In this newsletter: meet my new logo, creativity from the Sierra Foothills, and 2025 creativity workshops!

New Look

Huge shout-out to Bryan “Peabe” Odiamar for my new logo and colors. I strive for my services to be inspiring, helpful, hopeful, dynamic, and to unlock clarity and think he really nailed it visually. If you’re looking for an extremely talented, kind, cool designer then Peabe is for you. Here’s a sampling of the designs you’ll be seeing around:

Check out my updated website too. I love how the new colors work with the various designs on each of the pages. Shout-out Squarespace templates! Next on my list is new photography.

I also want to shout-out Ushi Patel who I was introduced to at the exact right time by a mutual client. Ushi created a self-guided course, Seeing Me, which is all about designing an authentic identity and personal presence. The course guides you through key topics resulting in a really pretty mood board - and a lot of clarity and confidence. I highly recommend her pay-what-you-can course. Here’s the color portion of my mood board and my “K” necklace which all played an important role in the design process:

Unlocking Creativity at Sierra Meadows

I recently had the pleasure of giving a talk on unlocking creativity and facilitating an interactive art installation with my husband, David, at the gorgeous Sierra Meadows.

This private event brought ~50 bright and open minds to the Sierra Foothills and asked everyone to contribute something to the experience. Topics spanned a Hot Ones panel (a la this), making charcoal out of willow trees, a live audience recording of Select Five (follow us to see when the episode launches), an election debrief (ugh), and tons more.

Our contribution was about creativity being good for mental health, letting go of perfectionism, not overthinking, and bravely sharing what you make even if you think it sucks. We had a bunch of papers, pencils, markers, pastels, the charcoal we conveniently MADE there, plus a polaroid and a typewriter - the ultimate tools for embracing imperfection. We also typed prompts for everyone.

Then whatever got made was put on the wall - no shame:

Here are a few of the prompts if you want to create something too:

• Create your future self portrait. Considering doing it with your non dominant hand or eyes closed.

• Take a five minute solo walk outside and create something based on what you see/feel. 

• Create something in honor of someone who inspires you.

• Evolution is starting to go backwards. What does this look like?

• Write a letter to your inner critic or someone who has nagged at your creativity.

• Dear diary…

My main takeaways and reminders:

• Creativity feels good

• Community breeds hope

• I’m excited to bring this interactive installation more places

• I want to spend as much time as possible at Sierra Meadows. I highly recommend checking out their amazing property (on a former golf course…) right by Yosemite!

2025 Creativity Workshops Are Open

There are three spots open in my next six-month Creativity Workshop!

Details:

• Times: Sessions are monthly on the third Fridays from January 17, 2025 through June 20, 2025 @ 10-11:30am PT

• Format: Zoom

• Capacity: Six

• Cost: $99-$499 pay what you can

• Bonus: I send Sunday emails between sessions to keep the group connection and your momentum going

The feedback from participants has been overwhelmingly positive:

“I got my insecurities out of the way and went on the most productive creative streak I’ve been on in years.”

“It was a joy to engage with my cohorts projects and bring that spark back to my own work.”

“In a year filled with so many unknowns, this became something I could rely on during times of change and uncertainty.”

“Kate’s Creativity Workshop was transformative.”

New! I’ll be offering a one-off 2025 Creative Resolution Workshop on Sunday, January 5th so you can start your year prioritizing your creativity.

• Time: January 5th, 2025 @ 11am-12:30pm PT

• Format: Zoom

• Cost: $25 for ‘25…

• Bonus: You get a digital creativity workbook!

More Ways to Work Together. Simply reply to this email if you’d like to:

• Improve your team collaborations

• Find career clarity

• Prioritize your personal creativity 

• Have me speak at your team event, conference or retreat

This is a great time to start thinking about making your holiday gifts.

As you can see from this book I wrote when I was eight about what to give my dad for his birthday, I’ve always had a thing for making gifts. After ruling out blank tapes and records (with a solid reference to the 27 year old curse):

… I had “aha” morning moment and decided on a painting and a confident message at the end:

One of the best gifts I ever received was a short story David wrote me for our five year anniversary. Photo books and homemade treats are always a hit too. Or something weird and unexpected. If the act of giving isn’t quite enough for you (no judgement), think of it as a fun creative assignment WITH A DEADLINE.

And if you don’t want to make a gift, who are the artists in your life you can support? I recommend Evan Robert’s Audio Cards. It’s Nice That also put out a guide recently. I also take back my eight year old view that one can have too much music (though that seemed more about physical space?). Music is a great gift.

Please share your suggestions!

And that concludes newsletter Vol 7, November 2024. Please share with others who may enjoy it! Anyone can sign up and read past newsletters here. Will I always end my newsletters this way? Looking like yes.

Take care,

Kate