Embody Mental Health

Posts Tagged ‘dirty footprints studio’

Through a virtual six {link} degrees of separation I stumbled upon Connie Hozvicka, Dirty Footprints Studio {love the name} and a virtual landscape of artistic passion, inspiration, and literary musings that felt like, intuitively, they evoked emotional growth, change, and facilitated personal growth.  All the best things art can do…and often do, do with little need for any “doctoring” they just exude therapeutic experience all on their own.  The programs, writing, and art journaling going on at Dirty Footprints Studio seem to fit the bill for being one of those kinds of modes of catharsis.  Connie’s own passion bounces off the page in lively vibrant colors, belly musings, and artistic journaling as well as prompts to prompt her readers into creative creation of their own.  I love that.  So, I of course had to ask her if she would lend her voice of creative expression and passion to the interview series over here at the MY EMBODIMENT BLOG.  She graciously agreed!  The following is a bit of Connie and her artistic self.

Connie Hozvicka is a full time Artist and Creative Wildwoman that breathes fire into the world through her blog/obsession/biz Dirty Footprints Studio. She believes with her whole entire being that Art can transform lives and that painting is a powerful tool to unlock all possibility.  She teaches FEARLESS Painting™, Art Journal LOVE™, and all things Creative Juicy–in person, online and in her sleep. And when she’s not playing a FEARLESS Painter on her YouTube channel, she’s actually living her dream-painting FEARLESS in the studio! Plus, she lives worshiping the sun in Arizona, has the world’s most fantastic-loving-supportive partner, Hansel, and she shares her studio with two adorable furry creatures: Nyla the dog and Theo the cat! Together–plus throw in some Yoga– this makes up her Creative Juicy Life that she rambles on about at Dirty Footprints Studio at http://www.dirtyfootprints-studio.com.

Q: When did your love of art begin? Do you remember the inception once upon a time? What drew you to this form of expression {pun not intended}?

Art and I have been together from day one. Well, at least since the day I could pick up my first crayon! As a kiddo I never owned a Barbie doll or anything typical like that. I always wanted Art supplies and things that I could make stuff from. Growing up my artistic endeavors were always supported except for the time I painted a mural on the family room wall as a surprise for my Mom. But I was lucky to have a family that believed in my talents and would deal with my independent spirit as I was a teenager. I’m not quite sure what drew me to Art, other then I was born this way.

Q: When did yoga enter into your life? What kind of yoga do you love to practice? Do you see a relationship between the artist in you and the yogini in you? How does one practice enhance the other?

The first time I ever did a Yoga posture I was around nine years old and it was cobra. My Dad practiced Yoga and he gave me a tiny, paperback book of Yoga poses that creeped me out. It was totally published in the early 1970′s and all the models were wearing tight leotards–including the men. Should I say more.

But gratefully a seed was planted in my young heart that has grown and blossomed into a life sustaining practice throughout my entire adult life.

I do not tie myself to one thought or form of Yoga practice per se. For me, Yoga has fused into all areas of my lifestyle–and at times I may crave the nourishing stillness of yin yoga, while other times challenge my boundaries with some power vinyasa. Altogether, I believe the powerful core of Yoga is to constantly practice self awareness and kindness in my day-to-day life.

As an Artist I view my creativity as an extension of my Yoga. My most fulfilling work as a painter happens when I allow myself to fully embrace the moment–just like in Yoga. I am in constant awe of the gifts painting and Yoga have brought into my life, and I believe that the two exist and thrive because of one another.

Q: On your website/blog you highlight something weekly called “Belly Love”. What is “Belly Love”, where did the concept originate, and why is an important element of your writing?

Belly LOVE is a weekly blog post I publish every Tuesday that reflects my relationship in transforming not only my life–but my physical body as well. It all began as a blog post answer to Jamie Ridler’s Wishcasting Wednesday project in April 2010. In feeling uncomfortable in my own skin I wanted to do something drastic that would hold me accountable and help me commit to this journey of wellness. So I pulled up my shirt, shot a photo of my mushy belly, and posted it on my blog. I had no idea then how empowering this act would be–and what a huge response of love and support I would receive in return. Since then, I make a point to deeply reflect and give an honest portrayal of what it is for me to work to lose the weight and feel comfortable with who I am–mushy belly and all.

