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Kate Houlihan

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Our global theme for December is PAIN. It was chosen by our Lviv chapter and illustrated by Marta Koshulinska.  

Ouch! That hurts. Pain is a warning. And a lesson. It teaches us what we should avoid. And just how much we can bear. 

There’s the pleasures of sadomasochism. The anguish of emotional trauma or physical abuse. The seemingly endless barrage of vitriol in the comments. The grief of losing a loved one. The immense destruction and psychological toll caused by so many geopolitical conflicts happening around the world. 

Our Lviv chapter in Ukraine knows the pain of war. As they wrote when they chose this month’s theme, “Our collective pain is now close to unbearable. They say what doesn’t kill you, makes you stronger. We hope whoever said that is right.” 

Muscles grow stronger after exercise tears the tiny fibers of muscle cells and the body repairs those damaged fibers. We know that physical wounds can heal with time and proper care. But we often ignore the fact that emotional pain can too. 

If you need a little relief from whatever pain you’re carrying, talk to someone, make something, or help someone else in need.  

Pain can point the way to growth. 

Want a new headshot?

Our partner MPB is offering a portrait session at our next event on Nov 17th at Harry Ransom Center.

Spots are limited, so sign up at this form.

Please note that you need to be registered for the event also.

MPB transforms the way that people buy, sell, and trade in photo and video gear. 

Our global theme for November is RHYTHM. It was chosen by our Basel chapter and illustrated by Patrizia Stalder.  

What rhythms set your pace? A celestial rhythm is pulsing all around us. The earth spins. The sun rises and sets. The moon pulls and releases the tides twice every day. The seasons loop each year. Natural, constant patterns of back-and-forth. But we also live amidst the unnatural rhythms of flickering fluorescent lights, pinging notifications, and vehicles idling at traffic signals. Rhythm can light you up or burn you out. 

Rhythm is the heartbeat of creativity. It provides the structure we crave; a framework for ideas to take shape. By recognizing patterns and breaking them, we can find our unique voice. 

Rhythm serves as a catalyst for the power of a dancer’s movement. The pacing of a poet’s sentences. The cadence of an actor’s voice. The timing of a comedian’s punchline. The strokes of a painter’s brush. The meter of a musician’s notes. All that creativity just keeps going and flowing. Rat-a-tat-tat. Tap into your own rhythm and follow wherever it takes you. 

How do you keep your own beat? Listen to your breath. Listen to your heart.

What does creativity mean to you? Help us celebrate 10 years of CreativeMornings/Austin by participating in a special project.

We’re working on a unique way to document the power of this community by interviewing the people who make it so amazing. That’s you!

So, tell us about what creativity means to you.

You can also share how CreativeMornings/Austin has made an impact on you. Or how coming to our events makes you feel.

Danielle Goldfarb from TheUntethered.Life is conducting the interviews over zoom. You can schedule a time to talk to her here.

Audio from all of the interviews will be edited together into a unique piece.

CLICK HERE TO SCHEDULE AN INTERVIEW SLOT TO BE PART OF THIS PROJECT.


The last time we tried anything special like this was a poem for our 2nd birthday!
And it turned out pretty cool.

Show & Tell at our 10th Birthday Party was a wonderful display of creativity!

Here’s a recap of everyone who shared. Thank y'all for coming!

Alison Tugwell, Writer, Coach & Founder of Punspoken

Alison Tugwell is a writer, marketing coach, and the founder & producer of Punspoken, a puns + spoken word poetry event series in Austin, TX. She is the author of the Amazon #1 Best Selling book, Word Awakening: Stop Writer’s Block and Start Creating Impact Now and a Marketing Expert with the ASK Method® Company. Her work has been featured by the Austin Chronicle, Austin Monthly, CBS Austin, Huff Post, Thrive Global + more.

Follow on Instagram: @alisonperrie
Sites: https://www.alisonptugwell.com/
http://punspoken.com  

Allison Lash, Multimedia Visual Artist

Allison Lash is a multi-media visual artist who earned her MFA from Rutgers University in NJ.  A former NYC public school art educator, Allison created Awesome Art! in Austin where she designs and facilitates hands-on workshops for schools and community based public projects.  Allison continues to explore materials and techniques and is currently obsessed with working in clay, a medium she returned to after a few years away.  By scraping away, digging into, and further manipulating the material, Allison experiments with making clay sculptural pieces that are locally fired in a soda or gas kiln in Austin.  

Follow on Instagram: @AwesomeArtAustin

April Sullivan, Mixed Media Artist

April Sullivan has lived in Austin for over 30 years and works as an arts administrator and visual artist. Her focus is mixed media, specifically using pages from recycled books to create what is called blackout poetry or found poetry. The poems are a way to express her inner thoughts and feelings that she may not even realize she is experiencing. They are fun and freeing. April then embellishes these found poems with collage, gouache, marker, and inks. The mixed media pieces are then mounted as wall hanging works of art.

Follow on Instagram: @ArtworkByAprilS

Cecily Sailer, Writer and Creative Coach

Cecily Sailer is a creative coach and founder of Typewriter Tarot, which offers guidance and inspiration for Creative Spirits. Cecily’s mission in life is to help people claim their creativity fully and create with more passion, freedom, and pleasure. 

