I had decided blogging wasn’t for me... there was too much awesome content out there; I didn’t think I could add much... or maybe I just wanted to be consuming not adding.

​But now in a world of coronavirus, a world united by common challenge that reminds us how little power we actually have, I feel myself wanting to be useful in someway, however small. I am putting on my therapist hat and sharing some information and tips to stay mentally strong during this time of uncertainty and stress.

I often have so much I want to share with you. 
Ideas, resources, new work, show announcements, the fact that I just launched my first online class ... 

...but for whatever reason, blogging has not been a format I have embraced. It takes me a while to get started; and when I do, it takes me a while to get things out in the way I want them to come out... And when they finally do, I am left feeling like they are probably not reaching you after all!! 

The main idea behind blogging for me has been to be in touch with my art family --that is YOU-- who are yourself busy creating and searching ways of nourishing your creative soul.

 But truthfully, blogging feels a little one-sided because I don't get to see you and your art or hear from you! 

Being the practical creature that I am, I have paid attention to where we are all hanging out, and I have found that things like Instagram (@consutolosa) and Facebook are far more effective in creating that bridge and link that helps us actually connect. So without making some categoric statement of intention, or announcing that I am never going to post anything here again, I have to say that this might be the last blog post from me ... at least for a while! 

So what does this lengthy introduction have to do with the idea of TRUST? 
Trusting is a practice I am working on for the long run. Trusting is an act of courage that balances out the fears and the 'what-ifs.' Trust doesn't come easily because it means that while not knowing anything for sure, I am offering up a resounding YES to what is and what will be, believing deep in my gut that all is well.

Above is "Trust" ~ a painting I created inspired by this idea of leaning into the process that is unfolding right in front of you and tending to it with love and care, knowing that the outcome is already a win, no matter what it looks like. 

An instructional video sharing my step-by-step process is currently part of Mindy Lacefield's class Permission to Play.  It's one of her amazing classes you can check out. I am thrilled to be part of her learning community & proud to call her my friend. 

If you are interested in more opportunities to have me as your art guide, You can also check out my own brand-new online class: "Transformations: An Altered Board Book."

   c. and subsequently following the game of tag all over the interwebs learning more about some really cool    peeps, and finally --that would be 

  d.-- sitting down to report back and deciding who I wanted to tag next!     

  So, the 20 Questions, here it goes:
      Question 1: 

I am relieved & proud to have completed (i.e. eked out) this 30-day challenge... This last week wasn't as seamless as I would have wanted... but things have gone up and it's a wrap!

Here are 5 things I learned about meeting a challenge that seemed almost insurmountable, by resolving to make and post art for 30 days in a row.

week 1:: Just Start. If you are scared, take a leap of faith.
week 2 :: Stay curious. Relax by trusting the process. 
week 3 :: Work through the need for perfection & fear of vulnerability 
                 by asking yourself  "what's the worst that could happen?" 
         ... and then connecting with the freedom that comes from courage. 
week 4 :: Variety & Fun are helpful to develop endurance 
               & a sustainable practice.
week 5 :: Focus and keep it going, because, as my dad would say, 
               "lo mejor es el enemigo de lo bueno," or  "done is best."

I loved taking on a challenge and I think I will do it again in a month or two... In the meantime, check out the musings of these other rockstar challenge-takers: 
Fabulous Soulwoker & Painter: Samyak Yamauchi
Photographer to the 4-legged Stars: Kristina Zambrano
Maker of all things Artsy•fun & Chicken-Loving, Richelle Shadoan

What's Your NEXT CHALLENGE?

With exactly seven days left to go, I think I will meet this challenge ... and, as evidenced above, I am back in full color! 

Three weeks into this challenge, and things feel like they are beginning to shift a little in unexpected ways...

As of last week, I confirmed that my sticking power has everything to do with making the challenge feel like play. Removing judgement and increasing permission to show up as I am, has allowed me to stick to the plan and post daily bits of art on Instagram.

I departed from my usual paintings and offered up something very different: and it felt really risky... how are these offerings going to go over? Is anyone going to like them? Will showing what else I like to do, make and play around with change the 'artist persona' that I am told I should build. 

In the grand scheme of things none of the answers matter nearly as much as staying true to my process. So in the spirit of being open I offer you my seven week-three art bits: a 'modern take' on a dream catcher along with several pencil+paper sketches, and finally one of the sketches colored-in. It's not hard to silence the critic that insists that you only show your shinier self for fear of appearing less-than when you are actually having fun.

*this is a personal challenge, so if you don't have a daily art practice, but you want to do daily walks, or daily selfies, or daily yoga, or daily {?} ... you can go ahead and identify your own brand of dare.