Q: What is “Art Journaling”? Do you find it to be a therapeutic exercise for you or others you have spoken to who Art Journal?

To strip it down, Art Journaling is basically the marriage of visual art and journal writing kept in a book format. Yeah, sounds kind of stuffy doesn’t it? But so far from the truth! Art Journaling is what you make of it–there is no right or wrong. All you need is a book to work in, a few basic Art materials, and the willingness to play and dive deeper into your self. To get a better sense of the depth of possibilities that exist in approaching this medium, you can check out 30 inspiring Artists I have included in my 30 JOURNALS 30 DAYS project on Dirty Footprints Studio HERE.

For myself, and I am sure I can speak for thousands of others as well, Art Journaling is hugely therapeutic. There is something about that feeling of play and discovery that can soothe a bad day. Also, I think that the combination of the intimacy of a book and the healing powers of color creates magic. I lose track of all time, responsibilities, worries, and fears when I open up my Art Journal and just let my creativity loose. I also find direction and answers there as well, and I wish for more people to embrace the beauty of Art Journaling. That was my intention behind creating my online workshop Art Journal LOVE Letters–to help others fall deeper in LOVE with Art Journaling and nurture the essence of their Creative Juicy Life.

Q: What about art is therapeutic or cathartic for your? How? What about yoga is therapeutic or cathartic for you? How?

Art is very therapeutic for me…even when I do not intend it to be. I paint intuitively. Meaning, I don’t go to the page with sketches and a concrete idea of where I want the work to go. The process of painting becomes a dance–a relationship. There are times I’ll be painting–and break down into tears, or scream, or the best–wild dancing!! But it always teaches me something about myself…and that, I guess is the essence of therapy, isn’t it?!?!

Yoga, is therapeutic as well–but on a different level. It opens me up. It breaks up all the junky-junk that I carry around from over working, over doing, over everything that I put my body through–to be successful, to be happy, to be fulfilled. It opens me up and brings much needed space into my life, so I can see that there really is no need to overdo it. Everything has it’s comfortable place. It all fits.

Q: What has it meant to have your voice, your art, and your thoughts virtualized? How has that impacted/informed your work, your life, your passions?

Expressing and sharing myself through my blog Dirty Footprints Studio has honestly changed my life in ways I would have never expected going into it two and a half years ago. For one thing, it has delivered me such amazing friendships that there is no way I would have found without my blog. My dearest friends in the world are people I have met through blogging, and we have extended our friendship into “real” life. This has been the best part of being a blogger, for sure.

Though equally blissful is that my Creative Juicy life has taken a new direction because of being a blogger. There is an awesome community of Artists online that are creating, inspiring, and living authentically through sharing on their blogs. The need to be in an Art gallery to have a voice in the Art world is no longer important. Artists are gathering together online and creating their own Art worlds–and I LOVE it!! I can share my Art and my creative life with those that are interested all from the comfort of my home in my pj’s! Plus, being a blogger has provided me with the means and courage to spread my wings and go out on my own. I left my full time job at the beginning of this July to pursue my dream to teach and paint on my own terms on a full time basis.

Q: How is the experience of teaching art?

I feel that teaching Art and my own personal journey of creating Art goes hand-in-hand. Both practices fuel each other and each challenge me to be better at what I aspire to do. I tend to teach what I want more of in my life—and I always create Art from an area of curiosity–that tends to be related to what I teach. Together, I consider both teaching and creating as my true purpose in this life, and I view both of these acts as more of a practice then a career. Every day I am learning to be a better Artist and a better teacher…and for me, that is a journey I look forward to traveling for the rest of my years.

Q: Artistic endeavors can mine and pull up so much emotional content for people; it leaves them open and raw. How have you seen this in your experience teaching art to others–adults and children? How do adults respond differently to the creative process than children–are children more open?

I have been teaching Art for over 15 years now. My first full time teaching position was as an Art Educator for the Cleveland Museum of Art where I gained eight years of teaching individuals of all ages, backgrounds, and skill levels. Plus–I had so much fun going to work each day with Picasso and VanGogh at my side! After that I spent the next seven-so years teaching in various settings, including the last four years in a public school. I have witnessed first hand the power Art has in people’s lives when we open ourselves to it. From what I noticed through the years too, is that both children and adults respond differently to the experience.

