During turbulent economic times, companies naturally tend to turn inward. Talking about the core business that everyone understands and can predict is like eating comfort food on a dreary day -- a temporary escape to a better time and place. Read more about how innovators can survive and thrive during recessionary times here


Hear how you can harness disruptive innovation to create great results



(image source:http://www.katize.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/08/apple_computer_logosvg.png

Labels: Cultivating Creativity

Are you a fast thinker or a slow thinker? Check out this thread by innovation guru Rumi Shivaz - I love the image he has used too. He looks like an old soul.

Rumi's thread reminds me of one of my clients, a man in this 40's who had for all his life thought he was stupid...why? "At school," he told me, "I needed time to think but all "the smarter" kids piped up first." Classic introverted versus extroverted thinking - the latter overtly more valued within the pre-university system and im many workplaces.

While quick, extraverted thinking has it's strengths, many people tell me that more often than not they have no idea what they think until the words tumble out and they try to make sense of it. Introverted thinkers, on the other hand, tend to work out carefully what they want to say before they say it. Sadly, many people mistake their silence for a lack of opinion, or worse, a lack of intelligence.

True creativity benefits from whole brain thinking.

Find out more about your thinking style by taking the Myers Briggs Personality Indicator

Labels: Cultivating Creativity

Dimensions: 850mm(W) x 850mm (H) x 40mm(D)
Medium: mixed media – ink and acrylic on canvas

Autumn leaves was created en plein air at our country estate in Horowhenua on a gloriously sunny autumn day. The sun was shining and I was looking for inspiration. I needed to look no further than the glorious golden leaves radiating before me.

Painting at the farm is a special place – a spiritual place where we go to restore and rejuvenate. It is a place of relaxation, a place to retreat and restore our bodies.

Autumn leaves was painted at a time of deep happiness and contentment. The energy of this painting is therefore one that communicates this feeling outward.

Autumn Leaves was my first true work of abstraction. Inspired by the techniques learned in an abstract painting class with renowned abstract artist Megan Schmidt. Here’s what Megan said when she first saw it: “I love it. I really love it.”



Inspired by the a very beautiful golden tree on my rural retreat, I hope this beautifully vibrant abstract painting will give the wonerful man who purchased it our the Joy'ance exhibition a natural boost and years of joy.


What inspires me?

My creations seek to embrace the simplicity of pleasure and personal experiences that incite joy.

“I am inspired by the East – particularly Buddhism, and the ancient art of Sumi-E ink painting. As an intuitive artist with a passion for following my 'inner joy' I hope my work captures and celebrates the 'life-giving' aspects of art, and leaves viewers with a feeling of pleasure and contentment.”

To view some of my new work or to view archived paintings click here

Labels: Commissioning a work of art

Many of the people who purchase my art often ask me, "what was the inspiration behind your painting?" They love to hear the story and see the painting as it progresses. One of my clients, who purchased Autumn Leaves, has been very, very patient. He emailed me before he headed off overseas, "Hi girl…off to Samoa for a friend 60th !...need some R&R, sun & vit D…look forward to your story on return …Cheers Richard"

I love being called a girl! It makes me feel young again. Anyway he purchased the painting at the Joy'ance exhibition and has been waiting ever since - I just want to get the story just right as this piece is very personally significant to me.


This time I thought I would start the story right from the beginning. What is the inspiration behind this piece? Once again I return to joy. Partially it is inspired by my trip to Italy several years ago- the gallery in San Gimignano called "Cassandra" and the sunflowers growing wild in the fields. Partly by the beauty and symbolism of the organic square (this will make sense as it evolves"; partly it is inspired by the joy that cheerful colours inspire. Largely it is inspired by the playfulness of artists like Henri Matisse and Max Gimblett who both paint with such glee.

As one of my favourite artists Mark Rothko once said, “Painting should be ecstatic or nothing.” So I'm planning a solo exhibition and returning to "jouissance" as my theme. This should dove tail nicely into the french lessons I have just started and my dream of living and creating in the south of France.


To add to the joy while creating I'm playing a completion I created called "happy music" Right now the fabulous Bee Gee's are playing, "you should be dancing." I'm doing a wee dance as I paint....just taking time out to keep you in the loop!

Better get back to it now:)


Back now! Here is San Gi - after a few hours in my studio....this time listening to Pink!

The cool thing about this process is I can see at least four other paintings within this painting - so I guess you could say that this is the mother painting from which all others will be created.....the thing I have worked out, about an exhibition is that similarly of style seems to be the way people go. So, unlike the Joy'ance exhibtion where I showed quite an eccletic range of paintings, the Jouissance show will have a similar, unifying theme. However, I will be

exhibiting figure work (my new passion!) alongside the more abstract pieces.....I'm also going to be working in a variety of mediums, including encastic (bees wax). This is another passion, my father was a bee keeper and apitherapist who passionately believed in the curative, healing powers of bees, and who also made his own beeswax polish.

