Vulnerability in life and art

To paraphrase John Lennon, this episode is what happened while I was busy making other plans

I thought I'd share some thoughts on the challenge of taking the rest we need and how that relates to the benefits of true refuge

New York Times best selling co-author of Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls, founder of Undercats Media, and creator of narratives about and for the children who have felt invisible

Francesca Cavallo grew up in the south of Italy, without models for the life she dreamed of, and so she created her own. The passion that drives her life and her art are inspiring for anyone with the desire to live in a world different than the one we inhabit today

Visit her on instagram @francescatherebel and @undercats or at www.undercats.com

This was one of those conversations that changed how I think and feel about my life and what I want to do with it

Angelika Kollin is a tremendously talented photographer with wonderful insight into what it means to make oneself vulnerable and create from that space

Take time today to make something that is meaningful to you

Explore Angelika's work online at angelikakollin.com and on instagram @angeliakollin

In this episode, I introduce the next aspect of this exploration into vulnerability: the vulnerability journal project

You can listen to the episode to find out what the project is all about, then check out vulnerabilitylifeart.com/journal for more details

I would love to send you a blank journal to see what you create on your page and where it goes from there...

Frank Strunk III is a self-taught artist working in Saint Petersburg, Florida. From a background in commerical printing and construction, he made his way to developing his skills as a metal artist who creates evocative and gentle pieces, like the machine which is holding - or being held by - a delicate dancing balloon of parchment.

Frank shares how he became an artist- not just a person who makes art, but someone who gained the confidence to call himself an artist.

He emphasizes the importance of being authentic, vulnerable, and fully open to the depth of every feeling.

Check out his work at frankstrunk.com or on instagram @frankstrunk3rd

Shaun Stamp is an exceptional, sensitive artist whose work is at once both conceptual and strongly emotional

His pieces span many media, from photography to sculpture and text to installations, addressing themes related to identity, what it means to be human, and making meaningful connections with others

Learn more about Shaun and his work by visiting @shaunstamp on instagram and shaunstamp.com

Sid Daniels has drawn incredible inspiration from art and music dating from the 1930s to the 1950s, creating dramatic, captivating illustrations, murals & paintings that reflect the unique influences on his work

Sid shares highlights and lessons from his decades of experience as an artist. And he continues to explore who he is - and is becoming - as he makes and refines his art, every day

Visit @siddanielsofficial on instagram or siddaniels.com for more details about his life and art

Where are you on your journey? Are you open to learning from and connecting more deeply with other people, power animals, the natural world that surrounds us...?

Eva Blossom talks about the shamanic journey, vulnerability as our truth, and the power of looking into the eyes of another

Visit innerblossom.ca to learn more about gaining greater awareness and healing through the practices of shamanism

What does it mean to be disabled? And how might we be disabling others despite good intentions?

Duncan Meerding is a lighting and furniture designer-maker from Tasmania. He's also visually impaired. How does that affect his work? I learned a lot about vulnerability, accessibility, and sustainability from our conversation

Be sure to check out Duncan's work on instagram @duncanmeerding or online at duncanmeerding.com.au

Gary Trente is a gifted artist who shares wonderful insights into the act of making art and what it means to him, whether he is painting, drawing, or working through the process of creating his next piece.

Even during those periods in his life when he was doing other things, he never stopped thinking about making art.

Check out his profile @garytrente to see some of his beautifully rendered drawings of the buildings and streets of Manhattan.