Finding Gems in the Debris - cultivate a supportive practice
Published: Sun, 10/27/24
Updated: Sun, 10/27/24
Hello Creative Friend,
How are you doing out there? What are you navigating and how does your art practice support you? As the hurricane recovery process continues here in Florida and in western North Carolina, we want to bring you examples of how expressive arts can assist you, whether you are supporting others, in
the recovery process yourself, or both.
Our open studio gatherings this week - online and in-person, have provided opportunities to share, process, and connect with our creative resources. Thank you to Julia Alexander for her powerful images and words to illuminate our newsletter
today!
Helene’s Surge
Julia Alexander Helene
marks a before-and-after in her rising then receding path.
10-22-24
What I (Kathleen) am noticing is that my personal expressive arts practice truly
serves me almost unconsciously, as It is so ingrained into my life. Following my creative impulses is one way I listen within and access that inner wise voice that gives me words, ideas, metaphors to work with. I trust that voice.
Our home was flooded in the hurricanes, necessitating a quick and unexpected return
to Sarasota from B.C., and requiring us to set up an alternate place to live. At the same time, the impending storms required that Tamara and I make a quick decision to reschedule two in-person trainings for which a group students were planning to travel from all over the country and the world.
The word ‘pivot’
arrived as I navigated through these unwanted changes. This word helped me to name and embody what I was experiencing. I was moving along with plans in place, and with all of the expectations that accompany those plans. Suddenly a disturbing and unexpected change required me to shift direction while remaining in motion. There was very little time to stop, reconsider, or plan. Each pivot required me to change direction and keep moving with the forces that were acting on me. It felt like a
halting, awkward dance, or an improv exercise where the instructions keep changing. The word 'pivot' gave me a framework to access a somatic experience that helped me to see what was being asked of me and how I needed to respond.
Pivot
Kathleen
Horne
Journal Entry
As I write this post today, I want it to be coherent and useful for you. I want to provide you with examples of how to use the arts to navigate unexpected, challenging changes. The truth, though, is that my thoughts and feelings are
scattered, like the storm debris. What I can hope to do is pick up a few gems from the whole unsettling mix of what has been left behind and share them with you. An image here, a few words there. I expect you know what I mean. Julia's images help me find more balance, and I am grateful. We all have some gems to offer each other, and they can make a world of difference.
My arts practice is a direct route to the vein of resilience within me. Whether I am adding some details to an existing paining, settling into the rhythmic and productive motions of knitting, or making a quick entry in my art/writing journal, this work guides, supports, and reflects my experience back to me in a way that helps me make better sense of it. Sometimes it soothes, sometimes it explores,
sometimes it contains, sometimes it illuminates.
Does it take away the trauma? No, but it supports the healing. Does it make the journey easy? Absolutely not, but it does make it easier. What it gives me is an inner sensitivity to what I need, how to get through, and concrete ways to access the
resources that I carry within.
What's next, I wonder?
I find wisdom in these words Markus Scott-Alexander, expressive arts
mentor/colleague.
Your capacity to let go increases with your ability to shape what you let go into. Move into the more of you. Keep being surprised. Keep letting go and learning how to shape what newly arrives.
Julia Alexander Break apart the storms’ elements, witness the creation of new spaces and places
of recovery & resilience.
10/25/2024
A group of expressive arts colleagues in Guatemala have developed an protocol for responding to natural disasters. We reached out to them this week, and asked them for any helpful input that we might share with you. And bless their hearts,
they put together this visual summary of their work, and we are so grateful! Here is the introduction, and the whole summary is attached to this email. A big hug of thanks to Evelyn Ammon, Pili Garin, Paulina Buonafina, Mayari Hernandez.
How does your own expressive arts practice support you as you move through the unexpected challenges in your life? What soothes you? What helps you see more clearly? What helps you stay present? Make a list.
Gather a little basket of supplies with some simple materials. Include things like stitching or knitting, if you enjoy them. Include a playlist, a rattle, or the reminder of a favorite movement practice. Keep it simple and accessible. A two-minute image, rhythm, or a row of knitting can make a difference. Listen for internal cues, pay attention to words or images that arrive unbidden. 'Keep letting go and learning how to shape what newly arrives.' Attune to the inner river of wisdom and
let it guide you.
