Creative ID: 115
I live in Christchurch, however I am open to travelling throughout the South Island.
My arts or creative practice (including details about my specific focus within that art form/practice and my strengths)
My art practice focuses on Intentional Creativity. This magical method of art combines creative expression with mindfulness to support self-awareness and personal growth. Making art in this way is not about being talented, gifted or artistic. It’s not predicated on identifying as an artist or even feeling creative. My mentor says this ... "Creating with intention is simply working with mindfulness in whatever we set our hands to. Whether it is creating a soup, a garden, a business plan or a painting. We are more present because we choose to be and the results are different than if we are not paying attention. Intentional Creativity is an approach to creating that yields greater access to who we are now and who we are becoming, and what is possible for us and our unfolding future. It works like this ... Everything within us, past, present, and future lives in story. When we create around our story, we gain clarity. When we create with intention, we activate both sides of the brain. When we activate our brain, we gain greater access to our own information, how to articulate it and how to move it into form."
My track record of experience and success - or the track record of experience and success of the creative or artist that I will partner with
- Certified Intentional Creativity Teacher 2015, currently teaching from my home studio.
- NLP Master Practitioner 2000.
- Community project: mural in Christchurch.
- Workshop presenter at a symposium, September 2019.
- I have recently joined a community volunteer group for photographers and storytellers and look forward to working with them in the near future.
Describe the experience you have had working with children or young people, teaching or facilitating creative processes
My experience of teaching adults so far has brought me a great deal of joy. I have taught a range of "no experience is necessary" classes so far, including themes based on gratitude, following your heart, energy balance and one day "Paint Your Inner Guide" workshops. All of the themes I use are suitable for teaching children and this is an area I am keen to work in. Classes are designed to show how to create with intention and from the heart, which in turn creates a sense of connection and develops resilience. I am currently learning a Metacognitive drawing technique (a powerful method of accessing internal information), and will be incorporating that into my own work and classes. In February 2020 I will be training in what is known as the Soulscape method of art developed by Australian Artist Jassy Watson. This style is nature-centric and looks at our relationship with nature by identifying patterns within nature and self. E.g. leaf veins/our veins, tree rings/fingerprints. Certification will allow me to teach this from mid 2020.
Why I want to be part of the Creatives in Schools programme and how my involvement will link to my creative practice
I have many skills and a lot of life experience, and with that comes wisdom. I recognise how important it is to be sharing this with our Tamariki, and that is my intention for this application. I would like to partner with a school that values teaching life skills such as respect for self and others, kindness, flexibility, adaptability and resilience alongside its academic programme. These attributes make for a well-rounded and grounded individual who is able to use the tools they have learnt when making good choices and when facing life challenges or adversities. Being involved with the Creatives in Schools programme will encourage me to expand my knowledge and skills not only for my own creative practice. I will be visioning how I can incorporate that into future classes and programmes I become involved with.