Using watercolors and basic drawing materials as tools for relaxation, participants will be guided through a series of creative mark-making exercises and grounding techniques, followed by a longer, meditative mandala painting session.
Tag: Self-Care
Mindful Mark-Making: B&W Patterns Workshop
During this month’s session, we will use black ink, black paper, and black and white mark-making tools to create simple abstract patterns on paper.
Memory Café- Mindful Mark Making
A chance to focus on the present moment and engage in creative expression through watercolor and lines. (This program is intended for persons living with dementia and their care partner.)
Prioritize Pleasure in your Art-Making
How can you prioritize pleasure in your art-making? What feels like play in your art-making? For me it’s choosing colors, experimenting with new techniques, and making layers. I love being in the zone and feeling completely connected to the process of creating. About the Author Kara Ashley-Gilmore believes in the use of our innate creativity for our wellness and healing.…
Art Journal Ideas
What are you working on in your art journal this month? About the Author Kara Ashley-Gilmore believes in the use of our innate creativity for our wellness and healing. She is a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor, Registered & Board Certified Art Therapist, Somatic Experiencing Practitioner, and a mixed-media artist at Mountain Creative Arts Counseling, PLLC, in Hendersonville, NC. She…
Breathing Through Hard Emotions with Water-Soluble Media
Breathing Through Hard Emotions with Water-Soluble Media: Notice where you feel the emotion in your body. Draw the emotion using lines and scribbles. Notice what’s shifted in your body. Use a wet paint brush to soften the lines of your drawing as you slowly exhale. Notice where feels even the tiniest bit more open. Feel the openness as you continue…
Types of Paper
Building an at-home art therapy kit? Looking for a new sketchbook? There’s a variety of options out there. Here’s a guide for choosing the best paper for the types of mediums you’re interested in working with. About the Author Kara Ashley-Gilmore believes in the use of our innate creativity for our wellness and healing. She is a Licensed Clinical Mental…
Slow Down
May we all find ways to slow down and re-discover our path. About the Author Kara Ashley-Gilmore believes in the use of our innate creativity for our wellness and healing. She is a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor, Registered & Board Certified Art Therapist, Provisional Somatic Experiencing Practitioner, and a mixed-media artist at Mountain Creative Arts Counseling, in Hendersonville, NC.…
Embodied Art
I think it would be interesting to study whether there’s a connection between different personality types and the art materials we are drawn towards in different emotional states. When do you move towards comfort, and when do you want a challenge? Can we give ourselves permission to use the material we are craving versus the material we’ve grown accustomed to?…
Hobbies not Hustles
I recognize that there’s a larger systemic issue at play here. These side hustles keep the lights on and food on the table. But imagine if we felt the freedom to play with our art without wondering whether it will sell, or if our audience will like it. What risks would we be willing to take? What ideas would we…