These are a few of my favorite things…
I have to say, I am a sucker for holiday gift edits. Any algorithm worth its salt knows that if it fills my feed and sidebars with those, it’s a guaranteed click!
In case you also enjoy a nice perusing of other’s curated lists of gifts along with your morning coffee, here are a few things I think are special and worth sharing this season if you are wanting to infuse a loved one’s (yourself, included!) holiday and 2019 with a healthy dose of inspiration and creativity!
Some of these artists and business owners I have a personal connection to (although receive no financial compensation for sharing their information). All of them I feel a heart-connection to. Even if I don’t know them, I love their work and what they are doing in the world and I’m delighted to introduce them to you!
Some things here cost a little money, some cost more, and others are completely free (don’t miss my very last suggestion, it’s one that costs nothing but I think you’ll love it!). All I have selected because 1. I love them, 2. I believe in them, 3. I believe the world is better and more beautiful because of them, and 4. I know they will somehow empower and inspire your creativity and life!
Monet said, “I must have flowers. Always, always, and always.” I have to agree! And with Farmgirl Flowers, that could be a possibility! They are my new favorite go-to company for sending floral arrangements to clients, friends…and their subscription service is on my own vision board for 2019! Fresh flowers just light up my artist heart and I could draw and paint them for hours, but even beyond that, the life and beauty they bring to any space never ceases to amaze me. And Farmgirl Flowers appeals to me because their arrangements are so healthy and fresh, in terms of both botanical product and design.
The other reason I love supporting Farmgirl Flowersis because it is a small company owned by a female entrepreneur. Speaking of which, another compelling reason to check them out is that they have hands down one of my favorite gift guides of this year, maybe ever! In fact, it was in this gift guide (not only eye-candy and retail therapy, but also educational!) that I read this jarring statistic…
“I’ve been pretty vocal about the two percent since starting Farmgirl Flowers. What’s the two percent? That’s the percentage of female-founded companies that ever exceed $1M in revenue AND the percentage of venture capital that female entrepreneurs have access to. Meanwhile it’s 3.5x more likely for a male-owned company to exceed that same $1M in revenue, men also enjoy the other 98% of venture capital pie.”
Also, every time I learn more about the company and its founder, Christina Stembel, the more I want to email her and ask if we can be friends. Just read this excerpt from her website and see if you don’t agree…
“When I started Farmgirl Flowers it was with clear intention. I wanted to create an innovative new model for purchasing flowers online that did it “right”. I wanted to provide a better product and customer experience, build a company based on integrity, create good jobs, and support American farmers. That was my mission then, and still is now. Building Farmgirl has been the most challenging thing I’ve ever done. It’s been more difficult than any book or lecture could have prepared me for. It’s been a mix of extreme highs and extreme lows. I’ve always considered myself to be a strong person. I grew up on a small farm in rural Indiana and worked hard for everything in my life. And although I’m made of pure grit and determination, owning a business has a way of testing that at every turn. I’m thankful for that because it has allowed me to learn. To grow. And to be better.”
Given that I’m also a farm girl from the Midwest and my parents still farm, am an entrepreneur myself and can 100% relate to the ups and downs and the absolute requirement for pure grit and determination, and totally resonate with the experience of wanting to create a new, innovative model for something (empowering artists and creatives to thrive personally, professionally, and financially!) that does it just right…you can see why this company has my heart and my business! They are definitely doing it right. And so very beautifully.
The Brooklyn Art Library Sketchbook Project…
ALERT! This could just be the artist-nerd in me, but I do think this is one of the COOLEST ideas and especially gift ideas ever! This just came onto my radar this last week thanks to an old friend who used to sketch and dream with me when we should have been studying for a finance classes in business school. In those days we were sketching fashion designs on the margins of our homework and coffeehouse napkins, but with The Brooklyn Art Sketchbook Project, you get to leave your legacy at a a global art library! Here’s how it works: order a journal ($30 or upgrade to $65 to have it digitized) and once it comes, you fill out the pages with creativity, send it back to them, and it will become part of their permanent, and traveling collection! How awesome is that?!
I have my own library of sketchbooks I’ve filled up and accumulated over the years, which I love, but just think! How awesome to be in this kind of art collection, to be a part of this kind of global art project (definitely read more about their inspiring mission) and that someone you’ve never met could check out your sketchbook and all the sudden, your musings are connected with this other set of eyes and this other heart? This is such a brilliant idea, it makes my heart grow a few sizes! If you’d like to get your own sketchbook or gift it, you can do that here. They are even 20% off for the remainder of this week!
