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Creative Soul Artist of the Month Spotlight

Twice a month Kathy features a creative soul that has the same sun sign (the day you were born) as the New Moon and Full Moon. You are invited to discuss how your sun sign influences, inspires and effects your work - interview questions are included at the end of this post. Here are some past examples of Creative Soul Spotlights.

More Awesome Reasons to be featured on Kathy's Creative Soul Blog. Read Kathy's Press Release.

Spotlight Feature - Info:

1. You will be featured on Kathy's Creative Soul Artist Spotlight along with your interview (see below), photos of your products/services, a short bio, and photo of you, plus the option of holding a giveaway for one of your products or services. Your article will be promoted through Kathy's extensive social networking sites and you'll be featured in Kathy's Creative Soul Museletter twice in one month with an accompanying product shot.

2.  Create and submit your Ad: a 125 x 125 pixel image tile that will appear on every page of our website and blog (right sidebar) along with a spotlight feature article on Kathy's Creative Soul Blog to help promote and highlight you, your products and services.

Get Started:

1. Submit your art and ad for approval and pricing information.

2. We will review, approve and invoice you within 48 hours if your service/product and ad are accepted.

3. You will receive an email with a 1 click invoice to be paid through paypal which means we also accept all major credit cards and international payments.

4. Your ad goes live as soon as we receive your payment and you will start connecting right away with amazing women all over the world! We will also begin working on your feature spotlight article and set a publish date that suits your needs.

Email Kathy to get started!

Deadlines 2010 & 2011

Early Dec. - Gemini Late Dec.- Capricorn

Early Jan. - Cancer Late Jan. - Aquarius

Early Feb. - Leo Late Feb. - Pisces

Early Mar. - Virgo Late Mar. - Aries

Early Apr. - Libra Late Apr. - Taurus

Early May - Scorpio Late May - Gemini

Early June - Sagittarius Late June - Cancer

Benefits of being featured:

• Reach a larger audience. As an influential blogger with a large audience Kathy will promote you to: 1000 Newsletter subscribers, 1000 Blog Followers, 800 Facebook Fans, almost 2000 Facebook Friends and 2700 Twitter Followers. Kathy teaches a virtual eClass, Awaken Your Divine Feminine Soul at Susun Weed's Wise Woman University and is a regular columnist for Susun's Weed Wanderings ezine which has over 19,000 subscribers.

• Connect, inspire and touch hearts through your stories and creativity.

• Get noticed! Express yourself freely knowing that you are amongst friends who will understand and commend you for your courage in living creatively and intuitively.

• Cross promotion is one of  the best ways to increase sales and enlarge your customer base.

• Many featured artists have reported increased sales of their work directly linked to their appearance on Kathy's Creative Soul Blog - yahooo!
• More benefits here!

Featured Artist Comments:

Thank you for the opportunity to be seen in your blog and the opportunity for a little self discovery as I thought about your blog interview questions. I hadn't told most of my friends and family about my shop yet (I didn't want to seem like I was selling to them and my confidence was low). I did have the confidence to tell them about the blog interview though and the response was so amazing! It was so nice to hear their thoughts after reading your interview post and to feel their support. It was a great way to show my creative side to my family and friends.

Again thank you for all you do with your blog! It's great for artists to read about other artist's and why they do the things we do. There's a certain kinship there!

Jennifer King, Book artist, printmaker

I love the path I have chosen and writing this is such an affirmation. I wish you many Blessings in love in light.

Ellen Roche, TheSpiralGoddess

I just checked it out & it looks awesome! More than that, I had a great time doing it! It really gave me new insight into my work & myself. Thanks again for the opportunity! I will visit your site again, I love it! Keep shining!

Robin Rizzi, Collage artist

What a cool thing for me to sit and acknowledge my feelings in a way that I could put my thoughts into words. It has brightened my spirit and given me a new sense of courage. Thank you for your post. I can't say I would have taken the time to voice this otherwise. Regardless of whether or not I am chosen, I am glad that I came across your thread and wrote a response.

Dianna, Fine artist

I like the idea of people getting inspired to think outside of their normal realms! Thank you so much for featuring me, it was a fun thing to do and I like how it made me think about my work in a really different way!

Gillian, Faery photographer

Creative Soul Spotlight Badges - New!

You can copy these buttons/badges for use on your website, blog, Facebook & more!

More featured artists here: New Moon Artists, Full Moon Artists, Guest Writers.

