The “Color of Woman” Soul Riders rock the world!!!!
Sometimes you just get lucky and that’s what happened to me this month! I was just flying through the sky, sun glistening off my sparkling wings. As I flew by my favorite Cloud (Chief Laughing), I heard a whisper in my ear, “Color of Woman.” I felt a shiver of anticipation for I knew instantly,that I was hot on the trail of a great story. So here’s the scoop from G.W. this month; I am honored to introduce you to and to celebrate three spectacular, kicka___s cowgirls who are rocking out the “Color of Woman” course, Crystal Easton, Isabella Vickers and Katie Ketchum. You will notice that I have asked them each the same three questions about their “Color of Woman” journey. You won’t want to miss one word for they are sparkling treasures of inspiration! This is merely the “whet your appetite” appetizer and I will be serving up the full, delectable banquet in coming months when I feature each woman on her own. Legend has it that the fifteen other women in the course are boldly stepping forward as leaders also!!! The sweet smell of change is wafting through the Universe. Profound. Deep. Transformational. Enjoy!!
Crystal Easton receives messages from the divine
CRYSTAL EASTON
Will you share with our readers a little bit about why you decided you wanted to be on the “Color of Woman” journey?
As it turned out, the path chose me. I only needed to admit to myself that I was already on it. When Shiloh sent out her qualifying questions, I read with a screaming heart YES, YES, YES…this IS ME…this IS what I’ve been doing all along, and yes, I need to be with others like me… It was as though she was just ahead of me, sweeping the trail with her skirts so I could see it…
What has evolved for you with regard to your creativity practice as you step forward as a leader and teacher for other women?
Since stepping forward into this particular circle, my personal creativity practice has intensified: lots more of it, with HEAVY content-saturation, and of course, mad new skills! I feel safe, so there’s no need to shroud my story and experience with my tribe, it all gets out, so there’s room for the new stuff to pour in. Since beginning this journey I’ve begun accepting art students into my studio and only last full moon offered an experimental “dry run” for a short painting workshop using pieces of the COW method; it was heaven: guiding, responding to and encouraging others with the spirits of Shiloh and the gang there with me. I was asked to do it again for another woman, and of course, there will be more. Such is the life when we follow our essential truths, right?
"The Muse Painting" by Crystal Easton for Color of Woman course
How has this course inspired and changed your work in the world? Please share what you are working on now that you are really excited about.
Well for one, this course gives us permission to self-express…so when we begin “yet another” image of or about ourselves, it’s seen and honored as sacred duty to face ourselves and our story: to gift it Face…this is the first time I haven’t feared (for more than a fleeting moment anyway) that it would be received as neurotic, self-indulgent or negative in some way…sometimes, when I need to, I move forward for my tribe’s sake if not for my own… that’s been critical because blossoming is terrifying sometimes…On the flip side, there’s the Collective Mission: To uplift the status of women in the world by producing and promoting imagery and messages of the Sacred Feminine…can there possibly be a juicier mission? If there is I can’t fathom it…If it’s not for ourselves, then let the work be for each other, that our future generations might live in a softer, safer, more nurturing and cooperative world…
Right now, my work is split between a few exciting projects brewing;
-a website for my new business offering/circles for art and empowerment education and maiden/mother/crone rites of passage.
-a proposal for a 7 segment radio program, titled “The Creative Edge: Explorations into the nature and nurture of creativity”
-a ton of writing and art making for Shiloh, and 2 showings coming up…tonight: My legendary self revised: a woman artist dancing between the veils…its going to be stunning 
-did I mention I have 3 kids? they are always exciting projects worth mentioning lol!
Crystal Easton’s web-site is still under “construction.” It is blossomhousestudio.weebly.com. Be sure to go check it out soon!!!!!
Isabella Vickers LOL's at Color of Woman
ISABELLA VICKERS
Will you share with our readers a little bit about why you decided you wanted to be on the “Color of Woman” journey?
