Dear friends, as posted on Friday I will be running a month long creativity bootcamp this October…
I have decided to do this because…
- I want to take part in an intensive creativity bootcamp!
- I want to be inspired, learn, create till my head blows off, eat, dream and sleep all things art till I can’t hardly stand it!!!
- I’ve done one before and it changed my life, it was a month long painting challenge. I had never painted before but felt brave after writing my book. I learned so much during the month, surprised and then stunned myself at what I could do and I’m painting ever since.
- Before 2015 is over I intend to have the marrow out of it.
- I am answering every call of my spirit these days.
It’s only July and twelve people have said yes so far, might you be next? Read on and see…
What is it? What’s Involved?
A daily creative challenge this October. The minimum requirement for taking part is TWO daily actions. The first is daily journaling, morning or night, as little or much as you like but privately, for your eyes only. PLUS one additional creative activity every day that you will post, at least in the private group and if you’re open to it, on the blog fb page too.
Note: If you choose writing there will be further guidelines for sharing, e.g. if you are writing a book it will be enough to share process, daily word count etc. If you choose personal essays/poems/short stories/blog posts you can share part or all if you wish. If you wish to focus solely on journaling you can share process, thoughts, word count etc. We can discuss all this again later…
Painting by Marguerite Pearson
You can choose any creative activity. Focus on just one or a selection, photography, painting and writing, it’s up to you!
From now on I’ll be posting my top tips and ideas to steal and all of these will be posted together in one easy to browse new section here on the blog.
The aim of the month is twofold depending what stage you are at. It will either unblock you and get you creating out of the dark or increase and improve your output, motivate and inspire… It will make you braver, more creative, a better artist, more confident. It will enrich your life…
Most of all you will surprise yourself as to what you are capable of.
I’ll be setting up a private group where we can chat, share work, ask questions, share support.
To mark this new venture I will be offering a limited number of free one to one personal coaching/brainstorming sessions…
The focus of these will be what YOU want from the month e.g start or build a blog, write that novel, paint, set up a new or shake up an existing creative business and life. Past clients, colleagues and friends will attest to how this time with me will inspire, motivate and support you on your path.
“Everyone is born creative; everyone is given a box of crayons in kindergarten. Then when you hit puberty they take the crayons away and replace them with dry, uninspiring books on algebra, history, etc. Being suddenly hit years later with the ‘creative bug’ is just a wee voice telling you, ‘I’d like my crayons back, please.”
- Hugh McLeod, ‘Ignore Everybody: And 39 Other Keys to Creativity’
Painting by Edouard Vuillard
Who is it for? Here’s a test..If you’ve never written a word or held a paintbrush but would like to, it’s for you. If you’ve dabbled, perhaps as a child and would like to dabble once more, it’s for you.
If you already paint/write/photograph/craft but would like a new challenge/inspiration/change/to increase output in the dark side of the year, it’s for you.
In other words it’s for anyone who feels the call to creative work no matter what level, age, ability or stage.
I don’t know if I’m ready. Good, that’s the best possible starting point. I know for a fact, from experience, that we’re as ready as we need to or will ever be. Start before you are ready is the best guideline. Learn like a child, learn by doing. Do you have the call? Do you want this? That is the only question.
What will make it life changing? Don’t miss a day and let the life change come to you.
I want to do it but fear I won’t have time. That’s just not true. Don’t set yourself up with an out before you start.
‘Do or do not, there is no try.’- Yoda
I’m not good enough… This challenge is about creating, unblocking, increasing output, showing up and doing the work. If anything turns out to be good that will be a bonus. We all want to be good but we must decide it doesn’t have to be good this October, just done! Good is for later.
If we were aiming for excellence, I’d have to make it a five year challenge.
I’m a better writer than I was three years ago, not as good as I’ll be three years from now, or, by the end of October.
What will You need? Notebooks, art supplies, the will, the gumption, the decision…
‘This now is it. This. Your deepest need and desire is satisfied by the moments energy here in your hand.’ - Rumi
Sign Me Up?
