Creating inner wealth is like tending the garden of your spirit. Every time you connect within and express yourself creatively, you deepen the roots of your inner wealth garden and nourish your being.

Inner wealth is the foundation for outer wealth. If you want to grow a magnificent life, start within and tend to your sacred inner garden.

Creative Expression is one of the best ways to create and grow inner wealth.

‘Inner Wealth Garden’ Laura Hollick in her Inner Wealth Garden. Hair/makeup Sue Upton. Photo by Kevin Thom.

Nourish your Inner wealth garden with a Creativity Cleanse

I met Soniei through the growing tribe of creative entrepreneurs who are sharing their unique talents through the on-line world.

Her art struck me with its clarity of design and Asian influenced brushwork.  Here are two of Soniei’s paintings….

The natural simplicity of her work drew me in but it was actually the professionalism and organization of her website that made me curious!

One of the greatest challenges (and opportunities) for an artist is to create a lifestyle where they can create the art they want and generate an income from it.

The moment an artist makes the decision to become a professional artist they are given the hat of business person.  Most artists reject the business hat and thus their career becomes stunted.

When I saw Soniei’s website I was impressed by how clearly she presented herself as a business, which is surprisingly rare.  During our interview I learned that Soniei’s journey as an artist and business woman are an ungoing evolution.

One of the highlights of her journey is the process of redefining success. As children we’re planted with ideas of what success looks like and should be.  Soniei has been peeling back the layers of this definition to uncover her own experience of success.

I’ve been thinking of my own personal definition of success ever since.

Soniei is someone who is willing to dive in wholeheartedly to what she believes in and make that her life’s work.  I am inspired by anyone who trusts their dream and allows their spirit to lead their life.

Here is Soniei working away on one of her paintings…

Get all the details of Soniei’s story and journey as an artist. It will really make you think about your own journey and the direction your spirit is guiding you to take.

To listen to my interview with Soniei CLICK HERE
To learn more about Soniei’s art, go to www.soniei.com

Here are some snapshots from the January 30-31st’ 2010 weekend…

We had quite the journey!

The creative process always reveals metaphors for our life journey. When we feel frustrated in our creative process it is because there is an aspect of our life that is frustrating. When we feel joy in our creative process it is because our spirit is free to be.

The Soul Art journey is about finding the way for our spirit to be. The creative process teaches us how our spirit can flow and teaches us how to make our lives a living breathing expression of our spirit on earth. This takes clear desire, courage and willingness to let spirit be the leader.

I was blown away by the courage and creativity of each person who attended this workshop, they let their spirit lead and they are launching into new spheres in their lives!

Included in these photos: Feather Williams, Karen Sita, Holly Moxam, Julie Daugherty, Yvan Bedard, Laura Hollick

This year I’m launching 2 new interview series….’The Artist Series’ & ‘The Photographers Series’

During the 10 years that I hosted and produced ‘The Artist’s Lifestyle’ radio show on 93.3 FM CFMU I interviewed 1,000′s of artists and creative thinkers. With each person I became more and more fascinated with the creative journey and the unique vision each artist held. In many ways it helped me to make sense of my own creative journey. Talking with Iconic artists such as Judy Chicago, Mary Pratt and Robert Bateman provided insight into what can sometimes feel like a long road.

For these new series I have selected a diverse group of artists and photographers to interview. The intention is to dive into their unique creative vision and journey and shine light on the challenges and opportunities that have shaped them as artists and allowed them to carve out their unique path.

Part of the research for each interview involves me connecting personally with each artist and modeling for one of their creations.

The first in ‘The Artist Series’ is emerging artist Jennifer Prior. Still a student, Jen was chosen for her courage to explore various approaches and mediums while still maintaining a flavour that is uniquely hers.

Here is the painting Jennifer created of me, entitled ‘Laura’.

'Laura' acrylic on wood. Painting of Laura Hollick by Jennifer Prior

During our in-depth interview Jennifer reveals what inspires her as an artist and where she still seeks to figure it out. This unique creative thinker is a budding leader in the illustration world. She is definitely someone to keep your eyes and ears on.

This is Jennifer Prior….

