Hello Creative Friend,

This week was a full week. A full week of work, of holding space for healing, or reintegrating after traveling, and of opportunities to turn to creative practice in community. Different circles formed to bring creative spirits together. In Expressive Arts Discovery, online Open Studio, and in-person Open Studio we each turned toward our own art practice while gathering in community. During Open Studio on Friday, someone shared a quote they heard which said, "I do art because it lets my soul know I am listening." (I apologize but the original source was not known.) This is such a sweet way to express why we make art - to listen to our soul and to let it know we are listening. I (Tamara) want to extend this to say that we can use art to listen to all parts of us - our soul, our inner child, our tired self, our anxious self, our deeply grateful part, etc. Tara Brach, meditation teacher and author, shared these words in her "Listening to the Song" series this weekend, "listening is more than a communications skill, it is a capacity that awakens our awareness. And given our current times, this capacity is essential if we are to navigate the great divides that separate us from our inner life and others. As we learn to listen inwardly, we begin to understand and care for the fears and vulnerability that ask for our attention."

I tuned in during Expressive Arts Discovery to listen to a part of me that needed "clear waters". Clarity, flow, reflection. As I began making my image, I began hearing impulses like little whispers. "Keep the center open, protect the open space. Draw little clusters of circles here and there. Now there. Widen the bands of blue. Keep going. No need to fill all of the space. Now trace the edges, isn't that satisfying?" As I continued, I expressed what did not have words, but needed to be heard. My soul? My current state of mind? The part of me that was feeling unsettled? It did not seem to matter as much as the fact that I was listening. Through my mark making, movement, and writing. My image said, "be held and let go". After completing the image, I felt calm, clear, and so grateful that I paused to listen. 

During in-person Open Studio I delighted in the paint diffusing as it hit the water on the paper. Deep cobalt ribbons of paint alternating with light, creating spontaneous illusions of tiny trees atop distant horizons. My desire to just see what happens released tension, let me arrive in the present moment, and connect with another artist sitting with me as we both playfully dropped paint into the water on our pages. 

In any given day, we may experience a variety of emotions, engage with multiple roles, people, situations. When we stop long enough to make a little art, we offer ourselves an opportunity to listen to our soul, to any part of us that is in need of our presence.

I invite you to take some time to listen today. Listen through your presence, your mark making, movement, or sounds that want to be expressed. Do not worry if you do not fully understand why, just listen to each impulse as it arrives and follow it. Enjoy, even delight in the process. Take time and let your soul, or any part of you that needs it, know you are listening. 

Just a reminder for everyone in Mindful Art Play, the first live session is tomorrow, Monday, July 28th from 1-2:30pm ET! I can't wait to see you there. If you're not a member yet, I'd love to have you join.

Our next in person event is In Person Open Studio on Friday, August 8th! Come join us in person and work on a creative project. We will have supplies and light refreshments available.

On Tuesday (August 19th), we have our next Online Open Studio. Bring a creative project and join us online!

In case you missed it, we have decided to reschedule Sand, Soul and Metaphor: An Expressive Arts Therapy Journey and offer it as a single day training. We are looking at dates now so stay tuned!

If you would like to share any part of your creative practice, we invite you to do so in our private Facebook group.

To see a schedule of all upcoming events, courses and workshops visit our calendar of events here.

Therapy Services

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

Tamara Teeter Knapp

MA, NCC, LMHC, REACE®

Kathleen Horne

MA, LMHC(S), REACE®, REAT®

www.expressiveartsflorida.com