Hello Creative Friend,

This week, I (Kathleen) participated in Tamara's Mindful Art Play Live session, where she led us to explore the question 'What shape are you taking?". A movement meditation led us into cutting out shapes from some previously hand painted papers, and creating a collage. It was fun, playful, and deeply powerful. One of the beautiful qualities of expressive arts is that when we enter the play space, explore and have fun, we experience shifts and discover gems of wisdom along the way. In the process of creating a collage with my cut-out shapes, I realized that I was also exploring, and discovering, the 'shape' of the current and upcoming changes in my life and in our business. I was allowing my art process to lead me to what felt good, right, and aligned. As I arranged my cut-out pieces on a black paper background, I allowed my imagination to lead, as I intuitively discovered something new. I left space around my shapes, which felt like room to breathe. And I began to see that as I placed my shapes on the black paper, the shapes of the "background' were shapes of their own. I was smiling  as I was creating it, thinking about what a perfect metaphor this is  as our team goes through a powerful restructuring process in our business, and as I personally make more space for other aspects of my life. Our art always reflects exactly where we are, and gives us what we are seeking, even when, or maybe mostly when, we are simply 'playing'. 

"Art does not reproduce what we see.

It makes us see." - Paul Klee

My shapes give rise to new shapes I didn't know about.

What I thought was the background has become a living force.

Darkness and mystery dancing with cool flowing colors.

A harmonious, exciting, and evolving whole,

With many points of entry 

and the guarantee 

of an unforgettable journey. 

I am sitting with this process - feeling the movement in my body, witnessing the image and writing. I listen for the messages, not rushing into meanings, avoiding explanations. I feel nudged by the image, sensing that it is giving me hints of the changes that are underway:  the more flexible schedule where the 'background' is much more than it seems, the new training structure, which will have more openness and choice, the letting go and profound trust that is required when we disassemble  something that we once so carefully created. I also sense that there is a new image to be made soon that will evolve from this one. The potential wisdom inherent in the process is unlimited, as we are accessing a deeper source. 

"The first demand any work of art makes upon us is surrender.

Look. Listen. Receive. Get yourself out of the way." - C.S. Lewis

Is there something in your life that you are letting go of, disassembling, or re-shaping? How do you reconstruct the pieces into something new? What shape is it taking - in your body, your art, your life? Try painting a paper, turning it over, drawing and cutting out shapes intuitively, and reassembling  the shapes on a new piece of paper. Move to it. Write in its voice. Listen. 

You can share with us in our FB group if you like.  We always love to witness your process. 

Learn more about Mindful Art Play here.  The next lesson, coming out tomorrow, is called 'Courageous Contrasts' ! Sounds inviting, right?

And, if you are waiting to hear about the 'new shape' of our training and programs for 2026, we will be making an announcement by the end of September. We are working on the final details for some exciting new courses and workshops, for both personal and professional development, both in-person and online. I am currently doing some beta testing for a new offering in which expressive arts practice will meet and support the aging process. 

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.

Our next In Person Open Studio is Friday, September 19th! Join us and create in community. Supplies and light refreshments are provided.

If you can't make if for the In Person Open Studio we will have Online Open Studio the following Tuesday from 1-4pm.

Monday, September 22nd, is our next Expressive Arts Discovery!  This is a guided expressive arts workshop for self-discovery; helping you connect with your intuition through guided meditation, artmaking, writing and more.

On Monday, September 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