The Sage Creative

Reflection and intention go hand-in-hand. We can't create strong intentions for the future without first reflecting on the past. Carve out a little quiet time for yourself to sit and think back on this year and all that is to come. As we near the end of the year, there's a palpable sense of excitement in the air. It's that time when we, our community, collectively pause, take a breath, and look back at the journey we've traversed in the past 365 days. Reflecting on the past year isn't just a nostalgic exercise; it's a powerful tool that helps us move forward. Reflection is like taking a good look in the mirror, not just to see our reflection but to understand how we've grown, where we stumbled, and where we soared. It's not about dwelling on mistakes but acknowledging the lessons we've learned. Each moment of the past year holds stories, lessons, and earned wisdom that shape our lives. It's a chance to grasp the essence of our experiences and app...

Nature is cyclical. She has four distinct seasons: spring of new growth, summer of growing strong, fall of propagation, and winter of rest. I recently heard an interview with Kate Northrup Watts that really stuck with me. She ta lked about the power of marrying one's year with nature's seasons. Most of us naturally feel drawn to some seasonal cycle, especially feelings of rest and reflection as we get deeper into winter. Unfortunately, the western world and capitalism drive a year-round season of growth. This contrast between nature and culture has stuck with me the past couple of weeks as I reflect on my own tendencies. "Four Seasons" by Jo Anne Wyatt This December, I've particularly noticed a contrast between the subtle whispers of nature, urging me to be still, rest, reflect, sit and create, and the resounding culture of festivity and commerce. I think this contrast is heightened by being an artist and small business owner for the first time. Everything I...

In the bustling journey of life, it's easy to get caught up in the whirlwind of responsibilities, expectations, and daily routines. We often find ourselves in a constant state of juggling, attempting to balance our personal, professional, and social lives along with our own personal hobbies and alone time. This year I was introduced to the concept of core values, or one's non-negotiables in life, and I've come to understand that one of the most transformative steps you can take is to identify and prioritize your top 3-5 core values.  What are core values, you might wonder? They are those non-negotiables, beliefs, or principles that you hold dear, which act as guiding stars, illuminating your path and shaping your choices. They give your life meaning and are what you give back to the world when you are at your best. These core values are the fundamental building blocks upon which you construct the life you want, providing a strong foundation on which to stand, even when life...

Is it already December!? This year has blown by and the New Year is right around the corner. With the New Year comes New Year's resolutions. Over the next month, and whenever you're planning personal resolutions or goals, I challenge you to align them with your core values.  What are core values, you might wonder? They are those non-negotiables, beliefs, or principles that you hold dear, which act as guiding stars, illuminating your path and shaping your choices. They give your life meaning and are what you give back to the world when you are at your best. These core values are the fundamental building blocks upon which you construct the life you want, providing a strong foundation on which to stand, even when life's storms come rolling in.  It's important to know your core values so you can live with more intention, authenticity, and achieve greater fulfillment. Here we delve into the value of knowing your core values.  1. Clarity in Decision-Making: Non-negotiables ar...

At Sage Leaf Studio , we believe that it’s important to give back to the community and support organizations that are working to conserve the natural world. That’s why we donate 10% of all proceeds to non-profits that share our vision. In this blog post, we’ll take a closer look at three of the non-profits we support and the work they do to promote sustainability and conservation. World Wildlife Fund (WWF) is one of the world’s leading conservation organizations. Their mission is to conserve nature and reduce the most pressing threats to the diversity of life on Earth. WWF works in over 100 countries and is supported by more than 5 million members worldwide. They focus on a wide range of issues, including climate change, wildlife conservation, and sustainable agriculture. One of the ways that WWF is working to conserve nature is through their Enduring Earth partnership. This is an ambitious collaboration that works alongside nations as they accelerate and amplify conservation for a m...

The art industry can be quite wasteful. Like many other industries reliant on profit, the art industry supports consumerism. From encouraging artists and hobbyists to fill entire rooms in their homes with art supplies, to encouraging buyers to fill every inch of wall space with a new piece of art, buy, buy, BUY is the message. And, unfortunately, it is this consumerism, the wanton mining of our earth for materials and then replacing it with unusable trash, that is destroying our planet.  But art is valuable.  Art is intrinsic to the human experience.  It is woven into the fabric of our evolution and history.  And it can inspire change. At Sage Leaf Studio , we’re committed to help change the art community's narrative. Everyone loves art. There's no changing the fact that people will continue to create and consume art. I LOVE to create and consume art, but I believe we can do it more consciously, with purpose, and in ways that have less devastating impacts on the Eart...

When you buy art, do you think about where it comes from? How do you know it’s legitimate and authentic? A lot of art in the world is “fake.” What this means is when you travel to new places, a lot of the art in souvenir shops isn’t actually from there. It’s often made in China, Brazil, Taiwan, or a different place altogether and shipped to Hawaii, Mexico, or Sedona, AZ, but in the style of local art so you don’t know the difference.  My husband and I usually pick up a piece of pottery or woodworking when we travel to new places. This is the one souvenir we treat ourselves to. It supports local artists, adds worldly beauty to our home, and displays our values. We have gotten really good at making sure what we buy is authentic and not shipped in as a fake. Here's a beautiful hand-lathed wood pot that we picked up in Sedona and which inspired one of my daily paintings. Here are 4 ways to make sure your art purchase while traveling is legit: 1. Does the person who’s selling it know ex...