My Creative Life is a weekly interview, with the same five questions, with folks who are living authentically, creatively, and making a living out of their passions.

This week I am honored to have Erich Camping, a Rochester, NY photographer. To describe his work as lovely, artistic, intriguing are all understatements! See what I'm talking about at his website www.campingphoto.com and also check out his photoblog http://www.erichcampingphotoblog.com. The photo of Erich in his studio was taken by Steve Pfost.


1. What do you do? (career wise - whatever you want to share)
I am a photographer specializing in Natural . Fine Art . Wedding Photojournalism

2. How did you prepare for this career? (formal and informal education, books, workshops?)
BA from SUNY Empire and R.I.T. l also attend yearly conferences and workshops

3. Besides living according to the values of creativity and independence, what other values are you honoring by following this path?
More than anything humor and trust define me. Keeping life real is also very important to living life to its fullest.

4. What struggles or challenges do you face, if any?
My challenges are balancing family life and my career. Being self employed is much more difficult than I ever dreamed.

5. Can you give some advice to folks who would like to do what you do?
Work hard and smart. Do what you love, and develop a niche that is unique to you.

Thank you Gus23 for hosting a wonderful month long series called April Art Attack!
Getting to know the many different artists and their process is a treat.

An extra big thank you for posting my artist profile!

Check out Gus23's blog!

My Creative Life is a weekly interview, with the same five questions, with folks who are living authentically, creatively, and making a living out of their passions.

This week I am honored to have Lynn Wigell a.k.a The Yarn Wench. With a name like that, you have to be creative! She produces the most gorgeous roving and yarn for knitting, crocheting, needlefelting, wet felting, etc. Visit her website, www.TheYarnWench.com and her flickr page to oh and ah over her goodies.

I got my 6"x6" matboards and already began working on them for ROCO's show/fundraiser.

Artwork is due by May 10, 2009.
Any media accepted.
No entry fee.
This is a fundraiser so you do not get paid if your work sells nor is it returned to you if it doesn't sell.

My Creative Life is a weekly interview with folks who are living authentically, creatively, and making a living out of their passions.

I'm honored to have Esther Winter share how she does it all. She is a gifted instructor and musician/singer. www.canalsidemt.com


1. What do you do? (career wise - whatever you want to share) I am the center director for Canalside Music Together Inc. Music Together is a research based, music educational program for children (ages 0-5) and their parents. We teach families Basic Music Competence, which is the ability to sing in tune, to keep a beat and have a great time doing it. I've been teaching MT for seven years and have been a center director for six.

2. How did you prepare for this career? (formal and informal education, books, workshops?) I've always felt that Music Together found me! I have a BFA in Musical Theatre from Syracuse University and my first love is professional theatre, which I did for about eleven years in NYC. I discovered Music Together as a mother with my then two year old daughter (now eight). I received my formal MT training in Princeton, NJ and have really enjoyed sharing this wonderful program with the Rochester community. I also take advantage of the many opportunities MT offers for continuing education about music and children.

3. Besides living according to the values of creativity and independence, what other values are you honoring by following this path? I feel I'm honoring my goal of doing something I love and loving what I'm doing with my life. Teaching a program like MT has allowed me to have fun at work everyday singing with children and their parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles. It has also enabled me to keep my priorities straight and be home for my kids when they get off the bus after school. Life is all about balance. I feel it's extremely important for women to have something they can call their own, whatever that is. Having something that's just yours can help you be a complete human being. And a complete woman equals a happy mother, wife and friend.

4. What struggles or challenges do you face, if any? For me, it goes back to balance. There are times when there just aren't enough hours in the day for everything I have to do as a wife, mother and business owner. When you have four kids someone always needs something!!! Obviously there are days when one job overshadows the others, but I strive to take everyday as it comes and to remember to breathe through it. My husband is also a source of constant support for me. He is most definitely a huge factor in this equation! Maintaing a steady workout regiem does wonders to clear my head when it's foggy and to get my creative juices flowing.

5. Can you give some advice to folks who would like to do what you do? Find what makes you happy and then figure out a way to make money doing it. I truly feel it's that simple. I really enjoy my job, so it doesn't feel like "work" most days. The hard part is figuring out what truly makes you happy. If you can identify what that is, and it's really the right thing for you, opportunity will find you. It doesn't have to be a big thing. Look at Martha Stewart - like her or not, she's made a fourtune out of teaching everyone how to make the perfect pie crust! Now, if that's not incentive I don't know what is.

Vision Board Workshop April 30, 2009

Vision Boards are getting a lot of attention these days. However, expressive arts therapist and art therapists

Here's a sample of a Vision Board created by actor Donovan Keith who lives in Los Angeles. Check out his blog here. Click on the picture for a larger view so you can see the details.

have been using them for a long time in their sessions.

They're also called creativity collages, treasure maps, or life collages, and can be created in workshops and individual sessions, either online or at the studio office.

Vision Boards are a simple but powerful tool for gaining clarity in your life and getting what you want. You wouldn't drive a long distance without a map, would you? A vision board is a visual map for your life's journey.

What happens during the workshop?
First, you get clear about all the things you want in life - career success, a house, a baby, romantic love, to lose weight, or whatever they may be.

Then the fun part - gathering images! You choose images that resonate with you and your desires. You won't believe how remarkably relaxing and enjoyable it is to rifle through boxes of pictures and to rip out pictures from magazines!

Next, you sort and adhere the images to a poster board and then add any embellishments you wish. But first you will glue a photo of yourself in the middle of the board. This is to make a statement to yourself that these are your wishes and desires - not your spouse's, kid's, parent's, or society's. These are the things you want to manifest.

