Murmur of Wings: Sweet Wild Life

I have a soft spot for artists. Their creative process, their unending desire to fill the world with colorful images that inspire. Kolleen Harrison is one of those creative spirits whose whimsical art always puts a smile in my face. I met Kolleen through SouLodge. A gathering place for wild women. After checking out her artistic offerings I fell in love. Here is a little peek into the Sweet Wild Life of Kolleen Harrison.

You are a creative free spirit, what steps did you take to uncover this aspect of yourself?

i feel like i have always been creative since i was very little ... i was happiest with crayons and a coloring book ... music always playing!
as i got older and "life happened", i became lost for a bit (actually more than a bit ... for quite a long time), up until about 4 years ago when i found my voice again. i started to go on retreats and blog and surround myself with things that brought inspiration to me. i truly am beginning to feel at the young age of 40 that i have found me again ... tapping into my core ...
that which is rooted deep ... expressing it through art and words ... worrying less about if it is "good enough or not". it is freeing!!

What gets your creative juices flowing?

music first and foremost (preferably live), love, nature (mama ocean, trees), color, fashion, my kids, words ... being around other creative spirits who own who they are.

Favorite quote?

i have many ... but right now this is the one that is speaking the loudest to me:

"the most important thing one woman can do for another is to illuminate and expand her sense of actual possibilities." - adrienne rich

What do you dream about?

i dream about a world enveloped with love ... a time when there isn't discrimination, judgment, war, hatred, jealousy. in all honesty i dream about simpler, more peaceful times. i have such a strong pull to find and live a life of "peace, love and harmony". i dream about making a difference and inspiring others to live from a place of love ... out of love.

Where do you seek/ find inspiration for your art?

i find great inspiration and solace being near mama ocean ... the smell, the sound, the sand beneath my feet. i also enjoy taking myself out on day dates ... where i drive to another little town ... walk around, take pictures, indulge in something yummy to eat. i also find inspiration when circling with other creative spirits ... i love going on retreats and placing myself a bit out of my comfort zone ... i feel we need to stretch ourselves in order to continue to grow in our art and creativity and in ourselves.

Have you ever found yourself in a creative slump? If so, what steps did you take to remove that obstacle?

i absolutely have and i have learned to embrace the ebb and flow of our creativity and our inspiration. i am a believer that inspiration will hit when it is supposed to and when we are open for it. in my own personal experience, when it hits me ... it hits hard, so i soak it in as it flows and do my best to let myself get lost in it.

Soul work, what does that mean to you?

Soul work is never ending in my opinion. It is getting in touch with the core of who we are ... the well of us. It is finding that space within that we call "home" and feeling the peace and comfort and serenity of it. I know my desire is to be the type of woman who is always evolving, always open to learning and seeking and being curious about what this life has to offer, immersed in her soul work.

What workshops (online or on location) have you been to and would recommend to other women?

SouLodge came to me at the right time in my life, as I was entering my 40th year. It has helped me to embrace the side of me that I let lie dormant for quite a long time. Pixie is a beautiful creative soul ... wise well beyond her years.

I have been to Be Present Retreat in Oregon and also Brave Girl Camp in Idaho. I would highly recommend them both to other women. They both changed my life and helped me in priceless ways.