Navigation with Lesley Riley

My Navigation Journal

 I'm reaping the benefits of a class I took at Art and Soul in Hampton VA a couple of weeks ago, "Navigation: Charting a Course to Your Soul".  Lesley Riley has developed a workshop that is invaluable for understanding more about our art, our goals, and even our lives. Lesley is an experienced artist, the author of several books, and an outstanding art success coach.

Lesley provided the book cover sheet, collage papers, binding materials, and loads of creative support. This included sharing with other students and creating using written and visual prompts. 

 

  A really useful exercise was looking at the images of our own and others work that we had brought to the class and then writing about why we responded so much to the images. We then were able to compile information and insight about what characterizes our own work.

What I learned about my own style

  

A mosaic of images that speak to me--I love it!

 A major breakthrough for me was looking at my goals and what is stopping me from pursuing them. One of the promises I made to myself and the class was to go home and mail the book proposal that had been sitting on my desk for almost a year. I'm not usually a procrastinator, but I was sure blocked about this task. Once I could articulate my fears to myself and others, I was ready to take the plunge. 

I sent the book proposal to a very well-known publisher in the art/craft field. Imagine the thrill when I received an email from the editor, the day after she received my proposal, telling me how much she liked it! We're still in the process of seeing if the firm will publish the book. Whether it happens or not, I sure learned an important, encouraging lesson. Thank you, Lesley!