Return to Childhood Joy | Interview w/ Performance & Visual Artist Jesse Learned

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“I love to paint using my intuition and sense of play. I try to nurture a non-judgmental and lovingly curious space for creativity to flow through.” Today’s Awakened Creator Spotlight is on Jesse, a performance and visual artist and Universe Collaborator, who resurrected her childlike wonder and love for creativity after a lengthy hiatus only to find her spirit fully alive and ready to play once more! Connect with Jesse on Instagram @itty.bitty.kitty.pittie Here is Jesse in her own words on the creative journey and what it means to be an Awakened Creator. Tell us about your authentic creative expression. What do you love to create and why? For as long as I can remember, I have been drawn to any and all forms of creative expression. My mom says I was born with a paintbrush in my hand, and my favorite things to do as a child were drawing, painting, making up dances to my favorite songs, and pretending. I got into theater in my teen years and that became the outlet for my creative expression for many years of my life. In my late teens and early adult years in the 1990s, I was blessed to become part of a theater group with an incredible mentor, director, and artist, Mario Lescot. One of Mario’s sayings was “all of theater is music and dance”. Mario valued emotions and honest expression over polished and perfect performances. This theater group was the first time in my life where my traits of being emotional and highly sensitive were seen as positive, and even honored.  Then I had some years where I lost my creative outlet except for the infrequent occasions where I would find a practical reason to be creative. I would experience so much joy in hand making Valentine’s Day cards with my daughter for her classmates at school or hand painting ornaments during the holidays. I loved being creative but felt like I needed a reason or justification for it. In February of 2021 a close friend of mine (Daniela /@art.shewolf) who is a fantastic visual artist offered a one-time art class focused on self love for Valentine’s Day. She guided us to focus on emotions and to choose colors specifically to express them. She cultivated a space of non judgment and self love. Ironically, immediately after her class, I disliked what I had painted, so I put it away out of my sight. But then I came across it about a week later and it looked entirely different to me. I could see it with fresh eyes. It wasn’t good or bad, it just was. There was so much energy in it. Such strong feelings. I wanted to paint more. My friend’s class awakened my love of painting that had been dormant for years and I have been painting on a pretty regular basis ever since. I feel a lot of gratitude and joy to have that creative flow valve wide open. I love to paint using my intuition and sense of play. I try to nurture a non-judgmental and lovingly curious space for creativity to flow through. Right now I have really been enjoying bright colors and childlike content. Who knows what I will explore in the future? I’m looking forward to finding out. What most often gets in your way as a creator and how do you stay in alignment and flow? Self-criticism, judgment, and comparing my art to others’ are the most common culprits, lurking in the shadows aiming to sabotage my creative alignment and flow. I also used to put off painting or creating for years by telling myself all the things I needed to get done first. Like, I shouldn’t be allowed to paint or create anything that makes a mess until I have gotten all other messes cleaned up everywhere first. I don’t do that as much now. I more often can appreciate, celebrate, accept and embrace the ongoing messiness of life. I have created a little outdoor painting space for myself with a filming set up. I think that helps a lot. And spiritual connectedness. I had a spiritual expansion that happened alongside my reawakening to my love of painting, and I feel so much connection to my ancestors and guides now. I talk to them a lot, I hear back from them in creative ways too. And I talk to myself. I give myself epic best-friend-style pep talks when needed. If you could offer words of wisdom or support to your fellow creators, what would you say? As much as you are able to, commit fully to radical self care and radical self love. Do not compare yourself to other artists in any way that diminishes yourself or your work. Frida Kahlo’s work is so different from Georgia O’Keeffe’s … it makes no sense to compare them, they are each needed to exist in the universe, just as our creative expressions need to exist. How did you become a part of the Awakened Creators community and what does being an Awakened Creator mean to you? The day before I became aware of the Awakened Creators community, I got what feels like a spiritual heads up from the universe. I’m a person who loves to paint with bright colors; I focus a lot on color frequency and vibrations, and I tend to notice colors in the world around me. I had this moment at work (I work at a grocery store) where I realized that there were a lot of people shopping in this one small area and that they were all wearing yellow shirts of different shades. I counted 6 of them in yellow shirts, which seemed statistically unusual with no other colors nearby, and as I’m taking this in, a 7th person walks into this little corner area wearing a yellow shirt. It gave me that kind of giddy feeling I get when I realize I might be getting some kind of sign from the universe/my guides. I tend to …

