Inspiring Artist, Whitney Ferre (and a book giveaway!)

Today is the last official artist interview for the season.  I’m sending the series off with a BANG! Not only do I have an “Inspiring Artist” interview with Whitney Ferre, but I am also giving away a copy of her book, The Artist Within: a Guide to Becoming Creatively Fit.

Could you use a little more creativity in your every day?  If so then you will certainly want to get your hands on The Artist Within!  This book serves as your own personal creativity trainer. Centered around the eight principals of design; emphasis, balance, proportion, unity, harmony, contrast, rhythm and repetition, Whitney shows us how learning these principals through art can help you achieve a balanced composition in your own life.

“I want to help you create a side of your life where there are no rules, no limitations, and no critics.” -Whitney Ferre.

You will learn to tap into your own “artist within” as you work through the numerous Creativity Exercises and Workouts provided.  Allow yourself to ponder reflective questions such as; What is most important to you?  What does your ideal job look like? and What are your own personal dreams.  Then jump into the simple step by step creativity workouts that allow you to switch from left to right brain thinking.  There is even room right in the book to scribble, draw, write and create!

I have had so much fun working through this book and I can’t wait to send it out to one of my lucky readers!  To enter simply leave a comment below.  A random winner will be drawn and announced next Monday, September 26th.  Good luck!

Now let’s meet the “Inspiring Artist” behind this incredible book, Whitney Ferre.

My favorite part of my story is that I opened an art center in 1996 with NO formal art training and with no painting or drawing experience. This fact has always given my clients hope! Even with knowing nothing, my art center became the no. 1 arts center in Nashville, TN because people felt successful there. It was called The Creative Fitness Center because I wanted to communicate that it is just as important to “work out” our right brain/creative muscle as it is our physical muscle. 15 years later I have published two books, launched the online creativity training programs at whitneyfreya.com, presented internationally, and sold my own art worldwide. I am completely energized by both the joy my clients discover when they open up to the possibilities in our Creatively Fit Program and by how desperately our world needs our creative energy to fuel solutions and reconciliations.

 

 

For me art is…

LIFE! Every aspect, every level. When we learn more about art making we learn more a out how to “make” the life we are intended to live.

What are you currently working on?

I have just moved to a ranch in NE Oregon with my husband and 3 kids. So I am working on all kinds of new roles and responsibilities, ones that include horses, chickens and a puppy, along with my constant flow of new ideas that revolve around my growing, international family of Creatively Fit  Coaches, and new products.  I am motivated to reach out to more and more people to let them know that they CAN do it, and that their “artist within” is waiting to help! It is such a blast to connect with people on this level and help them so profoundly.

Who has inspired you?

The person who started it all for me is Laurence G. Boldt, author of Zen and the Art of Making a Living. His brilliant book made me realize that people needed a vehicle to open them up to the ART that is their lives and their role as the ARTIST. Zainab Salbi of Women for Women inspires me with her life mission to empower women in war torn countries to rebuild their lives. I highly recommend her book, Between Two Worlds—amazing!

 

What is your favorite inspirational quote?

“Art is the proper task of life.” -Nietzsche (because Boldt quoted this in his book and it started the ball rolling)

And

“The time came when the risk to remain tight like a bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom.” – Anais Nin

Are there any tips to living a creative life that you’d like to share?

Please realize that you have been programmed to believe that a “creative life” is only worthy if it is producing money. As human beings we created art before we created a monetary system or an alphabet. We are artists, creators, at our core. To deny that is futile. Art holds the key to your authentic self. Through creating you will discover who YOU were created to be. Just do it!

Where can people find you and your work?

Website: http://whitneyfreya.com