I have always loved working in clay. My first memory of it was making a lady wizard in second grade and being praised by my teacher for it. I always felt like it was something I could make mine, and do all day every day 365 days a year.
As I have gotten older, a voice inside of my head has grown louder and louder with so many excuses as to why I could never be an artist full time. I go back and forth, but clay is constant. Clay is always there waiting for me to get back to it.
When I get back to it, I wonder why I ever left. Hmm…why did I?
Here I am, back in action. Ready to breathe life into this dream of mine once again. In the next few weeks I will be launching a new Summer line, and out and about promoting. Will keep you posted!! Until then, please say hello to Otto, the sweetest little guy ever. We rescued him from the shelter.
I had the privilege of attending a Kirtan led by Snatam Kaur at the Omega Institute back in 2005. I came across one of her albums the other day and listened. Her songs moved me just like they did that magical night.
I’m currently hard at work designing new tote bags based on yoga silhouettes. They have been so fun to make! Best of all, the tote bags will be made of organic cotton. Woo hoo! One more step towards sustainability!
I had an opportunity to see a wonderful movie called “The Shift” by Dr. Wayne Dyer.
Let me preface with a story: A few years ago I was working a conference in NYC for a large retreat center and was positioned to support Dr. Dyer during a book signing. I had never heard of him, but he seemed like a really cool person when I met him. Little did I know the mob of people that lined up for a signed book thought he was exceptionally cool. I at the tender age of 20, panicked as the mob closed in around us and I began pushing back on people so they would line up. Dr. Dyer intervened and showed me that I could instead come from a place of love and calm when dealing with such a situation. I was instantly put at ease and was able to effectively manage the line with no resistance. Trusting myself and others was a foreign concept but it works. I have taken that with me in all my interactions and I know it makes a difference with everyone I come in contact with.
So I was excited to see the movie, and not disappointed. It is woven around Dr. Dyers’ philosophies about a turning point that everyone reaches in their lives that can cause a huge shift in how they see their actions and day to day spirituality. An awakening of sorts that is just delicious and well played in the character’s lives.
I thought it was well crafted and Portia DeRossi gave a great performance as a woman in a very difficult relationship. Trying not to give too much away, but lets just say her and her husband don’t see eye to eye on their lifestyles and drama ensues.
There are a variety of characters dealing with different issues in their lives, but I most identified with the artist who had given up on her art. She was stuck in rut with no way out. When she had her “shift” she was able to let go and start creating again if only for the sake of creating and expressing herself. The transition was quite beautiful to watch and moved me to be in action around my own creative rut.
On a side note, I want to announce that I now have a ceramic studio in Brooklyn! The space is awesome and I’m going to be with a great group of artists. This has been a dream of mine for a while and I’m so excited!
I’m going to create a personal blog at http://www.jensessions.com to document the process of setting up my studio and the adventures of being a ceramic artist.
I stumbled upon a really great book for the creative entrepreneur. The Creative Entrepreneur, by Lisa Sonora Beam, is a fantastic book to help create a plan for your business. I love working in my creative journals, but never really thought to outline a plan with my projects. With this book, Sonora Beam has created an effective blueprint for creating intentional journals. In turn, I create a road map to get what I want out of my business endeavors, but with a creative edge.
I had a blast making these first few pages, and really got my creative problem solving juices flowing. If you ever hit a wall with your business, I encourage you to check this book out.
Thank you to everyone who has written in sending their best to my boyfriend. So far he is responding really well to treatment, and is about halfway through chemo. He will then begin radiation therapy.
We have been taking an East meets West approach to his healing, and so far I think it’s making a difference.
On a side note, I want to announce that I now have a ceramic studio in Brooklyn! The space is awesome and I’m going to be with a great group of artists. This has been a dream of mine for a while and I’m so excited!
