Living Our Dreams

Milestones: Fifty Feisty Bold Steps

Copyright: 2010 Sheri Gaynor, The Rite of Spring Fashion Show
Sneak Preview: Hoops

How better than to step into Feisty Fifty than with fifty bold steps for 2010. I've crossed off learning hand drumming and tonight I cross off a long held fantasy, that of actually being a Broadway singer/dancer. Yep, I am saying it publicly for all the world to hear. Growing up in the BIg Apple, and attending Broadway musicals conjured up some pretty BIG childhood fantasies of becoming a singer and dancer. Watching Tommy Tune tap and strut made my heart beat faster.

I always wanted to be in the high school musicals, but because of my spacial dyslexia, I was always going one way while everyone else was going the other, not to mention that I was so SHY, I could hardly speak. So, needless to say, I was never invited into the club. I gave up after a few attempts and decided to head down other paths. Meeting my friend Lynn Aliya, awakened this idea, but I never thought I would dare to take the leap. 

I think this dream has lived buried under a few layers for quite some time now. Last year when I attended the first Green is the New Black Fashion Show, and had my mind completely blown, I set an intention to model in 2010. I actually made the it through this years audition-which thanks to my good friend Lynn Aliya, was a runway walk and nothing more-so tonight I am strutting my stuff on the runway in in The RItes of Spring Fashion Show and modeling four lines. In one of these lines, I am actually doing something really bold...but I can't reveal that quite yet, you'll just have to come and see for yourself. 

Yep, tonight is one of those, H--Y S--T moments, where I am stepping into some REALLY scary terrain and risking it all for the sake of redemption, ala bright lights, performance and music, just so I can say "I'm FEISTY FIFTY, YES I CAN!" 

48 bold steps to go....

Here's a video from last years Green is the New Black!

Where's Sheri?

My goodness! It's been 10 days since you've heard a peep from me. My life is buzzing faster than a bee makes honey and I fully confess, I'm having a bit of trouble keeping up!

I am getting ready to put together a March update filled with updates and happenings, so make sure you are on our mailing list or check back on Wednesday for all the juicy news!

In the meantime, I am VERY PROUD to announce our latest program Living with Cancer: Visions of Healing and Hope. I will be Co-Facilitating this wonderful series with friend, and breast cancer survivor Diane Kenney. 

Photo Credit: Sue Drinker, Putting a Face On Cancer

Diane is an amazing and talented artist. Following her recent treatment for breast cancer, Diane was determined to find a way to "give back to other women, going through this difficult experience." We are teaming up to create a nurturing, healing and creative experience for cancer survivors. Please visit Diane's site to see some of her beautiful and inspiring ceramic work. 

 

Please join us for our Introductory Gathering, 

Wednesday, March 24, 2010 6:30 pm - 8:00 pm 

at The Mandala Studio (in the Fleisher Company Bldg)

I've uploaded the flyer (Download LWCFlyerfinal). If you know someone who might be interested in attending our Introductory evening, please pass this on, or send them to the Introductory Gathering, web page. We have also created a Facebook Living with Cancer Group page, where women can gather and share their stories.

7If you are interested in becoming an  LWC Angel sponsor or donor, please contact Diane, for more information.  

We hope to see you soon!

Studio Location in the Fleisher Company Bldg (Gateway Plaza): 

View Larger Map

Enter through double doors to the left of Independence Run and Hike. First left down the stairs. Bottom of stairs are the restrooms. Across from the woman's restroom is our studio. 

March Art of Intention

As we move into spring, my intention this month is to expand beyond the current borders of my imagination. Where are you going in March? Join us.... 

 

It's DreamTime Monday!

March roars...time to get out your Book of Dreams and create an intention for the month. I'll be dreaming later today in the studio...let's create our realities, not simply live them....

Think renewal, replenish, soften, surrender! 

It's Mile Marker 3 of the online Expedition and we're dreaming BIG and viewing new horizons! I've had some requests for another online class. If your interested, send me an email, with the subject line, "Expedition Inquiry." Include your personal email address (not NING) and phone. 

The World is a book, and those who do not travel read only a page.  ~St. Augustine

Join in on the fun by posting your Art of Intention for month here in our community Salon. 

 

Here's a little inspiration for you to get your creative juices FLOWin and GOin. I found it on Dancing Down Serendipity Street,  JUICY blog by new Salon member Jamie Burch!  Stop by Jamie's profile, say hello and thank her for the inspiration! Happy DREAMing everyone... Your fearless dreamer.... Sheri

Balancing Act

I hit the wall yesterday and right in the middle of a friend helping me with Cash Flow Projections, I burst into tears. It's been WEEKS of crunching numbers, looking at the BIG picture and growing programs. In between all this, there were clients, an online class, studio classes and home life to tend. 

So, what's the first thing that got cut out of the mind-body program? Creativity. Yes, true confession, right smack dab in the middle of our online expedition, I let go of my own creative process. So why am I admitting this embarrassing secret? Because it's important for you to know...it happens to all of us, if we don't make this part of our lives a priority! 

So after my tearful tantrum, I knew what was wrong. I was completely out of balance, from living in a world that does not "feed," my soul. After the tears, I could feel the familiar surge, that was literally ready to boil over.  I hung the Do Not Disturb sign on the studio door, got out my pastels, so I could work quickly and move the energy, and began this piece...upside down-which is actually how I felt. When I began working on it, it was from this angle. It wasn't intentional, just something I saw in my minds eye.

 

She then evolved into the image you see at the top of the post, and I finished the piece "right side," up. I have titled it, "Seeking Comfort," as the yellow figure appeared to embrace and hold her. As with all my expressive arts work, none of this is planned. I allow the work to spill from my soul and evolve. There were times while creating this that I heard, "Oh, you screwed it up but putting that arm around her neck," but I know better after all these years then to let my "Venomous Toad Committee" run the show. As I continued to work, the figure behind appeared and it all made sense to me. 

In the end, how long did this take me? About one half hour, which tells us that we CAN fit this into our life if we keep it simple. Sometimes, these quick "sketches," are just that, places I can return to if I want to develop it into a larger piece or painting. I always hang my images up, so I can look at them for awhile, and let them whisper to me. That's how I know where to go next...
 

The beauty of the expressive arts is allowing the image to unfold. Getting out of our own way, out of our "mind," if you will and letting the muse speak TO us. I have to say, I feel much better today, and ready to go in to the studio and work from both sides of my brain! 

 

One World, One Heart: Let There Be Light!

Happy SNOWY Saturday. Looking for something to do while cuddling up by a warm fire...here is a treat! A special mother and daughter podcast to benefit Nepal.

Read a full article in the Glenwood Springs, Post Independent.

ARTWORK: © 2010 Karuna Owens, No reprint or use without express permission