***GIVEAWAY NOW CLOSED**
Thank you to all who entered and talked so honestly about where you want to take your art! The winners picked at random are:
Elaine Nicholls
Lisa Simmonds
Rhonda Preece
Congratulations to you all! I’ll be in touch with further details.
Registration is now open for earlybirds! Click here to join us!
***
It’s that time! Whenever I launch a course, I also always run a course giveaway, because who doesn’t love a chance to win something cool? 😉
So, if you’ve been keen to join Touchstone for its inaugural session in September 2016, this is your opportunity to do it for no pounds! Which handily converts to exactly zero dollars.
How to enter
As someone who doesn’t love to jump through hoops to enter a giveaway, I’ll keep this simple. Here are the rules:
- Share this post far and wide {You can do this by either pinning one of the images to Pinterest, sharing to Facebook, sharing it to Instagram using the image below, or using one of the handy tweets – also below – if you’re on Twitter. Feel free to do all four – and thank you if you do! – however be aware that it’s one entry per person.}
- Leave a comment here {so I know you have shared and want to be entered} sharing something you’d really love to learn how to do to take your art to the next level {whether that means for you in terms of skills, understanding your process better, sharing/selling it, using technology, or whatever your specific thing is. Be as specific and detailed as you like!}
Boom! Done.
Draw date
I will be announcing the winners drawn at random on Monday 22nd August, here on this post and also via email. If you want to receive that email rather than re-find this post, you can sign up here. You can also find out from that link what the course is all about and whether you might actually want to win a place on it! 🙂
Please note: If you don’t leave your email when you comment {there’s a dedicated box for it}, you won’t be eligible to win. I need to be able to contact you!
Good luck friends! I’m looking forward very much to seeing you on the course. 🙂
Ways to share
Twitter/Facebook {simply highlight and use the easy pop up box}
Want to win a place on the new Touchstone course for developing artists? Click link for details and easy giveaway entry! http://bit.ly/touchstonegiveaway
Wanting to make art a bigger part of your life? Tara’s giving away 3 spaces on the new Touchstone course. Check it out here: http://bit.ly/touchstonegiveaway
Pinterest or Instagram {use this or the top image}
About the course
Here’s a quick summary {more info here}:
What it is
A four week deep dive into you as an artist, whatever stage of the journey you’re on.
We’ll look at your life situation, who you are, what you need and desire for yourself as an artist. We’ll lay foundation stones for a richer and more rewarding creative life, whatever your circumstances. We’ll cultivate a stable platform of confidence and ease for you to stand on so that you can take your art in the direction of the dreams you have for it.
It’s not necessary to be a traditional or full time/career artist to live a rich and meaningful life as one. All that’s required is some clarity, some support, and some self awareness.
Who it’s for
Beginner/re-starter artists, as well as those who have been making their art for a while but keep snagging on time restraints, or life interruptions, or not knowing what they’re doing, or getting sidetracked by mean inner voices {what I call the demons}.
Any kind of artist who wants to be making more of their art, more often, with more meaning and less angst!
Who it’s not for
Full time career artists, or anyone who is already thriving to the maximum in their art practice, whatever that looks like. I also don’t recommend it if you’re not a fan of introspection or growth {which sometimes feels hard and often requires courage and commitment}. There is a large thinking/writing element to the course, as well as the practical art side.
This course asks you to dig deep and be bold in order to get the results you seek, but with plenty of support and practical actions to take. 🙂
What’s included
- Audios with transcripts each day, full of principles, concepts, and suggestions to percolate on and integrate*
- A printable and rather lovely Manual of Self, full of questions and things to ponder and clarify for yourself as you start to build your artist lifestyle
- Video minis with quick art ideas to kickstart sticky moments
- An invitation to do a personal project for the duration of the course, and help choosing it
- Watch me do a project alongside you, from start to finish
- Heaps of resources for perusal and inspiration in your own time to support your experience
- A private, members only Facebook group with focused attention and support from me as well as the camaraderie and learning that happens when you do it alongside others
*We’ll cover topics such as procrastination, self doubt, mean voices, process, your creative space, finding what will work for you with your specific desires, needs and quirks, meaning, permission, inspiration, overwhelm, sharing what you make and much more.
