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Showing posts from September, 2014

Morning Streaks: Mindfulness with a Sponge

"Don't let one cloud obliterate the whole sky." Anais Nin On my way to work one morning I noticed the sky streaking by the window. I cannot say what had consumed my attention up to that moment, save the monotony of the road and passing cars. Dawn came as a surprise. It brought an artists palette of long wispy streaks... oranges, magentas, and golds. It may have had teals and purples too. The image persisted long after the casual blues and white puffy clouds set-in. The memory persisted long into my work day. By mid-day I knew I wanted needed to bring  that moment into one of my groups, and I knew just the one. Using rectangular pieces of orange hanging folders (yep, recycling), small sponges (cut from packing material), and craft acrylics I set to the task of composing a mindful-art experience. The beauty is in the simplicity of the materials and the 'magic' that takes place in the process. After our usual group discussion I set out to be their guide

Have kit. Will travel.

At times it seems that even when we mean to stay put, there's invisible forces pulling or pushing this way and that. Not necessarily in the direction expected, but hopefully where we need to be. Amidst all the travel the artsy soul will still create. And while creating something out of nothing is often necessary in this line of work it doesn't have to be that way while on vacation. That's where the portable art kit comes in: Have kit. Will travel.  Having a portable art kit makes sense for the creative souls on the go. Art therapists, clients, students, et al could benefit from having and making use of one. Here's some basic considerations. 1. Size & type of pouch/container. This will effect how much you can take. 2. For contents, begin with basics then work your way to the frills. Writing/drawing tools, adhesive, cutting tool, liquid media, papers, other embellishments, etc. 3. That's it, all done. Now go back and spread it all out again