Interview with Wendy Cook of Mighty Girl Art™
1) Tell us a little about Mighty Girl Art™.
Mighty Girl Art™ is an art empowerment workshop for girls (and moms). We live in a society where a girl’s self confidence is challenged daily by an assault of ideas and images which suggest that they are somehow not good enough the way they are. Mighty Girl Art™ empowers girls to feel good about themselves through a series of projects that fosters creativity and nurtures self-esteem. We have all heard the expression, “Women’s Intuition”. This adage spans the ages because it resonates much truth. Intuition and creativity go hand in hand…you can’t have one without the other. For women, it’s biological. We were given this gift in order raise, protect and nurture our young. We can also use it to navigate the world around us, to know ourselves more fully and live our lives with more awareness. When we make time to explore creative self expression, we come alive, we feel whole. Mighty Girl Art™ believes in the sacredness of the creative process.
2) What is the inspiration behind Mighty Girl Art™?
The inspiration for Mighty Girl Art™ is very simple. We all have gifts that need to be shared. In ancient times women gathered and elders shared their wisdom, skills and craft with younger generations. In the early 1800′s, women gathered for quilting bees. When women gather, they are given an opportunity to discover who they are and who they can become. Through Mighty Girl Art™, I am giving girls what I wish I had at their age, a tribe…a place where feelings and voices are expressed through their innate creativity. A place to be seen, heard, validated. A place to belong.
3) What are your personal favorite mediums to use when creating art? 
I have no single favorite medium. I have several. I have loved book arts since I was first introduced to it in 2nd grade, there is something very magical about making art that one is free to touch and hold. Creating Art Journals is the foundation project for the Summer and Spring-e Session. The girls get it and it resonates with them in such a way that those new to my workshop always ask excitedly, “Are we working on our art journals today?”
4) Can you share with us a Mighty Girl Art™ success story?
Oh, I have many success stories to share. Off the top of my head, I remember one girl who seemed sort of shut down. She was somewhat resistant to the process in the beginning, but by the second day she had taken complete ownership of the camp, arriving early to help set up and staying late because she wanted to take down the tipi. By the end of the week she was undeniably radiant. So noticeable, in fact, that her mother had tears in her eyes. I’m frequently told by moms that their daughters seem lit up in a way that they’ve never seen before, that their daughters feel understood, and supported. I overheard two of the girls chatting about their experience on the last day…one said, “I feel so alive”. This touched me in a bitter-sweet way…I was honored to provide the tools and space to spark this feeling of aliveness. On the other hand, I was saddened by the realization that children are feeling numbed by the demands of our increasingly fast paced world and the messages that they are bombarded with in the media.
5) What are your plans for Mighty Girl Art™ in the future?
Well, because my workshops are small in order to give each girl the attention she needs, my workshops sell out very quickly. Moreover, because I am also a mother I must schedule my offerings in a way that does not compromise time with my son. As he becomes more independent, I will be able to give more of myself to others. In the interim, due to the many requests I’ve received, I created the Mighty Girl Art™ Spring-e-session that brings the magic of Mighty Girl Art™ into your home. It’s a password protected space that gives the feeling of being in one of my live workshops. It’s a explore at your own pace – 4 wk session to be enjoyed as a mother-daughter team, or with multiple generations or circle of friends. It is designed to fostering connections and boost self-confidence. It will not interfere with school, work, or family life…it will enrich them.
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Registration for the Spring-e-session ends March 16th. For all the juicy details please visit http://mightygirlart.blogspot.com
Recommended minimum age for the girls is 8.
*To win a free mother-daughter pass for Mighty Girl Art™ Spring-e-session, visit my giveaway page. Winner will be picked via Rafflecopter on February 29th. The weekly sessions begins March 24th and runs until April 14th, but the entire workshop will remain accessible to participants until the end of the Spring season. Good Luck!
