Dirty Footprints Studio

2013-06-15T07:44:00.000-07:00

Painting! Painting! Painting!

2013-06-14T12:20:00.000-07:00

Here is a peak into my latest painting. I call it PILGRIM.

She's acrylic on canvas--24" x 24". And well, maybe when I come down from this painting high I will stop to write more about the process that's been filling me up and making me come alive!!

_______________________________

I would love to spend the day painting with you! Come join me from the comfort of your own home/studio on July 20th for Gather, Retreat, PAINT & Repeat.

And there are still two spaces open to join me in Sedona this September 12-15 at Total Alignment!

How I Navigate Transition & Change

2013-06-12T13:13:00.000-07:00

Sorry I'm a little late posting this today!! I bet you thought I forgot all about my little summer blog series: To Be Of Service--didn't ya!?!

Nope--instead I decided to take full advantage of Phoenix's nap time and turn on the video camera. What you are about to see is totally off the cuff!! We're talking no makeup, very little sleep, and zero editing magic.

Enjoy!

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To Be Of Service is a blog series every Wednesday where you ask me a question--and I answer by sharing my own life and experience. Though it is my complete believe that all women possess the wisdom and direction we each will ever need--so I will never provide you with advice. Instead it is my sincere wish to be simply an oracle or a spark of inspiration for you to connect with your own deeper knowing. Thank you for trusting in me.

I'm Painting Again

2013-06-11T08:31:00.000-07:00

I'm painting again. Like really painting.

Where it's the first thing I do in the morning, and the last thing before I go to bed.

I'm painting again. Like paint on-my-fingertips-jeans-and-the-bottom-of-my-earlobe kind of painting.

Where paint is no longer pigment and binder, but instead voice and recognition.

I'm painting again. Like the kind of painting that heals wounds you weren't even aware of.

Where the act of brush against canvas is the savior you've been praying for.

Where the smell of paint tangles itself in streams of white sage smoke, marking the trail back home.

Where you realize that you CAN always pick up and begin again.

Where you nestle in softly and burrow in deep.

Where you find yourself.
And only yourself.

And remember this is the nectar of life you've been craving.

My Latest Painting

2013-06-10T14:12:00.000-07:00

Somethings are best expressed in paint.

This is one of those things.

Sketchbook Flashback

2013-06-07T05:00:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I was looking through my studio closet for something when I came across this sketchbook I made by hand when I was 18 years old and in art school. {Almost 20 years ago!}

It's hideous looking. Seriously, what was I thinking with that ugly paisley cover?

Anyways, I can remember like it was yesterday all of us Drawing 101 students complaining because our teacher was making us bind our own sketchbooks--plus, they had to be a certain size and be made of a certain very expensive paper.

Little did I know then--she was genius for teaching us a.) such a great skill for an artist (basic bookbinding) and b.) instilling a real sense of pride in our work and appreciation for quality materials.

But what is really fun and interesting to me is to revisit a period of my life through the sketches I made.

The two sketches above are of THIS Roman sculpture at the Cleveland Museum of Art. At 18, I don't believe I had started working there just yet--but I spent many hours and hours sketching sculptures and paintings there for years.

Something I still love to do.

There are also pages and pages of drawings I did of peanuts.

I think this is the total birth of my whole Pods obsession that keep making cameos in my art every so often!

The two spreads pictured above mustered up my heart just a little.

When I was 18 I had my first real serious boyfriend--and it was a tumultuous relationship to say the least that lasted two and a half years. The sketches above are from the beginning of that crazy time.

It's funny how such simple sketches could make me remember exactly where I was--but even more--what I was feeling.

Last, my Dad wasn't in my life growing up--but I did have contact with my Grandparents. Unfortunately less and less as I became a teenager.

But these sketches above of my Grandfather were done only a couple weeks before he passed away.

Even at 18 years old, sketching the ones I love, was important to me. Like I've done recently HERE and HERE.

I can't encourage you enough to begin your own sketching practice in your life. Not only will it strengthen your drawing skills and sharpen your eye for looking at the world around you---it will deepen your relationship to the facets of your life that one day will only be a memory.

You can see more from my sketchbooks HERE.

