Creative NUDGE: Linking creativity, arts, health and business: Creativity Workshops, Coaching and Consulting Services for Corporate, Professional, Personal and Organizational Development
Copyright 2009 Brenda Johima
BRENDA JOHIMA IN THE PRESS
Artist nudges others towards creativity
By Beth Scott © Comox Valley Record Staff: February 23, 2007
Brenda Johima knows a lot about creativity. She is a singer, a visual artist, photographer and a business woman. But she wasn’t always.
“I was painfully shy, I blushed all the time,” says the woman who now breezes through public speaking engagements. “I knew I had to get over it and I did. I taped myself speaking and listened to the tape over and over again until I became comfortable hearing myself.”
That was years ago, and now Johima says she does what interests her at the moment and she does it with excitement and enthusiasm. “I do go against the grain,” she says. “I do what feels right in business, art and life.”
In 1994 Johima, a music therapist, counsellor and aspiring singer, decided she wanted to paint. With no training and just a simple desire, she headed to a local craft shop and purchased a few cheap brushes, some paper canvas and craft paint. Johima ended up designing her own line of greeting cards. With a little financial help she had her little paintings made into prints and then into greeting cards. All these years later the little cards are still selling.
Johima is now a successful (Creativity Coach) artist, with her vibrant works shown all over the Island and selling for large sums to collectors. Her aspirations for singing have materialized. And she has also begun sharing her secrets of success through her business, Creative Nudge Coaching and Consulting Services. “A lot of people believe they are not creative,” she says. “My belief is that creativity is always there, sometimes you just need a coach, or guide, to help you uncover it. When you do you’re off to the races.”
While taking a class can be inspiring and improve skills, Johima says all the classes in the world won’t necessarily expose an individual’s creativity. “Creativity involves being in the unknown and being willing to let go of control,” she says. “You can be technically perfect, but if the heart is not there it’s not going to sell no matter if it’s art, music, an idea, etc.”
Living in the Comox Valley provides a cornucopia of opportunities to encourage individual expression — it’s one of the reasons Johima chose to live here.
“The Comox Valley is an incredible place,” she says. “We have a culture which is (experiencing an) influx. We have a diversity of high-calibre talent, and intensity and passion for developing creative talent, and a higher density of creative talent per capita than anywhere in Canada. Now, if we take the opportunity to run with it, I believe we have — more than most communities — a chance to foster a culture of economic creativity, built on inclusiveness, kindness, acceptance and encouragement for the expression of individuality.”
Johima says it was no accident that the Comox Valley has been chosen as one of the 2007 Cultural Capitals of Canada with opportunities in visual arts, dance, writing, theatre, music, film, festivals and more, drawing visitors from afar. But while there is so much creativity here, Johima says it could be better if the creativity of each individual was allowed to run free.
“We all have great ideas,” she says.
“However, did you know that many people will only offer their ideas and solutions to problems when they feel comfortable and safe to do so? If an employer were to bring more of the whole person to the workplace the employee will be happier, and as a result more productive. The culture of the workplace can be one which values and encourages diversity and encourages creativity. When we value creativity and ideas, our culture changes, people come to life, communities prosper and thrive…Without an accepting culture only a few powerful and loud voices will be heard and we do not benefit from the richness of a diversity of ideas, innovation and solutions.”
From the skilled CEO looking to draw out the very best creative talents in their workforce to the individual seeking all the possibilities, Johima says her workshops can make a difference.
“An open mind, an open heart, and an open channel for the creative force to flow through will always guide you to the steps to reach your personal and artistic goals, to complete that project, to paint that painting, or to watch you business grow,” she says.
“Every single person, without exception, is creative … and creativity is the one way in which every single person can participate in their own unique way and add to the fabric of the community.” ~Brenda Johima~
For more information on Creative Nudge Coaching and Consulting Services check out the website at www.creativenudge.com or call Brenda at 1+(250) 335 – 1195.
© Copyright 2007 Courtenay Comox Valley Record
Contact Me:
E: brenda (AT) creativenudge (DOT) com
P: (250) 335 – 1195
Where: I am based in the beautiful Comox Valley, on Vancouver Island, near Denman Island, in British Columbia, Canada. I’m only a 35 minute flight to Vancouver, from the Comox Valley Airport YQQ, about an hour flight to Calgary, and am available for international travel.