“This course is so content rich that I know I will be going back to review many sections. Tara is a kind and encouraging teacher who gently pushes you to create as only you can create. This sounds simple, but it is actually a huge challenge when there is so much “out there” to compare yourself to. Touchstone helps you plan strategies to tackle the obstacles (real and imagined!) that get in your way of doing your own unique creative work.”
Alison Kaczmarek
I am looking forward to this course. Every word you write is what I am searching for. I really like to get forward and make big steps for myself! And there is so much to learn from you Tara! Every time I see a blog or whatever on social media, you hit me! I have to wake up, no better…. I WANT to wake up!!! Please continue with inspiring!
I would love to win this class!!!!❤️ I want to learn the business part of selling art but before that I really need help with my insecurity and feelings of not being good enough to actually sell any art.
Thanks so much for this chance to win.
I had to throttle back and then give up work due to health issues. I started to use art and creative outlets to help me deal with these changes in my life and I am hoping that I’ll be able to make a small income to cover my costs! Any opportunity to learn and develop my art and crafts would be welcome.
Hi posted on Facebook and Pinterest. Currently exploring how to fit creativity into my life now I have a toddler! This course looks great, and I would love to join in.
I would love to win a place in this class. My word for this year is Nourish – body, mind and soul and I have really wanted to spend more time to be creative as that nourishes my soul. However, the reality is that I keep putting it on the backburmer and life just passes me by. I would love some tips on setting up a small space and making this time a priority.
Hi Tara – I’ve just pinned the image above and would love to enter. My ‘next’ stage is to keep adding to my toolkit of different styles and techniques of abstract. Have an awesome painting day! Charlie x
Sounds great – shared! I’m in need of focus, clarity and stronger practice habits. ????
Hi Tara, I recently purchased your book Creative Spark and am resonating so much with your words and guidance. I would love to deepen my connection with your teaching and nudge me out of procrastination and into creative flow. I have shared your post on FB . ???????? Mish xx
The part that I’m most interested in learning is keeping up with a regular, focused art practice when my freelance business gets hectic. It just always falls to the wayside, as I simply don’t have the energy to invest in art when client work demands all of it.
And I’d like to explore more and find my own style which I know I can only do through consistent, regular practice (which is connected to the previous issue :)).
P.S. Scheduled the post to go out on Twitter this afternoon!
HI Tara! Shared this on my Facebook! http://www.facebook.com/ehull/posts/10153663208241246
I’m loving the whole premise of this course. The main thing for me is finding inspiration and allowing myself the time to explore my own creative process. I quite often put obstacles in my way, I think because once I get into creating, I have difficulty putting it down, or alternately, I get stuck and put it down and don’t pick it back up. Many things about this course speak to me, so hopefully I can take part one way or another!
So excited that Touchstone is finally here! Congratulations for bringing another of your babies into the world 🙂
I’ve been creating art on a daily basis for over three months now..first for an Instagram challenge called #the100dayproject and now as a collage project as part of a challenge set by Shelley Klammer.
My focus is now on clarifying my process so that my art is more intentional so I may begin the first steps towards selling it.
Touchstone is EXACTLY what I need to do right now on my creative journey. I was that career artist. I was selling art and doing the exhibitions and doing the commissions and you know what? It left a bad taste in my mouth. So I quit. Yup. I quit. Art for me meant so much more then anything a gallery or award could provide and whilst I was winding things up to close down you released this course. You said you felt like it was what you were meant to do. That really struck me as something important and something I needed to listen to. It got my attention. Now I know more about the course you describe everything I want to reconnect with. My inner creativity and curiosity has been lost to marketing and crowd pleasing. I want to make art for ME again and find solace in the healing creativity provides rather then stress, insecurity and boredom that being a working artist brought me. Show us the way Tara! I have a hell of a lot of art materials to mess about with and no time to lose!
Shared on Pinterest 🙂 I’d love to do this course. I create watercolour paintings and drawings as a hobby, but have been wondering if I could make money out of my art and sell them online. But I have been procrastinating about it and unsure where to start, if its good enough and what I should do (sell reproductions or originals) etc. 🙂
Hi Tara
thanks for the opportunity to win a place in your new touchstone course. I have posted this on to my Instagram account. I suppose my question would be about the process of building a body of work & expanding on ideas. I tend to get overwhelmed and want to do everything so I swing about a lot. I also get into those funks where I spend all my time thinking about and looking at art but not actually turning up to do any. I do know on an intellectual level that you have to just turn up and do the work but sometimes I just get scared ! I have only just recently found you and your blog & you’re very inspiring thank you ????
