

Whom does Muse Journey benefit?

Muse Journey is for all artists in any stage of creation...
...for visual artists, designers, performing artists, musicians, writers, storytellers, filmmakers, dancers, craftspeople, teachers and inventors...

...for experienced artists
Muse Journey deepens awareness of the creative process and an artist's unique strengths and challenges. Working artists find that this study/play series can transform a stuck place quite quickly and provide the artistic nutrition that is needed to be back in the creative swing of things.

...for people re-discovering themselves as artists
Muse Journey focuses energy on one's individual creative desires and needs, and it propels the emerging artist gently through blocks often experienced in the creative process. These blocks can be due to resistance, fear, procrastination, overwhelm, or perfectionism.

View Slideshow to peek in at the Autumn 09 Muse Journey Studio class.

See Laurel' s Muse Cards, a SoulCollage® Suit based on the Nine Modern Day Muses.

* See Modern Day Muse Table at Jill badonsky's site.

Laurel Aston is a Certified Muse Facilitator and a Certified Kaizen-Muse Creativity Coach, trained by Jill Badonsky.

Sparking Art and Craft

NEW OFFERING AT SPARKING ART STUDIO!
By private contract for small groups of: Adults, Teens, Families, Intergenerational Groups with Children, Non-profit, Green/Corporate, Healing or Art Professionals

Spring Holiday Crafts Studio

Seeds, Hearts and Eggs - Fabric and Paper Arts

Winter is waking us up. Are you ready to till the creative garden, as light and warmth return to the earth? Do you know what seeds you are planting?

This craft studio provides simple, elegant craft projects to catalyze the creative soul and the artistic, spiritual or life journey. Teacher, counselors, and art therapists love these Art & Craft studio trainings!

Please contact Laurel for Consulting or Event Support

Contact Laurel for consultation and portfolio presentation

See Schedule

Also by contract for individual or family or intergenerational groups.

Eco-Note:
Sparking Art Studio is moving towards using 100% earth-friendly, non-toxic materials. We focus on re-purposing materials, choosing bio-degradable when buying new; using natural materials, and avoiding use of plastics and synthetic glue as much as possible; gifting our earth and the ecosystem we share.

Muse Walks and Hiking with the Muses

Awakening the Body to Creativity
An Introduction to Muse Journey

Playful presentation of the Nine Modern-Day Muses is combined with a meditative walk or more vigorous exercise. Join us for a meditative Muse Walk at a local garden or secret spot, or, join us for longer Hiking with the Muses in the foothills of the Santa Cruz Mountains.

See Schedule

For more info, email Laurel

“A week ago it was the mountains I thought the most wonderful, and today it's the plains. I guess it's the feeling of bigness in both that carries me away.”
— Georgia O'Keeffe

Creativity Coaching

For individuals of any age or artistic persuasion

“Creativity is the celebration of one’s grandeur, one’s sense of making
anything possible.”
— Joseph Zinker

Telephone plus email; and in-studio (Mountain View, CA)

Laurel is certified through the Kaizen-Muse Creativity Coaching training program founded by creativity coach pioneer Jill Badonsky, M.Ed.

See Creativity Coach

Creativity Support Groups

Many different ways to connect and thrive as an artist!

“When you affirm your own rightness in the universe, then you co-operate with others easily and automatically as part of your own nature.”
— Jane Roberts

Muse Journey Circle -through monthly group and workshops
SoulCollage Circle - through class series and workshops
The Artist's Way groups
Meetup: Sparking Art & Creativity
Meetup: Collage and Creative Process

All these are organized and facilitated through Sparking Art Studio and serve as a path to creating a circle of support.

See the schedule and options for diving into Muse Journey, and SoulCollage

See more Sparking Art programs:

Creativity | Self-discovery | Kids | Healing