Children, especially young children, get excited about everything to do with Art. All you need to do is introduce them to a new material or technique and they jump right in. They create with out any judgement or consideration to what others might think. Their creativity is intuitive as well as impulsive and this is what I feel is the raw-emotional part of Art that many of us loose with time–and what adults struggle with the most later.

Adults, naturally come with more baggage when it comes to creativity. Many of the adults I meet have a story they’ve been telling themselves for years–that they’re not an Artist, or that they can’t draw, and most common: they’re not creative. I found with adults you need to hold their hand more often. It is crucial to create an environment and a structure where they feel safe to explore and that they have clear expectations and instructions on what to do. But honestly, the real rawness and space that can arrive with embracing Art in one’s life comes when we push past the self-imposed limitations we create. I find the greatest challenge in teaching adults is to find clever ways to guide adult students to this point in their own creativity without them feeling threatened. I have been doing this currently in my online class BIG, where a group of us are exploring painting big and embracing bigness in our lives through an intuitive painting process I call FEARLESS Painting.
I am in complete awe of my tribe of FEARLESS Painters, and they inspire me with their bravery day after day. That, I feel, is the greatest wealth of being a teacher.

Q: How has your journey with art interwoven with your life journey as a whole? How does it help you deal with difficult emotional experiences? Grief/loss, sadness, anger? Is there are particular experience you can think of that art helped you “get through” or process emotionally?

Every decision I’ve made in my Life has been to support or sustain my Art in some form or fashion. Every difficult life experience, as well as all the fabulous, fun-filled, glorious moments too, have been fuel for my creativity. I am an Artist. I always have been. This is how I see the world–navigate it–and at times deal with it.

When it comes to a specific experience where Art supported and cradled my healing I best describe the time I was assaulted at age 19–and how Art empowered me to move on. You can read about my experience on Dirty Footprints Studio HERE.

Overall, Art helps me unite my conscious mind with my subconscious–and in this process, I find great healing, direction, and at many times closure. Without Art, I would be a mess.

Q: What artists, writers, bloggers, authors, books, have informed your work or impacted your life in wonderful and profound ways?

I am very inspired by women Artists and pioneers that live their lives authentically and with gusto. The thing is, the more I focus on living my life this way–the more I am finding these women enter my own life’s landscape. So, I hate to make anyone feel excluded by not listing their name, but instead would like to say that the women in my life now–as friends, supporters, and even participants in my online workshops–they are souls that inspire me deeply daily. I am grateful for the abundance of inspiration I live my Life with.

Q: How has art informed your life and your life informed your art?

In March 2010 I went to a Painting From The Wild Heart Painting Retreat with Chris Zydel in Oakland, California. This is the best example of how Art informed my life and vice versa. This experience was surprisingly one of the most heart opening, life changing, experiences I ever went through. I went to this weekend retreat hoping to shoot a little mojo back into my creative life, and instead I came back cracked open and fully realizing that the time is NOW to follow my dreams and live my truth. Basically Art, painting specifically, told me to quit my job. Painting showed me the courage inside myself to be who I really am. And painting itself is providing me with the means to be who I am suppose to be–personally and professionally.

Q: What advice, inspiration, words of encouragement do you have for people following their own artistic impulses? Or looking for a way to find another level of emotional awareness, healing, or catharsis through art? Any other final thoughts?

Well, for those that are following their own artistic impulse–I say stay curious and follow where your curiosity leads you. It’s more then ok to explore many different forms of Art and express yourself in multiple ways. Try whatever catches your eye–and if you don’t like it—move on. And when you do find that something that seems to sing to your soul–dive right in—give it all you got–and be open to all the new places it will lead you to as well.

For those souls that are looking to Art as a way of discovering a deeper sense of self, I believe full heartedly in the power of intuitive painting both as a process in itself and through the beautiful world of Art Journaling. I teach both intuitive painting with my FEARLESS Painting Adventure workshops and also Art Journaling through my on-going, self paced online workshop Art Journal LOVE Letters. These are two great ways for one to find a community of kindred souls and a safe, challenging, but nourishing environment to pursue self awareness and healing through Art. I hope you will join me.