Download PDF - Introduction: Stepping Into Creativity

What is Creating Brave?

Creating – to bring something into life that has never existed before

Brave – standing up for something that might be scary, something that is outside our comfort zone, facing our fears

In our fast paced, information overloaded, chaotic world, we need creative practices that can help us quiet our minds and listen to the still, small voice within.  This in itself is an act of bravery.

Disrupting life events, whether it is a cancer diagnosis, heart disease, the death of a loved one, a divorce, or the loss of a job, can overwhelm us with difficult feelings that are tough to process. Anxiety, terror, sadness, anger, stress, fear, and betrayal are all hard emotions to experience much less express! Understandably, we numb ourselves because many times it is just too painful to talk about.  Many times, we do not even have the words.

Sometimes things are not quite speech ready and we need another language.

Creativity can help us face our anxieties, struggles, and fears. Creativity allows us to let go of the stress in our lives. Creativity can assist us in understanding where we are in our lives, help us move forward and begin to heal.

Who doesn’t need a little fine tuning in their life every now and then?

Who doesn’t need a touch of healing from time to time?

Responding

It’s time to pull out your sketchbook journal and your favorite thing to write with.  I suggest putting the date and the name of the lesson.

What drew to you to sign up for this class?

What are your intentions, your hope for what this class will bring to you?

Sharing

Let's get to know each other! As we begin our journey into healing through artmaking, it is my hope that all of you can develop an encouraging and supportive community. You're all taking a wonderful, rewarding risk by jumping into the daring land of creativity, and getting a sense of who will be learning with you can help to ease any lingering anxieties you may have about putting yourself and your creations "out there," so to speak. Let’s start by answering a few easy questions in the Gathering Place below:

Pick three words to describe your personality (hint: avoid generalized, vague terms like "unique" or "creative"; after all, we all have the capacity for uniqueness and creativity! Words like "adventurous," "compassionate," and "determined" are much more specific.)

What always makes you laugh?

If you could be an animal, what would it be and why?

When you were a kid, what creative activity did you enjoy?