Inspiration Sunday with Desiree East

This Sunday I want to introduce you to a new friend, Desirée. 

Desirée’s life style, work ethic, and approach to influencing those around her creatively, is eclectic in that she is constantly inspired by an endless combination of elements from a variety of sources: nature, music, art, culture, dance, photography, surf, travel, and of course, the beautiful people who surround her in her daily life. Desirée resides in Ventura County, CA with her loving, supporting husband, Brendon and their beach dog, Moana.

1. Tell us a bit about yourself.... 

Hi, my name is Desiree East (family and friends call me Des or Desi, and my husband has a plethora of nicknames, too!) I am originally from the beautiful islands of Hawaii, and currently live in sunny California. I am an Independent Design Professional by trade, and a Visual Artist and Educator by heart. I have recently been certified as a Creative Coach, so that I can share the creative goodness to everyone I meet and teach them how nurture their inner artist, in life, as well as on the canvas...I wear a lot of hats, but as long as I am sharing the creative process with others, I am a happy gal!

2. Where do you get your inspiration from?

Nature, Surfing, and Dancing...Music :)

3. Tell us about your business?

I love connecting people to Nature through the creative process of Landscape Design...that is my bread and butter. I also LOVE to travel and meeting new people from different cultures --- and, as you can tell, I enjoy teaching and sharing the creative process with others. I would like share this creative bliss through online classes and creative retreats and workshops, on both a local level and global level, through my Creative Coaching Practice.

4. What led you to start your Creative Coaching business, ‘Dharma Creates Bliss’?

To make a very long story short, in 2009, my husband and I had made the unfortunate decision to walk away from our home. Our landscape and design business was directly tied to the failing housing market, and we took a big hit. Let’s say it was a blessing in disguise, as it allowed us to focus on the things that were the most important in life...not the shiny cars, the big house, or material things, but the little moments that make up our beautiful life in general. So, instead of feeling sorry for ourselves, we scaled down, sold nearly half of our possessions, put everything in storage, took a sabbatical and did some travelling (you can read all about our crazy adventures and beautiful life lessons on my blog).

During that time, I also knew that I had put many years of creative energy on the back burner...I enjoyed using my creativity for landscape design, but I never made the time to really create art, for the sake of creating art --- for myself, to nurture my artist within. And so that was the catalyst for starting my blog. I felt very vulnerable sharing my art with the world, but I was craving it. It was the best decision I had ever made, and I’ve never had so much fun.

I wanted to find a way to connect with more people from around the world --- kind souls, creative spirits, and the like --- just for fun. I realized I LOVED it so much. I fell in love with blogging and connecting with artists on a global level...

While travelling, I had come across the beautiful and inspiring Whitney Ferre, author of The Artist Within, and discovered her Creatively Fit Coaching Program. I applied for the Coaching Program, and before I knew it, I was certified as Creative Coach. I love every minute, and I knew the second I connected with Whitney, that it was a perfect fit for the direction I wanted to go.

5. What does an average day look like for you?

Well, now that my husband and I are back home from our travels, we have been slowly settling in and getting back on our feet. Our Landscape & Design business is now back and stronger than we could have ever hoped for. My average day looks something like this: wake up early for a morning surf; come home to work on design projects; planning up and coming creative coaching gigs; teach art and/or coaching; meet with design clients in afternoon/evenings; and create art during free time and on the weekends. My schedule is quite full, but pretty flexible, depending on what needs to be prioritized. I feel extremely grateful in so many ways.

6. What is the one thing about your job that makes your heart sing?

Being able to play with markers, paints, pastels, and basically having creative freedom definitely makes my heart sing!! BUT, helping other people’s heart sing through the creative process brings me the greatest joy...that’s my passion. That’s what lights my heart on fire.

7. Share a secret with us that has never been shared online before 

Hmmmm...sometimes, I tend to do mini food dances when it’s time to eat --- I don’t know why. It just happens. And sometimes, I don’t even know I’m doing it until my lovely husband points it out. I mean, who doesn’t get excited around deelish food, right?!

To celebrate my new creative coaching practice, ‘Dharma Creates Bliss’, I have been asked to co-lead the Purpose Project. The Purpose Project is a year-long, online creative journey, where we explore our chakras and the four elements of earth, air, fire, and water. It is a completely open, non-judgmental, heart-led, loving and supportive experience. The Purpose Project is anchored in the belief of all involved that we have the unlimited potential to expand into our most authentic, infinitely creative, and empowered, purposeful selves. Led by Whitney Ferre (Author of The Artist Within and founder of Creatively Fit), and a team of Life and Creative Coaches. I will be there with the team, coaching along the way…would love to see you there! Our journey began on JANUARY 15TH, but there is no deadline to join. Once you sign up, you will have access to each month as it is delivered.

You can find Desiree:

website : http://DesireeEast.com

Facebook : http://facebook.com/DesireeEastArtist

Twitter : http://twitter.com/DesireeEast

Pinterest : http://pinterest/DesireeEast