JoAnn Vickery Cook
Some people are old friends the moment that you meet them; I felt that the day I met JoAnn Vickery Cook of Life Strategies Coaching. A grounded and encouraging woman, overflowing with calming warmth and vitality. She is a humble gal, quick to praise the works of others, and to welcome you in. JoAnn is an artist, but not as we often have seen. She works not simply with standard mediums, but also with people and their hopes and dreams. She builds community and empowers life-affirming creativity, and I am overjoyed to introduce you to her here.
“JoAnn is a humble gal, quick to praise the works of others, and to welcome you in.”
I caught up with JoAnn and asked her these questions:
What do you do for work?
JoAnn: I don't consider it work anymore; I consider it mostly play. I was an accountant for about 40 years, and when I decided to retire, I wanted to do something useful and fulfilling. So I decided to enroll in the life coach training course offered by Martha Beck, Inc. I completed my year-long training in 2017, then my internship and orals, and became certified in 2018. In the meantime, my husband built a quilting studio and creative space for me in our new home, and it has lent itself not only to the expressive arts, but it has also become a safe space for my clients. At first, our idea was to have room for quilting and sewing, but it has turned into something more than that. The studio is available for all kinds of things: workshops (a.k.a. playshops), gatherings, games, meals, social events. We enjoy all sorts of creative, fun things in the studio.
“Playshops”
Playshops and weekly sewing groups find a cozy, inviting atmosphere in JoAnn’s studio.
What do you do for hobbies?
JoAnn: Hobbies, oh my gosh, I have too many. I love quilting, of course, and sewing. I love to do quilts that are built for comfort, and for use, that's what I want. They're not showpieces; they're solid homegrown quilts. I have also done some collage, a little bit of bookmaking, and paper crafting. I brought my piano in so I can do music; I'm so happy about that. I've taken classes at the college for gel plate printing, collage, and nature art journaling. There are so many things I’d like to do that I don't have enough time to get it all in, and I still want to get into photography and watercolor.
What hobby would you say is the most relaxing for you?
JoAnn: The most relaxing is the quilting. It does require some concentration, but I love being able to let my mind work at how to put something together, and then how to stitch it correctly. I kind of let my mind just wander when that happens. It can be a solitary activity, or a group activity too. I have a sewing group that comes in once a week, and it has become a place of camaraderie, inspiration, and support. They are wonderful women; most are expert quilters, seamstresses, and knitters. It is so much fun to collaborate with them. When any of us gets stuck on a project, we're all in there together. The input has been invaluable. It has turned out to be a real highlight of the week.
What is your creative outlet?
JoAnn: I just feel so lucky, privileged in a way, because I have finished a career and started another career, which is my creative outlet. I have the freedom now to explore whatever I'm working on and to follow through on inspiration. And that's good and bad, because I love the inspiration and the excitement and energy around it, but it's another thing to execute it. And then, you know, my attention can get turned to something else and all of a sudden, I have too many projects going on. But oh gosh, I’m so glad to be at this place in my life, where I can pick and choose from day-to-day what I want to create and focus on.
What fuels your desire to create?
JoAnn: I have always been interested in people, how they think, what they do, how they process the choices they make. Helping people, that's what drives me. I think it's an intrinsic part of me, it's just there, right? And so my task is to somehow manifest that, and I think manifesting it is doing the playshops, getting ready for them, being prepared. Just having my heart and soul into whatever is going on. I try to let my instinct guide me, so if I think of a good idea that really sparks, I'm going for that. And the people that come and my clients are an inspiration; they are the fuel that helps motivate me. I think we really, really need community and creative community.
What is your favorite medium?
JoAnn: Maybe this is more of a focused question for true artists, but I think my medium is the people in my life. Yeah, because I get a lot of good energy, feedback, and satisfaction from working with them. Being able to encourage people in a way that's satisfying for them is so rewarding for me.
How did you get started with life coaching?
JoAnn: I clearly remember the moment. It was one of those epiphanies. Years ago, back in the 90s, I happened to read an article written by Martha Beck in an issue of Real Simple magazine. It touched me profoundly. She made so much sense; she was speaking my language, singing my song. Since then, I started following her work, reading her books. She is a best-selling author, a Harvard-educated sociologist. She developed her coaching program almost by accident, because people kept coming to her and asking her advice. From that, she created a successful life coach training program, and when I was ready, I enrolled. It seemed a natural next move, an opportunity on a silver platter. It was the right time, and I took the plunge. Hopefully, by knowing the trajectory it took for me to get here, it could be helpful to others. Because I started preparing myself to be open to possibilities, then waited for the right time to pursue those dreams and interests. And if (like for me), it wasn’t right away, don't say “never” to your dream; just say “maybe later.” I hope I can give that observation or that encouragement to another person; that's really what life coaching is all about.