Interview Questions (optional):

1. What aspect of creating your art or craft do you find the most enjoyable?

2. What originally got you started creating your art or craft?

3. Who has inspired you the most creatively, and why?

4. How did you decide what medium to work in?

5. How does your zodiac sign influence your creativity?

6. What do you like best about your sign and least?

7. What message, if any, do you want to convey with your art or craft?

8. If you had to choose a fruit or vegetable to describe yourself, what would you choose and why?

9. If you had to choose one other medium in which to display your creativity, what would that be and why?

10. What advice do you have for others who are just starting to develop creatively?

11. Is there anything else you'd like to share?

Don't Forget To Include:

• a photo of you
• a photo of you creating your art/craft (optional)
• a short bio of 3-7 sentences
• links to your shop, website, blog

Email Kathy to get started!

New Moon in Cancer (Again!) Artist Feature

New Moon in Cancer

July 21
7:35 pm PDT

This month we are having yet another New Moon in Cancer (the second in 2 months!) So if you are still working on learning last month's New Moon in Cancer Lessons you will have another chance this month to keep at it. Plus, we will be experiencing a Total Solar Eclipse at the exact same time as the New Moon.

The New Moon in Cancer brings up lots of memories and all the emotions accompanying them. This is a fertile time as tears fall more readily so take some time to allow your tears to strengthen and nourish your roots. I find that a good healthy, healing cry can be a very cathartic and freeing experience. All the arts are encouraged, especially the alchemy of cooking. Work on bringing the water element (Cancer is a water element moon) into your life. Try to identify what you are resisting - can you let it go? (Partly excerpted from the We'Moon Datebook.)

This will be the longest running Solar Eclipse in over a century - it lasts for 6 minutes and 39 seconds! When the Sun darkens during the eclipse, it's a good time to meditate on how best to get out of your own way, so more light can shine upon your unique gifts.

"In general, maximal intuitional access is ours during total solar eclipses, when the intuitive Moon obscures the egoic Sun and healing knowledge arises from within." Barbara Hand Clow

Cancer Keywords: "I feel", devotion, intuitive, touchy, security, domestic, manipulative, emotional, sensitive, nurturing, brooding.

Cancer Goddesses: Mama Cocha, Isis, Tien Hou, Circe

Cancer Gemstones: Pearl, Moonstone

Cancer Animal Spirits: Bee, Crab

Astrology provides us with a universal symbolic language that teaches us how to attune and work with our unique gifts in service to all of humanity. You can better understand what the universe is asking of you by working with the energy of the New and Full Moons through meditation, contemplation and private time alone. You can learn more about what an eclipse is and how it might effect you here. I also offer a New Moon Reading for those wishing to explore the New Moon's effect based upon it's position in your astrological birth chart wheel.

This month I am welcoming back last month's Cancerian New Moon artist, Jennifer Swiderski to discuss how this double Cancerian New Moon whammy is affecting her! Jenn is an American visual artist, sometimes writer and spiritual counselor originally from Norfolk, Virginia who currently lives in the Southwestern United States.

"The Muse" - oil on canvas

Spotlight on Cancerian Artist, Jennifer Bernard Swiderski

As a Cancerian artist, I feel this particular New Moon time is very exciting and significant for me, both as an artist and as a spiritual student of life. For me art is not separate from life, it is a reflection and record of my journey. Everything I am experiencing now is also being reflected and felt in my art. I have definitely felt a sense of urgency this summer, like everything is 'building' up to something.

As I reflected upon the wisdom that Kathy shared in this blog post about the New Moon and the interesting celestial events happening this month and last they seemed to mirror my life in the same way my art does. Right now I am trying to learn to let a very powerful transformation happen within me artistically and personally as I try to 'get out of my own way'.

This year especially, I have been creating more direct, contemporary works of art (see painting at the top of this post.) I absolutely love creating this new work, (and have been for a few years,) but for some reason have felt reluctant to go fully into it as a career, perhaps because it is so raw and personal (and also I feel very tied to the work I am already known for.) But this year is different, I can feel an up-welling of emotion just beneath the surface as questions and inspirations pour forth, much like the element of water represented by my Cancer sun sign.

I am working to incorporate these celestial lessons these celestial events by meditations involving a small ceremony of 'letting go' and 'letting in' the new, (like water) wash over me, through me, and out of me in new ways, without reservations. I have also been creating works that seem to have a watery theme to them and all directions are pointing me towards letting go and letting grow. Sometimes the amount of inspiration I feel flowing through me is almost overwhelming so I am very excited to share my new work with the world.

My hope is that the new art I create and share will have an even more moving, powerful and significant effect upon others, and will inspire you to do the same on your journey.

