The Finnish Art of Sisu
A community practice and an invitation
A little sneak preview of our group members art. Members note: if you don’t see yours in here, please resend your images to me.
Hello friends,
The official global 100 day project launch date is drawing near, and though I will not be posting every single day for the next 100 days like I did last year, I do plan to post more frequently during this time, with the intent to feature our community members artwork.
I have to confess, I was a bit disoriented when I looked back in the archives to review what I’d posted during the 2024 global 100 day project. With all the life changes that have happened in the past twelve months, I’d completely forgotten that it served as the official launch of our Recovering Your Intuitive Voice membership community.
In spite of the current climate in this country, and perhaps for the sake of our own sanity, I think the anniversary calls for a bit of a celebration. Yes, now that I think about it, celebration is a must.
The Finnish Art of Sisu
Sisu is a Finnish word without a direct translation to the english language. It is extraordinary determination in the face of extreme hardship, and courage that is presented typically in situations where success is unlikely.
Dr. Emilia Elisabet Lahti, calls it a harmonious approach to life itself, specifically in how we make decisions, relate to one another, and navigate times of crisis and peace.
It is not momentary courage, but the ability to sustain, through trials built on specific practices which allow one to carry on in seasons of adversity.
One of the tools used by the Finnish people to boost a mindset of Sisu is belonging to a connected community.
I’ve been thinking about how connected our community felt during our 8-days of live community hangouts this month. How we all decided it was a much needed oasis for the current times and by the end of it, we’d collectively decided that we wanted and needed more of this time together.
Without realizing it, we were practicing the art of Sisu. Working with our hands while we shared from the heart, whatever was on our minds in a connected community space. Building an inner resilience in order to face the unsettling times we find ourselves in.
We left on the last day with two decisions under our belt, that we wanted to begin planning an art collaboration project among members, and that we wanted to continue the extra hangout sessions for the foreseeable future. But we didn’t manage to iron out all the details, so we’re going to gather for one last February hangout:
What: 🎉 Recovering Your Intuitive Voice membership group 🎉 celebration and The art of Sisu planning meeting 🎉
When: 📆 Wednesday, February 26th 1pm CST
Where: Zoom (login details to be emailed to group members in a separate post)
Why: Our one year anniversary of community!
Members: I have a lot to talk to you about; The intent of this group, our first collaboration art project, a possible group name/rebrand for the next season, and so much more.
Come with your art projects and party hats. We’re going to give ourselves permission to be silly and laugh together. I hope you can all make it!
If you’ve been on the fence about joining our community, this is a great time to upgrade to the paid membership level.
The formal description of current group membership benefits are:
Twice monthly prerecorded workshop posts. Two lesson videos x two posts each month= four prerecorded video lessons each month! Lessons are currently from the Wax, Paper, Scissors: Hot and Cold Wax Combinations with Paper.
Plus+ continued access to all previous lessons and workshops posted.
Informal book club— Through occasional conversations and posts.
Written posts focusing on the Intuitive Voice/Art Critic messaging.
Exclusive journal and writing prompts.
Multiple monthly live zoom hangout sessions. 6-8 live hangouts or more each month to practice The Art of Sisu. Including facilitated, peer-to-peer mentoring and support. This is the time we get to connect and get to know each other, talk about our own journey as artists and creatives in a very casual atmosphere as we keep our hands busy creating. Think of this as part group coaching, accountability, mentorship, and the building blocks for deeper friendships and community.
Continued access to all previous member posts and workshop lesson videos.
Opportunities for art swaps, group projects, and More!
See you all next week!
With gratitude,
Crystal Marie
I love the art slide show, especially those "mixed media" bracelets ♥️
exciting! just to put this out there - World Collage Day is 10 May 2025!
World Collage Day is an annual, international celebration of collage on the Second Saturday of May. Initiated by Kolaj Magazine in 2018, we invited artists and art venues to hold events on that day to celebrate collage. World Collage Day is about artists connecting across borders against a global context of entrenchment and separation. And the day is about an art medium that excels at bringing different things together to create new forms and new ways of thinking.
Maybe we can honor this with something in our group.