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The Healing Light of Art | Interview w/ Artist Gabrielle Desmarais

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“Finding like-minded/ like-spirited creators is priceless on our journey. Remember, two or more is more powerful than one.” Today’s Awakened Creator Spotlight is on Artist & Creative Connector, Gabrielle Desmarais, whose luminous creations and projects are infused with the light of angelic healing. Connect with her on Instagram: @gabrielle_artist or her project website: www.lilyanddad.com Here is Gabrielle in her own words on her creative journey and what it means to be an Awakened Creator. Tell us about your authentic creative expression. What do you love to create and why? I love to help others find peace, light, hope and happiness through connecting to healing messages in creativity. I work with a partner, Alan. He helps to guard and balance all interactions. Currently we have two projects. The first is a Creative Whispers Workshop. The second is in progress: a children’s book for adults called: ‘My Aven Cher Diry’. The story is about a little angel called Lily in a Heaven space with her Dad. I am the connector and cover creator, and Alan is the illustrator. The Creative Whispers Workshop consists of Art and Healing sessions with personalized drawings completed Live, offering protection from the person’s current challenges. During the sessions, Alan reads poetry from a limited edition poetry book I wrote called: Meaningful Messages on Your Journey. Finally, an Inner Child Light drawing is created for the client and all original pieces are sent to the new owner. Messages of light are transferred through ownership of healing imagery. Love, happiness, goodness and other beautiful desires have the freedom to be released and manifest in peoples’ daily living. What most often gets in your way as a creator and how do you stay in alignment and flow? On occasion, technology needs to be turned off for my intuition to tune in. I believe that my angels like to send me messages and too much technology can interfere with the process. To stay aware and accessible, I sometimes need to practice chakra alignment, prayer, affirmation and art meditation earlier than usual in the morning, before I check my phone or turn on technology. If you could offer words of wisdom or support to your fellow creators, what would you say? It takes community and collaboration to help inspire transformation and lightness of the soul. Finding like minded/ like spirited creators is priceless on our journey. Remember, two or more is more powerful than one. Lastly, stay humble. How did you become a part of the Awakened Creators community and what does being an Awakened Creator mean to you? I was blessed to meet Amanda by chance during her Instagram Live. Her dynamic, present and nurturing energy caught my attention and I deeply resonated with the words which she shared. Immediately, I understood her gift. That is where my link with the Awakened Creators community was formed. To me, being an Awakened Creator means to be a part of a whole. It means to walk with collected Love, to have pure intentions and to work creatively from the heart and soul. It is a wonderful opportunity to help others to connect with their light, to inspire hope in the world. Want to connect with Gabrielle? Check out Gabrielle’s healing light creations on: Instagram: @gabrielle_artist  Project Website: www.lilyanddad.com Do you have the desire to align with your authentic creative expression? If you want to feel free to create from the heart, my HeART Alignment Creative Ritual guide will show you a pathway home. I will personally guide you (with quick video lessons) through a simple yet powerful creative ritual that will bring your heART back online so you can start creating from that space again. Access the HeART Alignment Creative Ritual guide for free.

Awakening Your Interdimensionality – Interview with Visionary Artist Cassaundra Marie