To Be Of Service :: Running A Creative Business

2013-06-05T05:00:00.000-07:00

I think I'm one of the last people you should ask about running a creative business. Only because my answer is probably one size fits Connie.

The way I run my business is when I hear to do something in my heart--I do it.
When I hear to no longer do something--I stop doing it.

I've never had an actual business plan.
I don't keep a list of goals handy.
At one time I had a mission statement--but who know's what ever happened to that.

What I do know is that when I truly hear to do something--I do it. I make it happen--and I'm pretty dang good at figuring out how to make things happen.

And you know why?

Because I'm not afraid to put myself out there. I'm not afraid to fail.

Yes, there is a handful of things that I am afraid of--but failing at something in my business is not high on the list. Failing at something in my business is purely information for me that I need to move in a different direction--that something isn't gellin'.

And usually when I'm failing at something in my business--it's because I was ignoring that voice inside me that knows best and tried to tell me not to do it in the first place.

Also, lately I've been in this really funky place.

I've been feeling like Dirty Footprints Studio is evolving. But what does that mean?--what am I suppose to do?--what will it look like?

Luckily I've grown to learn that these answers don't just come over night. This stuff takes sweet time.

It's a process. A journey. An ADVENTURE is how I really like to think of it.

So for me, running a creative business is all about trusting in myself--following my inner compass. Not always the easiest way to run a creative business--but the only way that feels right to me.

________________________________

Thank you Lynne Wilson for inspiring me to write this post! This is what Lynne asked:

Gotta question for me? Go HERE!

Want to read more from this blog series? Go HERE!

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Gather, Retreat, PAINT & Repeat

2013-06-03T05:00:00.001-07:00

One of the most important ways I practice self care is by retreating into my studio for some uninterrupted time to simply paint. It's the one thing I feel I don't do enough--and I plan on changing that and want to help you do the same!

I am hosting a little stay at home/studio FEARLESS® Painting retreat and would love for you to join me!!

You don't have to book a flight, find a hotel, or even leave the comfort of your pajamas!! You just need to commit to one day of pure PAINTING bliss in your own home/studio--and I will shower you with support, love, and all the ritual goodness that you would receive at one of my own live retreats via the powers of the internet!

You can finally finish that painting that's been staring at you forever--or start a fresh new art journal--or simply show up with your art materials and see what happens! That's what I'm going to do!

So find a babysitter--forget about housecleaning--and lock the doors!! Gather, Retreat, PAINT & Repeat is taking place on Saturday, July 20, 2013! Come and paint FEARLESS® with me ALLLL day!!!

Gather, Retreat, PAINT & Repeat...

is a celebration of you and all that you do!! It is an opportunity to commit to nourishing your own heart and creativity with time, space, and a community of love around you....all from the comfort of your own home/studio.

is about having fun and playing! Super important stuff, my dear friend! Super important.

is a time to refuel YOUR precious Spirit so that you can be more present for your loved ones.

is a huge act of self care. Bravo to you!

$44

YOU DESERVE THIS!

What you'll receive:

Ideas and inspirations on how to prepare a transformative and nourishing stay at home/studio retreat--including how to incorporate ritual, create a sacred environment, and even easy recipes of meals you can have prepared the day before so you can stay fueled with out the fuss during your retreat.

The week before our retreat I will shower your inbox with daily painting inspiration and creative ideas to prepare you for this great gift you are giving yourself.
A private Facebook group where you can meet and share with kindred painters.
A video for you to watch the morning of your retreat that will help you begin your retreat with reverence, joy, and feeling inspired!
Two live meet-ups held from my own studio via Spreecast the day of our retreat. One at 11am PST and the other 5pm PST.
The chance to let your creativity play and your Spirit soar in the support of a loving tribe--and me, your host!!

$44

How Gather, Retreat, PAINT & Repeat works:

On Monday, July 8--two weeks before our retreat I'll send you an email with ideas and inspiration on how to start planning your great retreat!

The week before I willy shower your inbox with daily inspiration & painting goodness! Plus we'll get all cozy in our private Facebook group as well.

Bright and early morning on Saturday, July 20 you will receive a PDF that contains a video and content for you to open your retreat with reverence, joy, and a big boost of inspiration! It doesn't matter what time of the morning you start--this PDF will be your opening reception to get you going!

