When I was in my masters program for art therapy, we learned about repetitive mark-making as a potentially problematic sign. However, in my own personal work and in my work with other humans of all ages, I think that this is something that we need to think about in a different way. Repetitive mark-making and playing with pattern can be extremely soothing.
Reflecting on earth-art:
A few weeks ago, I had the opportunity to guide a creative exploration for people at an Earth Day weekend. So fun to create openings for dialogue about earth and change and even some hope!
Let things evolve
Life keeps showing me the different ways that I can evolve. Art has been an important part of tending to that evolution.
Start Simple
In a meeting with Art Therapy Capstone students last night, we took some time to write down some kind self care goals. We also talked about the benefit of checking off checklists! It is such a difficult time to be in graduate school; part of my role is to make space for art-making and balance as I support their final projects.
I added my self care checklist to a page inspired by a meeting earlier that same day. It was a big planning meeting for a very large project. The reminder to start simple and grow helped us move forward without overwhelm over all the things to be done!
“What can you do to take care of yourself this week?
How can you “start simple” on something big?
What seeds are you planting for the future?”
Purpose
I am headed home today from the 53rd annual conference of the American Art Therapy Association. I had the opportunity to present a workshop on defining purpose. Attendees shared their art and their thoughts about this hard-to-define but IMPORTANT word! Fo me, it was the perfect week to reconnect with this line of inquiry I began pre-pandemic. I am excited to see how it continues to evolve.
It was so wonderful to be in person with my colleagues engaging in deep conversations about the work of art therapy, making art together, laughing, crying, and being in community. Flying back to the studio & all the birds filled with ideas & inspiration!
Coming soon…
…a quick peek behind the scenes! I am partnering with the folks at ArtSnacks to bring a new quarterly box into your homes & studios…
Sign up to find out more:
Zine Fest
What a great start to the month at the SF Zine Fest! I sold art and books and buttons and patches and zines and I had some really wonderful conversations! There was a great turnout and a lot of enthusiasm in the room.
Pop!
This weekend, I had the great fun of being the ‘featured local maker’ at Hollie’s Homegrown in Lafayette, CA.
The shop is filled with local honey, salts, oils, body care, items for the table, and art along with teas and wines for tasting and taking home.
The aesthetics of my work fit perfectly with the amber honey, hibiscus tea, and green plants.
My favorite part of the first day was watching someone select a painting and know exactly where she wanted to put it in her home. Later in the day I received a text message from her with a photo of the painting in its new spot!
I also loved talking about growing things—both businesses and plants—with Hollie!
Fo me, making art in my studio is also about community—the community we can create by sharing art and our own experiences with each other.
In other news, little watercolor kits & ephemera packages I created will be available in the shop soon!
Still out there...
If you’re curious about what I mean by “heavy mixed-media” This workshop I did with Interweave was the first time I used that phrase to describe my techniques. AVAILABLE FOR DOWNLOAD HERE.
PRESENT p r e s e n t PRESENTING
If you had told the shy, quiet little girl that I was that one day I would enjoy being filmed or enjoy giving presentations to large groups of people I don’t know that I would have believed you!
Today, I am reflecting on how much I enjoy sharing information and resources through presentations and trainings and courses—how much it makes me feel ALIVE.
I am preparing to give a ‘lunch and learn’ talk to my colleagues at Elder Care Alliance about the beautiful work that my students did about art therapy with older adults. And I’m also preparing for my sessions at the Expressive Therapies Summit next month.
For me, it’s not about being on stage or performing. It is about sharing ideas and resources and being in intellectual and creative community.
