Kiala Givehand -- Life Alchemist • Creativity • Spiritual Empowerment
  • Home
  • Work With Me
    • SoulSeeds™
    • Soulfully Raw & Quirky
    • FREE Artsy Meetups
  • Pull Pen Paint
  • Online Classes
  • Shop
    • Mixed Media Inspiration Deck
  • About
    • 19 Things About Me
    • Contact >
      • Newsletter Signup
  • Home
  • Work With Me
    • SoulSeeds™
    • Soulfully Raw & Quirky
    • FREE Artsy Meetups
  • Pull Pen Paint
  • Online Classes
  • Shop
    • Mixed Media Inspiration Deck
  • About
    • 19 Things About Me
    • Contact >
      • Newsletter Signup

Being a Creative Rebel

6/17/2017

7 Comments

 
Picture
The first time I took a formal class in traditional bookbinding, it was a class on using letterpress in hand bound books. The teacher, Kathleen Walkup, stood in front of the class with an old, hardcover book in one hand, and a box cutter in the other. 

Permission to Rebel

Kathy took the box cutter, opened the book and slit the paste down paper with one purposeful stroke.

GASP!!!!

The entire room resounded with an audible, and collective, sound of shock. We all looked at her with shear amazement for about 10 seconds, then some people applauded, others nodded in solidarity, and still some laughed nervously while looking at the door as if they were waiting for the "book police" to burst through at any moment. 

It was the first time I had seen someone intentionally destroy a book. But the catch was that she wasn't destroying it, she was repurposing it, and eventually asked us to do the same. 

Creative Rebellion

The day I decided that I was going to be a book artist, I also decided that I was going to create my own definition of what that meant. I LOVE and ADORE traditional book art and traditional bookbinding techniques, but that's not the kind of book artist I wanted to be. 

I spent years looking at book art that felt like magic. After graduating from Mills College with my MFA in Creative Writing and Poetry, I worked for my professor, Julie Chen (www.flyingfishpress.com) as a studio assistant, We spent hours everyday making books. Binding, gluing, folding, sewing, cutting, fusing, and creasing, until there was no more magic. 

And before you let this sadden you, I have to tell you that the moment the magic was gone is the exact moment that I found my entry into a world that had otherwise seemed inaccessible. Moving beyond the magic of book art was the way I gave myself permission to enter into that space of creative rebellion. It was the way I allowed myself to love something for exactly what it was and not for what I thought it was. 

I had learned all the rules, the traditional way of doing things in book art, and I could now break those rules and do what my creative energy was asking (begging) of me. 

My First Act of Rebellion

So after 5 years of being an outsider in the book art world, I stepped into it fully. I embraced my love for it, the awe that I had come to acquire, and found the magic I needed in order to plot my own course. This is how Book-in-A-Day came to be. 

This is how I decided that I wanted to be a bookbinding teacher and what my teaching style would look like. I took up the mission to demystify bookbinding and book art for people who may otherwise not have access to this form of art, people who live simply, but with intention like me, and people who want nothing more than to create something that makes them feel purposeful in the world. 

It was through this first act of rebellion that I found my voice, my path, MY MAGIC. 

Teaching What You Love

Now, I spend my days making handmade journals for fun, for practice, and as prototypes for classes I'm teaching. My latest three journals were made in preparation for the online class Hacking The Color Wheel: Art Journaling for Creative Rebels. 
Picture
Like all of the classes I teach, this one combines my love of color theory and color psychology with bookbinding and art journaling. I think we should all teach what we love and I found 13 other teachers who agree with me and asked them to join me. You can read about them HERE. 

I get inspiration from lots of places, but one of the most magical sources of inspiration is from my students. I love watching how they take my basic tutorials for a book and create sacred vessels for their art, their words, and their dreams. It's one of the best parts of what I do. 

Where do you get your inspiration? 

My hope is that you will join us if you haven't already and get inspired by the beautiful work of the other students. That you'll come with your personal creative energy and an open heart and see where the lessons take you. Join us and see what the teachers ignite in you, see how your art changes as you begin to think of color in a new way, and ultimately, experience your own creative rebellion. 
Picture
7 Comments
Mary C. Nasser link
6/17/2017 01:52:09 pm

I get inspiration from nature, other creative people, friends and family. I'm also inspired by maps and music! And I am definitely inspired by the other teachers and wonderful participants in Hacking The Color Wheel and all of their creations they are sharing! So grateful to be a part of this creative community!

