Arts & well-being

Seeking balance

As a child when my great-grandmother came to visit, I would watch her begin her mornings by meditating with the elements of water, scent, fire and sound at a small altar. Her rituals were Buddhist; I was raised in a different faith and culture. Yet as an artist, our rituals are almost identical. The easel is my *metaphorical altar. I was first introduced to contemplative drawing practices through my Japanese sumi-e instructor as a way of calming my hands before working. I would later share and expand on these teachings to learners, who found it hard to transition in to the studio from the outside world, particularly during COVID times when I was a lecturer in the UK.

 

Wondering how to incorporate wellness into your art practice?

If you (or your organisation) are seeking a guide to help you find calmness within your creative practice please reach out to me.
What I offer differs from a technical session, its about finding quiet in the process and not in realising a finished piece. Sessions are usually two hours long involving grounding, breathwork, a prompt/theme, mindful artistic activities, reflection & journaling, a gentle close. It is not therapy or an art workshop. It is a opportunity to find creative balance .

Talk at London Southbank D. Regan

Being present

 

Spotlight

July 2024: I collaborated on two pieces of art that were showcased at the Rockhampton Museum of Art (RMOA) from 6-13th. These were created by a team of seven artists including me using materials provided by the faciliting artist M. Gilbert through her UnitePlayPerform programme.

March 2022: I spoke at an artists' peer group run by Arts Health Hub at London's Southbank Centre. Here we discussed different techniques that have helped improve the well-being of artistic practice. Many factors contribute to an unhealthy workplace, including lack of funds/space/support, toxic chemicals, poor ergonomics, frustrations within the creative process, artistic envy (including social media), COVID restrictions, etc. As an artist and a drawing and painting lecturer*, I shared some of the techniques that I have used both with my learners and in my studio. The session included a practical workshop before opening the floor to a group discussion. I would later become a faciliator for the London Arts & Health Hub's artists' peer groups. *At the time I worked for N. Hertfordshire College as a Drawing and Painting Lecturer out of the Hitchin Campus (UK).