Week one - What to expect if you attend “giving permission to create”

The first event in our series will be a blend of conversation and hands-on experience. Together we'll explore some of the barriers that keep adults from creating and rediscover the freedom that comes from giving ourselves permission to play, experiment, and simply begin.

One of the central ideas we'll introduce in our first workshop is examining the two prominent ways of creating two dimensional images.

The first is symbolic drawing. This is the language of simple shapes, signs, doodles, and visual shorthand. We use symbols every day to communicate ideas—a heart shape, a star, a stick figure, or an arrow. These images aren't meant to look exactly like the real thing; they're designed to communicate meaning. This way of drawing relies on imagination, memory, and expression, and it reminds us that making art isn't always about realism. This is also what 95% of people think of when you talk about knowing how to draw something. 

The second is observational drawing. Rather than drawing what we think something looks like, we learn to slow down and truly see what is in front of us. This kind of drawing becomes a surprisingly meditative practice. The focus shifts away from controlling your hand and toward training your eye to notice relationships, shapes, light, and unexpected details. As we set aside our assumptions and simply observe, drawing becomes an exercise in presence and attentive seeing.

As mentioned above the first half an hour will be just general discussion check-in and having a lite meal together. Then, at the top of the hour, we will spend 30–45 minutes playing games that use symbols to help communicate. This first activity is intended to be an easy lift and is meant to help people relax into the next phase when we begin drawing observationally. 

In the last hour, or so, we will have two drawing exercises that will certainly help to hone your drawing skills, but in a way that I hope to make as comfortable as possible. Again, the goal isn't to produce beautiful artwork, but to discover how each way of making images invites a different way of paying attention—and how that attention can become a doorway into creativity, reflection, and spirituality. 

If you attend only one workshop this summer, consider making it this one, because it will help to explain some of the ground rules and ways to approach all the other things we will be due going forward.  My hope is that, demystifying the process itself may help open up the simple but powerful act of giving yourself the confidence you might lack that prevents you from giving yourself permission to create.