Reflections on Doodle Journey Part Two
It has been amazing seeing all the different interpretations and expressions of the Doodle Journey course. Once a year I offer this course free to those willing to take the time to explore through doodles, while setting judgement aside. Because doodling is so process based, it is a simple and easy way to allow […]
Gratitude Art: A Free 7 Day Journey
In the beginning of August I asked those in the Virtual Art Circle Facebook group what most interfered with their having art-making time and the response was mainly “not having enough time”. Over the years in my creative work with others this has been an ongoing theme that seems to deter people from creating art […]
Growing Your Creative Practice
Every spring and summer I spend a lot of time in my garden; in the spring I am planting seeds, nurturing seedlings and watching them grow. In the summer, I watch my garden more closely, with my guard up because of past experiences with pests wiping out what I have created and grown on my […]
Renewal Through Creative Re-Purposing
Sometimes we need to look at things differently, with fresh eyes. Doing this allows us to take a new perspective, and opens the door to all the possibilities in life, including ones we may not have known existed. Creating art is a direct way to make this happen. When art-making, there is always the potential […]
Creative Mythology
This weekend I had the pleasure of running two arts based workshops where the focus was on self-exploration through creative process. In both the question came up- as often it does at these workshops: how are you able to keep your creative practice going? I must admit one of the reasons I began doing these […]
Self-Care Through Elemental Art
This week is children’s mental health week here in Canada. With many events promoting awareness about children’s mental health and the importance of supporting services. As an art therapists who primarily works with children and youth I see the need for more understanding and compassion towards children who often become labeled as “difficult” due to […]
Creative Process: the Underbelly of Self-Care
When we step into our own creative voice we step into our Self; who we are becomes strengthened by our creative connection through art making. Experimentation, letting go of outcome, and play are all aspects that allow us to come into our own creative voice. This voice is the underbelly of our authentic Self. […]
Letting Go into Creative Flow
In February I ran my Painting with Your Muse intuitive painting workshop with another wonderful group of muses. It has been five years since I began running this workshop and for more than 20 years that I have been following an intuitive process myself when painting. There is a flow state that happens when one follows their intuition this […]
Challenging Your Creative Norm
I decided to challenge my creative practice, try something I don’t normally do. Usually I like to work more intuitively, painting, drawing, making art about whatever needs to come out in that moment. This is my comfort zone, to work without a directive or plan. For some that is daunting, for me it is freedom. […]
Create Creative BEing
On Friday I had a relaxing afternoon with colleagues at the Spa. A social worker, psychotherapist, psychiatrist and another art therapist and I went to a Spa for water therapies; relaxing in the sauna, hot tub and salt pool before going for a much-needed and deserved massage. This is the second time we have done this […]