Hello Creative Friend,

I (Tamara) was cutting images and words out during this week's SoulCollage® session when I found this in an Omega catalog: 

My heart jumped out with a resounding YES! This is why I make art. For the revolution - for the evolution that it facilitates within me -my heart and my soul, my relationship to the world and my Self. Art creates a change, helps me evolve. I was reminded of Flora Bowley's book "Creative Revolution" and the playful, exploratory ways she approaches artmaking. It's meant to be fun, deeply playful in the way that leads to something new, a change, a shift. She shares a quote in her book: 

"At any moment you have a choice that either leads you closer to your spirit or further away from it." - Thich Nhat Hahn

Fun is only one way that art happens. I have learned that when something takes hold of me, dims my light, and leads me further away from my spirit - I can make art about it. And things change. I needed to create images to express an experience I had this week. What I received felt transformational. As in alchemy. Something new that had not occurred to me arrived - a choice. A moment to see there was a choice. 

my anger and outrage blinded me

light pushed down, hidden, heavy

without sight of possibility

darkness

I imagine turning it upside down

 rooted in the depths of the soil

composted into fuel for compassionate action

 holding light up with loving branches,

love's fullness provides alchemy

threads transform there

light emerges through the heart centered focal point

Our creative wisdom is the star of the revolution, our evolution, and it is trustworthy. I make art for the fun of it, for the illumination it brings to my life, and for the revolution it sparks in my heart. To meet something new that draws myself closer to my spirit. What is even more remarkable is that when we each do this, we contribute to change in the world around us. Collective evolution is accessible to us through the infinite creative stream we share in the realm of the imagination. 

I invite you to consider what causes a revolution in your heart. The way to do that is to notice what stirs within you when you are creating. What lifts your spirit? When do you hear "aha!"? What captures your curiosity? How does it feel to follow your creative impulses. What is like to go faster? Slower? Pause? Just notice, pay attention, and then reflect on what happened. 

You might even just take a few minutes to focus on the words in the quote, then let your hands and body begin moving and see what happens. You can share with us in our FB group if you like. 

At the end of th week, I will be doing the live session for Mindful Art Play Members. Hope to see you there. 

A few more creative opportunities coming right up:

We are currently enrolling for our next in person training course EAFI 130: Scope of Expressive Arts - Individual, Group & Community. We have a few spots available for those who would like to take this course as a stand alone workshop. It is in person, in Sarasota, FL, October 14-17. All participants will receive a certificate of completion. LCSW, LMHC & LMFT can submit for CEUs.

This Wednesday is our next Expressive Arts Discovery!  August 27th from 1-2:30 pm ET. This is a guided expressive arts workshop for self-discovery; helping you connect with your intuition through guided meditation, artmaking, writing and more.

On Friday, August 29th, we have our next Mindful Art Play Live session! These are monthly live sessions for all Mindful Art Play members. We had such a fun time at the last one and I'm looking forward to creating with you all again! If you aren't yet a member, you can still join! Click the button below for more info.

Also, in case you missed it, we rescheduled Sand, Soul & Metaphor:An Intermodal Expressive Arts Journey for Saturday, November 15th! This will now be a single day training rather than a 2 day training. We hope you will join us! CEUs will be offered.

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