- Leave a comment on this post with your name, location on earth and any questions.
- Like the blog fg page if you haven’t already, click HERE
- Follow this blog by email - enter your email in the space provided on the top right hand side of this page.
- And that’s it! Start dreaming and plotting and planning. It is going to be brilliant!!!
- Please share this post widely with friends who may be interested, thank you!
‘Jane Gilheaney Barry, One Time PR & Creative Director,
Now Writer, Blogger, Learner Painter, Inspirer…’
“Be brave enough to live creatively. The creative is the place where no one else has ever been. You have to leave the city of your comfort and go into the wilderness of your intuition. You cannot get there by bus, only by hard work, risking and by not quite knowing what you are doing. What you will discover will be wonderful: Yourself.” - Alan Alda
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Hello, and thank you. I need this. Cindy, in Alabama, USA.
You and me both Cindy, great to have you aboard
I’m in! I’d also love to put my name in the hat for the one-on-one sessions. Ooh I can feel the excitement building already
Oh me too! Name in the hat request duly noted, great to have you on board Miriam
Good on you Annie, you’ll not regret it, welcome aboard
And of course I should have said that I’m usually based in Leitrim, up the hills from jane, although I do gad about a bit
Yes please! I’ll have a go.
London
Count me in, I’ve been wanting to write more so committing to something like this may well be the impetus I need.
Connemara, Co. Galway, Ireland
Great Aoife! Welcome aboard
This looks great, and October is a good month for me. I’m in :), I’m in Meath
Great Tracey, delighted
Sounds wonderful, Jane. I’m in for sure. Oakland California, USA
Wonderful Ernie, good on ya
Yes please, Peggy in Donegal!
Great Peggy and welcome
What a perfect match of creative enthusiasm and determined willfulness you and this path you carve for yourself are Jane. I too believe I’m here to create till my head explodes and inspire others while I do so. I’m in. I usually do 31 days of posts for October and I shall borrow your challenge for the theme and the impetus. Thank you Jane. You did have a card up your sleeve.
Welcome aboard Shalagh, no bother to you at this stage
You give me more credit than I give myself Jane. Posting everyday is tough but always a pleasant surprise when you accomplish it. Can also feel lonely so am overjoyed to have company. Thank you.
Sounds perfect. All of my questions have been answered in this post. Thank you Jane.
Great Sinead, welcome aboard! It’s going to be a mad inspiring month and I love how it’s coming together, also about 25 in at this stage I think
Count me in Jane, sounds like a blissful way to spend October. Aisling Doonan in Carrigallen
I think so too
Delighted to have you on board Aisling, we’ll have a great time x
Ok, Jane. It’s finally time to slink out of the shadows and join in! Probably writing, but who knows? I’ve got a hankering to do something with cloth- I adore crazy quilts. Maybe other lurkers will join me, who knows?
How’re you feeling now? Seems like the energy’s back! take care,
Marian xx
So glad to hear it Marian, the shadows is no place for you! I am feeling much better thank you and becoming more productive I think. Delighted to have you on board x
I’m in! I need a serious push & this sounds like it could be it! I’m not sure yet what I’ll do - maybe painting or a new blog….will think on. Also please put me in the hat for the coaching sessions - would love your advice on a few things 😉
I’m not sure what I’ll do yet myself
Great to have you on board and I have you in the hat now too. I am really looking forward to these sessions, I know they’ll be just as inspiring for me. Thanks Aine
I’d love to be part of this, Jane
Haven’t pinned down what creative project to pursue but there are quite a few on my list to choose from!
That’s wonderful, lovely to have you
I haven’t decided yet either 
Where are you in the world again? Sorry, I know you did tell me before!
I’m from the Philippines, living in Metro Manila. 😀
Hi Jane, I want to be part of the boot Camp please. I would like to be in the private group please, but don’t know how to join it.