Jenni Bick Journals…
As I alluded to above, I may have a journal addiction. I love them. I love them for myself and I also love to give them as gifts. This past year I was on a quest for “THE MOST BEAUTIFUL JOURNALS IN THE WORLD” and I’m here to say… I do think I found them! Jenni Bick journalsare top of the line. I searched far and wide to find VIP gifts for clients that would really stand out as being world-class, personalized, meaningful, and would reflect the unique creative and artistic nature of my coaching practice. These handcrafted journals, which come in a variety of gorgeous styles, colors, sizes, designs and are often able to be customized, completely fit the bill. As the company’s mission statement says, “Practical, beautiful, and handcrafted of the finest materials, Jenni Bick leather journals are designed to elevate your creative endeavors and everyday writing tasks.”
They deliver! The clients I’ve gifted them to so far have loved them and (no peeking for those of you already signed up but…) they are also going to be making an appearance in the special packages I’m preparing for Master Class participants in The Art School this winter session!
Learn art from a modern-day master artist…
Sadie Valeri Atelier is a world-class art atelier in San Francisco, but if you don’t live in the Bay Area – never fear! Sadie also offers an incredible library of online videos and online classes so that you can learn the art of classical drawing and painting from a true modern day master. It’s not often that someone who is as exemplary of an artist is also an extraordinary teacher, but Sadie is a genius at both. The gift of her classeswould be a gift that keeps on giving – a very special way to support an artist you love (don’t forget – that includes you!), whether they are just beginning or have years of experience!
Also, for endless, breathtaking art and inspiration as an artist, follow Sadie on IG. Her figure drawings and waxed paper still lives??? Be STILL my heart! They are also on my vision board for #artowninggoals!
Dance, dance, dance…
Those of you who know me or who I’m connected with on IG , probably know how crazy I am about dancing. And I also feel a bit redundant in how often I am saying “love” in this newsletter, but I guess there is no avoiding it in a list devoted to things I love enough to want to rave about and share! So, bear with me while I repeat myself…
I LOVE TO DANCE! And I especially, especially love to dance at Abbi Pollyea’s Movement Made Beautiful Studio in Granger! Now I know most of you don’t live in Michiana (that’s Michigan+Indiana smooshed together, as it is where I live!), but you guys – I wish you did! But there is an awesome option – go to her website and checkout her online video platform, “MMB On Demand!” For a ridiculously reasonable price, you can have full access to a whole host of dance workouts, breakdowns of routines, and other classes.
I have been an athlete all my life, I love to workout, but this is really one of the best workouts ever – you cannot go to one of Abbi’s Cardio Dance classes and not feel uplifted in all areas of your life – mind, body, & spirit! Abbi is a gifted and inspiring instructor, her choreography is creative, inspiring, set to awesome music, and she is also a genius at fusing beautiful movement with moves that are a great aerobic and total body workout. Also, let’s just say it – she is mother of four, 41, and in super baaaaadass physical form! You can see by looking at her that her work, works!
Abbi is also a rockstar pilates and barre teacher and many options for those classes are included in her online platform. Sign up for her on demand classes and get a head start on getting into the best shape of your life in 2019! It will not only do your body good, I promise it also will work wonders for your own creativity! It certainly has for mine!
Also, while you don’t need any special equipment (other than some great tunes!) to dance, here are a few of my favorite accessories…
Capezio jazz shoes for women– just enough support but also flexible and smooth so you can twirl to your hearts content. Tennis shoes also work, but for me, the smooth bottom of jazz shoes prevents that extra bit of traction/friction that can be hard on my knees.
I’ve been a legging/yoga pant connoissiour for years, and thesehigh-waisted airbrush leggings from ALO have been my favorite, hands down! I have a couple pairs that I’ve had for almost 2 years, I wear them ALL. THE. TIME. and they hold up amazingly well through so many washings. They’ve held their elasticity and still look great!
I also am a fan of Target’s JoyLab brand for chic, stylish sports bras and tops…and a fan of the prices!
Extraordinary artist, powerhouse, entrepreneur, social justice activist, feminist, mental health champion, fashionista, mother, wife, community builder….there really are no words that adequately capture Anna Ryan Drew! To know her is to be blown out of the water. She is the real deal and she is was also one of my rockstar students in The Art School Fall 2018! Like so many of the students in this inaugural class, she definitely set the bar high! To me, Anna is like a modern day feminine incarnation of a combination of Joni Mitchell, Andy Warhol…and you insert whatever game-changers and art innovators you know who were totally a genre unto themselves…and she is that…but so, so much better. Because Anna is totally, Awesomely Anna.