I believed that the Color of Woman method and certification would support and build my confidence as an artist and expand my preparedness to lead women’s groups with a sacred and intuitive art focus. I have facilitated many art therapy and writing groups and workshops, but the way the Color of Woman method opens women to greater self-awareness and self-love through images of the feminine is truly remarkable. For me personally, it’s about being the change I want to make in the world. I am practicing intentional creativity and know that is an integral part of my ability to offer it to others. I was drawn to this course and certification as an essential element of my own growth process and my professional development.
What has evolved for you with regard to your creativity practice as you step forward as a leader and teacher for other women?
Muse of Truth (in progress) by Isabella Vickers for Color of Woman course
I arrived fully prepared for the first Color of Woman gathering in August with an intense calling and an urgent desire to come more fully into myself as an artist and leader. My experience during that gathering was literally life changing, and I came away a different person! I am filled with bold gratitude for the artistic, leadership, and business tools I’m learning, the foundation I’m building, and the gift of being part of the Color of Woman community of gracious and powerful women, all while I’m actively moving forward with my work and offerings. I now take myself seriously as an artist and leader and since August I have secured my first art show, which will open in January, 2012! I have begun holding art retreats, facilitating creative recovery, and I am imagining many kinds of new creative offerings, including Color of Woman Circles.
How has this course inspired and changed your work in the world?
I am accepting my calling from the very core of my being with faith and confidence in something much bigger than my ego can fathom. I am owning an essential part of myself that I wanted so desperately yet previously felt so unworthy of claiming. I am taking a gigantic leap into the Life I want to live and opening myself and my work in the world to realms I am only beginning to imagine.
Please share what you are working on now that you are really excited about.
Painting! Dreaming and preparing new offerings and sharing my work in the world. Since beginning Color of Woman, I have developed an active and vital painting and writing practice, and I am building a body of work to present as my first art show in January! I am offering Creative Bliss Art Retreats, preparing new women’s circles, and I am thrilled to reveal my new website and blog, Kindling a Light at www.isabellavickers.com! Come on over and have a look around.
Katie Ketchum with one of her paintings
KATIE KETCHUM
Will you share with our readers a little bit about why you decided you wanted to be on the “Color of Woman” journey?
In the last ten years I’ve had a lot of wonderful opportunities in my career: a month’s run of my Magdalene musical at Sacramento Theatre Company, rave reviews from the San Francisco press, touring the east coast including Boston University with three new plays about great women in herstory. This summer I suddenly could not see myself researching, writing and performing another play in the year 2011. I kept hearing the voice of my inner artist asking for time and training. The last time I took an art class the teacher told the class I hadn’t done it “right,” even though I had stood next to her and tried to do everything she did. I looked at the local college and saw the words “critical thinking” and felt I’d had enough critical thinking for one life time! I had always been moved by Shiloh’s work from the day I stepped into her Mendocino gallery. I was on her mailing list and always felt incredibly inspired by her writing as well. Both her art and writing lead me to a place where I feel close to the Divine. So in the midst of performing my shows in California and preparing for a tour of the east coast I received the Color of Woman training description! The description addressed everything I needed: accessing feminine muses, learning to paint intuitively, clearer vision of your purpose, tools for leadership and entrepreneurship, business plan model based on the feminine paradigm, developing your own body of paintings, as well as certification to teach. Shiloh has also made the training very affordable compared to other art certification programs. Although I didn’t have the funds at the time, I stepped out anyway and the funding was gifted to me. When that happened I knew I was receiving a big “yes” from Our Lady of the Divine Spark!
What has evolved for you with regard to your creativity practice as you step forward as a leader and teacher for other women?
Katie Ketchum performs in her own original play about the life of painter, Mary Cassatt
Color of Woman art teachers training has brought me back to the “point.” Shiloh has inspired me to remember that my music and art are my spiritual practice, my connection to the divine, and my connection to myself. This is very important for my creative practice as well as my role as a teacher/performer. Shiloh defines the space with these practices and make it easier for me to transition from being in the world to my creative space. She teaches us how to use the candle, the shawl, blessing the canvas with water, and drumming as we meet our muse. People think I’m in some huge creative flow, yet I really believe it’s Shiloh’s preparation rituals I’m using to enter the creative space more often. Shiloh’s bold spirit and generosity inspire me to step out into the world in a bigger way! The opportunities she creates for all of her students opens a world of possibilities. I feel “connected,” which has been a difficult place for me to reach as a musician over many years. Shiloh makes painting and the art business accessible. I also cannot give enough praise to Stella Mac’s (Mary McDonald’s) weekly writing assignments in the Color of Woman training. Through this process, we find our true selves. Not only do we have the opportunity to define who we are, but also define who we want to be in the world. Then Caron McCloud and Sue Hoya Sellars are there at the studio like guardian angels, giving us total support in our painting process when we all meet. Another key ingredient are the 18 Color of Women students! We are all supportive of each other’s painting and life process. We have all brought heaven to earth!