Shared!!!! I am a high school art teacher. I spend so much time teaching art – and I LOVE It, but I never seem to find the time for myself to sit down ad reflect, or to just be with my
art work. I would be amazing to have something special to look forward to that would perhaps enhance my personal energy, help me focus on myself, relax and just be. Thanks for the opportunity to win.!
Hi, waiting for a new adventure. Is this it?
Hello. Thanks to my art teacher at school I didn’t go near anything art-related for almost 30 years. Now I am slowly feeling my way back to it, learning from scratch all the techniques and enjoying every spine-tingling, frustrating, liberating moment. My aim with the course is to grow my confidence, which took such a battering at secondary school, and to learn how to do art MY way.
Hello…pinned and posted on Facebook!
Hi Tara – shared via Pinterest & Twitter! This course appeals to me as I find reflection on my art and creative process is a very natural part of the process…sometimes that comes easy, other times it can feel like going round in circles a bit. A fresh perspective often brings energy and clarity to my inspiration and subsequent creations. Plus, you know I love what you have to say 🙂
Hi Tara – I shared on Facebook. This course appeals to me because I am still trying to find my voice and desperately need to loosen up! I have only just ‘found’ youand am looking forward to a long relationship.
Hi Tara. I find your work and approach to art and creativity so inspiring and would love to join this course! I am very much a beginner in making art, but sense the need within to express myself in this way again. Just as the dormant writer in me has found her voice over the last few years, I am hoping to reconnect with the girl who used to enjoy dabbling with pencil and paint. I have shared this on Pinterest, Instagram, Facebook and Twitter. ????????
I have shared your innovative course and hope you get lots of international participants. You are always so real ????????
I shared on Facebook. I saw someone else posted that their word of the year is nourish and that is my word too!! I am nourishing myself this year and allowing myself to grow spiritually thru art, meditation, yoga and however I feel will benefit my soul and body.
I’m searching for a way to create my art! This class sounds perfect.
Tara, this course sounds so cool. I would love to participate! I shared the image on Pinterest.
I shared! I can so resonate with being an introvert. I am an INFP on the Myers Briggs, and am also a wife and mom to two boys. Sometimes making time and space to be alone – and making OKAY to need that can be difficult. My word for the year is BLOOM. Hoping if I win to use this to encourage self-knowledge and blossoming! Thanks for all you do and who you are. <3
Thank you Tara for the opportunity to win a spot in this class! I only picked up a paintbrush last year when I turned 50 and am loving it. I am also a writer. I would love to learn how to make these creative pursuits an integral part of my everyday life, and explore who I am as a creative person, as well as make a living through it. Posted on Pinterest! Thank you Tara!
I’ve been much better at just allowing painting to have time in my life since I’ve been doing Abstractify. So I’m hoping for that to stay and really belong in my every (maybe not EVERY) day life. That sounds simple but I know it’ll be part of the ongoing process. I’m so much happier in general and at ease with my creativity since doing Abstractify I feel that Touchstone will help affirm that.
Shared on Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, and Linked in. This course would be amazing! I am a full time working librarian and a full time mom to two kids, 5 and 3 years old, and started drawing and painting for self care, but want to now take it further. I really want to focus on my skills and my process as I have not really had any formal training. This course would take me the next step forward. Find me on Instagram @cyourlibrarian
Shared! Would so love to win, thank you for the opportunity! ????
Shared! What a wonderful gift, Tara. Thank you for your generosity. Here’s hoping I win! 🙂
Pinned:) What a wonderful idea and I am hoping I am lucky – yeeeeee!!:) Fingers crossed!!
How wonderful. I jumped at the chance to share on Facebook and Instagram. I’m really looking forward to hearing more about this course when September hits. I’d really like to hone in on my skills as an artist, learn more about the sharing/selling side of things along with using technology. It will also be fun to be a part of a growing #happyartistmovement.
Hey Tara! I shared on Instagram! I continue to get in my own way in my art making process so I’d love to learn how to get out of my way so I can not only be more productive but can feel more authentic in my art. Thanks!!