To see what I mean, definitely check out her artand follow her on Instagram– and prepared to be inspired! Anna not only makes art, but she really lives, breathes art – she IS her art. She is a prolific contemporary artist, paints large and small, and creates handpainted couture clothing and accessories (everything from shoes, earrings, to Louis Vuitton bags!). If you love fashion, owning one of Anna’s pieces is guaranteed to give you THE statement piece to end all statements! I love so much of her work and what she stands for, though one of my favorite Anna sayings and painting series is “CROWN ON.” CROWN ON was inspired by Dr. Maya Angelou’s quote, ” “Your crown has been bought and paid for. Put it on your head and wear it.” Anna aims to encourage and inspire us all – women, girls, men and boy – to #CROWNON. She does this by the way she just IS in the world and this is-ness and energy flows through her work. Who wouldn’t want to own art like that? We’re designing our new home and my studio right now and even though the walls are in the abstract, I’m already looking at which wall is going to the dedicated CROWN ON art wall!
And you know I personally love to paint huge, but because a link to a big white canvas is not that exciting, here’s a way to get your own art on, everyday…
Bee Paper Company Recycled Paper Sketchbooks
+
Caran d’ache Water-soluble Pastels
= endless hours of pure bliss!
This combo is basically a time machine. The pastels move like butter over the paper in the most delicious way and their saturation is made even more vibrant by the contrast of the brown recycled paper. You will feel that joy you felt when you were 5 and could color and draw for hours and hours! But the best part? You’re now an adult with a job and a credit card…so you can get yourself the BIG box! (DO it!!!)
Hope Dunbar…
Is there a better way to say “I love music and musicians” other than using “love”???….. Nope…. So let’s just say it.
I love music and musicians. And so I was super jazzed to have some amazingly talented musicians/singer-songwriters in this last round of The Art School! Hope Dunbarwas one of them and, if you haven’t heard of her yet…just wait. And in the meantime, I’m delighted to be the one introducing you to her and her music!
I know I may be biased because I’m from Iowa, but to me, there is a kind of special genre or phenomenon artistry that comes out of the heartland that is born of people who are close to the land, a humble way of being, rooted…and also mystical, in touch with the divine. Maybe exactly because of that realness that comes from being so grounded. Some of my favorite artists across all mediums share this kind of lineage…William Stafford (poet born in Kansas), Willa Cather (novelist from Nebraska), and now, also Hope Dunbar (also Nebraskan!).
One of the reviews of Hope’s latest album reflects that I’m not the only one to note this about her work…
““Call it an album of routines and shattered dreams. Call it a small masterpiece.”
I do agree. Hope’s music is on my painting playlist in my studio and I look forward to being able to add to it with her future releases. I’ve also told her that when she debuts at Red Rocks…#roadtrip and front row seats!
Another rockstar from The Art School! Annabeth McNamarais multi-passionate and poly-talented! The girl can do it all – she writes lyrics, music, teaches music, plays a multitude of instruments, performs solo but also with a band, is an entrepreneur, artist, illustrator, makes music videos (and still I feel like I am leaving things out!)…and overarching it all is her gift for imagining a gorgeous, lush, magical world that she then paints a door to and invites her audience to step into via her music, her art, and her utterly and beautiful way of being in the world.
Annabeth and her work are both ethereal and earthy, equal parts feminine mystique and badass rocker babe! Getting to know her work and working with her were such a gift. I dare you to check out her sites(she has a website and also is building her musical empire on Patreon!) and not be inspired to ratchet up your artistic and creative game a few hundred decibels! I also have Annabeth playing while I paint and I know her artistrywill color your world magical as well. If you or someone you love, loves to support the arts and artists, I highly recommend you check out her Patreon page. You get to support original, indie artists AND be a part of making their art possible and available to the world. And that is a very beautiful thing.
Creative Mindfulness with Studio Kaira…
Give yourself or a loved one the gift of a mindfully planned year with this virtual workshop that comes to you via Studio Kaira! I know this is probably an occupational hazard/passion, but I really do enjoy this time of year for reflecting and being mindful about what I want to create in the coming year. I also know that that is an activity that can be so enhanced with a wonderful guide and others who are doing the same. And that is exactly what Kaira is offering with this workshop.
While I wish I could personally introduce you to all my Art School alum (and I am aiming to make an online catalog/gallery of them, their work, and many amazing gifts and achievements!), it is just the stars aligning that what they have to offer is so perfect for this list. And Kaira Boston’s Mindless to Mindful Intentionsis especially perfect for this time of year!