Prior to launching Typewriter Tarot, Cecily earned an MFA in fiction from the University of Houston, and worked for 10 years running community-based literary arts programs for people of all ages. Her writing and reporting on books, Texas history, and social care have appeared in Dallas Morning News, Texas Monthly, Austin Fit Magazine, The Texas Observer, and Resolve Magazine.

Follow on Instagram: @typewritertarot
Site: https://www.typewritertarot.com
Bonus points, watch her  CreativeMornings talk from August 2022 on the theme of KISMET.

Cody Travis Maher, Filmmaker & Photographer

Hi there, my name is Cody Travis Maher, I am a 32 year old freelance filmmaker and travel photographer based in the US. I have been producing videos for over 15 years and can handle all aspects of filmmaking including planning, directing, photography, and editing. I have extensive experience in creating content for social media, internal communications and brand identity. I am also a skilled photographer with experience in portrait, landscape, architectural, and astrophotography. My portfolio includes filming events, corporate, interviews, branding, music, documentary, weddings, and much more. I consider myself highly versatile and can be challenged to imagine a solution to most any marketing goal.

Follow on Instagram: @codytmaher
Site: https://codytravis.com/

Elena Lopez, Fiber Artist

My name is Elena Lopez and I am a fiber artist! I work at a gender justice non profit, but in my free time (or anytime I have to wait for more than three minutes) I am crocheting. I’m an Oregonian at heart, where indoor activities are essential to cope with the endless rainy season and where I learned to sew and crochet as a child. Crocheting allows my creativity and love of colors and texture to shine! From wearables to home decor to abstract pieces, I can weave yarn into something beloved.

Follow on Instagram: @laleona555

Elina Nikol J, Storyteller & Poet

Elina Nikol J. is a storyteller and poet. Her stories center around female protagonists trying to figure out this life thing while her poetry explores her thoughts and observations on the world. When she’s not writing fiction or poetry, she’s writing nonfiction under her real name (Erin Nicole Johnson). She’s not one of those writers who likes to write in silence and is always open to learning about new artists. Originally from Louisiana, followed by a ten-year stay in Florida, she currently resides in Del Valle, TX.

Follow on Instagram: @elinanikolj.writes
Site: https://elinanikolj.com/
Medium: @elinanikolj

Lucero Archuleta Valle, Photographer

In the sun-drenched landscapes of Northern Mexico, my journey began, fueled by an early passion for photography and business. Today, I call Austin, Texas, home, where I’ve harnessed that passion to establish a thriving photography business and a certified women and minority-owned creative studio. Picture my studio as a hub of resourcefulness, where passion and collaboration collide. It’s not just about my talents; it’s about fusing them with my clients’ expertise. Whether they’re aiming for business growth, increased sales, or to stand out in the crowd, together, we craft a visual masterpiece that unveils their brilliance.

Follow on Instagram: @lucero.studio
Site: https://www.lucerocreativebusiness.com/

Natalie Chapman, Artist, Photographer & Designer

Raised in Austin, Texas, my artistic journey began with ceramics and blossomed into mixed media and photography. My background in automotive repair led to my current role as an engineer tech in Applied Materials’ robot department. Beyond my job, I’m studying visual communication to blend design skills with my artistic pursuits. Ultimately, my ambition is to return to the automotive industry, but this time with a keen design focus, aspiring to create a positive impact in the future.

Follow on Instagram: @chapmanwerks
Site: https://nataliechapman.myportfolio.com/    

Rosanna Turner, Writer, Comedian & Storyteller

Rosanna Turner is a writer, comedian and storyteller. She performs standup regularly at local comedy spots around Austin. Her debut novel, a romantic comedy titled Romance vs. Reality, is set to be published early next year.

Follow on Instagram: @intellectualdonuts
Site: https://rosannaturner.com/

Upasna Kakroo, Brand Storyteller & Children’s Book Writer

Upasna has been a brand storyteller for over 20 years and currently leads a nonprofit, Peerbagh in Austin, Texas where she leads creative confidence and storytelling workshops for kids and adults. She is the winner of Writing Barn’s fellowship and also received the Elevate Grant from the City of Austin in 2023. Her first book of nonfiction (City Wi-Fi networks, Lap Publications) was published in 2012, and her first children’s book (Lil’ Danny Runs a Race) was published in 2018. In 2021, she wrote a children’s book, Shaliya Discovers Coronavirus Frumpfchi which was translated into 17 languages. She lives in Austin with her husband and toddler. 

Follow on Instagram: @peerbagh.stories
Site: https://peerbagh.com

Our global theme for October is ENDURANCE. It was chosen by our Timisoara chapter and illustrated by Ana Kun

Keep your social feeds going and going with the hashtags #CMendurance & #CMATX

Endurance is the unwavering flame that burns within us, illuminating a path through darkness and uncertainty. It is the quiet strength that emerges when challenges test our limits, urging us to push beyond what we thought possible. Endurance is not a mere moment but a relentless spirit that whispers, “keep going” when the world feels heavy.

Life’s journey is marked by peaks and valleys, and it is endurance that sustains us during the uphill climbs. It teaches us that setbacks are not defeats but stepping stones towards growth and resilience. With each obstacle we conquer, our spirits grow stronger, and our determination becomes unshakable.

In a world that values instant gratification, endurance is a reminder that the most rewarding victories are born from patience and perseverance. It is the ability to rise, even when we fall, and to embrace the transformative power of persistence. So, let us celebrate the tenacity that resides within us, for in the face of adversity, it is endurance that leads us towards the summit of our potential.

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