I have wanted to do some sort of 30-Days of Art Shares for a long time. And this month is it!

Here are the rules I set up for myself:

1. Every day I need to share some piece evidence of my creative practice on my Instagram feed.
If you'd like to follow that process you can follow me, or just look for #30daysofartshares

2. I'll make updates to the Blog every Sunday. Collection of Pictures & any Tidbits about the Process.

3. Anything creative is an acceptable way to meet the challenge. All media, crafty goodness, guided projects/class assignments, simple sketches… You get the idea.

4. Since not all days are created equal in terms of time + inspiration, it is OK to present something that was mostly done on another day, or to present something can be considered finished in a particular stage (i.e. a finished sketch, that may later become a painting).

5. I will use only what I have on hand ... (that only sounds like a restriction...).

6. I will have a blast tuning into my creative impulses each day!

Have YOU been wanting to try this? If you decide to create your own 30 day challenge, please let me know! I'd love to check on your progress and be your cheerleader too!

xo ~consu

. . .  or more like playing in black sands, picking berries, visiting with family, riding bikes & eating ice-cream...
Summer has been too much fun, and, as it happened last year, the blog went to sleep. 
But I am back and ready to be in touch and share!
August starts tomorrow, and the blog will be full of visual candy and updates including projects & ideas.

One of the categories in this blog is "Facing Fear;" these are the posts where I muse about pushing through some invisible obstacle in order to get closer to my authentic desires. I had no idea that attending an online blogging workshop would avail me of a collection of gems that directly addressed the fear-factor in my creative journey.

#BelleLive refers to one of the most informative & fun events I attended through Creative Live. 
This awesome class was taught by sassy fashionista April Bowles-Olin; a blogger and
 coach to creative entrepreneurs, who blew us all away with her  insight, charm, and organizational skills.
 
If You missed April Bowles-Olin on Creative Live, I'd say, go check it out from start to finish. It's worth every moment and every dime. BUT FOR NOW let me share with you my favorite tips and how they apply to my creative adventures... {click to tweet moment!}

1. {Start Before you Are Ready}
Fear can bring all good things to a grinding halt. 
Perfectionism can kill creativity... but in reality 'mistakes' are great teachers and a vital part of the learning process. 
My take away? Make your move while the idea is full of juice! After day one of this class, I felt the courage to upload several small pieces to my ETSY shop ... I didn't feel quite ready, but I knew the pieces were!

2. {Give away your best ideas}
This piece of advice encouraged me trust myself & my creative process. 
While you share freely you are attracting others to your brilliant self! 
Besides, engaging, sharing. and giving are 3 of the most important aspects of blogging -- just so you know. 
 ... and for my life this meant writing this post about a project I'd been working on. I kind of wanted to share instructions on how to make my Star Book, but I felt a little nervous about letting it go into the world... 
>>what if this, that, and the other?<<  and in her direct & matter-of-fact way, April convinced me that it was the right thing to do, and the time was NOW... and when I did, I felt GREAT.

3. {Think about your audience}
Always. 
So when you are giving away your best ideas, ask yourself how you can help your reader. 
Offering something of value will establish your readership.
This sparked a whole re-vamp of my videos, free tutorials & class offerings... stay tuned for details, and join me if you want them delivered to your in-box!

4. {Put it in Black and White}
Specific little goals will keep you engaged in your journey and moving towards your vision. If you struggle
 with staying accountable to your smaller building steps, get an accountability buddy.
My friend Amy and I both participated in the class and have since been meeting to identify and declare our goals. Having an accountability partner makes the journey less lonely and a million times more enjoyable!

5. {Focus on showing up consistently and doing better a.k.a. be Patient & Persistent}
When April said, 'the numbers will take care of themselves,' I realized I had been holding my breath with the anxiety of knowing my readership is probably made up of my beloved family and friends. She added "Blogging is a long term game. Everyone starts with 0 readers!" Oh, thank you, Belle!

6. {Put up Pretty Pictures, Please!}
The visual aspect of a Blog is Very Important! Take beautiful Pictures, and if you don't feel confident about your skills, build a daily practice. Have good pictures of yourself on your blog that reflect your authentic self.
I'd had an Instagram account for a while, and it was languishing with 2 or 3 pics. Since the workshop I challenged to myself to post every day. And now I ask myself, "What took me so long?"

