|
|
Hello Creative Friend, "Art is our portal to the unseen world." - Rick Rubin When we enter the studio, we are crossing a threshold. When we make an image, in any modality, we give birth to something that has never existed in the world
before. Its creation is a collaboration between our self and a wisdom much deeper and wider than us. If we witness, attend, and listen to the image, we open the door to a way of knowing that, although not highly valued by the dominant culture, is an intelligence that reveals deep wisdom and speaks in symbols and
in metaphor. Toko-pa Turner calls this our "first language" (The Dreaming Way, p.95) If we make a practice out of intentional image-making, we are cultivating a relationship with this wisdom, building a bridge between the imaginal and the material realms, and reaping the benefits in our lives. This is why we sometimes refer to expressive arts as a wisdom path. It is much more than a therapy, although that is part of it. It is much more than an arts practice or a way to heal, although those are parts of it as well. It is a way of remembering who we are and of living in collaboration with collective wisdom and the natural
world. It asks us to enter mystery, to walk in two worlds, and to discover a bridge between them. An image that just 'arrived' - I welcome it and listen I (Kathleen) am reading Toko-pa Turner's brilliant book, The Dreaming Way. Although she is speaking primarily of dreams, I see dreamwork as a parallel, or complimentary process, to expressive arts. I believe that we are accessing the same
intelligence through each of these pathways. I invite you to take in her words: "In a society that discourages kinship with the sacred, to extend this privilege to yourself is an act of bravery - and even rebellion. By redirecting even a measure of your devotion from external life to the imaginal,
you are contributing to the shifting of power in the world. You are enacting a revolution from within" (Turner, p. 30) Wow. I want to sit with the implications of that statement for awhile. I completely agree. It is both a personal and a universal process that brings change at many
levels. In our expressive arts training, we teach our students to reveal their own 'creative wisdom', as we have named it, by bringing their questions to their intermodal arts practice. And, rather than bringing an image back from the unconscious and subjecting it to the scrutiny and analysis of our literal
mind, we meet it in the mystery, learning its language, receiving it with hospitality, curiosity, and reverence. This is a teaching we learned originally from Shaun McNiff. (1992) What are the big questions that are alive in you right now? Have you taken those questions to your art? It is easy to forget to do that, we know. What you will receive, though, are answers. Not the answers that go round and round in your head as you problem-solve, but answers that come from a deeper place,
whatever it is that you choose to name that place. In my life right now, I am meeting this stage of my aging process with many questions, desires, uncertainties, and intention. I have decided to aim the lens of my arts practice to my aging process. I have no idea where this will lead, what I will learn, or what
shifts I might experience, and I am committed anyway. The discovery is the point of it. I have decided to make this practice public, partly to hold myself accountable, and partly to demonstrate how this process works for me, inspire you to try it, and find what works for you. I invite you to follow me on Substack here if you are curious. The two books I am immersed in right now are The Dreaming Way by Toko-pa Turner and The Creative Act by Rick Rubin. I recommend them both (links below). If you would like to share any elements of your arts practice with us, you can do that in our private Facebook group here. It is a place for witnessing. ✨ Only a few spots remaining!! Mind Body Spirit: The Holistic Practice of Expressive Arts — January 13–16 (Live Online)
If you’ve been feeling the nudge to explore expressive arts more deeply, this is a wonderful place to begin. Our next live online training is now open for registration, and it offers a grounding introduction to our
intermodal approach. Registration deadline is December 13. ✨ Only 1 spot left! SoulCollage® & the Labyrinth: Celebrating the Winter Solstice — December 12 (In-Person, Sarasota)
Our newest in-person SoulCollage® workshop is coming up soon. Join us on Friday after Open Studio as we honor the Winter Solstice with stillness, reflection, creative inquiry, and renewal. ✨Expressive Arts Discovery — December 15 (Live Online)
This is our final Expressive Arts Discovery of the year! Join us for 90 minutes of creative connection and intermodal expressive arts. ✨ Annual Intention-Setting Workshop Gather with us to close the year with intention, clarity, and community. This beloved workshop invites you to align
with what you’re calling in for the year ahead. ✨Mindful Art Play LIVE session - December 29 (Live Online)
If you'd like to join us, we are going to play with the "texture of our experience" this month. We will explore the world around us and the world within us
through mindful practice using art materials. ✨Creative Presence: Expressive Arts for Individuals is now open for registration! Develop the skills to facilitate expressive arts in one-on-one sessions with confidence and clarity. This hands-on course guides you in engaging clients, structuring intermodal sessions, and
maintaining presence while supporting creative exploration. This course is live online, Feb. 6 and 20. Expressive Arts as a Wisdom Path: A Journey of Creative
Transformation is April 14-17, 2026 and will be in person in Sarasota. Registration is not yet open for this but let us know if you would like to learn more. Scroll down to see our regularly scheduled events or visit our calendar of events here. With gratitude for your presence, Kathleen, Tamara, and the
Expressive Arts Florida Institute Team |
References - McNiff, Shaun. Art as Medicine, Shambhala, 1992
- Rubin, R. The Creative Act: A Way of Being, Penguin Press, NY, 2023
- Turner, Toko-pa The Dreaming Way: Courting the Wisdom of Dreams, Her Own Room Press, 2024
See all our upcoming offerings here! |
Gather together with Kathleen online and work on a creative project. Learn more here!
|
|
Join us for In Person Open Studio and work on a creative project! We have basic art supplies, tea and light snacks. 1031 S. Euclid Ave, Sarasota, FL 34237 Room 9 Learn more here!
|
|
|
|
Follow your creative thread through guided meditation, artmaking, writing, moving and witnessing in this 90 minute workshop. Learn more here!
|
|
|
|
These live sessions are part of the Art as a Healing Practice self-study experience. Learn more here!
|
|
|
|
Join us for the 18th annual event - this time in the morning - to discover your personal intention moving into the new year. Learn more here!
|
|
|
|
This month's theme is "Treasured Textures". We will explore visual texture and the "texture of our experience". Join us for the mindful art play date! For members of the Mindful Art Play Members Club. Learn more here!
|
|
|
|
|
All Self-Study Courses are on sale until Friday! Each course contains 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 |
Expressive Arts Discovery Self-Study Course Experience the power of this Expressive Arts Workshop without having to go anywhere or be live online. You can watch the video, see the demos, and listen to the meditation, all on your own, in your own time. We have adapted this live workshop for you, so that you can do it whenever you want, wherever you are. Upon
purchase, you will receive all the materials immediately and, you can do it as many times as you like! Every time you do it, you will have a brand new experience. *No previous art experience
necessary |
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 |
|
|
|
|