The finished art work: Licorice and Butterflies

As the painting began to take shape I was contacted by a good friend and professional colleague Lawrence Green about having a joint exhibition next year. The theme is "art should make you laugh."

So I began some brainstorming re themes and came up with so many ideas - a key one being children's birthday parties. Hence the licorice theme here with all the cheerful colours. The butterflies were added to reflect the joy of dance and inner transformation that many people go through on the way to joy.


.

Labels: Commissioning a work of art, Cultivating Creativity, Exhibitions and competitions, Spirituality in art

This year, as many of you know, I have made a concentrated effort to move away from work that doesn't fill me with joy toward work that does. It's a no brainer...but it did take some time to crystallise. Sometimes the most innovative solutions are the simplest.

While exhibiting alongside deNada fashion as part of the Joy'ance exhibition I was approached by Nada to help her grow her business and still retain her life. I was flattered and immediately leapt to the challenge. It was a mutual colliding of passions

deNada is a Wellington based fashion label as dynamic and progressive with their designs as they are with their business development. Director Nada Piątek states "Cassandra's energy and focused approach to finding business solutions and helping me drive the business forward has been invaluable. We are developing a plan to grow in a sustainable manner that balances my own life values, those of my wonderful staff and the high reaching deNada company goals."

Learn more about deNada and check out some of their must have treats!


Get a business coach
If you would like some help starting or growing your business please contact me - I'm passionate about your passion and helping you succeed!

What an eventful day today! Last night i hardly slept a wink - and today life took a suprising turn...finishing with this delightful and quite unexpected email from Mark Olsen

On 20/10/2008, at 5:44 PM, Mark Olsen wrote:

Hi Cassandra

I have just finished and named a painting after you for an exhibition that I have in Christchurch this Thursday - will send an image tomorrow - Mark

Here she is.....She is part of a collection for an exhibition that Mark Olsen is having with Fisher Galleries in Christchurch, opening this Thursday night

First Reaction!
Earlier today after wondering how on earth I was going to get my book published and into the hands of the people who need it most I received two very encouraging calls. (did you know that 80,000 jobs were lost this year!)
One from my dear friend Monika who phoned from all the way in Keri Keri to urge me to look for alternatives re publication (versus get into more debt over it)

And then dove tailing on this conversation, In a moment of added flow Denis Robinson, the author of the New Zealand's Favourite Artists series of books followed up from his call to me the other night and emailed an publishing company on my behalf . This was quite a surprise and very, very generous of him). Even more delightful was that less than 30 minutes after emailing them they came back to him:

"This sounds great! I know quite a few people who would want to get hold
of a book like this.Thanks for suggesting Cassandra contact us. I look forward to receiving
the material from her."

Well I didn't need to be asked twice. The timing couldn't be more perfect as they are having a new projects meeting 30 October - now is that flow or what!

Speaking of flow - have you completed the career nirvana survey yet? Go on! What are you waiting for

Where there's a will there's a way...
Check out the full story re over-coming the obstacles on the way to production

Labels: Cultivating Creativity

Think and grow positive
Coming up with fresh and innovative ideas requires positive, proactive and inspired thinking. Get rid of negative thinking and boost your creative powers. hear an excerpt from The Power of Positive Thinking by Norman Vincent Peale to help you think and grow positive

Learn to value creativity
What will the world of work look like in 2030? This is when kids starting school now will graduate! We don't even know what the world of work will look like in 2 years let alone 21 years. The future of work requires creative thinkers about to adapt to rapidly changing circumstances. Are school educating kids out of their creativity? Hear UK author and creativity expert Sir Ken Robinson

Labels: Cultivating Creativity, Motivation

Last night while suffering from a bout of insomnia I logged on to my computer and picked up the email below:

On 18/10/2008, at 3:46 AM, Monika wrote:

Cass

Just wanted to say ....I just LOVE those two pieces you did. They are truly awesome!!!
Really really good!!
Great news about the galleries and the book launch. You are doing so well.
You will always land on your feet Cass.



Tonight I'm restless again and thought while I'm up I should check out a new friend's blog. It's great! Innovation and positive ideas are Rumi's passions. While enjoying a great read and filling up on new ideas I found this quote:"In everyone's life, at some point of time, our inner fire goes out. It is then burst into flame by an encounter with another human being. We should all be thankful for those people who rekindle the human spirit" - Albert Schweitzer

...this excellent quote sums up the power of positive feedback perfectly! Read my reply and see how Monika's feedback helped rejuvenate my weary soul - my new friend Rumi would say that she's an angel. I'd have to agree!