You spend the day painting and creating! Painting and creating! Painting and creating! BLISS!

I will check in with you LIVE on Spreecast (free to join) from my own studio at 11am PST for an activity to get us back in our bodies and out of our headspace and spend some time sharing, asking questions, and getting our creative mojo pumping!

Back to painting and creating!! (Plus--don't forget you'll need to refuel your body for meals and snacks during the day--so you'll need some good food on hand too!)

Next, at 5pm PST I will meet you LIVE again on Livestream for sharing, inspiration, and a closing ceremony. After our retreat is over you can share your work and experience on the private Facebook group.

Let's paint together on Saturday, July 20!!

$44

We Possess All That We Need

2013-05-31T09:20:00.000-07:00

Thank you to all the beautiful Souls that have added their questions and suggestions for my new blog series To Be Of Service. Your inquiries have got me totally fired up about writing that I can't wait to just jump right in! But most of all--I'm tickled that I'm finally trying something new and sprucing things up around here at Dirty Footprints Studio!!!. It feels super good!

But before I begin this new fun adventure, I wanted to say something very important.

With every cell in my body, I believe that we as women possess all the wisdom, answers, and direction we will ever need right inside our own hearts and bodies. It's there--even if we struggle with accessing it sometimes. Even if we ignore it. Or don't trust it. Or confuse it for something else. It's still there. Always.

In some form or fashion, I've spent most of my life trying to decipher this buried wisdom within myself and in the last few years I've started to build a strong communion with it--through FEARLESS® Painting, yoga, and deep reflection and listening.

All the work I do through Dirty Footprints Studio is always with the intention of guiding women on their path to this cauldron of wisdom. So it's really important to me to never dish out advice or suggestions on what I think others should or shouldn't do. Doing so would defeat my core belief.

To Be Of Service is in noway an attempt at being a Dear Abby column.

Instead I understand and actually celebrate that as women, many of us find comfort in honest connection with one another. I've witnessed how we, as women, foster courage through the serendipitous oracles and signs that cross our path--and how easier it is for us to dip into our own source of wisdom when another Soul inspires recognition of what our own Soul has been whispering to us all the time.

I am beyond honored that you trust me enough to seek connection with me in a way that impacts your questions about things you are curious or passionate about in your own life.

It is my sincere hope that by responding to your questions through sharing my own life experience and truth, that you receive the blessing of an oracle, possibly a little serendipity, or maybe a spark of deep knowing that leads you into the vast wisdom of your own heart.

In return, these questions you've proposed have already filled me with a renewal of excitement for the work I share and a beautiful opportunity to embrace more clarity and reflection around what it is I too am passionate about. What a gift.

So thank you, my beloved readers, thank you.....it means so much to me. My first post of the series will be released on Wednesday, June 5.

Hot Mess

2013-05-30T05:00:00.000-07:00

Thank you to everyone that joined me for some Open Studio time yesterday. It was so comforting and sweet to find out later that some of my FEARLESS Painters like Hali and Danni were painting right along with me. I love that--and I plan on doing more Open Studio dates. This one was kind of last minute, I know--but if you want a little company while you paint you can always playback the recording HERE.

Well, I'm going to finally be honest. I feel it's time.

This past year has been one of the absolute hardest years of my entire life.

There, I said it.

Not only have I had to adapt to becoming a new Mom--but while doing so Hansel's health had plummeted to such horrible lows. In the last year he was hospitalized three times--and altogether spent a little over three months total in the hospital. He didn't work--which on top of being a new Mom, a caretaker, and a business owner--I also carried the responsibility of being the sole provider--with the new addition of huge medical bills.

I rarely talked about it. To anyone actually.

And then in January--I felt like I clawed my way to Oakland for a retreat with Pixie and Chris. I did everything in my power to get there---including paying to fly my Mom in from Ohio to watch Phoenix for the weekend--because all I really wanted to do was go there and fucking sleep. But the second I walked in those studio doors I started to fall apart.

Here's the big secret my friends--I've been falling apart ever since.

I painted this painting you see in the photo at the very top during my second round of DEEP. It took six weeks--well, more than six weeks--and then it stood collecting dust in my studio for a month or so.

