Tag: Art

Februllage Days 16 (Toilet Paper), 17 (Mathematics), and 18 (Costume)

Posted by on in UncategorizedLeave a comment

This week has been a slow one for me. My body has summoned me to rest and sleep deeply. Translation: No digital devices in my bedroom and earlier bedtimes than usual. It’s been dreamy, definitely needed, and delicious to experience!

DEE-LISH-SHUSSSSSSSSSSSS. Yes, I had to spell out the word in all caps and the way I say the word.

And HELL YEAH, it’s EXTRA just like the name of one of my favorite my lip glosses by The Lip Bar. For inquiring minds who might want to know, I am not an influencer for this brand. I just love wearing it cuz’ it is a lovely vegan brand created by an African American woman who was born in my home state of Michigan.

Okay, all that sleep and rest coupled with the Lunar New Year and New Moon Solar Eclipse in Aquarius on Monday created space for me to flow in and out of my ancestral dreams. I don’t remember what the dreams were about. I just have this inner knowing that my loving + wise + well ancestors are reminding me of the power and choice I have to dream, be, live, love, and create freely. They keep telling me they are working on my behalf so that I can relax into a more Jupiter expansive being-ness that opens a portal into my inner truth, beauty, joy, magic, play, and fun adventures.

The Februllage collages I have created for Day 16 (PROMPT – Toilet Paper), Day 17 (PROMPT – Mathematics), and Day 18 (PROMPT – Costume) were born from my journey into this new portal of expansiveness. Check them out below.

FEBRULLAGE DAY 16 (PROMPT – Toilet Paper)

“Pandemic Memories” is the title of my Februllage Day16 digital collage. This collage gave me a chance to make playful art from the rolls of toilet paper and masks many of us kept stocked in our homes.

I started the collage with a photo of a bathroom in the Hackney apartment I stayed in during my visit to London in 2023. I added a photo of myself wearing a mask from 2021 in the mirror. Graphic images of masks and rolls of toilet paper were also included.

FEBRULLAGE DAY 17 (PROMPT – Mathematics)

“Black Mermaid Mathematics” is the title of my Februllage Day 17 digital collage. This collage celebrates the soul sistalove bond I share with my cousin Gail and my childhood and adult passion for numerology and mermaids of African descent. I started the collage with an AI-generated background of numbers and added one of my favorite photos of my cousin Gail and I when we were young girls. I added different mermaids of African descent. The mermaids also represent my connection to Oxum/Oshun and Iemanja/Yemanya, two Afro Brazilian/Yoruba Oxisas/Orishas.

FEBRULLAGE DAY 18 (PROMPT – Costume)

The Costume prompt made me think of Mardi Gras which was celebrated on February 17th this year. I love Mardi Gras and New Orleans art, culture, history, and spirituality. My love affair with New Orleans and Louisiana shows up in my debut novel, Love’s Troubadours – Karma: Book One.

“Great-Great-Grandmother Ida Mae at the Mardi Gras Ball” is the title of my Februllage Day 18 digital collage. My imagination took over this collage and explored what my great-great-grandmother Ida Mae Goins Bolden would have looked like if she attended a Mardi Gras ball.

Great-Great Grandmother Ida Mae was born on December 10, 1866, in Michigan. Her birthday is eight days before my December 18th birthday. We were both born in Michigan. She was a daughter of Franklin Goins and Polly Mary Rickman Goins, sister to three sisters and two brothers, wife, mother, aunt, and grandmother.

She married my great-great grandfather William Henry Bolden on December 29, 1887, in Decatur, Indiana. Together, they raised five children, Ada May Bolden McWilliams (1889-1947), Arthur William Bolden (1890-1943), Clyde E. Bolden (1891-1916), Iona Hazel Bolden Johnson King (my great grandmother), and an unnamed child who died early (1899).

While reading her death certificate, I learned she died of cancer of the uterus, rectum, and bladder on March 16, 1917, in North Vernon, Indiana (Jennings County). The cause of her death is something I will explore in another collage series.

I used Canva to create AI-generated ballroom background. Mardi Gras confetti graphic images and a sign decorate the entire collage. I added a woman of African descent dressed in a Mardi Gras mask and costume. I included a black and white photo of Great-Great Grandmother Ida Mae as a young woman in her early 20s. I think the photo was taken before she got married in 1887.

YOUR INVITATION

Click on the video below and listen to my song, “Ancestral Medicine” that is featured on my debut album, Thriving Mindfully As Theresa’s Daughter. Also, reflect on the question.

What personality traits or experiences you share with your loving + wise + well ancestors

What Changes Are You Currently Facing?