Katie Ketchum's art studio
How has this course inspired and changed your work in the world?
All my adult life, my work in the world has been composing, playwriting, singing, piano, recording, teaching music and performing. After only two months of painting in Color of Women Method, I have two paintings exhibited in San Francisco (herchurch.org) and one in Santa Rosa (Center of Spiritual Living). At one of my performances in San Francisco I took my paintings on stage and sang to them. I drew as a child and drew with pastels as an adult, but never showed my work. Through Shiloh’s teaching I’ve been able to paint with acrylic and like the result well enough to share them. There is no effort in receiving opportunities any more. Shiloh guides us to come from a nurtured place to receive opportunities.
My new project is painting a series of the divine feminine and composing songs for each one. It will turn into a concert where I sing the song each woman in the painting is singing and have the paintings on stage with me. Then there will be a recording made of the songs with one of the paintings as the cover art. This idea has also lead me to create the Songwriting From the Soul Workshop, which I will be offering at the Sebastopol Center for the Arts on January 7th. Artists with no musical experience are welcome. Details on this workshop and future concerts are on my website www.katieketchum.com and you can also visit me on Facebook. I befriend everyone who wants to be on Facebook with me!
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GLITTER W.A.S.P. is a visionary artist and teacher and an “Art Critic” who champions women artists. She considers it her own personal mission to spread sparkle around the world by celebrating the delightful, shimmering beauty that women offer to the world through their gorgeous, artistic creations.
She resides in San Francisco at the Palace of the Soul with her three fabulously talented children and her “revolving extended family”. She is known in the Cosmic Cowgirls community both as Glitter W.A.S.P. and the Bejewelled Baroness. She can often be found in her studio playing with sparkling arrays of dazzling beads and glitter. “Glitter Therapy” is her favorite pastime. To view a complete menu of classes offered go to http://www.enchantedeye.net/elizabeth-gibbons-one-on-one-classes.html. The Beaded Lady returns to the Palace of the Soul on Dec. 17 & 18 as Our Lady of Guadelupe. This workshop, taught by Shiloh & Elizabeth is only offered once or twice a year so don’t miss out!!! Limited to 10 women. To sign up go to http://www.cosmiccowgirlsuniversity.com/2011/tbl/
Don’t be surprised if after reading this article you discover that you find mysterious pieces of glitter upon your being!! Glitter W.A.S.P. has been known to travel far and wide in her mission to spread sparkle around the world.
If you would like her to feature you and your art in her column please contact her at pangels@pacbell.net If you would like to learn more about her inspiring art and workshops offered to enchant your life and awaken your divine inner sparkle visit her web-sites at http://www.enchantedeye.net or http://www.glitteracy.com or http://cosmiccowgirlsuniversity.com.
Tags: art as sacred practice, art certification, color of woman, Creative Bliss Art Retreats, Crystal Easton, divine spark, features, feminine muses, intentional creativity, isabella vickers, Kathie Ketchum, Magdalene musical, muse, muse painting, powerful women, sacred feminine, self love, Songwriting from the Soul, teacher training, the Creative Edge
What a great article and wonderful artists. This was so inspiring.
Thank you so much Elizabeth for this inspiring, well conceived and executed piece. you continue to amaze us with your glittering gifts. All the women you interviewed are just amazing and we are so fortunate to have them in our tribe. Love you and so and wish I could be there for the great gift of this season—yours and Shiloh’s workshop taking place in the gorgeous Palace of the Soul! Tell your darling mama and daughter hello for me.