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“Share your work, share your true self. Make art that makes You happy, not art that you think people want to see, or will digest easier.” Today’s Awakened Creator Spotlight is on Cassaundra Marie, a Visionary Artist, who’s dream inspired creations are awakening the hearts and minds of others to their own interdimensionality. Connect with her on Instagram: @dreamstatevisions, Facebook: Dreamstate Visions, and Soundcloud: Cassaundra Marie Ikeler Here is Cassaundra Marie in her own words on her creative journey and what it means to be an Awakened Creator. Tell us about your authentic creative expression. What do you love to create and why? I love bringing the imagery from my mind’s eye, and the dream realm, to fruition. Whether that comes out through painting, (which is absolutely my favorite) or through orgonite creations. For me, it is mostly about capturing the emotions, and energetic exchange that is attached to the visual. I am not 100% sure why, but I have a deep inner knowing that I am supposed to open minds, hearts, and eyes to the vast expanse of interdimensional life that exists all around us. I believe that my visions are meant to be shared with the world to help raise collective consciousness, and I feel honored to have found my calling. What most often gets in your way as a creator and how do you stay in alignment and flow? My love of working on several projects at once, sometimes holds me back. I tend to get ahead of myself and start too many things at once, and I can often become overwhelmed. When this happens, I observe these feelings, accept them, tell myself that everything I am already doing is enough, thank my mind for all of the new ideas, and then allow myself a full day of rest and self care.  I personally stay in alignment by keeping a gratitude journal and a dream journal. The gratitude journal keeps me humble and present with what is in my current timeline.  The dream journal provides me with endless streams of artistic inspiration, and also keeps me connected and lucid to the time I spend in the astral plane, giving thanks for the ability to retain the information acquired whilst dreaming.  I have found that flow, for me, comes when I stop planning and worrying about the outcome of a piece. If I just act on intuition and know that any mistake made is part of a more grand plan, it really helps me to stay in flow and alignment. Focusing too much on the outcome, can immediately tear us away from the present moment, and the present moment is key when creating authentic art, in my opinion. If you could offer words of wisdom or support to your fellow creators, what would you say? Share your work, share your true self. Make art that makes You happy, not art that you think people want to see, or will digest easier. I do not remember who this quote is from, but it goes, “art is meant to comfort the disturbed and disturb the comfortable.” If someone has a problem with your art, instead of getting offended, let it open up a dialogue and discussion. Ask questions. You would be surprised how many people are just curious, but are unsure of where to begin asking questions about it. Be the type of person you needed when you were younger. Stop doubting yourself. No one is you, and that is your superpower. YOU ARE CAPABLE OF ANYTHING! Your dreams are possible, just by dreaming them, you are halfway through to bringing them into fruition. You can start over and create a new life for yourself at any time, you just have to choose. How did you become a part of the Awakened Creators community and what does being an Awakened Creator mean to you? Perfectly enough, I became part of the Awakened Creators community through my Artwork!!! Amanda found me one day, taking a brave step in showing myself in my pictures with my art and it was a vulnerable day for me. She lit me up like a rainbow, with compliments on my bravery, strength in being vulnerable, and praising my artwork. It was truly a synchronistic meet. It was also one of my first support systems ever founded when I first started to follow my heart and make art priority number 1. At the time, I was craving authentic connections, deeper friendships, and really just trying to find my tribe. Absolutely divinely synchronous.  To me, being an Awakened Creator means being open to every variable of possibility. Not only in my art, but in life. No one person, or group of people can ever know the Right way for someone else to live. We all find our own way, in our own time, and should be accepted and respected as such. Let your freak flag fly! Your “weird” is your personal energy signature and it is Beautiful and unique! Being an Awakened Creator also means to help lift others around you, and inspire everyone to shine their true colors, despite hate or negative reaction. We are here to come together as a collective, and give each other value and purpose. Love and connection, community and friendship. I like to hope that anyone who follows my artistic journey knows that they can come to me any time with questions, seeking advice, or needing a reason to smile. I want everyone to be able to tune in to their inner child and rediscover play, art, relaxation, and whatever the thing is, that lights a spark in their heart.  If you have awakened to your gifts, share them! The universe needs your resonance! If you are still struggling to find yourself, your spark, or the thing that drives you, reach out to us and find a kindred who understands that journey, and can walk arm and arm with you as you explore. As an individual, we can often feel like …

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Feeling Beyond the Words – Interview with Multi-Passionate Artist Amy Frank

