Merging Mindfulness and Creativity
The invitation here is to get in touch with pure creative expression that is grounded in mindfulness. The creative process centers our body and mind in the present moment and invites us to explore our inner life through our senses and imagination. We are naturally creative beings, constantly changing. As we investigate feelings and beliefs, our images reflect the shifting nature of our experiences making space for new understanding and broader perspectives. Through intention setting, art making and reflective writing, we create art guided by our deepest values and move in the direction of growth, self-compassion and connection.
Process art making is about the experience of making art rather than the end product. Working with simple materials, we create images through play and experimentation, being open to however the image is unfolding. Meaning comes from personal exploration and self-expression. Because there are no expectations for how an image should turn out, it allows participants to relax, focus and connect with their feelings. Through intuitive art making we develop the capacity to trust and connect with our built-in wisdom of how best to take care of ourselves and be in relationship with the world around us. At Color Wheel Mindfulness participants use the Open Studio Process. This process was created by the art therapists Dayna Block, Dr. Pat Allen and Deborah Gadiel and lives at Open Studio Project in Evanston, IL.
Mindfulness meditation is a practice of being present to what is arising in our bodies and minds with kindness and curiosity in support of cultivating love, compassion and freedom from suffering. At Color Wheel Mindfulness I draw upon Insight meditation (also known as Vipassana), which comes from the Buddhist tradition in Southeast Asian countries like Thailand, Burma and Sri Lanka today. The practice of cultivating present moment awareness is around 2,500 years old and it is one of many types of meditation taught by the historical Buddha. At Color Wheel Mindfulness we are practicing a non-religious mindfulness meditation.
It is with deep gratitude that I have been able to receive and pass along these teachings and I invite you to see for yourself how these practices may enhance your life.
Classes and Workshops
Class begins by grounding ourselves through meditation and sharing. Following that, we explore an aspect of mindfulness and well-being. Participants are invited to connect experientially with the teachings through art making and reflective writing.
By following the steps below, we settle into the present moment and creatively connect with what is arising in our bodies, hearts and minds using intuition to guide mark making.
Intention Setting—Intention setting is a way to ground our art making time by connecting with how we feel. Our intention arises from what we would like to experience during art making time and can be about anything including healing, gratitude, self-care, problem solving, acceptance or relationships.
Art Making—We use simple drawing, painting, collage and 3-D materials and create art in a judgment free zone. The goal is to give ourselves freedom to play and explore with curiosity, and to let the image unfold without planning or editing. We create intuitively by noticing what brings us energy and feels good. Over time, creating in a “no feedback” space cultivates trust in our own wisdom and authority to find solutions that work best for us.
Witness Writing—We shift from art making into reflective writing, being present to whatever arises as we sit with our images. This might be stories, words or memories, as well as emotions and bodily sensations. We write without editing, letting go of trying to achieve a particular outcome. Our images are full of interesting information when we look at them with fresh eyes and welcome what they have to say.
Sharing—In community, you may read as much or as little of your writing as you choose. In this way, we often gain a deeper understanding of our individual and shared experiences.
The practice of love begins with acceptance—the recognition that wherever we are is the appropriate place to practice, that the present moment is the appropriate time.
- bell hooks