Week 2: Mindfulness

Cultivating peace and serenity, mindfulness is a way of observing our experience, in the present moment, without judging ourselves. Practicing self compassion, we pay attention to all the senses and focus our full attention on the process of creation. We allow our feelings to manifest on the page or float away while we distance ourselves from unhelpful reactions and sensations.

Looking inward, we use techniques such as deep breathing, focusing on the breath as it flows through the body. We learn to control our minds, rather than being at the mercy of rumination or an overactive mind. We will concentrate on one activity at a time, as we observe, describe, and participate fully 0n the creative process.

Combining mindfulness with artistic practices can reduce worries and regrets, increase self-esteem, generate clear-headedness, and help find more energy and pleasure in life.

Being in the moment, the artist becomes the center of consciousness, focusing on color, line, image, and design.

Introduction: Healing with
the Arts

Healing with the arts is a journey where you transform pain into creative expression. Your suffering and your darkness will turn to light and creation. This is a gentle path where connecting to your heart will reveal a part of yourself that may have been born of pain, but through awareness and the inner grace that lives within us all, healing can begin. As we explore the inner landscape of the subconscious, we invite you to use a variety of creative materials because healing and creativity are not one-size-fits-all.

There are no rules and no pressure—only choice.

We invite participants to follow what feels comforting or sparks curiosity as we create a welcoming, engaging experience that supports relaxation, self-discovery, and authentic creative expression.

This is a sacred journey within yourself. During this process, you will return to a place inside yourself that feels more whole, more grounded, and safe.

Week 3: Self-Awareness

In our busy lives, we don't often take time to know our strengths and weaknesses, our drives and personalities, our habits and values. Self-reflection can get lost. We might be offered personal feedback, but we aren't in the headspace to openly receive it.

Self-awareness can improve one's judgment and help identify opportunities for personal growth, as self-esteem and confidence grow.

Individuals recognize potential new directions for their lives and what their needs and desires are.

Before changing negative thought patterns, unhealthy behaviors, and low self-esteem, we will first become aware of barriers to happiness and success.

Transformation requires self-awareness of desires, fears, dreams, and goals.

As we explore old thinking patterns, overcome obstacles, face indecision, and identify unhappiness, our life purpose and desired path will unfold. Artists will complete activities to understand a plan and discover a new potential direction for their life.

Week 4: Self-esteem & Self- compassion

Our core beliefs often help determine our self-esteem. Becoming aware of these beliefs will enable us to increase our inner self-worth. We will examine healthy and unhealthy patterns of thinking as we aim to increase positive thinking and lessen or eliminate negative thinking and self-defeating behavior.

More content to come.

Week 5: Anxiety & Stress

We will learn stress reduction techniques that help individuals relax, reduce anxiety, lessen the degree and frequency of anxiety attacks and learn how to be mindful in the present moment.

More content to come.

Week 6: Change & Problem-Solving

Change is inevitable but accepting change can be very difficult for many people. Over the course of our lives change in ability, appearance, health, emotional wellness, ambition, motivation, financial status can be a challenge.

More content to come.

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Creative Materials for Healing & Self-Expression

We will also work with symbolic language. Icons such as the feminine goddess to represent intuition, creativity, and nurturance, animal totems such as wolf, eagle, bear, lion to represent the dream space and spirit world, the natural world such as leaves, flowers, petals, beetles, fur, cotton, woven fabrics, branches, stones—these figures represent the parts of the psyche often suppressed but essential for healing.

Spirit animal symbolism helps access instinct, strength, protection, and guidance from the unconscious, offering mirrors for qualities you may be reclaiming. Buddhist singing bowls, sound waves, and vibrational tools support deep relaxation and emotional release by working directly with the body’s energetic and nervous systems. Connection to Mother Nature—through imagery, outdoor reflection, or natural materials—restores a sense of belonging, rhythm, and safety that the modern world often disrupts.

The mandala represents the circular form which naturally supports grounding, balance, and self-reflection. The circle has no beginning or end, which can create a sense of safety and containment—especially helpful when exploring strong emotions. Working within a mandala can calm the nervous system, reduce anxiety, and help organize thoughts and feelings that may feel overwhelming.

What to expect:

• Breathwork to release stored tension and emotions held in the body

• Meditation to practice mindfulness, calm the body and mind, and reconnect with the inner landscape

• Journaling and automatic writing to allow uncensored thoughts and insights to emerge

• Visual imagery and active imagination to dialogue with inner figures, emotions, or symbols

• Movement or gentle somatic practices to help the body process what words cannot

• Music and rhythm (drumming, ambient sound, silence) to access emotional layers beyond language

• Ritual and intention-setting to mark transitions, release old narratives, and invite new ones

• Creative materials such as clay, paint, collage, or charcoal to give form to the subconscious

Each tool is an invitation, not a requirement. You are encouraged to follow what resonates with you and move at your own pace. Together, these practices support integration—bringing mind, body, spirit, and emotion back into dialogue—so healing can occur in a way that feels organic, respectful, and deeply personal.

The only requirements are a marking utensil and paper of your choosing.

• Colored Pencils

• Colored Markers

• Colored ink pens

• Sketchbook or art paper

• Notebook or journal

• Paint palette

• Paints of your choosing

• Paintbrush

• Watercolor paper or other paintable page

• Water container

• Paper towels

Six introductory courses follow a path toward deep inner healing. Each can be taken as a standalone course, and you can skip steps and choose the titles that interest you.

You will not take this journey alone. I have taken my own healing journey through art, and it is deeply personal to me.
I welcome you to this space.