June Highlights. It's a bit hard to believe I am already up the third edition and I am bursting with plans for the fourth. These monthly adventures have been pure joy to put together and everyone involved seems to bring their own joy and excitement as well. On top of that I am getting more competent with the technical side! This month we have our first poet, Gary Dodd being featured. Poetry is generally regarded as the most difficult of genres to have published. Gary has been a wonderful example of the new energy artist in self publishing his work. Students at his local school now study his poems as part of their lessons. Our featured artist is Sarah Biermann. Sarah is a gorgeous embodiment of Goddess energy which she weaves into her artwork. She not only paints, but sculpts, writes and is also a facilitator. Phew! I am thrilled to have Sarah's beautiful flower paintings throughout the newsletter. This months quotes are from Anais Nin (1903-1977)  She pushed the boundaries of what was expected of  female writers and in doing so she helped to open up equality and balance between the sexes. Her journals alone are considered highly important social studies providing a counter perspective of the very male dominant society of her time. I chose Anais not only for the content of her writing but as an invitation and reminder for us to always be open to a different view or way. Even the smallest shift by a single artist can end up sending ripples through time.

"If you do not breathe through writing, if you do not cry out in writing, or sing in writing, then don't write, because our culture has no use for it." Anais Nin

Featured Author- Poet, Gary Dodd  Do you play in other areas of art, other than poetry? No, not at this time.  A friend’s daughter who directs plays in Brisbane, threatened to put me on stage, after a sharing one day stopover with me in United Arab Emirates, a few years ago. How did you get started and at what age? I am a late starter in life, tracing my first poem back to 1995 (mid 30s).  It is also the first poem in my book.  I wrote it a few weeks after meeting the young lady at a wedding of mutual friends.  We were unofficial members of the bridal party.  Her best friend was marrying my best friend. I had only written 21 poems up to June 2002 before I went to live and work in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) for two years.  Shortly after my arrival in the UAE, my mother needed to go to hospital for what is once-in-a-year type operation.  Being so far away, I felt somewhat helpless in assisting her to prepare for the operation.  One day, I was inspired to write a poem for her, and a couple of days later, I wrote another one.  My mother later said, that during some tense times post operation, she would read my poems to lift her spirits.  That comment still brings a smile to my face, even to this day. It was also the start of what is now, a passion in life for me.   Describe the space you go into when you write a poem? I like to call it “The Zone”.  I get this feeling, it seems to take over, and I just want to start writing.  I might have had the poem in my head for some time, even days, or it just pops in.  Most of my inspiration comes from observing life and the people in it.  These days, it is almost second nature as far as writing poems.  I often say “give me a pen and a piece of paper, and I will write something”. How do you know when a poem is ready to share? Good question.  In truth, I am not very good at sharing my poems. I have now written almost 1800, and of them, I have probably shared less than a quarter.  This is due partly because of a perception of not being good enough.  In reality, when I do share a poem, the effect is the opposite.  Over time, I have discovered that if you like what I write, you will love it.  In fact, that is the catchphrase that I now use with my book (“Open this book to any poem, and read what is there.  You will know if this book is for you.”)  Did I know this when I wrote it, certainly not. When/if you have a creative block how do get through it? I can’t say that I suffer much from “writer’s block”, whereas I do occasionally suffer from “title block”.  I often have the poem in my head, and do not know what to call it.  In most cases, I just write about it, and the title appears at some stage.  If, during my daily ritual of writing a poem, I do not have a topic, I just start writing, and something evolves. Could you talk about what it has been like to self-publish? Let me start by saying writing poetry is easy, compared to publishing a book.  There is so much involved, it is daunting at the start.  The first step is to find someone to help you with the production. In my case, it was cover design, page outlay, colours, organising a printer, the list goes on.  With all of that said, the bigger challenge comes after the book is published, with marketing and distribution. The one thing that I will say is, if in doubt, do it.  The whole experience and the wonderful feedback that I have received, has been humbling and very satisfying.

"It is the function of art to renew our perception. What we are familiar with we cease to see. The writer shakes up the familiar scene, and, as if by magic, we see a new meaning in it." Anais Nin

Featured Artist; Sarah Biermann I love to create. I draw, paint, sculpt, write and am the founder of ImagiCreation (when you combine imagination and creation, magic happens). The core of ImagiCreation technique is going into an altered state in which you are able to communicate with the Greater Self via the unconscious mind. The unconscious mind, where our memories, beliefs and imprinting are stored, communicates with the senses, emotions and through images. By working with the language of the unconscious, you are able to transform huge patterns of behavior and experience without the limitations of the logical mind. My earliest memories as a creator are when I was about 5 or 6. My mother was also a creative person. If I ever got a coloring book as a gift, my mom would take it away, and would replace it with some interesting, colored or blank paper. No coloring within the lines at my house! I also remember my 4th Grade teacher talking to my Mom about how talented I was. I focused on my art because it was pretty much the only thing about me that my mother really liked. I continued to be artistic throughout my school years, winning awards in High School. I received my B.F.A from the California College of the Arts in 1984. One thing I learned in college is that if the teacher gave us a  well defined assignment, if there were some restrictions in size, style or content, then it was easier for me to create. Within the confines of imposed structure, my creative part would flourish. If I just tried to make a painting of anything then there were too many possibilities and I’d get overwhelmed.    Depending on what I am creating, the process is quite different. For instance, I made a series of Goddess sculptures. I read books and took a college course on the subject. To create the actual sculpture I would invoke the Goddess herself. For about two weeks I spent time every day being with the energy of the Goddess. At the end of that time I asked her to show me how she would like me to create her. Through this process, I also developed my channeling skills. LEFT- Tara Goddess Sculpture I am an avid gardener and I especially love flowers. Recently I saw the most amazing hibiscus blooms at our local Farmer's Market. I was inspired to paint several of my favorites, just because they made me feel happy. I like to paint flowers close up and with vivid colors and detail. I have been playing with some really fun energy creations. Working with Angels and Masters like Count Saint Germain, we develop and structure specific energies and information for a particular subject. I call these structured energies MACRO’s (Magic And Creation Reality Optimizers). Then, using my amazing Lemurian Record Keeper quartz crystal, I link the MACRO to one of my paintings. Finally, I link the painting (and the MACRO) to prints of the painting that others can use to have access to the MACRO. I currently have two MACRO’s available, Sensual Pleasure and Sex and Relationships in the New Energy. (You might notice a theme there.) I’ve been doing a lot of work lately on the subjects of embodiment, sex and relationships. I am working with St. Germain and other masters on an e-book on these subjects. I also created my own website. Many of my articles and channels are posted there as well as some of my artwork. Please visit Sarah's website at www.limitless-one.com

"There is not one big cosmic meaning for all, there is only the meaning we each give to our life, an individual meaning, an individual plot, like an individual novel, a book for each person." Anais Nin

From the Writer's Retreat; Trish Scott joined the retreat this month and has shared some amazing poetry. Becoming Iguana Iguana Timeless creature Sits on a rock in the sun And blinks slowly Become iguana and know The here and now Then and way before then And way into tomorrow Pretend your belly onto a warm rock Feel your body substantial warm and wise Forever lingers there within you Blink the years as they pass Fly presents itself to you Your long tongue darts and Fly becomes iguana Iguana becomes a little more forever A whiff of danger on the wind A flick that may have been imagination And iguana is gone into cool hiding Gone to dream another earth Iguana becoming iguana Trish Scott http://www.scottfree2b.com

"My ideas usually come not at my desk writing but in the midst of living." Anais Nin

Thanks for dropping by. See you next month! Read other editions of Highlights