If it happened by chance was it meant to be?

This is the story of how Woman Creative came to be - I think it is somewhat of a small miracle, the kind that is right in your own back yard.
When I (Barbara McGuire) realized I had very limited time before my sons would be leaving the nest - and my tax returns showed nearly 20K miles.......I decided I needed to stay home in 2011. I was behind on everything - paperwork, correspondences, proposals....I didn't even have a Facebook page! I had to take a chance just to gain sanity in my life. So I left my schedule completely open - knowing something would happen.
It was October, and I had just spent ten days on the road so I thought I'd sink my feet into the ground by going to an art opening at my all-time favorite - the Tannery Row Artist Colony. It didn't take long for me to want to be a part of the scene - I thought I'd rent a wall. Then a figured I may as well rent a whole studio so I could teach. Immediately I made a proposal to join the colony again. But low and behold - they thought teaching would be disruptive to the other artists. Yikes! - I threw up my hands and surrendered - saying "I am not going to fight this - or change their mission statement, I am going to let the universe bring it to me". (I think I literally said that out loud!) Maybe that's what they mean by - let go and let God. My friends encouraged me to look for other space and I knew the rents were low. Two other artist friends I knew were also looking for teaching space. So I thought OK - I will keep my eyes open and consider all possibilities.
It wasn't long - I think a week later - I was going to the bank on Main Street and noticed a 'For Rent' sign a few doors down on one of the suites in a huge historic warehouse. The building is very cool - it used to be a harness factory. The whole town is actually built on the leather industry of the late 1800's. It's one of those towns alongside the railroad tracks that has old southern antebellum mansions and a lot of colorful history. I wondered if there were ghosts in there..........but to my surprise, the space for rent had been partially built out - and it would make a perfect studio. The price had dropped three times and a perspective tenant had just backed out. What a coincidence - and there I was!
I called my friends for advice and immediately got the support I was hoping for. The opportunity increased as my dear friend Ellen Prophater was willing to share the commitment and the work in making this space a realization of dreams. Ellen had always wanted a gallery, and I had always wanted a design school, and Patricia needed a place to teach her wonderful altered arts, and Jan is beginning a new career in wire wrapping, and Sue -well, she's our advisor because she's done it all before. We used the name Woman Creative because I already had it registered and it so accurately describes our passion. I will still produce the publication I had planned - now called Woman Creative Companion Cards - which was the beginning of this particular blog - two years ago! So everything has fallen into place - at the perfect time. The furniture has done musical chairs and landed where it needs to go - it's almost like 'Mary Poppins'! Well, not quite, because we have put a ton of work into it. But it has been our joy and there's so much more to come. We hope you stay tuned and become a part of our adventure! I just had to tell you how it all began because if you believe in miracles............

Encouraging Words

Since I have first begun to develop WOMAN Creative, a number of my friends have been right there with me, each adding words of advice or encouragement. At times I have had doubts, not in what I was doing, but how successful I would actually be and if it were good enough to stand up to what's already out there. If I began l looking - at the wrong time - at other artist's work - or other magazines - I could get intimidated and overwhelmed, as if my efforts would never be adequate. Fear starts brewing. It was at such a time, not long ago, one of my women friends came to my rescue with Biblical words of advice. "Do not compare ourselves to others." she said while we were working. I drank in those words like the antidote to a poison. It doesn't matter if I am religious or not, I can gain strength from the depth and wisdom of timeless advice. I can't deny it is comforting to know they are in the Bible, not only is it advice; it's an order of the Universe! As I contemplated the words I realized all the beliefs I embraced for adopting this philosophy. Another good friend (this one male) also recently said "Sometimes it's better not to know what you can't do." This could adequately apply to all the pioneers, inventors, researchers and perhaps even Bugsby (visionary of Las Vegas). My point is that it applies to WOMAN Creative. My point is that it applies to me and you. Woman Creative is a set of tools to help you become what you are, without compare. It is the essence of being you. Individual and Unique. The incomparable you. Go for it!

You are Woman Creative

The more I do art, the more I do life, I realize timing is everything. And when the time is right, everything is perfect. We are always trying to push it, delay it, hold on to it, but it's not tangible. It's just part of our being that 'happens' without us interfering. I am using this metaphor to explain what Woman Creative is about - it's something that happens without cause. By itself. That thing that you can't touch, but will always be. That essence of what drives you - challenges you and delights you, all because it is your nature.

Woman Creative is also about other women. For a long time I contemplated the name, Woman Creative or Women Creative? I chose Woman Creative because I want each reader to feel this is unique for you as an individual. Your choices, your desires, your fulfillments. The Creative part is the bonding, that's the community. Above all obvious commonalities amongst women, for me it's the spark of creativity that brings relationships passionately alive. It doesn't matter what medium, what skill level, what resource level or outcome - only that there is a common energy of creative passion.

So Woman Creative is designed to serve. Designed to provide resources. Designed to celebrate beauty. Designed to create lessons (actual design lessons) that apply to all artists, regardless of medium, or skill level. With all the incredible resources at hand, it's never been a better time to be a Creative Woman!

Hope you'll join me! I can't wait to tell you what it's going to look like!
Barbara McGuire

Woman Creative

Welcome to a fresh take on creative women!