Jennifer Prior, emerging artist featured in 'The Artist Seires'

To listen to Jennifer Prior’s interview on ‘The Artist Series’ CLICK HERE

Learn more about Jennifer at: http://jenniferprior.carbonmade.com/

I wanted to share this sketch from my sketchbook with you, because I feel it illustrates perfectly how I feel about using the computer to connect my creative expression with you.

Sketchbook art by Laura Hollick

Laura Hollick dancing as white spirit. Photo by Kevin Thom. Hair, makeup and body painting by Sue Upton

Your spirit may reveal many faces outwardly according to the current trends and fashions, but the essence is always the same. When you try to figure out WHO your spirit is and WHAT your spirit looks like, it isn’t so much about the material appearance but the energy behind it.

If you want to know your spirit, connect with the traits that make you feel the most alive. These traits are your spirit essence.

For example: My spirit is old and young at the same time. When I’m living my spirit I feel wise and playful, innocent and mature, silly and sensual, creative and contemplative. When I create art, I express these traits and so my art becomes Soul Art~ the expression of my spirit essence.

YOUR SPIRIT ASSIGNMENT

1. Make a list of 10 traits that describe how you feel when you feel the most alive.  These traits describe your spirit essence.

2. Notice which one excites you the most and circle that one.

3. Ask yourself this question: How can I express this trait today?

4. Gift your spirit by expressing that trait today

Dance with your whole heart and soul.

Laura Hollick dancing. Photo by Karolina Kuras

Creativity ain’t always pretty.

'Picasso recreation' Laura Hollick as a Picasso painting. Part of the 'Masterpiece series'. Photo by Kevin Thom. Body painting by Tamara Mitchell

Take a wild journey and follow your dreams.

'Dragon Journey' watercolour by Laura Hollick

Be ART!

'Winter Tree' Laura Hollick as a winter tree. Photo by Kevin Thom. Makeup by Rachel Duff

Have you ever wondered ‘HOW’ your soul speaks to you?

With so much talk about soul, spirit, connecting with yourself, intuition, and listening to your inner voice…
What on earth does this really mean!? And, how can you get this working for you?

Before we even talk about ‘HOW’ your soul speaks with you, let’s figure out the value there is in being able to receive communication from your soul. There would be no point spending time figuring out ‘HOW’ your soul speaks, if it didn’t hold any value for you.

I would like you to imagine a situation in your life where you need to make a decision about something. You could potentially go one way or the other. Would you want to know what decision would guide you to your fullest potential and deepest joy? Or would you like to bumble around in confusion?

When you are able to hear your soul speak then you are able to receive nudges leading you to your fullest potential. Decisions become pathways to a rich meaningful life. Do you think that is valuable?

If you do, keep reading and I will teach you ‘HOW’ to hear your soul speak.

SOUL SPEAK

To hear your soul speak, you need to know what it feels like when you are not hearing your soul, this will give you a clear understanding of the difference.

When you are not listening to your soul, this is what you will most likely experience…. confusion, frustration, feeling stifled, anger, bitter, resentful, constricted, afraid, desperate, etc…

Surely you have felt one or more of these emotions, I know I have!
When you do feel these, they are indicators to put your soul ears on and listen up, because somehow you’ve gotten off track. This is not a bad thing, this is like your own personal GPS, letting you know
you are going in the wrong direction.

Knowing when you are going in the wrong direction is the first step to being able to listen. Let’s not underestimate the value of this, it is important to know what it feels like to go in the direction away from your soul, because then when you move towards your soul, you will recognize the feeling with greater clarity.

The next step to hearing your soul speak is becoming familiar with your own sense of joy, peace, fulfillment, and expansion. The more familiar you become with the way these emotions feel within your body, the more familiar you will become with your soul.

Listening to your soul becomes an act of finding those feelings wherever you are. Not to be confused with imposing these feelings upon yourself, but truly finding them within yourself.

TRY THIS RIGHT NOW
recall a time when you felt deeply fulfilled, and I mean deeply fulfilled! Notice how you feel in your body.

This is your soul speaking!

This week really take notice of how you feel, are you listening to your soul or are you moving away
from your soul?