My Creative Peace - Inspire Your Soul

My Creative Peace Presents: Art as Healing - Different Sides of Me

2015-08-17T10:49:00.000-07:00

My Creative Peace Book Review: The Realism Challenge

2015-08-14T05:31:00.001-07:00

I have wanted to hone my drawing skills for a few months now so coming across this book felt pretty timely for me. The book is well laid out and the author's voice is inviting throughout what could be a very intimidating challenge.

That said, I realize that I am so much better at learning artistic skills with a video or an in person experience. Which is kind of odd because I learn SO MUCH from reading blogs and books so I was kind of surprised that I could not really settle down and do the lessons in this book.

I don't want to in any way dissuade you from buying this book because it is beautiful and carries a ton of tips. For me though it helped because it put Mark Crilley's talent on my radar and now I am plugged into his work on YouTube.

NOTE: I received this book from Blogging for Books for this review.

My Creative Peace presents Art as Healing Tutorials: Soulful Bird Banner

2015-08-10T10:47:00.000-07:00

My Creative Peace presents Beginner Art Journaling - Soulful Bird in a Cage Art as Healing

2015-08-06T11:27:00.000-07:00

Coming to Chandler AZ: Kids and Adults Art Classes, Fall Camps and Parents Night out This Fall

2015-08-05T15:48:00.000-07:00

Art & Yoga Workshops & Parent's Night Out For Kids & Adults Who Are Young at Heart

Parent's Night Out

Art, Yoga & Hula Hooping for the Kids

Parents enjoy an evening out while your children enjoy art, yoga and hula hooping. Each child will be grouped together to create an age appropriate creativity project. Then we will do a mini yoga session and learn some cool hula hoop tricks. Snacks and water will be provided. Teenage volunteers will be available to assist with activities.

Taught by Robin Norgren
Sept 11, 2015 from 6-8:30pm
Ages 4-10

Cost $40 per Child; $30 for Each Additional Child (Includes Materials & Snacks)

"Create & Share on 5X7"

Art & Creativity Classes for Women

Did you know that creating Art and engaging in creative activity offers incredible calming and meditative benefits? Many times the opportunities, the resources or the time just do not seem to open up for us to take advantage of this benefit. We here to help get rid of some the barriers. We lovingly invite you to Create and Share.

Join us for 4 weeks of learning art and mixed media techniques to create on 5x7 flat canvas.

Where does the sharing come in? Well it is two-fold. This is a time to bring a friend and have a fun night out making art. AND you will have the opportunity to create on 2 - 5x7 canvases, one for you to keep and one for you to gift to a friend, sharing the blessing of heartfelt creating with others.

What to expect: We will have a specific project each week you will be instructed step by step how to create. For the more adventuresome artist, feel free to come and create your own interpretation of the project. All supplies are provided.

Taught by Robin Norgren

Tuesday evenings from 6:30-8pm

Sept 1, 8, 15, 22

Cost $100 (Includes $60 for Workshop Series plus $60 Materials Fee)

Creativity and Movement Fall Kid's Camp

For Kids Ages 4-6 or Ages 5-8

ART: The Rocket Ships and Sparkle program offers a unique way of teaching art technique to children. We work with all types of paint, watercolors, scrapbook paper and random items we use in our day to day lives. Your children will be invited to create with high quality paint supplies and have the opportunity to create paintings and projects that will nurture their creative voice.

HULA HOOPING: Active play is essential in every child's life. Hula hooping class is designed to inspire fun and laughter while instilling deep sense of joy and play in a community setting. Your child will learn tricks with the hula hoop and get a chance to learn to move rhythmically in the hoop.

JOI KIDS YOGA: In our kid's classes, we offer yoga, breath work, relaxation techniques, music, creative movement and sharing time to promote well being and balance. We incorporate songs, games and books into our yoga practice to create a fun and lively class while making sure to incorporate calm and stillness throughout.