Kaira is a mixed media artist that translates the layers of life, dreams, visions and intention in a layered visual way via color, texture, shapes and words. She also coaches clients through the different life layers with artful exercises and concepts as an expressive art facilitator via her personal, group, and corporate workshops. Although Kaira resides in Richmond, Virginia, you can live anywhere in the world to take advantage of what is guaranteed to be a lovely experience – both in the workshop itself, but also in how it unfolds all year long!
And because being creative is always so much more fun with supplies,
here a few more of my favorite art + journaling tools…
Of course – Micron pens! And…
these White Gel pens,
these sets of india inks,
this watercolor set,
this colorful washi tape,
and these paint markers!!!
Up your earring game…
with these ultra-fabulous and ultra-light, vegan earrings from Luna and Loki!
#earringgame became a thing in The Art School this last session! Partly because I LOVE (there we go again!) awesome, usually big, earrings and, being that The Art School is done over video, it is a fun and easy way to bring extra creativity and style to the video conference vibe! Some Art Schoolers started to joke that they were tuning in just to check out what earrings I was going to wear and then…BEST OF ALL…they started to join in the fun! Wearing big, fun, beautiful earrings got to be a thing! This designer, Luna and Loki, is a young woman who lives in my area. Though I haven’t met her yet, I’ve purchased several pairs of her earrings (no, not just for myself! Some for gifts, too…some ;). They are so light and comfortable and come in a variety of great styles and I love that it supports a young female artist and entrepreneur!
Give someone an all-expenses paid ticket to creating their dream….
Or maybe give YOURSELF the best year ever! Give yourself the year of blowing the roof of your ideas of what’s possible for yourself and your life and then a year of getting down to the very real, life-giving and transforming work of creating that.
Whether you invest in someone else’s big dream and life-changing experience – or your own- The Art School will give you a huge, beautiful ROI. Not only will you be able to say 2019 is the year you finally did the thing, created the thing, became the person you’ve always known was possible for you.
Enrollment is open for The Art School Winter Sessionand there are two options, an open class and a Master Class. Spots have already started to fill and I could not be more excited about or proud of what we are going to accomplish in this program! Space is limited to ensure that I can coach everyone, so if you’d like to reserve your spot, you can read more and do so here. You can also hit reply to this email with any questions you have. The participants in this community are really going places and I would love for you to join us! Onward and upward with thriving artists, visionaries, and entrepreneurs!
Also, you can get or get a subscription toThe Art School Podcast– completely free!
Just go here to subscribe!
And, last but not least…
I obviously would be thrilled if you could give the gift of supporting and helping to bring someone’s creative potential and dream to life by gifting a spot in The Art School. If that is not in your budget this year, though, I have something that I know is and will be as beautiful because it comes from the heart.
I wish I had a great graphic for this but I do have a wonderful idea (if I do say so myself) and link to share that will help, but I’ll leave the image part for your own imagination-
Think of someone in your life who has a creative dream they keep talking about but, for whatever reason, life is happening and they just can’t seem to have the time or energy to work on it. Maybe they have young children – or just any age at home children! Maybe they have a job that takes up so much time and mental real estate. Maybe they just need some moral support – and caffeination! 😉
Now – here’s my idea – did you ever do that thing as a kid where you made your parents or other loved ones a coupon book of “I owe you’s” for jobs – or hugs, or foot rubs, or what have you?
What if you thought of a small way you could support this friend’s dream and made them a coupon for that – and insisted they redeem it!
For your friend with children, maybe you offer to watch the kids for one Saturday morning so she can go to a coffee shop and spend some time outlining her novel.
Maybe your coupon is all about accountability. Maybe it says something like, “Hey – I love you too much to not hold your feet to the fire! I care about your dream and your work – is there a way I can be a witness for your progress, so you know someone is here and is waiting, in hopeful and kind expectation, to see what you’ve been working on.”
Maybe it’s a coupon for a year’s worth of monthly creative dates. You can check in with each other and hold each other accountable over dinner and coffee…and then you promise each other to sit at your easels or laptops or journals for 3 hours to do some major creative jamming! Think of what a year’s worth of such monthly dates, check-ins, and work could yield!
If you do this, I’d love to hear the ideas YOU come up with! If you want an easy template, you can find some great ones here https://www.thesprucecrafts.com/free-printable-love-coupons-1358215.
I really hope you’ve enjoyed this curated guide of some of my favorite things. And if I can support you or a loved one in creating an extraordinary 2019 in anyway, don’t hesitate to let me know how!
Much love to you and yours this season!
XO-
Leah
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