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“I can just feel in my body when I’m being called to bring something forth into the world.” Today’s Awakened Creator Spotlight is on Amy Frank, a multi-passionate artist, who taps into a deep emotional well of poetry, fiction, paintings, and so much more, all radiating straight from her heart. Connect with Amy on Instagram @wingsofjewels Here is Amy in her own words on the creative journey and what it means to be an Awakened Creator. Tell us about your authentic creative expression. What do you love to create and why? It’s emotional. Emotion-based. There has to be an emotional connection there, an aspect of emotional expression, or just expression in general; my thoughts and feelings. And my daydreams. I love to create whatever I’m called to create. I create very intuitively.  My primary expression is through writing. I’ve been creating stories since I was a little girl. Before I could even write words, I would draw pictures and put them in chronological order. Writing will always be my first creative love. Language is the thing that comes most easily to me. Any kind of writing, really. I love writing poetry because I can play with abstract imagery, and convey emotion through those images. I see my poems like little movies in my mind. I feel them. Again, there has to be that emotional connection there, or I don’t connect with them.  Poetry is also the thing that comes easiest to me. I used to write fiction, and actually wrote 5 novels in the past. I doubt most of them will ever see the light of day. I did most of them to prove to myself that I could do it. I’ve written some short stories as well, and even a bit of flash fiction! Maybe someday I’ll return to fiction writing, but for now, my main focus is on poetry (which I consider to be a form of visual art).  In 2021, I took up painting for the first time. I love to express myself this way as well. I love to create abstract art because it allows for more freedom of expression and experimentation. I love the wildness of it. I love listening to my intuition when it comes to deciding which colors to pick, what tools to use, etc. I love to work with acrylics, watercolor, and oil pastels. I also love music and the performing arts. I have a strong theatrical streak and I can mimic accents and do funny voices and cool stuff like that! I used to play piano. (Not professional, though.) I basically love variety. I’m a multi-passionate person, that’s for sure! What most often gets in your way as a creator and how do you stay in alignment and flow? Myself, haha. My brain (she likes to think she knows more than my intuition). I stay in alignment and flow by not forcing myself to create. I usually wait for intuition to guide me (though I don’t always listen). I can just feel in my body when I’m being called to bring something forth into the world. I give myself breaks. I’ve taken months-long breaks from writing, only to come back to it and write a whole month’s worth of poems in one week’s time. I also make a conscious choice not to put pressure on myself to be a content machine. I’m a human being!  Also, when it comes to my writing, I don’t censor myself during the creation of the first draft. I let it all pour out. I’ve practiced this. I used to judge everything and edit as I wrote the rough draft and it was so stifling. It’s much better to let the initial flow come out, step away from it for a while, then come back to it and edit it. With painting, I haven’t quite mastered this yet. It’s still hard for me to get into the flow when I’m painting. I still deal with perfectionism, expecting it to look a certain way IMMEDIATELY. It’ll be interesting to see how I’ll reach that point in my painting, where I can create them a bit more freely, like I do with my writing. If you could offer words of wisdom or support to your fellow creators, what would you say? There is so much I want to say. I don’t claim to have all the answers, but I think I’ll write a book about it someday. Surrender to your intuition. It’s your greatest asset. Take care of your body. Take care of YOU in your humanity. Develop an awareness of the stories you’re telling yourself about what you can and can’t do. If your mind starts to trash talk you, deliberately speak loving words to yourself, even when it feels hard (anything new is going to feel hard, btw). Don’t try to be perfect. Start small. Don’t put so much pressure on yourself, especially during the first draft. Take breaks. Take lots of breaks. Creating things takes energy. Replenish yourself. Make time for play. Not all your art needs to be serious. And if you’re struggling, that’s ok. It’s ok. It’s ok if you’re struggling. How did you become a part of the Awakened Creators community and what does being an Awakened Creator mean to you? Amanda started following me on Instagram some time ago, and I remember her interacting with some of my posts. I really liked the way she interacted with my posts, leaving well-thought out comments, instead of the usual “Likes” or “Nice pic” or something.  I joined in on one of Awakened Creators’ live moon meditations on Instagram and really vibed with it. I’ve felt very supported by Amanda and the community of Awakened Creators in general. To me, being an awakened creator means being *alive* to the fact that we were born with the special gift of an artist’s soul, and being awakened to the truth of who you are, your inner self, and expressing that outwards in the ways that speak to you. …

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Awakening the Medicine of Art – Interview with Intuitive Artist Adrienne Stohr Lewis

