Moving Through Change

WELCOME TO THE ‘MOVING THROUGH CHANGE’ ART CLASS

WHAT WILL YOU NEED?

 

INTRODUCTION

My name is ILdiko. I am an artist and an educator. I am also a ministerial student at Unity_UK.

Can you pls introduce yourself by sharing your name with me and what you have so far learnt or became aware of about 

‘ME AND CHANGE’

Eg. I have learnt that ‘me and change’ are good friends. Change is easy for me. I am flexible and open. OR I have became aware that ‘me and change’ are not very good friends. I find it hard to make changes because I am afraid of the unknow so I decided to …

 

SETUP + GUIDELINES

  • Take care of yourself
  • No breaks, so pls take care of your needs in a timely manner 🙂
  • Pls stay all the way, until the end of the class, if you feel that you are finished with one drawing, start creating another one!
  • HAVE FUN! RELAX! Let your inner-child play! 🙂 <3
  • Confidentiality!

CENTERING

Before you move on and start reading today’s material, please center yourself by listening to this short meditation.

“Art makes the spirit soar. And when the spirit is lifted, life follows.” – Adrianna Trigiani

 ART AS A SPIRITUAL TOOL

DRAWING

Betty Edwards: Drawing on the right side of the brain. 

Tapping into the right side allows one to step into the Flow, a timeless experience of Gestalt or Oneness with all. 

Experimenting with and learning to draw can turn out to be something more than “learning to draw.” SOURCE

It can turn out to be a spiritual tool to help us move into the flow of Loving, Spirit, and oneness with the Divine.

For me, personally, drawing is both a therapeutic and a joyful spiritual process. I create art daily, it is part of my self-care regime. 

 

There are 4 different types of drawing activates. A drawing activity that supports the mind to move into a state a ‘mindfulness’ of ‘being present’. 

 

IMPORTANCE OF COLOURING

Fosters physical and psychological wellness. 

 

MINDFUL COLOURING

Mindfulness involves directing your full and non-judgemental attention to the activity you’re undertaking at a particular moment.

We simply pay attention with curiosity, openness and acceptance, to what is happening in the present moment: the coloured pencil in our hand, and the paper sitting in front of us. This process is similar to meditation, we let go of any thoughts about the past or the future – we bring our focus and awareness toward the present activity. 

 

You don’t need to be an artist or be artistic to enjoy and gain value from this class!!

LET’S DRAW!

HOW TO ZEN-DOODLE or ZANTANGLE?

TASK: Create a grid! Have at least 6 little squares and/or bubbles. (let’s say: 5cm by 5 cm) Please see my examples below!

This is what I did. At the end of the pictures, you can also find some ZENDOODLE examples from other artists.

Find more downloadable ZANTANGLE ART here (click)

NOTE: As you are creating your ZEN DOODLE DRAWING, please make sure that you leave enough space between the lines TO COLOUR! And pls colour, please do not leave ‘white’ spaces in your little square or bubble.

MEDITATION

 

CLOSING + SHARING

TASK: Finally, let’s listen to this wonderful song and sing along if you’d like! 🙂

EDUCATORS NOTE!

MAKING ART AS A SPIRITUAL TOOL

DRAWING?

  1. Fascinating: Wall drawings of predecessors thousands of years ago: asking for Divine support for different endevours.

 

  1. I am an artist who is on a spiritual journey so I am interested in how to use art to support my spiritual advancement/unfoldment. ART JOURNAL

Researched the connection between visual art and spirituality.

Offer many different spiritually infused drawing/art classes.

  1. Complaint about not being able to draw – stick figure drawing. You are born with it. You may limit yourself by judging yourself. Skill is there. Left-brain problem.

Drawing on the right side of the brain

is a state of mind in which one is able to perceive what one sees in a new way. 

By entering into the “zone” or the “R-mode,” one looks at things in a way that is different than by seeing the same thing as perceived by the left side of the brain. 

By learniNg how to switch into the right side of the brain, from the usual left side of the brain, drawing becomes a joyful and at times seemingly effortless process where time seems to end and intuition guides the artist.

Most people prefer to use the left side of their brain to operate on a day-to-day basis. Reading, writing and arithmetic are all activities that the left side of the brain enjoys because the left side of the brain is analytic and verbal.

But in order to draw, it is best to switch into the right side of the brain, because it can best handle information that is spatial, nonverbal and holistic. SOURCE

Tapping into the right side allows one to step into the Flow, a timeless experience of Gestalt or Oneness with all. Allowing the right side of the brain to take dominance brings forth an endless source of creativity and joy. 

Experimenting with and learning to draw can turn out to be something more than “learning to draw.” It can turn out to be a spiritual tool to help us move into the flow of Loving, Spirit, and oneness with the Divine.

For me, personally, drawing is both a therapeutic and a joyful spiritual process. I create art daily; it is part of my self-care regime. 

 Betty Edwards identified 4 different types of drawing activates – the combination of them – that generate Gestalt which means seeing the ‘whole as one’. Today we are going to practice a drawing activity that supports the mind to move into a state of ‘mindfulness’ of ‘being present’. 

 

THE IMPORTANCE OF COLOURING

There is a numerous research proving that colouring can be a highly effective way of fostering physical and psychological wellness. While it’s a relaxing form of self-expression that stimulates creativity, it also promotes a range of health benefits to nurture wellbeing by reducing stress, anger and anxiety. 

 

MINDFUL COLOURING – COLOURING IS MINDFUL

Mindfulness involves directing your full and non-judgemental attention to the activity you’re undertaking at a particular moment – such as colouring!

Mindful colouring is about bringing our awareness into the present moment by consciously focusing on colour and design. Instead of the formal practice of focusing on the breath, you bring your focus to the weight of the pencil in your hand, the shade of colours on your paper, and the feelings you experience throughout.

We simply pay attention with curiosity, openness and acceptance, to what is happening in the present moment:

the coloured pencil in our hand, and the paper sitting in front of us. This process is similar to meditation, we let go of any thoughts about the past or the future – we bring our focus and awareness toward the present activity. 

The research: A recent study conducted by the University of the West of England looked into the benefits of colouring on the mind. The volunteers were asked to either spend 20 minutes reading, or 20 minutes colouring in, and then answer questions to indicate their mood and mindfulness. The research showed that, compared to reading, colouring reduced higher levels of anxiety, and greater improved mindfulness!

Mindful colouring has been shown to:

  • Reduce anxiety and stress
  • Improve sleep
  • Improve focus
  • Improve vision and motor skills