Reply
Jennifer Spiller link
6/17/2017 07:02:11 pm

I get insperation for all sorts of places. Mostly thpugh from art of forms. Music, wrighting, visual arts, paintings, crafters, all of it....

Reply
Patty Donahue
6/18/2017 08:33:08 am

Great story Kiala! I get inspiration from other artists, classes, nature - flowers really stand out for me - textures and architecture. To name a few, lol!

Reply
Rachel Bell
6/18/2017 11:18:28 am

Kiala, I love learning about your past experience! I am inspired in so many ways by surrounding myself in nature, sitting quietly watching the stars in the night sky, music, laying in bed thinking over stuff - the best ideas/solutions can emerge as I mull things over. I'm inspired by others' work, by faces, by books, by poetry. My main inspiration at this time is Hacking the Color Wheel class (teachers & participants!)

Reply
sunshine smith
6/19/2017 09:06:44 am

my inspiration comes from inside of me!

I just realized this when I went to answer the question. I follow and take in the techniques and ideas from all of the fabulous teachers that Kiala has assembled. I sit in my creative space with the materials and with no idea of what the finished work will be. I step back from my self and become something like the sacred witness of me. There is a quick moment of fear that passes through me that I am not good enough, but I shush it and keep moving. I choose colors materials shapes images that feel right and begin to assemble them onto the paper randomly. Slowly or sometime quickly it begins to emerge. Sometimes it is terrible but I keep moving forward. When I feel that it is completed I find myself enchanted with something that came through me that is so beautiful in it's own way. It is quite amazing to me to discover what lives in there and comes out when I give it the freedom to express.

This is an aha moment because I have been asking to be inspired by someone greater than I am, someone to follow, a leader, a guru a teacher? At the same time I have been repeating, to myself and to others, BE THE WORLD YOU WANT TO SEE. There were hints that perhaps I could be the inspiration I was looking for, but of course that was a silly notion that I quickly tucked away into my "ignore that notion" box.
I think I just discovered my me! Thank you for the great question.

Reply
Rachel Bell
6/19/2017 03:39:36 pm

WOW! YOU inspire me with your awesome revelations! You are so powerful!! :)

Reply
Zach Woods
7/3/2018 04:50:35 am

Almost 95% of people think that they are not rebel. But I think all are rebels and those who think they are not rebels are the biggest rebels out there. The matter of fact is, a creative rebel is unique. If a person does his activities in his own way without following others advice and recommendation, then he is called as a creative rebel. Being a creative rebel is not about making noise or drawing attention, rather it is about finding inspiration by staying true to yourself- https://www.reginafasold.com/blog/how-to-find-inspiration-in-your-everyday-life/ .

Reply

Your comment will be posted after it is approved.


Leave a Reply.

    Follow on Bloglovin
    Picture
    Picture

    hello friend...

    I'm Kiala, a student of life first and foremost. And I'm also a published poet, book binder, fountain pen collector, Life Alchemist & Intuitive Soul Guide. I make things, paint things, and write things. I love teaching & empowering women to  live with intention. Please, grab a cup of your favorite warm drink, a fountain pen, and your favorite journal. Let's connect!


    Enter your email address:

    Delivered by FeedBurner

    My Articles for the StencilGirl® Blog
    StencilGirl

    i'm teaching here...
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture

    Picture

    journal with me
    Journaling Prompts
    30 Days of Reflection E-Book

    my favorite supplies

    Picture
    Addicted to Gelli

    my favorite classes

    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Order Your Copy TODAY!!

    LINKwithlove

    I participate in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for me to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

    Archives

    March 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    October 2018
    September 2018
    June 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    April 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013

QUICK LINKS
About Kiala
Classes & Workshops
Contact
ADDITIONAL INFO
Privacy Statement
Disclaimers
Shipping Policy
FAQs
Picture

© Kiala Givehand, 2012-2023. All rights reserved.
Everything on this website, including the written words, photos, and artwork are the creative and intellectual property of Kiala Givehand, unless otherwise noted. I'm a small business owner and I share as much as I can to help others live creatively. This is NOT a hobby for me, this is my art, my work, my life. Please don't copy, reproduce, or download any of my artistic works or writings without contacting me for permission. Please feel free to link to this site and notify me when you do. Thanks, ya'll!!
**Some links on this blog & website are affiliate links and I receive a very small percentage of any sales generated by the link.