Taught by Robin Norgren

Cost $75 per Session (Includes Materials)

Kids Ages 4-6

9-11 am Daily

Session 1: September 28, 29, 30, 2015

Session 2: October 5, 6, 7 2015

Session 3: October 12, 13, 14 2015

Kids Ages 5-8

1-3 pm Daily

Session 1: September 29, 30, October 1, 2015

Session 2: October 6, 7, 8, 2015

Session 3: October 13, 14, 15, 2015

Space limited to 12 for all of the art and creativity classes above. Please register a week prior to the workshop or camp start date.

My Creative Peace presents a Peek into my Art process - A girl with Antlers

2015-08-05T11:01:00.000-07:00

My Creative Peace Presents: Art as Healing Tutorials Wind Chimes

2015-08-03T10:46:00.000-07:00

Building an artist's life: Jolie Guillebeau at TEDxConcordiaUPortland

2015-07-29T20:30:00.001-07:00

My Creative Peace presents: a Peek into my Art Process - The Soothing of the Soul

2015-07-29T10:59:00.000-07:00

My Creative Peace presents: Beginner Art Journaling Pages 1

2015-07-28T10:53:00.000-07:00

My Creative Peace Art as Healing Tutorials: Winged Heart Tutorials

2015-07-27T10:45:00.000-07:00

My Creative Peace Book Review: The Navy Seal Art of War by Rob Roy

2015-07-22T10:49:00.000-07:00

I have a confession. I was born to be a leader. I thrive at the helm. I enjoy collaboration but I am also not afraid to made the final decision in a situation. I do not spend time agonizing over whether I made the right choice. Even if down the road I find that another decision would have fit the situation more efficiently, I own what I did, acknowledge my mistake and move on. I will admit that may not align with what most people perceive creative people to be like but this is how I am. Perhaps having developed the creative side of my brain later in life caused this juxtaposition.

That said, I was incredibly excited to read Mr. Roy's book. As many of you now, I am a military wife. What you may not know is I am the daughter of a highly decorated Vietnam Veteran, my brother served as an Army Ranger and my son is now an Airman. So my personality and my lineage absolutely drew me to this book. And I was not disappointed. Many of the topics that Mr. Roy discussed could easily translate to decision making in general and not simply corporate leadership, though most of what he discussed was based on his experiences with working with high level corporate professionals. I appreciated that the book is in essay form so that I was able to take deep dives into the material as time permitted or take 15 minutes with a topic that caught my eye.

If you are looking for an interesting and thought provoking perspective on leadership, you should give them book a read.

NOTE: I received this book from Blogging for Books for this review.

Meet Your Monster: Gary Hirsch at TEDxConcordiaUPortland

2015-07-20T09:01:00.001-07:00

Ecourses and Workshops NOW Available

2015-07-14T06:41:00.000-07:00

For FULL COURSE (Bible Study and many other Creative Activities and Inspirational Videos):

CLICK HERE

To Learn More about becoming a Christian Creativity Facilitator:

CLICK HERE

My Creative Peace presents: Art and Creativity Projects on YouTube Wind Chime Tutorial

2015-07-11T18:58:00.000-07:00

CRAVE: Calgary

2015-06-29T07:12:00.001-07:00

My Creative Peace Book Review: Between the Dark and the Daylight by Sister Joan Chittister

2015-06-14T07:14:00.002-07:00

I discovered Sister Joan's work my first year in seminary. I was still struggling with the call to go to school, take on such enormous debt and sit in a room with established pastors of churches from various denominations when, at that time, I had no idea the purpose for getting this type of training. I felt no call to lead a church. I would soon find out that I would not be able to take the next steps to become a chaplain in the military. The only thing I knew for sure was I was sitting in a church that my mother had taken us to the first few months we moved to Arizona after having suddenly left Michigan and everything I had ever known - I was 14 years old at the time.

The book I read was about the value of struggle in life. This book came at a time when I was not only struggling with the decision to go to seminary but also the chaos of being newly married, becoming a stepmom, and feeling incredibly unsure what to make of my life. I note here that this same semester was where the seed was planted of the value of faith and creativity through a billboard in downtown Phoenix which read "Art Saves."