If you are supporting others through a natural disaster or trauma, have a look at the model provided by our friends in Guatemala. You may want to check out Judith Herman's book, too.
For self-care, it might be a good time to visit (or re-visit) our Loving Witness Art Meditation. Created originally for covid-times, it is a personal meditation and art-making process. There is no charge and you can access it as often as you like.
Upcoming Open Studios are Tuesday Nov. 12 and 24, 1-4 pm ET (online) and Friday Nov. 15 and Dec. 20, 10-1 ET (in person in Sarasota). These are donation-based gatherings, open to all. It is so good to connect, and we would love to see you!
Be well.
We are all in this together.❤️
Kathleen, Tamara, and the Expressive Arts Florida Team
Do you know about the Art Bundles for Good # 9 Giveaway? 90+ art resources! There are just a couple of days left.
Three lucky winners will have a chance to win over $4000 worth of art courses and other great resources. The giveaway ends at midnight on October 30th (New York Time), so don’t miss out.
There is no cost to enter.
Art Bundles for Good #9 bundle will be available for purchase on October 31st. For just $99 you'll get over $4000 worth of courses and resources on on topics like watercolor painting, art journaling, sketching, mixed media, drawing, doodling, abstract art, acrylic painting,
collage, pastel pencils, and much more all bundled together for one low price.
This is an incredible value, and you have up to 1 year to take all the courses. We feel so fortunate to partner with so many different creators and are proud to be supporting The Uganda Partnership, a bootstrapped charity helping single mothers in Uganda.
In other news, we have a few events coming and we'd love for you to join
us!
On October 29th, we'll have Expressive Arts Discovery!
Expressive Arts Discoverywill be live online, and is a wonderful time to take a creative pause, connect within and gather with other creatives in a safe and supportive community. All Expressive Arts Discovery workshops have now been scheduled through the end of the year!
On Tuesday, November 12th, we'll have our next SoulCollage® workshop; SoulCollage®: Receiving Counsel from the Council Suit led by Diane Lampitt. In this workshop, Diane will share ideas for
creating Council cards and seeking counsel from them. She will also guide you through a brief visualization to meet a universal, archetypal or mythical energy ready to be explored in your SoulCollage® practice.
The 3rd workshop in the Imagining the Sacred series, "A Breath Away: Prayer as Inspiration and Response" is in November as well and will explore engaging the expressive arts as a form of prayer. We will play with arts as a sacred birthright, a natural way
to be human and connect with the divine.
We also have a few Online Open Studio sessions coming up, which are donation based and a wonderful way to schedule in some creative time to connect with yourself and others. The next one is Tuesday, November 12th from
1-4pm.
Would you like to share your personal practice images? Our private Facebook group is a sanctuary for witnessing one another. It is not a place to share or promote your professional work; it is a place to share the images the arise from your deepest creative wisdom. (If you are a new member, please be sure to answer the questions and agree to the rules. That helps us to hold a safe and welcoming space.)
We hope to see you in the circle soon.
On Tuesday, October 29th, we have Expressive Arts Discovery!
All Self-Study Courses contain detailed, yet approachable instructions, videos, and meditations facilitated by Kathleen & Tamara. The imagery and guidance from this work can assist you, whether dipping your
toes into expressive arts or seeking a deeper connection.
*All courses come with lifetime access so you can refer back to them at any time!
Learn the basics of anchoring your practice with this intention setting workshop! Get access to a video recording of a live Intention-Setting workshop, complete with a guided meditation in both audio and written format, a downloadable Intention Setting Guide, and journal prompts to help activate and maintain your intention.
You'll also receive instructions filled with inspiration, blessings, and ideas for using your
journal, plus the option to share your intention in the FB group.
Tamara is accepting new clients in Florida seeking therapy services and support using expressive arts to heal and grow. Using her years of creative practice and a compassionate approach, she is able to help clients access their inner strengths and
create the change they most want in their lives. To inquire about services, you can go HERE,
call/text 941-444-9585
or email tknappcounseling@gmail.com
Creatively yours,
~Tamara and Kathleen
Tamara Teeter Knapp
MA, Registered Mental Health Counselor Intern,
REACE®