That’s great Madeleine and don’t worry about that yet. I will be setting it up in September and will let you know how to join then
I live in the shadow of Mt Rainier just beyond the forests by the railroad tracks in a small apartment where the smells of The Green River bring me dreams of Nature that alternately thrill and terrify me. When I read your post, my small voice chimed in, “me, too!”
That’s wonderful, welcome <3 I will be posting more details soon
Hi I’m from the Philippines, I conduct painting class for adults, but I need to be inspired more. My mom who is almost 90 is passing on to me and my two sisters this:” never let a day pass without turning in something good with your hands”.
Count me in!
Hi Sylvia, I love your mothers words, lovely to meet you and have you on board <3 I will be posting more details soon
I’d like to be part of the bootcamp - so glad I stumbled upon this.
The Netherlands
Hi Anne and welcome, I will be posting more details soon
I’m in especially for one to one encouragement.
Great Sharon, welcome aboard. Keep an eye on the blog here for updates and posts dedicated to the bootcamp in the weeks and months ahead. I’ll also add your name to the hat for the one to one sessions x
Boot camp, please! I was supposed to have classes this fall, but they’ve been moved to another semester. I will need creativity to fill the void. - in Maryland, & an admirer of Shalagh!
Ah wonderful Donna, I love your ‘I will need creativity to fill the void.’
Keep an eye here for details, various tips and how to join the private group when the time comes, welcome aboard hon x
I can’t wait to participate in this wonderful creativity challenge. Thank you for the invitation. You have a wonderful blog that inspires me to maybe get back into blogging myself — and do a hundred other adventurous things. My daughter and I long to visit Ireland someday.
Thank you Tamara and a warm welcome <3
Yes - would love to do this. Looking forward to it and determined to make the time twice a day every day for the month of October !
That’s great Brionain, welcome aboard. I’m looking forward to it also
I’ll be setting up a fb group for participants closer to the time so keep an eye here and on fb for details 
Thanks, Jane - will do - forgot to mention my little corner of the pale blue dot is Dublin - loving all your posts btw - really wonderful page - chocabloc with inspiration
My favourite place! Thank you very much, I appreciate that, and thank you for sharing so many posts too. You have a beautiful name btw. Have a lovely Sunday in Dublin
I would love to be included in this.
Absolutely Sharon, you are very welcome
My name is Patti Covey, I’m on a journey & haven’t landed yet. I love to write & I’m excited to share this experience as part of my journey!
Hi Patti, love your comment, welcome aboard! Keep an eye here and on the fb page for details and relevant posts. Don’t forget to follow by email xox
Sign me up..I’m from the state of Indiana, lovely! Currently living in WA. I am on a journey & I’m not sure where I will land!
Hello! I’m Patti from WA..Please count me in. I am on a journey & am excited to see where it takes me!
Hi Jane! Love your blog and your idea of an October Creativity Bootcamp. It’s just what I need and has come at a great time…I’ll hopefully have myself organised by then…I’ve been busy carving out a creative space for myself in an old mobile home down the field that I’ve cleared and renovated and filled with my art stuff and now hopefully a journalling corner!
Thanks Karen, that sounds absolutely wonderful and inspiring! I am in a corner of the laundry room myself
Welcome aboard and keep an eye on the blog and fb for relevant posts and details in the coming month 
I am excited to accept this challenge. Hi! My name is Patti. For the moment I reside in the state of WA.
Great Patti, you are very welcome, Jane
Thank you, Jane! I am excited to try and pry the lid off of this old, rusted creative can and release what will be no doubt a big can of worms. Heartfelt greetings from California!
Not at all! T’will be wonderful Sherry you’ll see. Welcome aboard <3
May I join you? I feel like every day I don’t create art I have failed somehow and I am frustrated with the daily obstacles of parenting small children (love them though) and somehow I think you understand and I’m willing to try and try again to make this happen.
I forgot to mention I’m from the Seattle area.
Hi everyone!
Lovely to meet you
I understand you completely, love has nothing to do with it xox, lovely to meet you and welcome aboard
P.S. I feel exactly the same about the days I don’t create, chat to you soon x