Our first markmaking and mindfulness workshop in Orepuki was truly an intimate, fun, and creative experience. Seven of us spent two days together with enough art supplies to fill the Louvre, good food to feed an army, and kindness to warm the soul. I always have fun while teaching mindfulness and creating art, but running this workshop with Andrea Sexton was simply wonderful – a mixture of Andrea’s mind blowing creativity, enthusiasm, and bubbly energy and my sprinkle of breathing exercises to re-energize us, stretching routines for our hard working bodies, and mindfulness practices to reconnect us with that inner child that loves to experiment and play.
Who knew that sticks and seaweed could create such amazing mark making tools? That handwriting with your non-dominant hand would take you back to your childhood? That enjoying the process of creating can be so much more fulfilling than striving for a perfect, defined product? And that chocolate can taste so good when you eat it mindfully??
I am grateful to everyone who came – bringing an open mind, being their authentic selves, and simply giving it a go. And I am in awe at the unique pieces of art that everyone created during the workshop. I truly hope that you left the workshop wit a toolkit of creative practices, as well as mindfulness methods to stimulate and inspire your creative practice.
A huge thanks to Andrea for inviting me to join her in this workshop. I can’t wait to do it again!
Huge thanks to Colin Brammer for the wonderful photos!
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