Challenge - From Zero To Hero in 90 Days (part 1)
There is powerful creativity in the northern population.The closeness to nature, laid-back lifestyle and long winters are nurturing grounds for the creative expression in various crafts and arts expressed and influenced by the diversity of cultural backgrounds, views of life and the creative passion of the individuals.
What does it mean "Creative Survival Training?"
Beautiful British Columbia unfolds its magic in the vast, colourful landscapes of the North. However, creativeness is also the key to turning challenges of the small markets, long distances and harsh winters into innovation and creative problem-solving. The genius of growth comes from thinking outside the box, thinking of solutions instead of being paralyzed by the dead-end roads of problems.
Living in the BC North as a creative holds challenges and growh-potential. Therefore , the traveller will experience intriguing places, often in unexpected locations where the northern artists and artisans feature their work.
But there is more. The creative power gets rolling when a group of people get together and decide to take their creative destiny into their own hands, and voila, support is here! The 90-day creative challenge was born in the BC part of the Peace Region in Tumbler Ridge.
The creativity flourishes in the north - no wonder when you see the images taken in the Tumbler Ridge Global Geopark area featured below
The Creative Survival Challenge
3 months, 12 women and a sponsor
The 90-day Creative Survival Challenge started with 12 women who believe in their capability to learn painting on silk without previous experience and design and make products to sell. How many will finish this challenge? We'll know by the end of the year. The challenge is though as all have their regular jobs and the training challenge need to assign dedicated time-blogs.
The fact is though that there is a strong need and desire for creativity as income generation and the creatives and artisans are present and active in the northern communities like Fort Nelson and Forth St. John.
Although the "starving artist" notion still persist in many peoples' heads... in reality, any success is the focused journey with a strong intention to succeed fueled by a meaningful reason, the famous "Why" known from the success strategy teaching of Simon Sinek.
The Women
The women participating in the 3-month training and a 90-day silk painting for income generation challenge aim to learn how to design and create silk painting products. They look forward to be eventually featured in the craft and art shows, gift shops and galleries for the traveling tourist and local buyers traveling the northern BC region, Mile Zero Alaska Highway - Dawson Creek or visiting the Dinosaur Discovery Gallery in Tumbler Ridge.
Beginning of the Journey
The first 4 weeks of the challenge aim to learning materials and the strategy of creating individual collection in specific individually chosen colours and getting the feel of the different types of silk. Each participant is discovering their preferences and colour scheme inspired by examples of similar work learning the differences in techniques.
Challenges and Opportunities for Aspiring Northern Artisans
To master the challenges of aspiring artisans living in the north, sponsorship is an option for many, as it is with the 90-day Silk Painting for Income Generation Challenge. Alignment of intentions is the key to success. Win-win-win ideas win :)
The conclusion for everyone thinking about getting sponsored for a creative project is, when you prove there are people who are interested in being part of it, you have a good chance to be considered when you proposal aligns with the mission of the sponsor.
Yes to Silk Painting
And so it was this year when the chain of support brought forth a project that was aligned with the mission of the sponsor. A group of Peace Region women said yes to a funding opportunity and committed to 3 months of learning silk painting for income generation without any previous experience.
The training started this month with the silk painting ABC - learning the materials in silk and paints and the workstation with tools and accessories. Materials are available from Canadian supplier.
Artists are Story Tellers - What's Next?
Learning to develop creative leisure time from hobby, to an income generating side gig, is a great way not only to build an additional income but also a personal development of the discovery of your creative abilities. The second month is time to turn up imagination and dream up beautiful new colorful designs for painting on silk.
The next month the participants move to the visual story telling phase of development in their own collections by exploring their message to delight the recipients and attract buyers.
The first hands-on part begins here as well with learning the 3 basic techniques that do not require any previous experience or specific talent. These methods are proven to be mastered by school children and seniors and anyone who looks for creative activity. Every piece created is a unique original. And once learned, the sky is the limit!
In Conclusion: Where There's a Will, There's a Way!
The start is done, now the creative challenge will test the participants - will they persist and even surprise everyone watching? The motto is clear #TogetherWeCan #TogetherWeWin