Lastly, if time permits, you will reflect about the process and the items on your board by doing a writing exercise.

Once your Board is home with you, place it somewhere where you can refer to it occasionally or every day. Just like the map for your long distance trip, you wouldn't just look at it once and then put it in the trunk of your car.
You have to review it often to make sure you're on track and to get those images in your conscious and unconscious minds.

Will everything on your Vision Board come true?
It may. It may not. But at least you have established the intentions by visualizing your perfect life.

My Creative Life is a weekly interview with folks who are living authentically, creatively, and making a living out of their passions.
I'm honored to have Mary Ann Wakeley share some of her insights with you. Her work flows with grace and ease. Lovely and bold.

1. What do you do?

I am an abstract painter working with mixed media. Most of my work is on wood.

2. How did you prepare for this career? (formal and informal education, books, workshops?)

My training as an artist has mostly come through experimenting on my own. I was never trained as a painter. I thought early on that I wanted to be an interior designer and took some art and design evening classes at the Philadelphia College of Textiles and Sciences. When I realized this was not the route I wanted to go, I took a drawing and sculpture class at the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts, dropping the sculpture class after two sessions.

From that point on, I discontinued formal training and spent a lot of time educating myself through books and other reading material, using what time I had outside of my full time working life as an administrative assistant by experimenting with painting and drawing. It wasn’t until several years later after I turned 40 that I decided to put all my energy into painting. I have been continuing on this path since that time.

3. Besides living according to the values of creativity and independence, what other values are you honoring by following this path?

Mainly I honor the value of the spiritual self in myself and in others. I try to help others when it’s needed by offering my support in whatever way I can. Outside of that, I focus on what’s important for me to be a happy and caring individual so that the energy I send out into the world is positive. I believe our intention is the most important thing.

4. What struggles or challenges do you face, if any?

I view life as an adventure. My nature is to have fun but get things done in the process so managing my time to keep everything in balance seems to be the main challenge. In addition, I have familial responsibilities and a house to run. I like finding new ways to deal with life’s challenges.

5. Can you give some advice to folks who would like to do what you do?

My favorite piece of advice is a quote, although I forget the source! It is “leap and the net will appear”.

Follow your heart’s desire for that is your personal guide leading you to what makes you happy. Do not be afraid because fear paralyses your creative urges. If you want to paint, you must paint—start by doing it. Educate yourself in whatever way feels right whether it’s through self-education or by going to school. Check out artists’ blogs. I personally enjoy offering my work on the internet versus galleries. I like to feel personally connected with the people who purchase my work, and this is not always possible when you sell through galleries. Selling online also gives me more time to spend painting as there isn’t any travel time outside of purchasing supplies. There are many websites for artists to offer their work. I like etsy.com—I paint, put it online, and ship directly from home. The only way to know if something will work is by doing it. I also connect with people through my art at flickr.com. In October 2008 I started a blog to document my life as an artist. These are things that I am enjoying and view as successful as I make my art right now.

http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=36094

http://www.flickr.com/people/maryannwakeley/

http://maryannwakeley.blogspot.com/

Attn: Women-owned businesses

Pink Heels - Empowering Women Through Personal and Professional Development

The second round of applications are now being accepted for consideration in the Up & Running small biz grant. If you have been considering starting a new business or need assistance taking your current business to the next level, this grant is the perfect opportunity for you.

Recipients of this grant are provided with a $700 scholarship to participate in the three-month Up & Running small business coaching/consulting services through Pink Heels.

For more information, please contact Jennifer@Pink-Heels.com

Today is the first post of "My Creative Life," which is a weekly interview with folks who are living authentically, creatively, and making a living out of their passions.

I'm honored to have Jeni Swerdlow be my first since she is the one who introduced me to the fields of art therapy, music as healing, and expressive arts therapy.
Jeni's website: www.drummm.com

1. What do you do? (career wise - whatever you want to share)

I am the creator and lead facilitator for DRUMMM Rhythmic Events. We provide innovative, hands-on drumming experiences for corporate and community events to build stronger teams, promote wellness, celebrate milestones and have fun.
2. How did you prepare for this career? (formal and informal education, books, workshops?)

A BA in art and psychology and an MA in art therapy fostered the practice of self-expression as a tool for healing. Losing my home in a fire brought me to the drum. Once I found my rhythm, I began an in-depth inquiry into the teachings of the drum. I played a lot and I listened more. I studied drumming and dance in Senegal, drum facilitation with master teachers around the United States, and eventually began sharing my passion with world 10 years ago.

3. Besides living according to the values of creativity and independence, what other values are you honoring
by following this path?

DRUMMM fosters CONNECTION--to the mind-body, to each other, to the music and to the universe. It's about the joy and healing power of PLAY, through which we can experience freedom and spontaneity in the moment. It's about COLLABORATING with others to create something that is bigger than the sum of our parts.

4. What struggles or challenges do you face, if any?

It's interesting to do something that I love for a living. People don't always get that I work very, very hard--and bring a lot of experience to the table--to make sure that everyone is engaged and having a positive experience. Making something look fun and easy doesn't mean that it's not work, often it's quite the opposite. If people only knew how many hours of work goes into producing each and every DRUMMM event!

5. Can you give some advice to folks who would like to do what you do?

Do it! Get curious about drumming--take as many classes and attend as many workshops as possible. Seek support-- find a teacher you like, join internet groups, even videos can help develop facilitation skills. Experience is the best teacher--get some drums and percussion instruments, start a community drum circle, spread the word and help it grow.