Vision Board Spotlight: Maggie Jordan’s High Flying Visions

Maggie Jordan, Vision Board, April 2011, 16 x 20 inches (small texts on right side: "A Fine Balance", "With Proper Care", "Delight Will Grow")

It’s time for another student spotlight.  It’s such a pleasure to highlight a student who’s been so enthused by what I’ve taught them, that they just had to come back for more!  Maggie Jordan, not only attended a second vision board workshop, she also recruited five of her good friends to take it!  If that wasn’t enough, she found a wonderful new venue for me to teach in as well as organizing a delicious vegan potluck lunch!  You can see my April blog for details/photos on that.  The excitement generated by this group was so contagious, their creative energy stayed with me for weeks after I taught the class – a bonus!

This time, Maggie embarked on a third vision board journey.  The previous month, she’d completed a second one for another personal project she’s working on – she’s so adventurous that girl, they don’t call her Maggie “free spirit” Jordan for nothing! 🙂  Getting back to the third… leaving her old career behind, Maggie was ready to take on a new one that would hopefully allow her to more fully utilize her creative potential and experience.  Here are her reflections…

Maggie Jordan, August 2011

Briefly, what’s your background?

I am an artist, a potter, a designer.  I have been doing art for as long as I can remember.  I started doing pottery at age 10 and have been experimenting in various forms of art ever since.  I studied Visual and Creative Arts as well as Technical Drawing.  Therefore I have a technical and creative mix to my art.  I worked as a designer for a design/build company where Vision was the product I gave to my clients.  I am not tied to any particular form of art and enjoy trying various mediums.  I have found mixed media to be my favourite of late.

You’ve already taken a vision board workshop with me before, what compelled you to want to create another one?

My first vision board had a theme and a focus; I wanted to create another vision board to reflect the focus I was currently working towards.  For me, the vision board is most effective with its own theme to reflect on in my daily life.  This type of focus with visuals holds close to me throughout my daily journeys, a constant reminder of where I am heading, what I am working towards and most relevant a reminder of what is important to me.  I have now done 3 vision boards with 3 different themes!

Did you have a particular vision/dream in mind before the workshop?  If so, what was it?  Did this vision flow from the other one?

My vision was for direction with regards to my work.  I was and probably still am, in transition for my work/job, I knew change was on the horizon and I know that this can be a very exciting time for what is waiting around the corner!  Since there is always lots of emotion and conflict during times of change, I wanted to have a healthy focus on where I ultimately would like to be heading in my career path.  As I was faced with decisions, and the outside world was calling to me, I used my vision board to steer my inner compass.

This vision board did not necessarily flow from the other ones only that I feel the process is similar in the way I tap into my inner wishes, hopes, and dreams…

You have some pretty dynamic imagery on your board, how do you go about selecting imagery and text?  What do you draw on … your gut feelings, your arts background, etc..?  I love the different female characters on your board… are they all various aspects of yourself?

For me it boils down to a gut feeling thru subliminal images….I want my visuals to create emotion, and therefore have a personal meaning and purpose.  Even texture is an emotion for me; these are the elements that make me feel ‘alive’ and ‘living’.  My art background has given me the tools to balance my composition, also to be free and let the creative process flow without judgement or being too analytical. 

I believe that I do project myself into the character images, they are how I may see myself while living within these visuals…it makes things seem not so abstract, that I can be that person, that I am that person or that I will work towards being that person, it is my projection for myself to believe in me.

Did the process of collaging reveal any new insights about you or your vision?

I love the process of collage; it has an instant appeal of personal satisfaction.  What is in my head becomes visual, from my heart thru to my eyes and then with the ability to manually throw it all together.  I am a tactile person, so the process of collage gives back to me through paper, glue and scissors.

Now that you have three vision boards to draw on at home, how do you deal with that?  Is your current vision board working for you?  If so, how?

Hahaha….I am only able to focus on one at a time, but am able to also see that my life has many facets to draw personal strength from.  I have made some personal work/job changes and feel that I am still evolving thru the process, so I am currently focusing on that vision board.  My first vision board is a rock for me, I see it and I know it holds the values that I take with me every day.

I think the image of the highwire trapeze artist hanging on the chandelier (middle right) gives great insight into Maggie’s indomitable spirit.  Her words always fill me with inspiration!  I love her approach to art making, vision boarding and life.  It was great to learn more about her as we arranged the workshop.  I had a chance to take in her beautiful artwork as well as finding out that she’s the third generation of women artists in her family.  Upon creating her board in April, she’s recently engaged herself in an exciting new project that uses both her exceptional administrative leadership skills as well as her creative skills.  I’m so happy for her and have no doubt that along with her talent and experience, her ability to visualize and realize her goal helped her get to this place.  As well, I may be lucky enough to have her assist me in arranging my next opening “gala” at the Atrium Gallery in November – Oh, Maggie don’t forget to wear your tiara! 😉  I hope your latest business venture leads to many exciting career paths for you!

Other Related Student Vision Boards of Interest:

Maggie’s Vegan Potluck Vision Board Workshop
Maggie’s First Vision Board
Dragonfly Dreams Vision Board Workshop Part II

Note: To learn more about Maggie’s new work projects, you can check out her Facebook page.