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Successful and satisfied using her creativity in her genius zone

Sometimes it seems like our abundant creativity is more of a hassle than a gift. And when it comes to figuring out how to make a living using our talents, that can seem like a giant Rubik’s cube. All the pieces are there, but how to do they fit together?

My client Pam Porter is one of those creative geniuses who has many talents. And she knows how to use them! But how to use them all together and in a way that serves her and her lifestyle…that’s another story.

I’ve coached Pam to help her put all the pieces together. And last year, her passion for teaching children’s art came together with her love of swimming and mermaids to create inimitable summer art camps that are a blast for her and the kids.

Here’s what Pam said about our coaching together:

“I’m an artist and an art teacher with a lot of ideas. Cynthia has coached me to home in on projects that are in my “genius zone”. I now have clarity on what is most important to me and my business. I teach numerous art classes for kids out of my adorable home studio. I’ve written a children’s book. 

I finally love managing my business and my own art projects. And – because I’m just focusing on a couple of things at a time, the quality of my work and life is so much better and feels a lot easier than before.   

Best, I am successful and satisfied. I am using my gifts in fun and creative ways. I can see the positive difference I am making in the lives of the children that I teach and write for.

Part of me thinks I should have been able to figure all this out myself. But Cynthia has been a trusted coach and ally for years now. Our work together has been literally life-changing. I continue to call on Cynthia to help strategize and celebrate my wins. She’s a true asset to my life, business and creativity.” – Pam Porter, The Creative Flow Studio

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Magical Journey, Magical Journal

Excited to teach this new class today at Two Hands Paperie. Magical Journey, Magical Journal is a unique travel and creativity class that has allowed me to look at what I really believe about magic and travel and creativity. I’ve had so many experiences that show me that the world is a magical place and that keeping an illustrated journal highlights that. I can’t wait to share this. The class sold out right away and there’s a big waiting list, so I suspect this is something others are craving too, this connection to magic. Would this be a class you would want to take from me?
What if you could enjoy life as a creative journey – the type of journey where everything is magical and becomes easier and easier as you go along? It would be the grandest of all adventures! Join Cynthia Morris, a local author, artist, and life coach, on a transformative journey to explore and map out the territory of your inner self. This class was born out of Cynthia’s reflection on how visual journaling literally made her an artist.
Her early journals were about keeping a sketchbook and jotting down notes. When she re-visited them, though, she found them full of hidden insights about herself and immediately realized the value of journaling as a means of personal discovery. In her words, “journals reflect you back to you”.  She also realized that she’d followed a similar process in each book, which was key to her ability to delve deeper into self. She’ll show you how to use this process to travel magically and capture your experiences in a meaningful way. T
I am excited to teach this new class at Two Hands Paperie. Magical Journey, Magical Journal is a unique travel and creativity class that has allowed me to look at what I really believe about magic and travel and creativity.
I’ve had so many experiences that show me that the world is a magical place and that keeping an illustrated journal highlights that. I can’t wait to share this.
The class sold out right away and there’s a big waiting list, so I suspect this is something others are craving too, this connection to magic. Would this be a class you would want to take from me online?

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One True Line

Hemingway got past writer’s block by telling himself to ‘write one true sentence’. As a writer and artist, I crave more permission to be honest.
Long ago, I decided to never post anything ‘negative’ online. But now I see how that has allowed me to only show the cheerful, positive parts of myself.I want to take the muzzle off and share myself more authentically.
So I am taking up Hemingway’s invitation with a new series, One True Line.Every day, I will write or draw what I consider a truth. Just one line. This project could take many forms; I am leaving it intentionally open.
Join me in your own daily One True Line. It’s free and there’s no need to sign up.
Simply follow along on Instagram or Facebook, using the hashtag #onetrueline .
 

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What’s in the way of your creativity?

 
Do you feel lack of confidence, attempt too many projects, suffer from disorganization and plain old fear?
It’s easy to let our demons force our creativity into the closet.
Probably the biggest thing I do for my clients and students is help them get these obstacles – both inner and outer – out of the way so they can create with joy and ease.
When I talk about a program like my year-long Atelier program, I emphasize getting things done. But often we have to get things out of the way in order to get things done.
What would your life and your creativity be like with that biggest bugaboo finally gone? I’m taking a stand for creativity that empowers us and makes a difference in the world.
If you have a project that you are ready to commit to for real, check out The Original Impulse year-long Atelier program.

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Portrait of the artist: 100 days of painting watercolor portraits complete!

Being an artist means getting to know yourself on a deep level. We have to dig deep into what we care about and somehow express that in our chosen medium.
Making art is a process of learning to respect and love ourselves. Just taking the time to make art is a huge act of self-respect.
Showing up over the course of several months to make portraits hasn’t been easy. Some days I was barely able to ‘phone it in’. I didn’t have as much time as I wanted to really dive in. It would have been easy to abandon it. But something I have learned about myself: I’d rather lower my own expectations and stay with it than abandon it because of some notion of perfection or excellence.
I’m finishing a week after the rest of the tribe, barely getting over the finish line. I feel successful in my quest to improve my skills. I have had fun seeing improvement.
As I continue this adventure of self-discovery and expression, I am grateful for the art and writing that continues to reveal me to me. Thanks for sharing in this process, and for cheering me on. Your encouragement means a lot to me.
100/100 Portrait of the artist Cynthia Morris 9 x 12 watercolor on Hahnemuhle paper

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Inspired by Maira Kalman

I first discovered Maira Kalman’s funny and colorful illustrations in the Illustrated Elements of Style (Strunk and White). What could be better than a stuffy grammar book made entertaining by irreverent visual interpretations?

From there, I enjoyed Maira’s other books such as The Principles of Uncertainty. I’ve been an ardent fan and student from afar, studying her style and voice. She’s fiercely smart and joyfully expressed, and I’ve learned a lot from her visual narratives in the New York Times.

One day a few years ago, I was walking the High Line in New York with a friend. Suddenly, I spotted Maira walking with her friend. OMG! I grabbed my friend’s arm. It’s Maira Kalman! I SO SO wanted to talk to her, but when I am in the presence of someone I deeply admire, I turn quite shy. We followed her for a few steps before I realized I couldn’t bring myself to approach her.

I remain a dedicated fan and admirer of Maira’s art and multi-faceted, wildly creative life. Thank you, Maira, for being so wholly and exuberantly creative.

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Let’s get intimate with pastries in Paris!

Pain au chocolat in the morning, a fruit tart with afternoon tea…maybe an eclair sneaked in on the run. My all-time favorite Paris pastry shop is in my new Paris e-book.

Paris travel creativity guide art writingFind out where I get the best pastries in Visit Paris Like an Artist. You will love this unconventional guide to travel and art! Your copy is waiting for you now, and so is your inner artist. RSVP for fun here.

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Let’s run away with our artists to Paris!

I’ve been traveling to Paris every year since 2000, and have led many creativity workshops there. I get so many requests for advice on how to enjoy Paris in a fresh, different way. I decided to bring my artist, teacher, coach and writer together to write an e-book for you.

Paris travel creativity guide art writingVisit Paris Like An Artist is just the thing to make your trip to Paris – and anywhere – feel more creative, fun and you.

Get your copy of Visit Paris Like an Artist here.

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Half Caff pattern

Since the cleanse I have been drinking my coffee with very little caffeine. I love this pattern representing all the cups of coffee at half caffeine.