Posted by on in UncategorizedLeave a comment

I woke up this morning thinking about the CHANGES I am facing and the ones I know family, friends, colleagues, and clients are facing. I also wondered about the CHANGES you and your family, friends, and colleagues might be facing. That’s why I am reaching out to find out what’s happening with you.

Please use this week’s Thriving Mindfully Food for Thought as a reflection guide. I’d love to hear what’s happening with you. Feel free to comment or send me an email at ananda@anandaleeke.com.

If you need more help, check out my Thriving Mindfully self-care resources and sign up for Thriving Mindfully Mondays below. I look forward to hearing from you and supporting you during the next four sessions of Thriving Mindfully Mondays on September 8, 15, 22, and 29.

Self-Care resources
RSVP FOR THRIVING MINDFULLY MONDAYS

REGISTER

Join me on September 8, 15, 22, and 29 from 7:30 p.m. ET to 8:15 p.m. ET for a four-week self-care series that offers a virtual community gathering with safe space to ground yourself with a mindful moment and participate in a mindful creative activity (journaling, affirmation and letter writing, collage, drawing, coloring, or painting).

These sessions are offered as a gift with an invitation to make a donation to support my work.

Make a donation here: http://bit.ly/4g6tRm4

Use the schedule below to gather your own writing and art-making supplies for each session.

1) September 8: Wear your favorite cozy clothing. Bring your favorite beverage and/or snack, pen, pencil, paper or journal to explore a reflection question.

You will create an intention and affirmation reminder, sign, page, or poster with an index card, journal page, or colorful construction or drawing paper. Bring your favorite crayons, pencils, or magic markers. Decorate it with drawings, doodles, or stickers.

2) September 15: Wear your favorite cozy clothing. Bring your favorite beverage and/or snack, pen, pencil, paper or journal to explore a reflection question.

You will write a letter to yourself or create a collage. Bring a picture of yourself as a child, a pen, and paper to write a letter to yourself.

Bring poster board, construction paper, drawing paper, a glue stick, scissors, your favorite magazines, crayons, pencils, and magic markers to create your collage.

3) September 22: Wear your favorite cozy clothing. Bring your favorite beverage and/or snack, pen, pencil, paper or journal to explore a reflection question.

You will create a drawing or painting. Bring white poster board or drawing paper, paint brush, watercolor or tempera paint set, crayons, pencils, and/or magic markers.

4) September 29: Wear your favorite cozy clothing. Bring your favorite beverage and/or snack, pen, pencil, paper or journal to explore writing prompts.

SIGN UP FOR NEW SEPTEMBER EVENTS; Thriving Mindfully Mondays: A Mindful Creativity Gathering to Help You Navigate Change During Uncertain Times

Posted by on in UncategorizedLeave a comment

Join me on September 8, 15, 22, and 29 from 7:30 p.m. to 8:15 p.m. for a four-week virtual community gathering that offers safe space to ground yourself with a mindful moment and participate in a mindful creative activity (journaling, affirmation and letter writing, collage, drawing, coloring, or painting).

SIGN UP FOR THRIVING MINDFULLY MONDAYS: SEPT 8, 15, 22 & 29

These sessions are offered as a gift with an invitation to make a donation to support my work.

support my work as a coach, artist, and author

Use the schedule below to gather your own writing and art-making supplies for each session.

1) September 8: Wear your favorite cozy clothing. Bring your favorite beverage and/or snack, pen, pencil, paper or journal to explore a reflection question.

You will create an intention and affirmation reminder, sign, page, or poster with an index card, journal page, or colorful construction or drawing paper. Bring your favorite crayons, pencils, or magic markers. Decorate it with drawings, doodles, or stickers.

2) September 15: Wear your favorite cozy clothing. Bring your favorite beverage and/or snack, pen, pencil, paper or journal to explore a reflection question.

You will write a letter to yourself or create a collage. Bring a picture of yourself as a child, a pen, and paper to write a letter to yourself.

Bring poster board, construction paper, drawing paper, a glue stick, scissors, your favorite magazines, crayons, pencils, and magic markers to create your collage.

3) September 22: Wear your favorite cozy clothing. Bring your favorite beverage and/or snack, pen, pencil, paper or journal to explore a reflection question.

You will create a drawing or painting. Bring white poster board or drawing paper, paint brush, watercolor or tempera paint set, crayons, pencils, and/or magic markers.

4) September 29: Wear your favorite cozy clothing. Bring your favorite beverage and/or snack, pen, pencil, paper or journal to explore writing prompts.

Mindful Creativity: Highlights from My Smith Center Artist-in-Residency

Posted by on in Artist-in-Residence at Smith Center, Mindful Creativity, UncategorizedLeave a comment

Mindful creativity is what I share with military service members, veterans, their families and friends, and staff when I serve as an artist-in-residence for Smith Center for Healing and the Arts at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center each week. Read and listen to my latest interview with Smith Center.

