How do we follow our heart’s dreams in this age of imminent destruction of our planet, our familiar ways of living? Why even dream in such a dire, uncertain time? What kinds of dreams? And how? Continue Reading
Creative Sparks
Real tools and firelight for artists and dreamers to create inspired lives
Singing Our Way Home
One of the tenderest and most beautiful moments in my mother’s final days was the night before she died. My brother Josh sat singing to her for hours as she lay breathing raggedly, eyes closed, sunk deep into herself. And one by one all of my siblings and me, our spouses who were there, two […] Continue Reading
Living Life as Prayer
Sometime this past year I set the intention to live my life as prayer. I have carried this intention, less clearly named, for most of my life. I remember a summer when I was around 15 or 16 that a young homeless man granted me three magic wishes. I wished to become a great musician, […] Continue Reading
The Extraordinary Gifts of Poetry and Art
What is it you come to poetry and art for? What extraordinary treasures are to be found there? Continue Reading
You Can Only Please Yourself
Trying to please others in our art is the road to creative death, and also to making bland art. What the world needs is you in all your uniqueness. Continue Reading
Starving Is Not Good for Artists
Financial stress and anxiety block creativity. Here’s how. And one idea I’m trying to resolve it. Continue Reading
When the Path of Dreams Becomes a Road Through Hell
I am sacrificing and risking wildly to follow my path of dreams: To be a great artist, a great writer. I am “following my bliss.”
But it doesn’t always feel blissful. Continue Reading
Art That Heals: A Manifesto
As artists, how do we respond to the crises in our world today? In such dire times, how can what we create make a difference? In this clarion call to artists, I offer a powerful, inspiring vision for how art can heal, matter, create new possibilities, change our world. Without prescribing any style or form […] Continue Reading
The Challenge of Self-Worth for the Artist
An artist must take risks. An artist must be willing to be vulnerable in her art. But, being vulnerable does not come
easily to us. We are afraid to show up as who we are, to reveal our true
selves. To do that, we must develop self-worth. Continue Reading
2018 Year In Review
This past year, I gave myself a huge gift. I cut back my teaching hours by half and poured myself into my writing life. Here’s what I learned, what I did and didn’t accomplish, and where I’m setting my sights now. Continue Reading
2 Comments
Thank you Maxima. I appreciate you in many ways, especially how you grow through self-reflection and thorough investigation of process. I’s impressive and inspiring. Judy Nielsen
Thank you, Judy, for letting me know!