Author: Kim Hermanson

How art anchors us in the present: A reflection with my latest watercolor
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How art anchors us in the present: A reflection with my latest watercolor

The thing about art is that it pulls us into the exact present moment of our life. Whether we’re creating or simply appreciating, art demands our full attention. It invites us to let go of distractions and immerse ourselves in what is—right here, right now. And in that stillness, it does something extraordinary: it captures…

DALL·E 2024 12 01 00.57.10 A serene and realistic image of a harp in a softly lit church setting, with a warm and reflective atmosphere. The focus is on the harp placed near a s

The power of vulnerability: A reflection on courage and connection

Several years ago, I attended a Christmas Eve church service where the pastor, a woman and clearly a beginner, played Silent Night on her harp. I’ll never forget that moment—her profound vulnerability, the tender courage it took to risk our judgment and ridicule. It was beautiful in a way that left a lasting imprint. The…

DALL·E 2024 12 01 01.00.02 A realistic image of a young woman sitting in a cozy, softly lit room, writing a song on paper with a guitar beside her. The atmosphere is intimate an
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The power of creative courage: How one song transformed a classroom

A few years ago, my intuition nudged me to assign my class the task of writing a song. Out of the group, only three students had any musical ability, so I created an alternate assignment for the others. Of those three, just one young woman—Carmel Bracken, a workshop leader and educator from Ireland—felt inspired to…

DALL·E 2024 12 01 01.04.41 A realistic image of five diverse individuals sitting around a table engaged in a thoughtful and collaborative discussion. The setting is warm and inv

Bridging polarities: Lessons from my interview about Getting Messy on Jefferson Public Radio

Last week, I had the pleasure of being interviewed about Getting Messy on Jefferson Public Radio in Southern Oregon. Here’s the link to the interview: The listeners who called in shared fascinating insights about teaching, learning, and group dynamics. One caller, in particular, made a compelling observation about the “magic” of odd numbers in group…

DALL·E 2024 12 01 01.08.45 A realistic and inspiring image of a creative workspace. The scene features a table near a window overlooking lush greenery. On the table, there are p

Timeless principles of creativity: How to nurture your unique creative spirit

While sorting through old workshop materials, I came across a handout I created ten years ago outlining “principles of creativity.” To my surprise, they still feel relevant today. Here’s a refreshed version of those principles, which I believe are timeless truths about the creative process: Creativity comes from the heart. Our hearts inspire our creativity….

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