How did you get started quilting?
JoAnn: I have always been interested in fiber arts, knitting, crocheting, and sewing, ever since I was a kid. I sewed some clothes for high school, I really enjoyed it. I think it's always been in my blood. But life happens. I moved on, got a career, got married. And as things happen for many of us, my marriage did not work out. I was in a place where I felt devastated; I had a lot of heartache. But I had a friend who traveled with me through that transition period. She suggested that I take a quilt class with her. The minute she suggested that, it just hit me: “Yes, this is what I wanted, what I need.” Not just to get through this time, but for my life. So I pursued it, and energetically. I learned about colors and texture, fabrics and tools, and practiced the skills and patience needed to bring it all together. It still makes my heart sing. I really enjoy it, and I love being able to share it with others now in my studio. It is sort of like paying it forward in a way, because that's what happened when I took that first quilt class. Those people who were supportive and interested, and interesting, had such dynamic energy, and it's just been a lovely part of my life ever since. The thing about it is, that there's always something new to learn or new fabric to look at and new ways to put things together, wonderful new ways to share it with others. Quilting has had a resurgence of interest in the past few years, and I can understand why. It is fulfilling and artistic. There are a lot of quilts that are original works of art, and are made to be shown, really artistic, beautiful creations. Original works of art. But I want to make quilts that are used, that you can hug yourself in and enjoy. That’s where I stay with the art, making quilts for people that I care about and hoping that they use it with love.
*Note: After heartache, JoAnn later met an adventurous sea captain, and found true love and partnership. They are happily married, and support each other's passions. Together they built her creative studio, where she hosts workshops/playshops, weekly creative groups, and private life coaching sessions.
What is your process as a life coach and working with clients?
JoAnn: I'm a voracious reader, I love reading about the philosophy of the industry, and I pay attention to the people who are experts in the field. I get ideas about what can be helpful, and I create protocols for my clients by staying informed with current issues and emerging ideas. I absorb information like a sponge. I love to learn, so I spend a lot of time actively pursuing more information. It's a solitary activity, research and study, but always in the back of my mind, I have the thought: how can this be useful for my clients? How can this help them? I also practice it myself, like tracking my habits, the habits that I would like to change. It’s like living it, to give it. When it comes to the process of coaching my clients, it’s personalized and paced to meet their needs. I'm really open to short-term or long term coaching. I offer packages of sessions, but I try to accommodate the client’s needs and circumstances. It is a fluid process, based on the individual. You can have a set session plan, but in real life, it's a little bit different because we start really caring about what's happening with each other. So I would say that, for the most part, I have long-term clients that, after the initial sessions, we check in once a month or even longer. My real value system is the sense of community. It's really needed now. If there's anything that I can do to promote that sense of community, of neighborhood, of coming together, that is what is important to me, and what I try to do. I think it can make a difference; you know what Margaret Mead says about it? “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed (individuals) can change the world.” It’s so true.
“My value system is the sense of community…
…If there's anything that I can do to promote that sense of community, of neighborhood, of coming together, that is what is important to me, and what I try to do.” - JoAnn Vickery Cook
What is your process for quilting, and what do you do with the finished product?
JoAnn: I'm sure that the quilters out there will totally understand; it's really dangerous to go into a fabric store (she laughs wholeheartedly). Yes, yeah, that's really where it starts. Sometimes I have a project going on, but lots of times I just go in to kind of meditate, feel the fabric, look at it, see the colors. If I find something that absolutely appeals to me, I can't help buying it. Earlier this year, I went to the store and found a fabric I fell in love with. It was a floral pattern, and I had to have it. I thought, why am I buying something that I don't know what I'm going to do with, but you just gotta do it anyway. It's something to indulge in sometimes, but not all the time. I bought it, I took it home, and admired it for a long time. Then I started looking at sewing patterns, and I found a pattern that I thought was perfect, so I created it, embellished it, and made a quilt top for that floral fabric. It's ready to quilt now. I'm still in love with it!