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“My painting practice is a sacred space where I can connect to myself and spirit. It is a space where I speak my truth and where I rewrite my limiting stories and beliefs.” Today’s Awakened Creator Spotlight is on Adrienne Stohr Lewis, an art medicine woman, intuitive artist, and community herbalist, who is reconnecting with her authentic spirit and ancestors through the medicine of art. Connect with her on Instagram @otter.woman. Here is Adrienne in her own words on her creative journey and what it means to be an Awakened Creator. Tell us about your authentic creative expression. What do you love to create and why? I love to paint. I love acrylic and watercolor mediums. My painting practice is a sacred space where I can connect to myself and spirit. It is a space where I speak my truth and where I rewrite my limiting stories and beliefs. It is where I reconnect to my authentic self and feel my ancestors and guides showing me my next right thing. This alchemy shows up in the very intuitive almost shamanic nature of my paintings.  What most often gets in your way as a creator and how do you stay in alignment and flow? The hard truth is, I get in my own way. My stories around perfectionism and productivity are my biggest obstacles. I was taught to hustle, to please, to be polite, and to excel at whatever I did, and if I wasn’t the best to drop it. Painting has helped me cultivate my personal integrity and authenticity, to be really honest with myself. I’ve realized that me being my most whole and authentic self is my greatest gift to the world. A big part of this alignment for me is staying in relationship with my menstrual cycle. When my critic shows up it is most often in the luteal phase of my cycle. My flow and alignment are directly tied to this cycle. In the beginning of my month I often feel very expansive, free, intuitive and creative. In the later half of my cycle I feel much more introspective, slower, and less motivated. Being in alignment with my cycle gives me permission to be a different new version of myself everyday and helps me recognize when the shadow of perfectionism and productivity threaten to dominate my creative space. If you could offer words of wisdom or support to your fellow creators, what would you say? A wisdom I love and think of often is the idea that we can only see what already exists inside of us. If you are drawn to the magic of a certain tree it is because the tree is mirroring back to you something magical about yourself. I trust that if you are here reading this and following Awakened Creators it is because your creative spirit has been awakened. We have all these ideas about what it means to be “creative” and an “artist”. The truth is we are all creative beings and we are creating all day everyday of our lives. It may not be the “art” you dream of making, but when we begin to look at our lives as art we begin to make the transition from matching a shirt and a pair of pants together as an expression of our unique selves, to the confidence to put that expression on paper or canvas or on the dance floor. You’re already an artist making life art, what else are you going to create?  How did you become a part of the Awakened Creators community and what does being an Awakened Creator mean to you? I found Amanda/or she found me (I can’t recall actually) on Instagram and I LOVE all of her posts. I feel like I’m growing with her posts. Sometimes I read them and I’ve just had an ha-ha about a post she’s shared, so it’s deeply validating, or she’ll share something and it creates that ah-ha moment because I was ripe for the lesson. Always I feel there is such deep magic and wisdom in her work and that she is of such service to this community which I deeply admire. Want to connect with Adrienne? Check out Adrienne’s incredible healing creations on: Instagram: @otter.woman Facebook: Otter Woman Earth Medicine or visit www.otterwoman.com for painting courses & herbal healing. Do you have the desire to align with your authentic creative expression? If you want to feel free to create from the heart, my HeART Alignment Creative Ritual guide will show you a pathway home. I will personally guide you (with quick video lessons) through a simple yet powerful creative ritual that will bring your heART back online so you can start creating from that space again. Access the HeART Alignment Creative Ritual guide for free.

Claiming Creative Freedom – Interview with Dadaist P.J. D’Agostino

by Amanda StoneAwakened Creator Spotlight, Creativity, Inspiration, Visual ArtsPosted on No Comments