"Hi Monika - thanks for your gorgeous feedback - as you can see I am up and about at 3am ..a bit on my mind..so your encouraging words are a real tonic - I will but that in my feedback journal:) You are a great tonic for the soul....thank you sooo much:)


Mind feeling more at peace now...going to wander back to bed

Hugs

Cass"



RSVP TO LAUNCH:
Don't forget to put a bright orange circle around the 28th of
November 5:30 - 7:30, at Exhibitions Gallery, Featherston Street,
Wellington. Secure you place of happiness by RSVPing to
cassandra@cassandragaisford.com.
It promises to be a great night!

Labels: Motivation

posted by Cassandra  # 07:11  0 Comments

Here's a photo of the quick 10 minute sketch I did while waiting for my daughter to have her hair done..

can you quess who it is? Quick hint on the quick sketch...taken from a shot in a celebrity magazine...

Max Gimblett's view on this quick sketch - of which he is a pro!
"Good instincts,

"10 mins is about gesture, only gesture, 50 years ago it was named
contour.

Strictly suggestive, open and all encompassing, attempting to entice
spirit"


Now the next thing I have to do quickly is raise $74,000 so I can publish 4,000 copies of "Happy@work: Job Hunting for Mid-lifer's +"

Just checked in with my astrology guru Susan Miller:
"Even better news is due October 28 when the new moon arrives in the same part of your chart ruling earned income. Be sure to ask for that raise, or, if you like, negotiate elsewhere. The two weeks that follow this powerful and highly friendly new moon - one of the best of the year - will set the tone for the whole year to come. This is not "any old day" or point in the year. It's special, so take this date seriously and take any step you can think of toward finding your extra money. It may take weeks or months, but that doesn't matter - what does is that you begin in the days that closely follow this new moon, October 28."

Can you help?
So do I need to wait until the 28th or can you help me now.....pre-order "Happy@work: Job Hunting for Mid-lifer's +"

Labels: Cultivating Creativity, Motivation

Creativity in any form often benefits from collective energy and enthusiasm. So often the creative process can feel like such a solitary affair. Sometimes this can make it challenging to stay the distance and make it through to the finish line. But it doesn't have to be this way.

I love collaborating and sharing my enthusiasm with like minded people. This helps boost my creativity no end. While working on the final edits of "Happy@work: job hunting for mid-lifers" I was stuck on finding an image to illustrate the chapter "Employ yourself." I was also stuck on where and how to have the book launch.

Inspiration struck in the middle of the night : "Artists experience the realities of self employment every day...why not have a photo of someone or something artistic,' my intuition gently asked. But "who and what", my rational mind wondered.

The next day while visiting my friend Ron Epskamp, passionate owner of Exhibitions Gallery" I summoned up the courage to ask him if he would consider holding my book launch there. " With pleasure," he said and promptly whipped out his calender. "Why not on the 28th of November to coincide with our Christmas exhibtion of artists." I was thrilled!

"Perhaps you would consider profiling one of my artists - Mark Olsen."

And suddenly, miraculously, there was the answer to my "problem" re who to use to illustrate my book!

"Working out the 'how'" as Mark Olsen, one of New Zealand's most successful artist's says:" is as simple as focusing on what you want - end of story, the "how" finds you."


From IT worker to Best-Selling Artist - Mark Olsen to Speak at Happy@work Book launch
Mark and I share a passion for self-development and an awareness of the power of the mind to transform reality. Something also shared by the creators of the DVD's "The Secret" and "What the bleep do we know" Joy turned to elation when he agreed to present his own personal story re moving from IT sales person to accomplished, best selling artist.

Here's the brief I gave Mark:
"Essentially the focus is to inspire people to follow their passion ...to have the courage, hope, perserverance and resilience to believe dreams really can come true.....I think your own personal story re how you made your dreams come true and using relevant learnings that anyone looking to make a move to fulfillment could apply...bricklayer, return to work mum, solo parent, disillusioned office worker..many who may not know that they want, or if they do, how it could be possible - your "what I have learned" musings bill perfectly!."

...and his reply:

"I enjoy not only speaking on the mind set tools that I have employed, but being able to state how I applied them and what the results have been. This way I have the example that folk can click with opposed to just telling them how to live their live. I also believe that our only gift is that of our own example as words do not teach"

Mark will have returned from the US the week before The Happy@Work Book launch" which will be providing the next chapter in his story. This will be compelling listening so mark off the 28th of November 5:30 - 7:30 in your diary now. Spaces are strictly limited so please RSVP by dropping me a line

Pre-order you copy now!
A limited stock of first edition, signed copies of "Happy@work:job hunting for mid-lifers+" will be available prior to and during the launch.