I woke up yesterday and knew it was the day--the day to finally get back to her. And before I turned on the video--I stood there staring at her and could see the Connie I was a few months ago. The Connie that with everything going on--with her whole world feeling like it was totally falling apart--was still trying to "keep it altogether". Something about that painting, to me, feels like there is all this volatile energy--but it's being contained. It's nice. Neat. Safe. And oh so pretty.

I finally was sick of looking at her.

She just felt like a lie. A lie to myself.

So it's funny to me that I would invite a bunch of strangers in to the studio yesterday as I decide to revisit her again. I guess there's something about being witnessed that is a bit cathartic for my own personal creative process. But I only let you see me scratch at the surface.

When I got to where I was in the third photo above, I turned off the camera because the tears had already started coming--and I knew this part of the journey needed to be private. Something just between me and the painting.

So she's still not finished as you can see in the last photo. But she certainly is more honest now.

She's a hot mess--like me. Like my life right now.

And it felt good to express that--to let that flow off my brush and onto the paper. It felt good to let it get ugly and red--and more red--and even more red.

And those elephants--they're back. (Of course they're back--they never leave me.)

But the bigger truth is that I never leave me--even if sometimes it feels like I'm hiding--keeping myself contained and altogether as a Mom. Wife. Caretaker. Provider.

I'm still here. Falling apart and messy.

And thank God--finally embracing it 100% fully.

Open Studio Today!

2013-05-29T07:25:00.000-07:00

This is the 6 week painting that I worked on in my last session of DEEP--a second FEARLESS® Painting Adventure! As you can see, it's not quite finished yet. Finally I decided that today I am going to pour some major love into it.

So, to keep myself accountable and because it sounds like fun--I thought I'd open up my studio and allow you to drop by as I paint. Yep! C'mon over!

I will be working on this painting LIVE today from 12ish pm PST to 2:30ish pm PST (3-5:30 pm EST). Feel free to drop by my Ustream channel HERE or you can simply watch on the screen below.

Streaming Live by Ustream

13

2013-05-29T05:49:00.000-07:00

One day you'll be 13 years old and probably won't want to take photos of us snuggling together.

That's ok. I'll cherish these moments now while you're simply 13 months old TODAY!!

Dear Beloved Readers:

2013-05-26T22:29:00.001-07:00

If you haven't already noticed--I've been feeling a bit BLAHHH in the blogging department here at Dirty Footprints Studio. I try to blog--I honestly do--but lately I've been feeling uninspired...so I thought to myself what could I blog about that would be of service to my readers?

And that's when it hit me--why not just ask my readers?

Yep! I feel like I need a good kick in the writing pants--and I'm asking you, my beloved readers, to please help me out by posting in the comment section below a question you would LOOOOVE to ask me--or a topic you wish I would write about.....That's right--Please ask me! Tell me!! Give me something!!!

Then, starting in June, each week I'll take a couple of your questions or suggestions that resonate with my heart and give it a whirl! We'll call it the To Be Of Service Summer Blog Series and see what happens!!!!

Plus, if you do leave a suggestion or comment--also be sure to leave your name and your website/blog url too so that I can give you a nice little shout out of appreciation for the inspiration!!!

My writer's block heart thanks you in advance!!!

BIG Hugs,
Connie

Brings Life To A Field

2013-05-23T21:06:00.000-07:00

It is not possible to complete yourself

without sorrow.

Sorrow is a vital ingredient that shapes

the heart and enriches it.

So endure sadness the best you can

when its season comes.

That rain that can fall from your eye

brings life to a field,

and on other days when you laugh,

a sun takes birth in a sky you will

someday know.

See how all the elements are inside of

you.

See how your soul is a sire of light.

~Hafiz

In My Moleskine

2013-05-17T05:00:00.000-07:00

It's starting to get HOT in the desert...
so my days of sketching outside are numbered!

To Take A {Sacred} Pause

2013-05-15T21:12:00.002-07:00

When it comes to the sacred, I feel that we are living in very precarious times. Just scroll on Facebook and I'm certain you will find someone trying to sell you that business is sacred--money is sacred--chasing your dream is sacred.

But from my experience, this is not true.