“I would actually like to think that nothing gets in my way as a creator anymore, but it wasn’t always like this. It took a lot of energy to get here, and it happened very slowly.” Today’s Awakened Creator Spotlight is on P.J. D’Agostino, a dadaist, who brings forth their own unique expression by using unconventional mediums. Connect with them on Instagram @ser8phim Here is P.J. in their own words on their creative journey and what it means to be an Awakened Creator. Tell us about your authentic creative expression. What do you love to create and why? The medium I love to work in most is my menstrual flow, because it comes to me for free, and sometimes I find things in nature to paint on or with, so it feels like the entire experience is coming exclusively from the earth and really gives an enhanced feel of meditation while creating. What most often gets in your way as a creator and how do you stay in alignment and flow? I would actually like to think that nothing gets in my way as a creator anymore, but it wasn’t always like this. It took a lot of energy to get here, and it happened very slowly. Before, I would have told you that other humans’ opinions were getting in my way, or something like that. If you could offer words of wisdom or support to your fellow creators, what would you say? I want to tell all my fellow humans to create, and do it like you mean it! It can be anything, as long as it is done with love. With love, anything is possible! How did you become a part of the Awakened Creators community and what does being an Awakened Creator mean to you? I believe I saw [Amanda’s] comments on a mutual friend’s art, and [she] seemed so free and encouraging, and all of [her] posts made sense to me when I sought them out! Being an Awakened Creator means I am allowed to learn from and with a beautiful community of humans also committed to loving creation in this lifetime. Want to connect with P.J.? Check out P.J.’s incredible creations on Instagram @ser8phim. Do you have the desire to align with your authentic creative expression? If you want to feel free to create from the heart, my HeART Alignment Creative Ritual guide will show you a pathway home. I will personally guide you (with quick video lessons) through a simple yet powerful creative ritual that will bring your heART back online so you can start creating from that space again. Access the HeART Alignment Creative Ritual guide for free.

Finding Inspiration Everywhere – Interview with Digital Artist Ron Van Alff

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“Awakened Creator describes me really well, because I started creating art for the first time in my life (in my 40’s) in the same period that I started to awaken!” Today’s Awakened Creator Spotlight is on Ron van Alff, a digital artist, who explores his heartfelt expression through the merging of photography and spiritual intuition.  Connect with him on Instagram/TikTok/Twitter @ronvibesart. Here is Ron in his own words on his creative journey and what it means to be an Awakened Creator. Tell us about your authentic creative expression. What do you love to create and why? I love to take pictures of trees, the sky, churches, houses, flowers & lamps for example. Afterwards I look for a picture that “speaks” to me and I start editing it. Because I have been doing this extensively for a while now I have some tricks up my sleeve. But when I start I don’t know exactly what it will become. I work very intuitively. During this process I start seeing something, feeling something and it gets spiritual meaning most of the times. I tend to create lots of portals, parallel universes and dreamworlds. This process makes me lose time and relaxes me. And I get excited starting something new. That’s why I do it! What most often gets in your way as a creator and how do you stay in alignment and flow? Because I have several special interests, I might become too involved with other things and not create any art for a few days. It’s just something I realise and then I make myself start on a photo. After a short while the drive and the routine comes back. Creating my art goes hand in hand with my spiritual work. So meditation and reading about philosophy helps me in my creative flow as well. If you could offer words of wisdom or support to your fellow creators, what would you say? Create what YOU like. Get excited about that, create every day, you’ll get better. But don’t give yourself deadlines with that. Some people improve within weeks, some people take years. And as a digital artist: look for collaborations after a while. They can be fun and you can learn a lot from it! I know I have!    “Create what YOU like. Get excited about that, create every day, you’ll get better.” How did you become a part of the Awakened Creators community and what does being an Awakened Creator mean to you? I remember starting my Instagram account with my art last year and after a short while I gravitated to certain artists. What I noticed was their loving vibe, the positive way they communicate and the fact that they’re spiritual like me (in the end we are all spiritual beings). I started following Awakened Creators right away! Awakened Creator describes me really well, because I started creating art for the first time in my life (in my 40’s) in the same period that I started to awaken! I became interested in source, fabric of the universe, manifestation, reincarnation and more. Want to connect with Ron? Check out Ron’s incredible digital artwork on Instagram, TikTok, & Twitter @ronvibesart.  Do you have the desire to align with your authentic creative expression? If you want to feel free to create from the heart, my HeART Alignment Creative Ritual guide will show you a pathway home. I will personally guide you (with quick video lessons) through a simple yet powerful creative ritual that will bring your heART back online so you can start creating from that space again. Access the HeART Alignment Creative Ritual guide for free.