Welcome to Week 12 of Mindful Arts and Creative Expression, a reflective space where you can connect with yourself and express your feelings in a creative way.

Each week we will offer a theme or creative suggestion and will talk you through ways to feel centred and connected. We will be including a variety of art forms, for example drawing, painting, sculpture, poetry and rhythm/music. 

Remember, you do not need to have any previous experience or having taken part in any of the previous weekly activities so… turn on your audio, watch your video and start to mindfully create!

When you have finished, we invite you to share your responses as seeing others’ interpretations can create a sense of togetherness in these changing times. If you choose to do so, you can share your creative reflections with others on our INSTAGRAM @MindfulArtsCreativeExpression. Guidance on how to upload can be found HERE.

Enjoy the experience and we look forward to seeing the mindful creative outputs shared in our INSTAGRAM gallery!

See you next week, at the same time at the same place! To make this a reliable weekly routine and receive a reminder with a link to next session, please join the mailing list/follow this blog.

Be well and stay safe,

Jude & Erminia

If you are unable to access the audio, here is a brief summary:

Week 12-Poetry Prompt

• This week we are going to try another poetry prompt, which you can approach in two different ways:

1. choose an object that you feel drawn to, maybe something that represents your time during lockdown, or something you have been using to keep yourself grounded or connected, or something that you have kept as a talisman.

• Look at it closely and see what comes up for you in the here and now.
• Notice what feelings it evokes and write down any words that come to mind.
• This is your starting point for a poem.
• You can also use this prompt as a starting point for an image.

2. Your second option is to choose a poem or some song lyrics that resonate with you.

• Choose a line that particularly stands out and in the same way, use this as a starting point for a poem and/or an image.

• Try to stay in the moment, connecting with yourself in the here and now
• Give yourself space to reflect on words, images, shapes and colours that you are drawn to.

• If it is helpful, set yourself a time limit, if not take the time and space you need to express yourself until you feel ready to stop.

• • Remember that it does not have to be finished for you to share it with others, all creative expression is equally valued.
• if you would like to share your creative reflections with others, please share a picture and/or your words on our Instagram gallery. Guidance on how to upload can be found HERE.
• If you use photography, please remember to avoid pictures of identifiable people or places.