I have great reverence for the work that I do, the container that supports it, and even the commerce that is generated from it. But my work in itself is just that. Work.

I believe the sacred is of a deeper fiber.

Something that can't be measured in dollar signs or fall under some standard of success.

I find the sacred almost impossible to express in words.

But when it is present, I feel it. Sometimes I can even see it.

The sacred doesn't bring me a high or some ethereal bliss. Instead it flows through me like rain or blood or oxygen. It cleanses and purifies at its best.

The sacred was truly present in my six day IGNITE Immersion in Sedona with my beloved FEARLESS Painters. The sacred surfaced when we each surrendered to the process. When we leaned into the mystery and reached out to our own personal magic....the sacred was there.

This sacred is what I long to understand. This sacred is what I desire to share with other women. This sacred is what I wish to go deeper into and bring forth in my life--my relationships.

My intention was to offer another session of IGNITE starting this September--one that was more condensed--more affordable--more neat. But I've decided instead to take a pause. To allow the teachings from this current sacred experience to process and marinate before I set out on another journey.

This decision scares me a little, which confirms that it is the right decision. It would be easier to just go through the motions and share the incredible content that already exists for IGNITE--but I would be denying the truth that at the core of IGNITE is something much more powerful than the lessons themselves.

It is the sacred.

I see that now. I understand.

Now it is my responsibility to be the gardner of that sacred and patiently wait for the right time for it to bloom again.

Sacred

2013-05-13T07:35:00.000-07:00

We have each made our way back home.

Literally. Spiritually. Creatively.

Now it's time to process.

Amazing Amazing Amazing

2013-05-08T07:10:00.000-07:00

Yesterday at day 2 of the IGNITE FEARLESS Painting Teacher Training Immersion in Sedona, one of the things we did was FEARLESS Painting collaborations.

It was freaking awesome, to say the least!

There is nothing like spending a week with a group of amazing creatives ready to set the world on fire with their creativity and big hearts!!!

I love doing this work of guiding women into becoming empowered, self reliant, amazing teachers--that I decided last night that I need to make it more easier for others to join this experience too. I just extended the payment plan---email me if you need more information!! I would love for you to join IGNITE this September!!

An Incredible Journey Begins

2013-05-06T05:00:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I drove into my beloved Sedona and spent a few hours setting up the space for my week long IGNITE Immersion that begins today.

The amazing women in my FEARLESS® Painting Teacher Training program IGNITE have traveled from all over North America and even as far as the Netherlands to gather here for a week of strengthening their teaching practice and deepening their own Artist path!

Before my day was over, I took a short hike along an empty trail and prayed for guidance and wisdom so that I shall be of the greatest service to these women who have traveled so far--literally, creatively, and spiritually. But most of all I prayed in gratitude for this great gift I have in my life--the gift to guide other women into a life of sharing their passion and creativity--in bringing more beauty and healing into the world.

It is such an honor for me to do the work that I do. It is such a joy to gather in circle with wise, creative, heart centered women.

So as I take a deep breath...today starts an incredible journey.

If you too are feeling called to the path of teaching and transformation--today can be the start of an incredible journey for you as well. Registration for my next session of IGNITE opens today.

To learn more about this incredible program, please go HERE.

In Transition

2013-05-04T05:00:00.000-07:00

Maybe one day I'll tell you about this journey I've been on.

Or maybe it won't matter by then.

But for now, the only way I can express this hard and sacred time,
is by capturing little bits of it
in my sketchbook,
on my iPhone,
and in the privacy of my journal.

Thank you for holding space for me as I navigate in transition.

My Healing Journal {Episode 2}

2013-05-03T05:00:00.000-07:00

For episode one of My Healing Journal please go HERE.

One Year Old

2013-04-29T07:18:00.000-07:00

Happy Birthday Phoenix!

There are no words to express how much I love and adore you.

Thank you for picking me as your Mom.

Happy 1 Year Old!!!

I Live An Ordinary Life

2013-04-26T08:25:00.000-07:00

I've always considered myself an Artist--even when I was an itty bitty. But I can remember when I was younger, especially in high school, when I thought being an Artist was really glamorous. And, well, I guess for some Artists it is. But for me, it's quite ordinary.

I sketch in hospital waiting rooms.