Between the Dark and the Daylight is a modern day book of Ecclesiastes. Sister Joan, through a series of essays, exposes our need to be safe at all times, so much so that we meticulously carve out the perfect life, controlling every moment like a chess game, developing strategies that cover two, three, four moves out so that we are NEVER faced with disappointment, discomfort, sadness, loneliness. She challenges us to think this through more carefully. The constant desire to control actually wrings the life out of LIFE. The growth and depth that we constantly hear thrown around as the IDEAL life cannot be reached when chance and opportunity are choked out of the equation. She remind us of the reality that even in our constant calendaring of each and every movement and engagement, life STILL has a way of throwing you for a loop. Sister Joan reminds us that not only is that loop a valuable part of living life to the fullest but one that needs to be invited in.

I highly recommend this book and would suggest that it is read together with a group who would like to challenged about the way we live life today.

NOTE: I received this book from Blogging for Books for this review.

My Creative Peace Book Review: The World Needs More Love Letters

2015-05-03T06:45:00.002-07:00

I do not know how I came across Hannah Brencher but I can honestly say I am so glad that I did. Her blog is one whose voice has been speaking deeply to me in 2015. She does not go into details about the reason behind her transformational voice but man oh man it is a powerhouse change. And as one who is feeling many changes coming on since the death of my father two years ago and now having to make some tough decisions about my mother I am CRAVING a sense of purpose, legacy and understanding in a world that seems to be getting more cold, more harsh, and more careless in its treatment of one another.

As a military wife, I was drawn to this book because I wrote letters to my friends back in the U.S. while stationed in Germany. I also encouraged my daughter to do the same. I am very pleased to say that my daughter received many delightful letters during the months we were stationed in Germany. I was not that lucky. Everyone's busy you know. Busy. Busy. Busy. So busy and yet so alone.

I love the layout of the book. The stationary colors invite you to sit down and fill the words with little stories, stories to share with friends. A snapshot in time. A reminder that someone is being thought of. I did it while in Germany. I did it while my son was in boot camp. Just put a little not on the calendar to sit down and write a note. Something about getting something in the mail. in your hands. I gave this book to a friend as an invitation to begin our own writing relationship. And it brought to mind someone else I can begin to write.

NOTE: I received this book from Blogging for Books for this review.

My Creative Peace Book Review: Just Add Watercolor

2015-05-03T06:22:00.001-07:00

I first heard about this book while looking at Helen Hallows' blog - she is one of the artists featured in this book. I have been attracted to her work because of the delicate feeling and the mood of the work.

I first started playing with watercolors when my husband was stationed in Germany in 2010. We had limited access to art supplies where we were stationed. BUT there was this little store (equivalent to a Walgreens here in the U.S.) that carried these rich vibrant watercolor sets for $3USD - I could just KICK myself for not stocking up on these when we left. I can't get these same watercolors for any less than $15.00 here.

I was intrigued by both the title of this book and by the cover which hints at the diversity of artists represented inside. Not only does the book deliver with this feast of talent but also in the little tips that you can try on your own to begin your own work as a watercolor explorer.

I look at this book when I am getting ready to begin any creative project whether it is writing or creating a project for one of the local classes I teach. It feels like a mental pump priming to dive into color, richness and possibility. I think that you will enjoy this book too.

NOTE: I received this book from Blogging for Books for this review.

Gospel Challenge | the POET

2015-05-02T08:59:00.001-07:00

Bishop T D Jakes Sermon 2015: Destiny Steps Series: God IS About To Turm...

2015-03-03T05:48:00.001-08:00

My Creative Peace: The High Seas of the Journey

2015-02-26T04:02:00.001-08:00

I am honored to be featured on Lindsay's blog Cold Shrimp Circus where I talked about the inspiration behind this piece of art.

CLICK HERE to read about it.

stART: Creating As We Go Episode 42

2015-01-25T06:42:00.001-08:00

Erwin McManus: What If?

2015-01-24T06:36:00.001-08:00

DAILY PAINTWORKS News: DPW Spotlight Interview: Robin Norgren

2015-01-19T11:22:00.001-08:00

DAILY PAINTWORKS News: DPW Spotlight Interview: Robin Norgren: Each week we will spotlight a different DPW artist who will give away one of their best paintings. To enter to win Robin's painting, &q...