How To Be A Gorgeous Genius
A Mixed-Media Creativity Retreat to Jumpstart or Restart your Creative Dream (in the Lap of Luxury)
led by Lisa Sonora Beam
Held at the beautiful Hacienda Mosaico in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico January 10 - 16, 2010 Sold Out!
November 28 - December 4, 2010
Dear Creative Soul,
I know that YOU are a gorgeous genius brimming with ideas that can save the world.
By "save the world", I mean: Making a difference for the things you care about. We all have our own "how to make the world a better place" ideas. If not for the whole planet, then in our little corner of the universe. By gorgeous genius I mean: You have a unique gift to offer in a unique way that can be used in service of your "save the world plan" and when you do that, you prosper in ways that make you feel blessed and lucky every day. Ultimately: You get to do what you love, while making a difference and getting paid for it.
the workshop
My mission and purpose in my work and for this retreat is to help you remember, reclaim and recognize your particular gorgeous genius,
and show you how to translate that into tangible, practical ideas and plans that get you doing your thing that can change the world. What we’ll be doing: we will write, paint, and play with all manner of collage and mixed-media supplies, including photography. Absolutely any level of experience is a-ok, and if you have no experience with this...you've got a head start!
What I’ve put together is the best, most powerful creative activities I've developed so far, to access and hone your Gorgeous Genius World-Changing powers. You do have them. Imagine what you can do when you use them. 
the takeaway
You'll have a Gorgeous Genius Manifesto and Action Plan, in the form of a visual journal/map, so overflowing with inspiration, it will call you to keep working with it. A full day of the retreat is spent on the topic of "How To Take It With You". Because I am a practical idealist, and while inspiration is good, it wears off quickly. I am giving you tools to keep going, whether you feel inspired or not.
If you are familiar with my workshops or teaching style, you understand what happens in these experiences. If you haven't yet studied with me, I hope this workshop description* conveys to you the excitement and wonder of what you'll get: creative tools you will take away to use for a lifetime of rich, unique, absolutely authentic expression that serves your higher purpose.
can I say "fall in love" in a workshop description?
Simply put, I want to show you how you can create with abandon, free of self-consciousness and fear, and fall in love with your particular gorgeous genius. When you learn how to do this, anything is possible. Which brings me to the bit about Creative Dreams.
about creative dreams
I think that having and nurturing a creative dream is one of the most important things any human being can do, whether or not they consider themselves “artistic”. When we learn how to do this, the effects spill over into other areas of our lives in wonderful and unexpected ways. Plus, it just feels good. That's the passion part.
It doesn’t matter how seemingly small or lofty that dream is. Maybe you just want to find a way to face a blank page without paralysis. Or learn to develop your own visual style. Or make a living from your art. Or develop a new body of work. Or learn how to infuse your creativity with more meaning. Or nurture a new idea. Or boldly try something new. Or just get away from it all and have some fun. What is your creative dream? How do you want to make a difference for the things you care about? How do you wish you could change the world?
an outline of what you'll learn:
 - How to identify your unique Gorgeous Genius and make it work for you
- How to find and follow your bliss
- How to turn your passion into a profitable enterprise: the two key questions you need to answer
- How doing your thing can be world-changing
- How to creating a visual road map of what it is you want to accomplish
- How to approach your thing with love, and transmute fear (seriously, this is powerful!)
- How to develop a positive and productive relationship to your creative process
- How to harness the power of difficult (and commonly experienced) emotions that can sabotage your ideas (such as envy, jealousy and feeling overwhelmed) to make them work for you, rather than against you
- All about art supplies: the best, cheapest, funnest—and most meaningful—ways to incorporate imagery into your visual journal roadmap
- Ways of dealing with procrastination, self-criticism, judgments and other emotions that keep us from not working
- Taming Sketchy ideas: How deal with wanting your work to look "artistic" and still get your rough ideas down. Yes, you can have both!
 How to return to a creative project after an absence- Concerns of privacy: Surprising and fun ways of getting your ideas out without fear of prying eyes. Concerns about publishing and blogging.
- The magic of mixed-media: How to integrate writing, painting, collage, photography, and the kitchen sink into your visual journals
- Being an artful traveler: How to make an extraordinary visual journal of your travels, including essential supplies
- How to build and maintain a creative support system to prevent isolation and burnout
- Critical information on how to take what you learn at the retreat and consistently apply it long after our time together
- Practical tools that bolster courage and confidence designed to help you move forward on your creative dreams—whatever they may be
geez! those sure were a lot of bullet points!
