The Shape of Abstract Art

Discover the pleasing process of letting go of details, simplifying shapes and patterns. Learn how to transform realistic images from life or photographs, into symbols and abstract forms. This is a good practice for letting go of all the itsy bitsy irritations in drawing and in life.

Winds of Change and Wings of Love

Using an intuitive collage process create one or a number of soul cards, choosing what our images touch, what they lie upon and how prominent they arein a practice of changing, shifting and moving themes, until we are content. We will reflect on the challenges and gifts that arise with change. We will creat a three dimensional Spring mandala together, using contributions from the environment - a bud, a petal, a leaf or a flower.

Imaging the Divine

Be inspired by exquisite spiritual verses by Rumi, St Francis of Assisi, Hafiz, Kabir, St John of the Cross and more. Quieten the mind , choose a colour, dip your moist brush, place it on the paper and allow an echo of divinity to develop before you.

A Meditation on Pattern and Pigment

We will be inspired by indigenous artwork and the works of Austrian artist, Hundertwasser. We will explore the techniques used to create patterns by designers. We will use coloured paper, earth pigments paint and crayons.

Mandalas

A mandala is a holy circle that is a representation of wholeness. Creating a mandala calms a fragmented mind. As a group we will create a number of three dimensional mandalas to begin our meditative process. We will explore the harmonising affect of drawing a jewel mandala for ourselves and a healing mandala for a friend.

Printmaking

Images and reflections of ideas: the same but different. Discover the magic of the printed image, where being unable to control the outcome leads to unpredictable beauty.

A Meditation on Seeing Clearly

An afternoon to practise looking, in a different way. Looking without judging and naming. Noticing edges, shapes, spaces and relationships. We will use charcoal, pastel, crayons and ink to understand form, weight and line.

A meditation on our Place of Belonging

A day of bringing awareness to what is beneath us, beside us, behind us and above us. We will use poetry to inspire our imaginations, and textural techniques to add interest to our work. We will create a landscape with a difference. Paints, mediums, paper and fabric.

Painting from the Source

Take time to stay with one painting throughout the afternoon. Allow a natural unfolding of dialogue between you and your painting. Rather than controlling and planning your artwork you will become more receptive and spontaneous. This process brings a deep sense of peace and eradicates the critical voice. Bring a canvas if you wish.

Soul Cards and Chakras

This is an intuitive collage process, where you will end up with a number of beautiful soul cards to contemplate at the end of the day. We will explore the ancient metaphysical system of the Chakras and use this as inspiration for creating your soul cards.

Branching out to dream

We will begin awareness of ourselves in the moment through painting. We follow this with a painting meditation on love and hope.

From here we will paint, wrap and decorate a branch with messages of love, hope, and blessings. You will end up with a glorious 3 dimensional artefact which contains hidden messages.

Mandorlas

A mandorla is the almond-shaped segment that is made when two circles partly overlap. This symbol signifies the overlap of opposites, like Heaven and earth. The place where the opposites overlap is a place of healing. If thy eye be single, thy whole body shall be filled with light (Matt. 6.22). The old symbol for Christ - two lines indicating a stylized fish is a mandorla. Come and create your own mandorla as a way to embrace duality.

Textural Techniques

A morning to enjoy the tactile face of art. Learn new ways to create a variety of textures in you paintings.

Collage

Collage is a rich and exciting medium with endless possibilities. It allows those who feel unsure about their skills with painting and drawing to develop unique artwork, using photographic images or photocopies. Responding to images that catch your eye and choosing where to place them is and intriguing task. Text, texture, paint and fabric all compliment the process. Feel free to bring some of your own found images to the class.

Finding Inspiration

A morning to awaken your artistic sensibilities and see the ordinary with new eyes.

Tantalizing Texture

A morning of splashing, spattering and dripping paint onto a canvas in the garden. A wild way to create random marks and complex layers of paint to form an organic artwork.

Sensual Silk Painting

Glorious watery washes of pure colour are drawn into the silk the moment you touch the tip of your loaded brush onto the fabric. The process is pure pleasure. The result is always a delight.