You can find out more about Jennifer Swiderski online at:
Her Website: http://WisdomPathArt.com
Blog: http://WisdomPathArt.blogspot.com
Her Newest Blog: http://BetterArt.blogspot.com
Twitter: http://twitter.com/OutspokenArtist

To discover more New Moon Artists on this blog please click here.

New Moon In Cancer Artist Feature

New Moon in Cancer

June 22
12:35 pm PDT

The New Moon in Cancer encourages heightened sensitivity as we water our memories, nourish our roots and express our emotions with tears and solitude. It's a great time to nest, cook and share food, enjoy home, family, long baths, long walks and quiet time. (Excerpted from the We'Moon Datebook.)

This month's featured Cancerian is an American visual artist, sometimes writer and spiritual counsellor originally from Norfolk, Virginia who currently lives in the Southwestern United States.

Spotlight on Cancerian Artist, Jennifer Bernard Swiderski

As an artist and a Cancer many of the archetypes (personality traits) of Cancer play an important and interesting role in my artistic process. The main trait relating to my creativity would have to be environment and love of home. Cancers are good at creating nurturing, peaceful, beautiful home environments.For me, home is vitally important and not just my physical environment, but also my spiritual, and psychological internal environment. I am very careful and protective (another Cancerian trait) of creating an environment where my peace of mind and spirit are protected and my creativity can flourish.

I enter a deeply personal internal place during the creation of my work. It is a type of meditation, or spiritual practice that involves listening to music and clearing distractions before beginning work. I always say a prayer and 'clear' my area, then ‘go to my creative place' internally as I open myself to expanded states of consciousness during which I receive guidance from my Higher Self, the angelic realm, ancestors, and all aspects of the divine or light.

When I develop new ideas or work out creative problems, these aspects also play a huge role in my process. I go out into the world, have interactions and experiences, but then return to my 'inner world' to create, having taken this knowledge, stimulation and experience and then sublimated it, like a filter into my work. In the peace of my own Cancerian space, I then feel free to let go, as my internal visions come out and into my ideas and artwork.

Another aspect of my creativity is that I love sharing my work. This last aspect of my process is vital because my work is primarily based in spiritual and personal archetypes, I’m not just re-creating ideas or images that already exist. So by sharing the work and interacting with others I am learning and growing spiritually, and hopefully helping others do the same on their journey in life.

Lastly, as a Cancer, and an artist, I am also very sensitive, sometimes internalizing TOO much. Sharing the work, and interacting with collectors and viewers helps "pull me out of my Cancer shell" and when I hear that the work has made someone happy, or inspired them in some way, it really pulls me out of that place and lifts me up. Finally, I consider my work a success when it has inspired or moved a viewer in some way.

You can find more of Jennifer’s work online at:

Her Website: www.WisdomPathArt.com

Her Blog: www.WisdomPathArt.blogspot.com

To discover more New Moon Artists please go here.

New Moon in Gemini Triple Artist Feature

New Moon in Gemini
May 24
5:11 am PDT

Plan on play and witty verbal exchange during airy, communicative New Moon in Gemini. This is a good time to put energy into friendships, to attend meetings, or to study something of interest. Let your curiosity keep you on the move and in the moment. Excerpted from the We'Moon Journal & Datebook.

This month I'm featuring lots and lots of Gemini artists because, well, Gemini does like company! Also interesting to note, is the fact that it was Gemini jewelers who responded to my call for Gemini artists. You'll understand more after reading their stories explaining how jewelry making just fits so well with a Gemini personality!

Spotlight on Gemini Jeweler Meredith Lasko
"First time customers at my jewelry booth often ask, “How many artists are represented here? The styles are all so different!”

As a Gemini artist, variety is my raison d’etre. I exist to create. One day I’ll spend six hours on an uber-meticulous wire-wrapped and crystal piece, and the next day it’s chunky gemstones and wood. My display is brimming with jewelry, and no two pieces are identical. I call my style “Zen jewelry” — whatever the inspiration of the moment is, I flow with it.

I also built my display booth - modular wooden stands that can be set up quickly, and fold down neatly at the end of the day. Geminis are good at working with their hands, and I equally enjoy stringing beads or assembling wood. Art and craft are a continuum — I think of an idea and create it with my hands, whatever the medium. I’ve made acrylic paintings, wire puppets, and wall hangings.

Geminis are known as great communicators, and I communicate most clearly through writing. Whereas visual art expresses one side of my creativity, written art — poetry and essays — gives voice to both my intellect and emotions.

So many ideas, and only (I think) one lifetime to go. I have been blessed."