7. {Give More than you Take} 
You know, that whole 'pay-it-forward' attitude? Well. it works! When you give freely and think of others, you will not only feel great, but you will be noticed and appreciated. Some ideas are writing a 'thank you' e-mail to someone online whose ideas inspired you, or sharing the link to a newly discovered Etsy shop, or perhaps a Facebook shout out to a product that is making your life more wonderful. A thoughtful acknowledgement to somebody who is just starting out may make a world of difference to them.  
Inspired by the spirit of giving, I made and uploaded a couple of free printable coloring sheets that work well with the Star Book tutorial I am currently filming/editing and plan to share free in the coming weeks. If you are curious about the free printable, here: You can have it too!

8. {Take advantage of every opportunity; you never know where it might lead}
Saying yes to possibilities will keep your mind flexible and your ideas growing... and why the heck not?
So if you are reading this, you might as well know that this is my very first Blog Tour... I didn't even know what that was! But when the idea popped up in the FB group, I decided to take a chance and join the ride!

9. {Be willing to take risks!}
What do you really have to lose when you ask for something you want? The only thing you will probably (gradually) shed is your fear. If your dream is to guest post in a well-known blog, or contribute to a magazine, prepare yourself, and then GO FOR IT! Say it! Ask for it! Pitch it! Contribute! Share! yes, yes, yes...
One of my dreams is to teach in one of those big, famous retreats that everybody goes to. So I looked it up, and the request was so simple, I didn't even think twice about it. The person on the other hand immediately responded with an encouraging e-mail... and now I am working on the application. Wish me luck with that!

10. {Build relationships}
Success in the interwebs is all about relationships. Show up, engage, interact: and do all of these authentically. When others get to know you and you build relationships, you will expand.
This bona fide introverted artist is now meeting regularly with other hermit-y creatives, both in 'real live' and through online connections. And it's been a blast!
 
Along with all of the Do-s, April shared a few don't-s. My favorite addresses another of the "Facing Fear" topics and this is what she said,
                                       {DON'T TAKE REJECTION PERSONALLY} 
"No" is an unavoidable part of the process. Trust it, believe it and move on.

I want to thank April Bowles-Olin for her generosity, humor, and copious amounts of useful information. Also thanks to Creative Live and the live audience of bloggers, and to the community of online participants that is now a vibrant FB group-- you guys are amazing! If you came here through  “What #BelleLive Taught Me” blog tour via Kathy Reilly, you are now invited to visit the blog of designer & artist Vivayne to further explore the take-aways from this class!

 But Before you go...
Will you tell me, which one of my top 10 lessons resonates with you the most?
Please leave me a comment below!

xo
consu

I have been busy painting and filming the second take (all 3 hours of it!) for the Star Book tutorial. Keeping up with 4 different social media platforms is a full-time thing, and I am still learning how to balance it all! 

In the sprit of staying consistent, I am here to share an update of some of my newest little paintings... most fun one can have doing homework! If you'd like to take one home with you, please visit my Etsy shop!

Yes! the place you fall into when you are exploring something new and interesting... that feels like a moving target?

I have fallen into one with regards to the Star Book I promised to teach you make... 

Let me give you an update: I filmed about 3hours of instruction only to find out, after it was all ready to be edited that 1. the camera is kind of out of focus for several segments, 2. my 'startup disk is full' 3. a MacBook Air (beloved as it might be) cannot be given more memory, 4. a MacBook Pro is currently outside the budget.

BUT! since this is all about creativity, I got thinking in creative ways... You will still have to wait a little longer to get the how-to for this project. In the meantime, here's another version of the Star Book you are one day going to make!

P.S. The Free Printable PDF -- the one with all the little characters you see below is ready! And you can download it here:

If you haven't seen Kristen Hamilton's artwork, you must! 
If you are in Portland, I would love it if you joined us for some art play. Read more about it and register here.

I always want to wait until things are 'ready to go' ... meaning perfect. So I bump up against so many obstacles: the pictures aren't that good, the craftsmanship isn't up to par, there is no cohesion, it isn't ready to share publicly... etc. etc.etc. By the time I attend to a quarter of the 'concern,' I am bored with the idea and onto something else.

So here is a wonderful idea that has bigger plans for itself: but I am NOT going to wait until everything is in place. This part is done, and it is plenty good enough to get started with the sharing. 

I want to make a free downloadable page and a video tutorial to  help you make your own star book. Would you like that? Leave me a comment and I will certainly feel more inspired to keep going toward the 'bigger plans'!

xo
consu

Portland woke up to a windy snowy day today! Since my commute today is merely across the back yard, I made it to work on time!

Remember the Pay It Forward - challenge on Facebook? Well, you may not have even heard of it, but waaaaay back at the start of 2013 I promised to send a piece of artwork to the first 5 people to chime in to the post.  Today I giddily selected and wrapped the little presents. They are now in the mail, and I already look forward to hearing from the friends who will likely be surprised to get some random Joy Mail for the holidays. Giving is Good!