When it comes time to do the quilting, I have a long-arm quilting machine in my studio (gifted to me by a lifelong quilter). I think it’s probably a dinosaur now. It's not computerized. You have to handle it yourself. I found a quilt (stitch) design for it; they call it a pantograph. You lay the three layers of the quilt onto rollers and guide the machine across the layers, using the pantograph design. I found a design called “Growing Things”, and it seemed like the perfect one for my floral quilt.
**Note: Pantograph is an edge-to-edge quilting method. Typically, a printed pattern is taped to the back of the quilting table, and a laser light attached to the machine is manually guided along the design to stitch the motif through all layers of the quilt (top, batting, and backing).
What kind of creative space do you have?
JoAnn: I told my husband when he was building the studio, I just want a lot of light, a lot of windows, and boy, it sure makes a difference. And we have plenty of room to walk around, with tables in the center on wheels, so we can configure it to whatever's happening. We also have a small kitchen, which comes in handy for snacks or even serving meals, and for hosting cooking/baking playshops on occasion.
What words of encouragement would you like to share with others?
JoAnn: To someone struggling with self-confidence or somebody who feels creative but is afraid to do it, I would say, listen to your heart. Then practice the courage to reach out, to find something that speaks to you. And if you already know what that is, reach out to people, find out what's available, especially in our neighborhood, town, and region. Local is a good place to start; it's where I want to live and work. Right at home there are many opportunities; be open to what is available. There are so many ways to make it happen, and we all deserve to make it happen for ourselves. Just get the word out and let others know what we're all about. It's certainly a lot safer to hold it close, but where will we get with that? Another thing is word-of-mouth or asking questions. Look for people who have or do what you'd like, and ask them how they got there, what they do.
Would you say that, in general, creative communities are encouraging or judgmental?
JoAnn: Maybe both, but you know, it's up to the individual to find their place. Their place exists. I believe it is more encouraging than judgmental. And I have to say that in my circle, which really just kind of fell into my lap in a lot of ways, they are more supportive than judgmental for sure. If you need a critical eye, look at the people who are more experienced at it, possibly older, but maybe not egotistical, because you can spot that. Be discerning, because, you know, that's what I want for people. I want them to find that spark inside themselves, for them to say, “Yes, my life is worthwhile. Yes, I value my time, what I am creating.” It does take a lot of courage at times, and I've certainly struggled with that myself. It can be hard to put yourself out there, feel vulnerable, be ready for whatever comes back, and then sift the wheat from the chaff, as they say. But we should have the courage to do it. For me, I need to re-up my resolve from time to time. Shake off the dust that I've accumulated, and go for it again. Maybe a good word to remember is “courage,” have the courage to pursue your dreams.
Bonus: Life Coaching Tips on How to Start Today
JoAnn: My first suggestion is just to be reminded- remind yourself daily- that you have a life worth living. That your life is worthwhile, and if things are not working well, or even if they are working well, to be humble enough, maybe, or motivated enough to look at how you move through your day. A good way to do that would be to look at habits. What do you habitually do? That seems almost mindless, but how does it impact your daily life? For example, what time do you get up in the mornings? How do you get yourself ready for the day? Is there something that you could do a bit differently? A good way to do that is to track the habits that you're doing right now. See how it works for you, and then if you'd like to do something different, think of what that could possibly be. Maybe even run it by someone, and then give it a try.
“track the habits that you're doing right now.”
One thing that's really helped me is to remember that habits can be either a ritual or it could be something that holds you back. If it’s a ritual, continue that, but if it's something that's not working for you, perhaps there's another way? I would say, try that first, look at your habits, then see where that takes you. Annie Dillard said, “How we spend our days is, of course, how we spend our lives.” So if we look at it that way, how do I do my day? And is it really how I want my life to be lived?
Quotable JoAnn:
“A lot of times I just go (to the quilt shop) to kind of meditate, feel the fabric, look at it, see the colors. ”
“Quilters (will) understand... It’s dangerous to go into the fabric store.”
“I think we really… need community and creative community. ”
“Local is a good place to start; it’s where I want to live and work. Right at home there are many opportunities; be open to what is available. ”
“Be humble enough... motivated enough to look at how you move through your day... (some) habits can ... hold you back.”
“Maybe a good word to remember is “courage,” have the courage to pursue your dreams. ”
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All photos used with permission. Supplementary photos provided by JoAnn Vickery Cook.
(Text briefly edited for continuity and length)