Welcome to Week 9 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 9- Poetry prompt

• • From this week we are going to introduce some different elements and suggestions to support and encourage the creative process.  This week we wanted to focus on poetry in response to what is happening in the world.
  • Use this quote as a sentence starter and finish it with whatever words come to mind.
  • This is a quick exercise to help you connect, so try to go with your instinctive response.
  • “Things unknown, but longed for still….”
  • Read the poem ‘Caged Bird’ by Maya Angelou.
  • As you listen to the words, pick out any words or lines that stand out to you and connect with your feelings in response.
  • Notice what comes up for you.
  • take one of the words or lines that has stood out to you, or continue with the sentence starter and write your own poem in response.
  • You may find it helpful to set yourself a time limit of 10 minutes, or 20 minutes if you would like a little longer.
  • You can also create an image in response to either Maya Angelou’s poem, your response to the sentence starter or your own poem. 
  • Allow yourself some time for reflection in the here and now. 
  • Check in with yourself and see what emerges.
  • Use whatever materials you have available.
  • 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.