Avoid disappointment - find out more and pre-order now

Mark's feedback also gave me a boost to surge through the final edits and helped curb any doubts I was having about the whole project:

"Good on you for doing this project - it will take people's attention off what is and place it upon what they would like - doing so you have given them a helping hand - how very cool" - Mark Olsen


Thanks Mark and Ron- and everyone else who inspires and supports me. I couldn't do this without you.

You can read more about Mark's inspiring career makeover in "Happy@Work: Job hunting for mid-lifers +"

RSVP TO LAUNCH:
Don't forget to put a bright orange circle around the 28th of November 5:30 - 7:30, at Exhibitions Gallery, Featherston Street, Wellingtonby RSVPing to cassandra@cassandragaisford.com.

Look forward to seeing you there:)

Labels: Cultivating Creativity, Motivation

Being “Free to be you” often takes great courage and conviction. As one person said, “I can’t give you the recipe for success, but I can failure - try to please everybody all the time.” Not everybody will be happy with your decisions and not everybody you care about may support you.

A classic example of someone who followed his dreams is Michelangelo, known one of the world greatest sculptors and painters. The beauty of his works has echoed down the ages.

What is less known is that his family was not entirely supportive of what he yearned to do. In fact, his father and his uncles thought art was disgraceful and they bet him hard and often.

Some view Michelangelo as a titan, a superhuman prodigy, but, by his own standard, he was a passionate seeker of beauty and truth. Fuelled by his passion and the conviction that heaven was calling him to draw and to work with other painters, he could not be opposed, and millions of people have been touched by the emotional intensity that pours from his work, whether it be stone or marble.

Many people do not follow their heart’s desire because of the lack of encouragement from others. They may not have to endure beatings, but instead verbal ridicule, blame or repeated warnings that that they have no talent and may fail. Yet, as the philosopher GW Hegel once said: “Nothing great in this world has been achieved without passion.”

Pursuing your passion is not always easy but it is the key to a happier and more fulfilled life, even if that fulfilment comes from just being true to your own nature. Passion is about doing something you love and deeply believe in. It is also about being willing to change and to step out of the comfort rut and mediocre landscapes that others are prepared to settle for. Passionate people are prepared to take risks and cope with failure.

Many people I have career-counselled know in their hearts and minds what they would love to be doing but without someone to believe in them they distrust their ability to be successful. It s a Catch 22 situation, for without the wisdom that comes from experience it is difficult to have certainty.

Many successful people say that there was a point at which they just took a leap of faith. A good career coach can help people to do this in an informed way which helps them to minimise their risks and gather objective data to guide their decision-making. But it is equally importantly to believe in their ability, to pay attention to the emotional stirrings which, left unheeded, may prevent them from making positive changes in their life.

As Mark Twain once wrote, “Keep away from people who belittle your ambitions. Small people always do that, but the really great make you feel that you too can become great.” Looking to friends and family to support your career decisions is not always the best strategy. They often mean well but are blinded by their own agendas, insecurities and subjective views about what is best for you.

Like Michelangelo, who was encouraged by a mentor, sometimes encouragement and the confidence to pursue your calling comes from those who know you least.

If you would like professional, creative and inspirational help to boost yourself esteem contact the team at Worklife Solutions and ask about our Free To be Me life coaching programme.

"Inspiration exists but has to find us working" - Pablo Picasso

This quote has inspired me to action! After weeks of staring at a blank canvas in my studio I found myself ready to create. Once I'd started I soon got into the flow, the painting was finished within hours and the client who had commissioned it came over and loved it imediately. Actually I had invited her to see the draft as I was unsure it it was finished enough. I loved it as it was but wasn;t sure if she would feel the same way. Which reminds me of a quote from French artist Henril Matisse: "All my life I have been mistaken in measuring the signifiance of any work by the struggles that went into it."

I spent a lot of time seeking to understand and clarify my clients needs. Not only were important spacial things like where was the painting going important, but also seeking to understand her personality, her hope and dreams and importantly, when she looked at the painting how did she want to feel.


And here it is in situ!



The funny thing was that part way through the comission, just as I was about to call her to say, "I have finally started! Come and see." she phoned me to say they'd had a change of heart and decided they wanted one for the lounge instead. Now the lounge is a completely different kettle of fish - no calm greens, but ht firey orange, earthy terracottas and strong masculine blacks.

I took a depth breadth, said "no problem" and began to go to work.

As it turned out she loved the first one more, and her husband the second. So they took both!

Here is his - quite a different style altogether!



Would you like a unique piece of art created just for you?
contact me for a no obligation assessment and creation
cassandra@worklifesolutions.co.nz

Labels: Motivation