I'm over the moon when Phoenix drops down for a nap so I can grab a little longer time to sketch his angelic face.

Sometimes Hansel will run into the grocery store for something, and I'll sit in the parking lot making grey scales in my sketchbook.

Glamorous? Not quite.

But steady, consistent, and interesting (well at least to me)--yes. Nourishing to my Spirit? Without a doubt.

I'll tell you a secret...sometimes I feel a little insecure about this. My inner critic thinks I should be dashing from one exotic location to another to claim that I'm living the Artist life. That I should be oozing out canvas after canvas and stacking up licensing deals and tripping over piles of magazine articles, but truthfully, that's not me.

I've had gallery shows before in my twenties. I've sold art on Etsy and one year I had almost 50 commissions for FEARLESS Paintings. But none of that made me as happy as just creating for me and sharing what I find with the students I am blessed to be trusted by, or with you here on Dirty Footprints Studio.

And somehow, I've been able to make a living from this. Not that I haven't worked my ass off, and still do. But I don't let what others think I should be doing as an Artist define what I do naturally--that feels right to me.

I spent most of my adult life chasing the dream of being an Artist, but it wasn't until I truly started listening to my heart in the here and now--and just doing what feels right to me--that I actually was able to do it as a self sustainable living. All those years in my twenties and early thirties were certainly not a waste. I gained so much experience, knowledge, and life wisdom from trying out different versions of the dream of being an Artist, but I was always striving for something, always trying to get somewhere.

I feel like I finally arrived. I'm not talking about financial or professional success--but to something greater: my own comfortability with who I am in this world, and what gifts I'm here to share. Because of this, each day becomes an unveiling of something new--instead of another day of trying to get closer to some greater version of this life I'm blessed with.

So ordinary? I'm ok with that. Actually I think I make ordinary extraordinary.

Seeing Red

2013-04-24T08:03:00.000-07:00

For Those Afraid Of Drawing

2013-04-22T05:00:00.000-07:00

Most of the time before I start sketching, I have something in mind that I am interested in learning or achieving.

Either I want to strengthen my drawing skills by practicing, or sharpen the way I look at things, or figure out these watercolors, or simply have fun and play around with my materials. But to be honest, I haven't sat down yet with the intention to draw ultra-realistic--or even realistic at that. That doesn't mean I won't some day, but that doesn't interest me at all.

So lately, many Artists online have expressed to me their fears around sketching and drawing. I have a sense that they might be putting some pretty lofty expectations on themselves when they sit down with a pen or pencil.

It's so IMPORTANT to remember that the life of an Artist is a journey. We ALL have to start somewhere and creating safe little containers for ourselves as we grow our skills and confidence is so important.

What do I mean?

Well, when I sit down with the intention to simply practice drawing I really am granting myself a nice little container to mess up and most especially to use as my time to learn in. What becomes important is the work I'm doing in the container--rather than the finished product itself.

For example, in the sketch in this post, I was interested in discovering how to sketch something with all these little parts and pieces to it. As I sketched it more and more I started to learn that I wasn't really looking at the relationships between things--and that's what was making my drawing a bit wonky.

Holy schmoly! That was a HUGE lesson to learn for me!

And so, my sketch is far from perfect, but now I've gained something that will help me on the next page. So that's it. I move on. I get better. I grow.

This goes for all Artists. No matter if today is the first day you pick up a sketchbook or if you've been doing this Art thaaaang all your life--as Artists there is ALWAYS room to grow.

So a great way to face your fear around sketching and drawing is to start simple and easy.

Begin with sketching objects that have simple shapes and lines--such as fruit and vegetables. Practice really looking at them and sketching their basic shapes. That's it. Don't worry about shading or making it look realistic. And yes--they of course are going to look simple--that's the point. But just allow yourself this time to begin understanding how simple shapes and lines are the foundation of all sketches.

And most especially: practice. You'll learn how stronger your Artist eye will become and how sharper your skill will become the more you practice!

Thank you to all the beautiful Souls that shared my free online workshop: FEARLESS® Painting For Art Journaling--and thank you to everyone that has dived right in and started painting FEARLESS®!! My heart is doing cartwheels over all the beauty we are creating together in the world by sharing our light!!

Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!