Yep. That's because I'm giving you everything I've got --- material that took me years (if I say decades, I feel so old, but yes, decades!) to learn and synthesize and codify -- especially for creative-minded folks. I had to learn how to make a living while doing what I love (and making a difference) the hard way, the long way, the expensive way. I'm not saying there are quick fixes or easy answers, I'm saying that I have put together the toolkit I wished I'd had when I was starting out....or starting over....yet again.
if you've read this far...
If this sounds interesting to you, the location details and price and all that's included is below. If you are thinking of doing this, but just aren't sure...I invite you to contact me and we can talk about whether or not it's a good fit for you. Send me an email, and we'll set up a time to talk by phone or skype.
This retreat is very small (about 10-12 participants, usually) so it's very important that everyone is on the same page. I am more likely to discourage someone from coming, rather than trying to "sell" anyone on this. It's not the retreat for everyone.
“If you are having trouble jump starting or taking your work to the next level, this is the class for you. Even the every day challenges of life improved for me with the tools this class provided. I came away clear as a bell on my objectives and super charged with creative ideas like never before!
Lisa Sonora Beam is a dynamic and engaging facilitator who really knocked my socks off! After attending her Mexico retreat, I came home revved up and ready to make big changes in my life, feeling clear headed and totally focused on possibilities that I had never before imagined.
Everyone should have these tools! This amazing clarity is more valuable than gold. If you are making your way towards a dream, Lisa Sonora Beam is just the person to help you reach it.”— Carol C. Parks, Artist
2007 Retreat Participant
the setting: does a private tropical paradise work for you?
I am taking you on retreat in the most nourishing environment I have ever been. It’s a place I go, over and over again, to fill my own creative well, get inspired, and just deeply, deeply rest. To retreat.
That place is Mexico, where I have been traveling and teaching and mingling with the local artists and culture for the past decade.
Specifically, this retreat is held in the most unique of environments, a private hacienda designed by an artist for artists. (If you don’t think of yourself as an artist, that’s OK. If you just have some creative inklings...or might even be a little nervous about the title “artist”, then you will find kindred spirits here.)
at Hacienda Mosaico you will find:
* A colorful, stimulating environment created by artists for artists inside the walls of a restored private hacienda where the cooking and cleaning is done for you, and you get to just lay back, relax, have fun and create!
* Private gardens and patios surrounding a swimming pool where you can rest and recharge
* Gorgeous studio spaces overlooking the gardens where you can work indoors or outdoors in the perfect Puerto Vallarta weather
* Space and time just for you and your creative ideas
* On-the-spot coaching when you have questions or hit snags as you work
* A group of fun, courageous, and creative kindred spirits who, like you, want to express their Gorgeous Genius!
* Time to explore the Puerto Vallarta boardwalk, galleries, shops and amazing restaurants to gather even more inspiration and recharge your batteries
 why I love this place and go back over and over again
Hacienda Mosaico is a three-dimensional experience of creativity made real. It is the living dream of artist and artist-nurturer Sandra Leonard, aka Sam, who followed her creative dream to build the ultimate artistic retreat for herself and other artists.
You experience art everywhere from the moment you walk up to the walled garden and ring the bell to be let in. Sam expresses her creativity in everything from the funky, colorful interior design, to the lush gardens filled with intimate private spaces for relaxation and reflection, to the abundant, delicious meals, all prepared with ingredients fresh from the farmer’s market and artfully presented.
price and what's included
Retreat price is $1675.00 based on double occupancy. The price includes:
* 5 full days of workshop sessions
* 6 nights lodging
* delicious full breakfasts and lunches served poolside
* unlimited studio time
* welcome reception with cocktails and traditional Mexican appetizers
how to register
Lodging space at Hacienda Mosaico is extremely limited. If you want a private room (for an additional charge, ask Sandra when you call), or to guarantee lodging on site, please make your reservation now. Lodging is available off-site nearby, when rooms are full.
To register, call Sandra at 908-891-2057 or send her an email: info@haciendamosaico.com
*p.s. I love to teach workshops and lead retreats. Workshop descriptions are hard for me to write. If something isn't clear or you have questions or want to get more details, I invite you contact me. We'll set up a time to discuss your questions by phone or skype.
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