In the Atelier
The threads of Healing and creativity run strong in our family line; massage, midwifery, growing and using herbs, color, crafts, music...
My mama Lois and I traded back and foot rubs through my childhood; my dad Byrle and I sang in the church choir. I took piano lessons from an excellent teacher, Marion Coe, accompanied our girls choir, and in college I was an education major, with a music minor.
I always identified as an artist, and as a healer, becoming a massage therapist in the early 80s. I took up the harp a decade later, and in 2015, I enrolled in the 9 month Color of Woman coursework, and certified as an Intentional Creativity teacher and coach, painting and keeping an art journal, and began offering creative circles monthly, and several longer painting classes throughout the year. In 2020, a sister teacher and I began offering the circles via zoom, and have built a sweet international group.
One of the things I love about our Intentional Creativity practice is thec encouragement for each student to use intention as we work, which activates our own gifts. It's a mindfulness practice, using Creativity as the focus.
This fall I'm engaged in Flow Nouveau - sparked by a weekend class (I'm watching replays) and a community painting process with the other teachers and practioners.
Oh my goodness, I love this so much! I have a background in intuitive art as a tool for self-connection, and I love how you describe your approach to art and creativity in this post. I will definitely check out your community!
ReplyDeleteThere's a lot of overlap between Intentional, intuitive and expressive arts!
DeleteI have never heard of "Flow Nouveau" but I like the sound of it. I actually speak French, so I even know what it means ;-) Your upbringing sound like you were always encouraged to express yourself and to put you and your skills and qualities out there :-) I wouldn't know what a creativity practice is, do you mean like a ritual to get into the flow?
ReplyDeleteOur teacher Shiloh loves nabbing her classes!
DeleteYes, I have been encouraged ... practice can include ritual, or be as simple as doodling on programs and during meetings! Arranging flowers, or flowers on a salad ...