HI Tara, I shared this on Facebook. Thank you for the opportunity to enter to win a spot in Touchstone. I have always wanted to be an artist but for various reasons it was put on a shelf. Twenty years ago I began to get in touch with that part of myself, I have always been good at copying things but have not been able to create my own style, it has really been a struggle but I believe Touchstone ( great name by the way) could really help me to find that connection to myself and overcome my fear of my art not being good enough if it is my own creation.
Tara ur such a generous spirit! I shared on Pinterest and Facebook, couldn’t figure how to get it on Instagram?
id really like to learn how to approach abstract painting. I am happy playing in paints loosely but then don’t know how to develop it into a satisfying finished piece. As a result of constant frustration I’m not motivated to have a regular painting practice.
I’d LOVE to win this course! Shared on Facebook!
I love to be inspired by Spirit in my life. Thank you so much for this opportunity! Shared on Twitter.
Hi Tara, what a lovely opportunity – thank you for the chance.
Have shared via twitter/instagram/facebook and pinterest.
Struggling so much since my Access course ended – haven’t been at my desk in two weeks since the school holidays started. Time constraints, kids etc. I literally do not know how I did the course at all so that aspect will be invaluable. Going stir crazy without the creativity that I had gotten into the habit of doing hours of daily. Those inner demons are at a low roar right now.
Hi Tara, I’d love to revive my creativity and this feels like a great first step! I’ve pinned this and am crossing all my fingers and toes. Thank you for so generously offering this giveaway 🙂
I love these art courses. You not only learn valuable lessons in art, personal development and achievements, but you develop wonderful friendships with people all over the world. TARA Leaver CONNECTS you to heart, mind, body and soul.
Thank you Tara for the chance to be a part of this journey. It is truly a blessing to me.
Thank you for the opportunity to win a free “Touchstone” course. I shared your information on my Facebook account… BTW, the ease of sharing was nice…. good way to link! I’m interested in your course because I’m still working out some major changes in my life and I know that art has a significant place in those changes. I resonate with the way you approach art and life in general. Thanks for creating this course.
I’ve shared on Facebook and I hope I win!! Your words resonate with me. Thank you!!
Sounds like just the course I need to reignite my creativity. I shared on twitter! What an amazing giveaway.
Hi Tara: I have shared this course giveaway on Pinterest. I love your art and your advice and help it restarting my full time art career. Great giveaway. Thanks so much!
Love your work, and he courses are great.
Can’t wait for this new course
I so just need to get started, for myself. I teach and encourage young children to love the art they are producing, to try not to need others approval etc. I am finding it hard to get started myself. So easy to have too much to do that is supposedly important. But I know that something is trying to get out, sand maybe Touchstone is my time.
I shared this post! I’d like to win a place in the course. Your story about using art to push out of a deep depression resonates with me. I have struggled with mental illness for over ten years, and this past year has been especially hard for me. Art has always been there as a need and a desire, but my fear of failure and perfectionism has held me back from really embracing it. I started doing art therapy while in inpatient treatment, but still thought my art was as ugly as I felt I was. I want to use Touchstone to silence those mean voices that tell me that my art is as worthless as I feel sometimes. I want to get in touch with that artist that I know is inside, but has a heap of doubt to climb through.
Thanks again for your blog! So much inspiration.
Hi Tara,
I’m something like you would call a re-starter and I would be glad to have more art in my life again. I love your style and techniques so I shared it on Pinterest????
Good luck to all
Dear Tara, Thank you for the opportunity to win a place in Touchstone. I just read the Touchstone bio and you state ‘All is needed is some clarity, self awareness and support’. I really like how you break things down and clarify step by step. I appreciate the generosity of giving people a taste of what is on offer such as the Free10 day course. I would love to have my hand held through the steps of making a piece of art work, feeling it is finished, being happy with it and then putting it on a set of gift cards. I think that would be amazing and a not too scary start!
So the sharing has begun and I hope it’s fruitful, and thanks for the chance to be a part of Touchstone.
My own passion is art journaling and my greatest problem is dedicating time to it….
I am so interested in Touchstone! I have recently started creating and even showing my art after over a 15 year break. I am definitely looking for reinforcement to continue my work after such a long break. I shared on both Facebook and Pinterest. Thanks for the opportunity.
