"I know there is strength in the differences between us. I know there is comfort, where we overlap. - Ani DiFranco I am a community-oriented person. I was brought up with festive family dinners, playing cards with aunts and uncles, and memorable parties at special events. In my formative years we lived abroad because of my father's work as an anthropologist in both Jamaica and Norway. I was introduced to an international group of people dedicated to social change. This has made a lasting impression. Throughout my life, I have maintained strong ties, yet there has been times when I have felt isolated or separate from. When I ...

Last week I wrote about 'languishing' and how art can be a way through (find the blog post here). I am following up with a ‘life/art' remedy to support you to connect to your aliveness through an Art Altar. I have found that even the simplest gathering of objects that have meaning increases the feeling of purpose and inner strength. In addition, it can be a useful guide towards healing oneself, giving hope to someone in your life, or supporting a cause you believe in. ART ALTAR EXERCISE 1) Find the intention for your art altar. What do you want to focus on, heal, offer to a ...

A Life/Art Perspective As we find ourselves in the middle of the summer in this new phase of the pandemic, more open but still uncertain, I find that the term ‘languishing’ describes what many people are feeling. As we all know loss, mental health crises and an increase in substance use has been significant over the past year, but a pervasive experience at this time is a dulling of the senses due to the after effects of 'quarantine' and underlying stress. “Languishing is apathy, a sense of restlessness, feeling unsettled or an overall lack of interest in life or the things that typically ...

Every two weeks, Julie Claire talks with artists, creative entrepreneurs and leaders about spirit, emotions, breakthroughs and breakdowns and everything that seems to shed light on how they’ve come to be who they are now. These creatives thrive in unconventionality. They reinvent themselves and find their way through impossible situations. What has brought them closer into alignment with their gifts and passions?  How have they learned to trust and follow their guidance?  What is closest to their heart? Learn more about the podcast here.

Find Adriana’s recent interview on The Enlightened Heart Podcast with Kavita Melwani Topic: Creative Healing Kavita’s podcast empowers highly sensitive people and empaths to go from surviving in the world to thriving. Overwhelm, stress, anxiety, depression and confusion about life are some of the challenges that HSP’s/Empaths face. Their strengths can also become shadows, this podcast supports understanding of the trait and how to navigate challenges while trying to live in the world built for the other 80%. In this episode, Adriana tells about her personal story and the trauma & addiction she has overcome by finding these creative resources ...

Dedicated to Pablo "Animals are the bridge between us and the beauty of all that is natural. They show us what's missing in our lives, and how to love ourselves more completely and unconditionally. They connect us back to who we are, and to the purpose of why we're here." ― Trisha McCagh It has been over two months since Pablo left us. It continues to leave a big hole in my life. The space that animals inhabit can be simple and to those who don’t have pets or connect with animals on a daily basis may not understand the ...

VISIONING and INTENTION SETTING Permission to Dream even if you feel lost, broken, or fearful “When I dare to be powerful, to use my strength in the service of my vision, then it becomes less and less important whether I am afraid.” ― Audre Lorde The most important thing about dreams and goals is to remember that everything starts with our imagination. We always have access to our imagination despite what challenges we are facing. Even the smallest seed can bear fruit. The creative process itself is a guide to create a new reality. If we can make visual art ...

“It is an interesting metaphysical as well as astronomical truth, that it is only when you have good darkness that you can see the faint lights, whether it is faint stars, or the little points of light, the thousand points of light that bring us hope even in darkness.” – Brother Guy Consolmagno Honoring Winter Solstice Merry Christmas Happy Hanukkah This is a very different year that any of us had imagined and the holidays are no exception. I compiled a list of activities for those of you that might be feeling especially isolated this time of year or have ...

Creative healing for trauma and addiction, finding community, and the new creative high. In this interview I dive deep into the approach I have when working with trauma and addiction, the first steps you can take when turning to art to heal, and how to find true refuge during and after healing. Link: https://www.vasavikumar.com/blog/episode23

Dedicated to Pablo Writing for Heart and Soul "All sorrows can be borne, if you put them into a story.” -Isak Dinesen PART 1 This is a time of great loss. So many of us our losing loved ones, and our beloved animals are no exception. Last week I helped Pablo, my 15 1/2 year old orange tabby, transition out of this life. Since his passing, I have been flooded with memories of our time together. These memories evoke stories that mark the passage of time as well as the bond that we had together. I have felt compelled to ...