You can find more of Meredith's jewelry online at:
Writing: http://www.meredithlaskow.com
Jewelry: http://www.meredithbead.com

Spotlight on Gemini Jeweler - Carla at Twilight Designs
"I am a Gemini. I love shiny things and little things. My work is forever evolving as I lose interest in one thing and then gain it in something else. I began making jewelry because I was interested in lampworking and chain maille and wanted to teach myself how to do it. Somehow, that has evolved into making jewelry from wire and glass, stone, and shells. Lately, I've begun making wire and glass trees like the one featured here. I think my Geminian analytical brain leads me to a style of working that is very detailed and intricate (although not the kind of detail that would require an excessive amount of patience!)

I love making jewelry because it allows me and my short attention span to focus on multiple things at once. I usually make jewelry while watching tv or listening to the radio or talking to friends.

You can find more of Carla’s jewelry online at:
Etsy: http://DesignsByTwilight.etsy.com

Spotlight on Gemini Jeweler Diana
"I am a Gemini and I do think that my work reflects that. For one thing, I don't have 'a look' mainly because I get bored doing the same thing over and over again. I need variety, a very Geminian trait!

Also, as you can see I have lots of styles of jewelry, one for each of my sides I guess! I can also say that I don't make anything unless I'm in the right 'mood,' because my moods do rule my life.

What I find so intriguing about making jewelry is that it keeps me interested because there is so much to choose from: gemstones, findings, colors, shapes, textures; they all keep my brain engaged and excited - you know how quickly we get bored...

What I think is interesting about me personally is that I have a very analytical job which I love that totally feeds that side of my personality, and then I feed my creative side by doing jewelry - so it balances two aspects of my personality that are important to my well-being.

You can find more of Diana's jewelry online at:
Web: http://www.dr-beaded-jewelry.com/index.htm
Blog: http://drbeadedjewelry.blogspot.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Desert-Rain-Jewelry/80017356412

If you are interested in delving into your own New Moon influences to be prepared and get inspired for the month ahead I offer a New Moon Astrology and Soul Reading here (scroll part way down the page.)

To read more New Moon Artist posts please click here.

New Moon in Gemini Artist Feature

Get Ready for The New Moon in Gemini
May 24
5:11 am PDT

The New Moon in Gemini speeds our thoughts and nerves. It's time to weave the web with words, to talk, listen, laugh, sing and write, juggle possibilities, just don't get spread too thin! Network, express, negotiate, weed, and rearrange, but avoid planting. Excerpted from the We'Moon Journal & Datebook.

This month I'm featuring several Gemini artists because Gemini is represented by the twins. Today's spotlight is on London born, Edinburgh based musician, Woody Taylor who I was honoured to connect with on Twitter.

Spotlight on Gemini Musician, Woodstock Taylor

"Being a singer/songwriter is an ideal occupation for a Gemini, because it involves doing several things at once; writing words, composing melodies and singing them - maybe playing an instrument at the same time. I'm in distinguished company: other Geminis include Bob Dylan, Cole Porter, Peggy Lee, Paul McCartney, Ray Davies, Paul Weller, Prince, Noel Gallagher, Kanye West, Tupac Shakur, Lionel Richie and Barry Manilow, to name a few. I may not be as famous as any of them but I do feel a certain vague kinship with my fellow Gemini artists.

It's often been said that being a Gemini is like being two people for the price of one; happy, moody, extroverted, introverted, shallow, deep and predictably unpredictable. As a double Gemini (I am Gemini rising too,) what can I say - you don't get two, you get four! Life is many things, but never dull.

As far as my own music-making goes, I guess I'm driven by a very typically Geminian urge to try everything. This translates into a studio littered with different musical instruments, all of which I enjoy getting to work, though I am much more of a singer than an instrumentalist. People ask what kind of music I write and I have to explain that it depends on the song. A bit of blues, a bit of pop, some jazz... a bit of this and a bit of that, but it all sounds like me.

I like the craft of songwriting - it's part storytelling and part composing, assembling the right words and music to get the message and the mood across in a tight structural format. Geminis often have the reputation of being gossips and truth-seekers - Gemini songwriters just do it to music!

With Mars in Pisces I am your typical dreamy artistic type, while Venus in Aries means I've usually got one thing other than music on my mind - and it's the favourite topic of songwriters through the ages, so there's never going to be any danger of running out of subject matter!

But of course being a double Gemini means that I can take the whole thing with a pinch of salt, or very seriously, and be whomever, and whatever I want to be today; mystical, scientific, analytical, scatty, wordy, political, minimalist, melancholy, funny - take your pick!"

You can find Woodstock Taylor online at Myspace.

I offer a New Moon Reading for those of you interested in being prepared and getting inspired for the month ahead based upon where the New Moon falls in your natal birth chart.

To read about more New Moon Artists please click here.