I’d love to learn how to digitize my art, and then to use it in different ways…clear as mud? lol
I’d simply enjoy the experience you offer; as I enjoy the gentle tones of your blog posts and emails, I imagine this course would have the same.
Shine on!
Kelley
I shared on Pinterest. Crossing my fingers to be selected for the course. Love your blog and Art! All the best to you!
I do love it when the universe puts exactly what I need right in front of me!
And if I don’t happen to win a place in your new course, I’ve been lucky enough to discover a new blog that is right up my ally.
Have shared…. This would be an amazing opportunity…. I’m stuck and in need of help ????
Facebook ✔️
Pinterest ✔️
Twitter ✔️
Shared widely for you Tara. Sounds a fabulous and inspiring course, suitable for all creatives!
Anything that makes our art focused and productive gets a huge ‘yes please’ from me…
Thank you for the opportunity–I appreciate your work!
Oh this course sounds delicious, bringing my own voice to my art is something I wish to learn and do. Thank you for the opp to win Tara, I have shared…
PS I love your work, so inspiring so heartfelt and real.
What a wonderful opportunity to explore my own unique style!
Dear Tara,
Shared it on Pinterest! I hope many people see it so they want to check out your website and notice how a wonderful and inspiring person you are!
What I wish to learn is to make my art my own!
What a wonderful opportunity! I’ve had my eye on this for sometime now and was thrilled to receive and email that this class was ready! Very excited to dive deep within and create a richer and more rewarding creative life as a result. I’d love to win a spot in this sacred lil’class—gave it a tweet! Best to you and all who win!
It would be such a blessing to have a place in your course. I will share this on facebook.!.
And thanks for this opportunity
I love the saying ‘when the student is ready the Master will appear’. It so relates to me now. I came across your website by what I refer to as divine guidance. Reading about what Touchstone e-course provides is just what I need now in my journey to fully express my creativity through painting and mixed media.
I have a passion to create and feel a deep sense of joy when I’m being creative but then life gets in the way. I want to be able to learn how to manage both.
I have a very tough road ahead with family health issues and want to be able to let creativity have a space in my life to keep me calm and at peace. I see your mentoring through this course will really help me. I posted the link on FaceBook, Pinterest and with my worldwide Facebook art group. Thanks very much Tara.
Posted! I have a 2 year old and feeling disconnected from my personal preferences including artwork. And I have a hard time getting my ideas out of my head and also struggle with originality, feeling like everything “has been done so why bother” even though I know it’s more about my own experiences and processes, not end result. I’m great at reproducing something less at originality and abstract. Would love a course like this.
Thank you Tara for this opportunity. Your blog is always my ‘go -to’ for art inspiration and encouragement. I would like to learn to identify the things that really speak to me as I have many art related interests and am looking to simplify them and focus.
Thank you for all the encouragement and insights you share. Today’s 31 day post #18, hit very close to home….thank you!
Hi Tara, your Touchstone is now pinned to my Pinterest board!! I have 2 things I would love to learn more about to move my art forward. One is artful and the other is business. How to proceed with prints of my art & what needs to be on the canvas for preservation should I want to sell the original painting. Now for the art of it! I want to learn more about pops of color that bring art to the level. I see this in others art and it works. Like using a bright almost neon color that makes the work come alive on the page maybe with oil pastels or bright acrylics. It certainly sounds like you have created a winner with Touchstone. Cheryl Z
Dear Tara, greetings from Pakistan. I call myself a beginner who never gets started. I took up art or rather doodling a few years back to unblock/unwind myself and to consequently find a way to express myself freely in my writing. I never achieved that goal but in the process discovered how much I enjoyed playing with colors. I have doodled and colored on and off since then but I am still hesitant to call myself an “artist”. I need the permission and assurance from myself and the support and guidance from you. I want to learn so many things: how to loosen myself up; how to experiment with different mediums and techniques while finding my own style; how to grow a successful practice. Yes, I need clarity.
I have posted the giveaway photo to my Instagram account. Thanks for the opportunity.
Samia
Loved you class on inspiration cards! Would love to take your creative class… Put your post on Pinterest under Art if you want to check it out! Hope all is well with you! Julia