This week I’ve been thinking about what it truly means to show up — not perfectly, not fully prepared, not with everything figured out… but simply, honestly, and wholeheartedly. And I realized something tender and profound: Showing up is courage.Showing up is the transformation. We often believe courage means boldness, confidence, or certainty.But in truth, courage is much quieter.It’s the steady hand that opens the door even when the heart trembles.It’s the willingness to be seen — as we are, not as we think we should be. Every artist knows this intimately.Every creative soul feels that moment before beginning… the hesitation, the doubt, the soft fear.But we show up anyway.And that “anyway” is everything. Key InsightCourage isn’t a feeling we wait for — it’s a practice we grow into. The more we show up, the stronger we become. The path shapes us because we step onto it, not before. Summary / Takeaways - Showing up imperfectly is still showing up. - Courage grows every time we cross the threshold of hesitation. - You don’t need readiness; you need willingness. - Creative transformation begins with presence, not perfection. Engaging Question / Invitation Where have you shown up — or where are you willing to show up — even if it feels tender or uncertain? Your story might be the courage someone else needs. May the light reveal exactly what you’re ready to see.

Hello beautiful creatives, Hopefully by now you have watched my video -- A Calmer Path for 2026 -- that I shared yesterday, December 10. If not, I encourage you to do so as it is THAT important. :) One of the FIRST new 2026 hands-on art activities happening will launch on January 2, 2026. Details are now available in the classroom: 30 DAYS OF ART... any questions just ask! I can't WAIT! WOOT!

In this gentle year-opening session, I share the calmer path we’re taking in 2026 and introduce our new Fireside Chats with Kisma—a warm, grounded space to slow down, create, and breathe again. Please take a moment to watch this video and post any questions you have below so I can respond. Here's to 2026.

For anyone who has children or is involved with children back in 2020 when the world sort of shut down, I started a youtube channel called KIDS ART WITH KISMA for a local school. You might like to have access to it. There are three playlists: 1. Kids Art Livestream for school aged kids (see Introduction video below 2. IC Kids Intentional Creativity a more advanced painting process for older kids 3. IC Kids Red Thread Connection, a more spiritual aligned offering. Just passing on the creativity for the youngens! :) Enjoy.

@Kisma Reidling . Thank you so for sharing your process. The way you used AI alongside traditional art journaling caught my attention. It showed how technology can help us see ourselves in a new light, especially when we’re working with affirmation, identity, or inner vision. It opened up a new way of thinking about what my “personalized journal” will be as I plan for next year's art journaling ritual. Your class was so timely.