Drawing
from your Heart Workshop
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by
Leigh Jackson |
DRAWING FROM YOUR HEART is a workshop for people seeking a connection,
or re-connection with the natural creativity of the universe.
As adults, we all too often avoid exploring
our creative potential because we think that it is only for
trained painters, writers and other artists who are professionals.
Concern about the response of our peers and fear of failure
are even more compelling reasons not to try.
Louise Borgeoise, an internationally known artist,
said that art is not about ART - it is about LIFE, and the youngest
person to take the workshop, Emily, age 9, said that you can
always use your imagination, you don’t have to know why.
What would we know about our history and ourselves
from prehistoric cave paintings onward, if there were no need
for creative expression in our lives? It is not an optional
add-on to being human, it is essential and defines who we really
are.
Making use of this natural birthright is an
effective way to uncover the reality behind the illusions of
the ‘real world’. It is a valuable tool for self-
discovery, community awareness and healing, and can function
as a valuable personal life coach within. It has been said that
the suppression of our natural creativity can actually cause
illness in some people because the power of creativity will
seek any expressive outlet in preference to being imprisoned.
William Blake, beautifully describing how we
are physically designed for creative activity by nature, said
that the human body is the part of our spirit that is directly
connected to the five senses, and Rumi stated the obvious when
he observed that the same intelligence that created the stars
and the heavens 'created me.'
The principles
applied in the workshop can help to support any life endeavour.
Drawing, colour and exploratory discussion are the tools, but
the underlying philosophy is that the process is the most important
part of the journey. It includes examining the creativity of
the natural world we live in, learning how to deal with the
issues around criticism and fear and the discovery that you
have in-built capacity for positive and colourful self-expression.
If you are willing to take a few creative risks it is also fun
. No formal artistic background is required and everyone is
qualified!
What
has been said about Tom Cook's workshops:
'It was
a great success. It was extremely enjoyable as well as informative
and challenging. Tom managed to put us all back in touch with
our ‘playful self’ with a series of well-tried exercises
and ideas. Any tendency to say ‘I can’t do this’
was easily dispelled and some lovely results were obtained.
The pace was gentle and supportive allowing our negative self
criticism, blocks, apprehensions and prejudices to be simply
noticed and laid aside, enabling our creative self to emerge.
I would recommend this workshop to any budding or lapsed artist,
indeed to anyone who enjoys being creative. Many thanks for
your love, attention, ideas, humour and excellent choices of
background music.'
'The workshop
opened my eyes to art in a different way.'
'A safe
place was provided to 'go for it'. Everyone endorsed each other
and gave themselves up to the experience.'
'He allowed
us to understand that we could do what we thought we couldn't.'
'He does
a fine job of facilitation at it's best.'
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