Kiala Givehand -- Life Alchemist • Creativity • Spiritual Empowerment
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Why It Matters To Me - In My Art Journal

2/15/2016

3 Comments

 
Art Journal Spread - Emerald Heart by Kiala
CLICK HERE to watch a video of me creating this art journal spread. 
Hey Beautiful Creative You!!

There have always been moments during my art journey when I have needed to pause and reflect on where I am, but I didn't actually do that. It took me a while to realize that I was spending so much time thinking about where I wanted to be that I didn't make time to stop and celebrate how far I had come. This created a constant feeling of pressure -- pressure to do more, be more, produce more. 

One of my clients shared a post in our private group recently that reminded me of this important lesson and it got me thinking about how this is true in all creative ventures, whether it's running a business or making handmade art journals. We all know where we want to go and we constantly work to get there. But my hope for each of us is that we will stop along the way and savor the moments that help us reflect on how far we've come. 
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Today is a good day to STOP & CELEBRATE how far you've come. Working towards your dream doesn't mean you can't happy dance along the way.
This reminded me of why I do what I do as a mixed media book artist and an art journaler. I am fueled by my gift to help others empower themselves and that means reminding them to stop and celebrate -- even the small things need to be celebrated. 

And this is why I do what I do. It's why I make handmade journals and teach others to do the same. It's why I share my artistic and creative journey on YouTube and why I help women create businesses they love. These things bring me joy and remind me of how far I've come in my personal journey to become a better human (that includes being an artist and business mentor). I also love to document (I think I'm a closet archivist), so art and written journaling, keeping a bullet journal, blogging, Instagram, and YouTube are my ways of documenting my life -- and most importantly, my growth.  

I love being aware of my journey and documenting allows me to be aware of when I have major transformation in my life. I can pinpoint exact moments when something shifted for me by simply looking back through my journals or photos. 

For years I hid my quirks and awkwardness, but a life changing surgery provided a reality check and that cliché -- "life is short" -- became very real for me. 

Now, I wear my quirkiness like a badge of honor: 
  • Yes! I'm an artist. 
  • Yes! I'm an introvert. 
  • Yes! I collect fountain pens. That means I'm a bit of a pen snob. 
  • Yes! I make handmade journals and collect blank books. (I have more than 100 at any given time)
  • Yes! I'm a bit of a computer geek (I used to write code for fun :-). 
  • Yes! I use tarot and oracle cards as a way to go deeper on my journey within. 
  • Yes! I look to astrology as an instructional manual for how to best navigate this world. 
  • No! I did not birth a child, but I have mothered the children of others for more than 20 years. And I birth new ideas all the time. :-)
  • Yes! When I cook I stand in tree pose -- I've done that since I was 12 (before I knew what Yoga meant). 
  • Yes! I would rather skip than run. And I skip often -- you should try it. It's rather refreshing. 
  • and the list could go on and on...
But here's what I learned -- showing up authentically actually allowed me to find other quirky, socially awkward and amazing people. Yes! There are lots of us out there who see the world differently, and when I create classes, programs, ebooks, blog posts, etc., I'm creating for those of us who don't fit neatly into one box or the other. That's why I do what I do. I create the world that I want to live in. A world where everyone has come alive and where we are all R.I.C.H.

Everyday is another chance for me to create, share, and document my journey in hopes that I can inspire or empower someone else to be Radically Intent on Cultivating Happiness (R.I.C.H.). 

So now I have three questions for you:
  • What's your reason for creating, for documenting, for being in business? Why do you do what you do?
  • What's that thing about you that makes you feel quirky? 
  • When was the last time you stopped to celebrate how far you've come? 
I want to hear from you. Leave me a comment below and let's connect. 
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3 Comments
Lisa Walke link
2/18/2016 11:40:25 am

Kiala,

I create as a way of keeping sane. I remember wanting to be an artist when I grew up but my drawing didn't look "realistic" so I put it away. Journals became a safe way to let it out and now I share whatever I make. Will I ever draw realistically? I don't know but what I draw/create comes from somewhere deep inside.

I have come to accept my quirky ways of wearing oodles and oodles of bracelets at once. I have frequent dance parties for one, I hug trees and yes sometimes you can find me dancing in the aisles of stores.

I am learning to accept and love all of me.

Reply
Kiala Givehand link
2/20/2016 07:23:02 am

Lisa, thank you for stopping by and for leaving a note. I love hearing your story. So much of it resonates with me and how I've felt about my art. I agree, whatever we draw when we are allowing ourselves to just create is usually from the soul. I'd love to see a picture of your oodles and oodles of bracelets. YAY to dance parties for one. My hubby laughs at me because I'm always signing something random and making a song for everything.
Yay to quirky gal pals.
Hugs...

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Cindy link
2/20/2016 07:58:24 am

Kiala I love this post! I can relate to so much of what you said. I have always been creative but really just did crafts. Several years back I just kept feeling this pull to paint but I didn't think it was ok to paint just for the sake of painting. I didn't consider myself an artist so why would I paint just to paint? I finally listened to my voice and started painting and doing art journals. And yes my art is definitely quirky but I'm embracing it. It comes from my heart and like Lisa said in her comment keeps me sane. Thank you for the reminder to stop and celebrate how far I've come, I needed that! And I love to skip and also stand in a tree pose a lot when I'm cooking! LOL xoxo

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    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!


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