Check out a short video I made during one of my breaks at the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center.

 

 

Happy #CreativityThursday: Celebrating International Soul Art Day

Posted by on in Creativity ThursdayLeave a comment

Happy #CreativityThursday!

Have you ever heard of Soul Art and International Soul Art Day?

Photo Credit: SoulArtStudio.com
Photo Credit: SoulArtStudio.com

Laura Hollick, an artist and shaman, is the brainchild behind them (see photo above). She is also founder of Soul Art Studio, a business that guides people to connect with their spirit and create a life and business that expresses it. Hollick says, “Soul Art awakens your inner artist so you can create your reality.”

Photo Credit: SoulArtDay.com
Photo Credit: SoulArtDay.com

International Soul Art Day is annual celebration held on May 14 that brings together Soul Artist from around the world to connect virtually and create art together for the day. Yesterday, I joined the Soul Art Day celebration by listening to recordings of two Google Hangout session and creating my own body mapping art project.

My Soul Art Day mixed media collage
My Soul Art Day mixed media collage

The body mapping art project allowed me to trace my hands and feet, journal, and create a mixed media collage (see photo above). The collage has become a visual affirmation and celebration of what’s living in my creative heart.

Have you ever participated in an online creativity challenge, event, or project that encouraged you to explore and honor your creative process?

 

Happy #CreativityThursday: May Artist Visit

Posted by on in Creativity, Creativity Coaching, Creativity ThursdayLeave a comment

image

Happy #CreativityThursday!

Artist dates are an essential ingredient in my life as an artist, author, and creativity coach. They spark my imagination and open my creative heart and mind to new ideas. 

I love to take myself on artist dates to galleries in my U Street neighborhood in Washington, DC. Today, I visited the Joan Hisaoka Healing Arts Gallery to see the “Alchemical  Vessels” exhibition featuring 125 unique bowls (see photo collage). Being in the midst of so much creativity was inspiring.

Do you take artist dates?

What was your last artist date?

Happy Creativity Thursday: What are your favorite art forms?

Posted by on in Creativity ThursdayLeave a comment

Ananda's Collages
Ananda’s Collages

Happy Creativity Thursday!

What is your favorite art form?

Mine is collage. I can make them all day long. They help me express what’s waiting to burst forth from my creative heart. They also help me visualize my creative making process. I use them when I am writing my books and working on other projects. I also use them in my visualization boards.

Ananda's books and paintings
Ananda’s books and paintings

What creative dreams are you longing to give birth to?

I long to give birth to more books and paintings. I have a few e-books and a novel inside of me. I also have some big paintings that long to live on the canvas.

May we all use the Spring season to give birth to our creativity!

12335098133_9894b1f143

From now until March 31, I am offering a special discount package on my creativity coaching services. See details below.

My Creativity Coaching Practice: Click here to read more about my approach and background as a creativity coach.

Discount Period: The creativity coaching packages must be purchased via PayPal by March 31, 2014. They must be used by July 31, 2014.

Fees and Services:

1) 1 one-hour session with 2 email follow ups – $99.95 (original price – $139.95)

2) 3 one-hour sessions with 4 email follow ups – $359.95 (original price – $389.95)

3) 6 one-hour sessions with 7 email follow ups – $769.95 (original price – $799.95)

4) 9 one-hour sessions with 10 email follow ups – $1,169.99 (original price – $1,199.99)

5) 12 one-hour sessions with 13 email follow ups – $1,569.95 (original price – $1599.95)

Contact Information: If you are interested in one or more of the packages, please send me an email at kiamshaleeke@yahoo.com to schedule a free 20-minute consultation call (available via telephone, Skype, and Google Hangout).

 

Happy #CreativityThursday: Using Creativity to Serve Others

Posted by on in Creativity, Creativity ThursdayLeave a comment

image

Happy #CreativityThursday!

Have you ever used your creativity to serve others?

How does it make you feel?

When I use my creativity to serve others, my heart opens and fills up with gratitude.

Click here to listen today’s podcast and learn more about how I use my creativity as an artist-in-residence for Smith Center for Healing and the Arts at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center to serve others. A poem from my book, That Which Awakens Me: A Creative Woman’s Poetic Memoir of Self-Discovery is included.  Enjoy!

PS: The photo collage includes artwork made by military family members at Walter Reed.

12335098133_9894b1f143

Opening Your Creative Heart Coaching Special Discount:

From February 1 to March 31, I am offering a special discount package on my creativity coaching services. See details below.

My Creativity Coaching Practice: Click here to read more about my approach and background as a creativity coach.

