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Dear Creative Friend, It can be a challenge to stay attuned to our emotions, let alone to describe them to someone else when we are asked 'How
are you feeling?' We might struggle to name a single predominant emotion, reducing our inner experience to a label or category. Often our attempt to describe, not only to others but even to ourself, what we are feeling inside becomes evaluative - either positive or negative/ sad or happy. And that is never the whole story. You may have heard us say that
expressive arts helps us to 'connect with ourselves' or helps us to 'stay current with our inner experience'. If you are new to this work, you may wonder what exactly that means. If you have been practicing expressive arts for awhile, you likely already know, and that may be part of why you love it! Today I (Kathleen) want to share a couple of examples with you. One is a favorite
process I call the 'emotional landscape'. What if you were to view your inner emotional experience as a landscape? This perspective transcends the positive/negative polarity of emotions, relieves us of the need to name a singular emotion that we are currently feeling, and allows us to notice and honor the richness of our emotional terrain. By tuning in to our body, listening
deeply within, and shining the light of our creativity into our emotional experience, we afford ourselves the possibility of not only greater self-awareness, but also of healing and transformation. Looking through the lens of the metaphor of a landscape, we are witnessing our inner territory in its complexity and richness. We get past labels and in to bodily felt sense, and we have the opportunity to illuminate something new. And, perhaps most importantly we can be our own compassionate witness
to the totality of our inner experience. Try this: Take a moment to attune within. Close your eyes, take some deep breaths, ground yourself, and be curious as you witness your inner experience. Invite yourself to consider your 'emotional landscape'. Be curious about what is in the foreground and in the background. What is arriving,
bubbling up, growing, or just coming into form? What is receding from view? Be curious too about the weather, the season, the temperature, the time of day. Take a couple of minutes to use some crayons or pastels to spontaneously create a 'landscape' of your inner territory. (It doesn't have to look like a landscape). In your mind's eye, imagine entering that landscape and exploring it. What do you notice? When you are ready, come out of that exploration, pick up your pen, and write an "I
am....." writing from the voice of your image. Then reflect: What did you learn? Here's mine for today. I have done this process so many times, that often I visualize my emotional landscape in the moment without even creating an image, but I always receive more when I take the time to make the image. This has become an inner language that sustains and supports me. I am deep and dark, yet not tightly packed. There is space and light permeating the mystery. My earth is fertile, sprouting vibrant growth. Essence is rising on the horizon. My name is Rise and I bring loving compassion to
all your layers. In the Art as a
Healing Practice series, we spend a whole session on the Emotional Landscape. We engage with the natural world, listen to a themed guided meditation, make art, explore our image, write, and weave what we learn into our life. And this month we are offering a 40% discount on this online series. See the link below to learn more. I would love to invite you into the circle for this
self-study series, and to see you live in the (optional) Zoom sessions. In next week's newsletter I will share another example of how we connect with our inner experience through Fay Wilkinson's work with Bridging into Story: Exploring Ways to Tell the Untold. - which was born out of a process Fay led in our
recent Expressive Arts in the World Class. It was such a powerful experience that we asked Fay to create a series for our community, and that is all set for you for February! I will share my story with Fay's process next Sunday. Learn more about Art as a Healing Practice! This special price will remain in effect until January 31st. Use the coupon code NEWYEAR2025 Kathleen facilitates the process with great care and respect for the individual to move through the exercises with personal integrity. Linda Hansen https://linjart.com |
Love and blessings, Kathleen, Tamara, and the Expressive Arts Florida team
This month we do not have any in person or online events aside from our Certificate Training Program courses. We encourage you to take a look at our self-study courses or our future events and workshops! In February and March we have two special offerings that we're so excited to share with you! On February 4th, 11th & 18th we'll welcome H. Fay Wilkinson for a 3 part online workshop series of Bridging Into Story: Exploring Ways to Tell the Untold. Are you looking for some new and
innovative ways to bridge into metaphorical but truth-full stories? Learn creative and innovative strategies you can use with yourself and others. Fay always brings a treasure trove of ideas and practices to her workshops! Register for one or the whole series. On Friday, March 21st we have a special IN-PERSON Training collaboration
with Eliana Gil, Kathleen, and Tamara that will provide CEUs for Play Therapists, LMHC, LCSW, LMFT. Sand, Soul, & Metaphor is an integrative training in Sarasota that weaves together the threads of Sand, Play and Expressive Arts therapies into a dynamic intermodal journey that will nourish you and enliven your work. The three of us are delighted to join together and offer you the synergy of our combined experiential work.
With 7 CEU's! The final opportunity to complete the Certificate Training Program in its final form will be in April, starting with EAFI 110 Dive into Expressive Arts. This course can also be taken as a stand alone course and counts for 18 CEU's for LMHC, LMFT and LCSW. If you would like to attend an upcoming course or have questions, please email us at admin@expressiveartsflorida.com. |
Would you like to share your personal practice images? Our private Facebook group is a sanctuary for witnessing one another. (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.) |
February 13th, March 10th and April 17th Expressive Arts Discovery monthly sessions are back! Learn more here!
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February 4th, 11th, 18th (1-3pm EST) A 3 part online storytelling workshop series featuring Fay Wilkinson! Register for all 3 sessions and save. Learn more here!
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This is an IN-PERSON Training collaboration with Eliana Gil, Kathleen, and Tamara that will provide CEUs for Play Therapists, LMHC, LCSW, LMFT. Register early - we expect this to fill up!
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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! *No previous art experience
is necessary! |
Featured Self-Study Course 40% OFF! use NEWYEAR2025 coupon code Give as a gift! |
Art as a Healing Practice
Art as a Healing Practice is an expressive arts workshop series of 9 themed lessons
that embrace the positive power of creative work/play to change your life. Kathleen has expertly crafted each process to guide you as you explore yourself deeply and freely through nature, guided meditation, the arts, and writing. Along the way, you can deepen your relationship with your creativity, access your own creative wisdom, improve your overall wellbeing, discover a satisfying personal
practice, and empower and transform your life.
If you are an LMHC, LCSW, or LMFT you can earn a certificate of completion and receive 12 CEU's. *No prior art or expressive arts experience is necessary. |
Tamara is accepting new expressive arts therapy clients seeking support using to heal and grow. Using her expertise in expressive arts and a compassionate approach, she helps clients access their inner strengths and create the change they need in their
lives. To inquire about services, you can go HERE, call/text 941-444-9585 or email tknappcounseling@gmail.com ~Tamara and Kathleen Tamara Teeter Knapp MA, NCC, LMHC, REACE® Kathleen Horne MA, LMHC(S), REACE®, REAT® www.expressiveartsflorida.com |
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