Discount Period: The creativity coaching packages must be purchased via PayPal by March 31, 2014. They must be used by July 31, 2014.

Fees and Services:

1) 1 one-hour session with 2 email follow ups – $99.95 (original price – $139.95)

2) 3 one-hour sessions with 4 email follow ups – $359.95 (original price – $389.95)

3) 6 one-hour sessions with 7 email follow ups – $769.95 (original price – $799.95)

4) 9 one-hour sessions with 10 email follow ups – $1,169.99 (original price – $1,199.99)

5) 12 one-hour sessions with 13 email follow ups – $1,569.95 (original price – $1599.95)

Contact Information: If you are interested in one or more of the packages, please send me an email at kiamshaleeke@yahoo.com to schedule a free 20-minute consultation call (available via telephone, Skype, and Google Hangout).

Happy Creativity Thursday: Open Your Creative Heart with Artist Dates & Special Creativity Coaching Discount

Posted by on in Creativity Coaching, Creativity ThursdayLeave a comment

Happy Creativity Thursday!

February is a great time to open your creative heart with artist dates. Artist dates are scheduled play dates that you commit to on a regular basis (weekly or monthly). These special moments can jumpstart your imagination and inspire your creative juices. They can also help you explore your own creativity and witness the creativity of others and Mother Nature. I learned about artist dates while reading Julia Cameron’s book, The Artist Way in the 1990s.

Photo Credit: National Museum of African Art
Photo Credit: National Museum of African Art

Each month, I schedule several artist dates. I started this month with an artist date to the National Museum of African Art’s Earth Matters celebration and exhibition on February 1. It was just what I needed: spoken word, live DJs spinning groovy music (yes I love the word groovy!), photographers taking photos (will blog about my own experience next week), body art performers, African dancing and drumming, live bands performing incredible music, and a documentary film about Kenyan feminist and human rights activist, Wangari Maatthai.
12338223604_64519f9560
12337930413_d8bdc8559b
What artist dates have you gone on this year?
What type of artist dates are you planning this month?
12335098133_9894b1f143

Opening Your Creative Heart Coaching Special Discount:

From February 1 to March 31, I am offering a special discount package on my creativity coaching services. See details below.

My Creativity Coaching Practice: Click here to read more about my approach and background as a creativity coach.

Discount Period: The creativity coaching packages must be purchased via PayPal by March 31, 2014. They must be used by July 31, 2014.

Fees and Services:

1) 1 one-hour session with 2 email follow ups – $99.95 (original price – $139.95)

2) 3 one-hour sessions with 4 email follow ups – $359.95 (original price – $389.95)

3) 6 one-hour sessions with 7 email follow ups – $769.95 (original price – $799.95)

4) 9 one-hour sessions with 10 email follow ups – $1,169.99 (original price – $1,199.99)

5) 12 one-hour sessions with 13 email follow ups – $1,569.95 (original price – $1599.95)

Contact Information: If you are interested in one or more of the packages, please send me an email at kiamshaleeke@yahoo.com to schedule a free 20-minute consultation call (available via telephone, Skype, and Google Hangout).

Happy Creativity Thursday: Breathing Life Into Your Creative Dreams

Posted by on in Creativity, Creativity Thursday, That Which Awakens Me - A Creative Woman's Poetic Memoir, UncategorizedLeave a comment

Photo Credit: "Kreative Grooviness: That Which Awakens Me " by Ananda Leeke
Photo Credit: “Kreative Grooviness: That Which Awakens Me ” by Ananda Leeke

Happy Creativity Thursday!

Have you ever dreamed of making something with your hands and then allowed your fears or lack of training to stop you?

It happened to me several years ago when I started dreaming of painting. I was afraid to try it because I had never attended art school. My perspective changed after I started working with a master artist during my tenure as an artist-in-residence for Smith Center for Healing and the Arts at Howard University Hospital. The master artist happened to be a patient I was assigned to work with on creative projects that would help him express his feelings. He transformed our sessions into art workshops where he taught me to trust my intuition and natural creative gifts. He pushed me to paint and gave me numerous painting assignments. This experience helped me create a series of paintings that I used to illustrate two book covers (see paintings above and below). The master artist breathed life into my creative dreams.

Photo Credit: "Be Love. Love Light. Live As the Spirit of Life." by Ananda Leeke
Photo Credit: “Be Love. Love Light. Live As the Spirit of Life.” by Ananda Leeke

Has anyone breathed life into your creative dreams?

How did the person breathe life into your creative dreams?

What creative actions were you inspired to take?

image

Visit Amazon.com to learn more about my creative journey and book, That Which Awakens Me: A Creative Woman’s Poetical Memoir of Self-Discovery (2009). My book is available as a Kindle download and a paperback book.