The Right of Writing - Give Me back my Mo-Jo

We were full at the MoJo Studio yesterday. It was an exciting day. The task (aside from 'the dream boat' which remained untouched), was to create a round-robin chapbook. Each participant started with their own chapbook and drew for 15 minutes. The book was then handed on and the second person worked on it (repeat). There was tea and orange cake in-between as it takes a great deal of concentration to accomplish such a pressurised task.  EVERYONE was up for the challenge and this is the first book which is finished.  I LOVE it!!! Homework, under the title "The Portrait and the Seed", which is the content covered thus far is to find words to enhance the drawings.

Van Gogh and the field of crows shone through the Wednesday afternoon, soft light. Rain trembled in the clouds and we had much to discuss. On this and that, the natter the scatter A safe place a corner a piece of the world Perhaps you should go on living - as you've always done.

One on one sessions are always more complex and intimate than a more informal, large class arrangement. There are things to be said for both. Individual sessions, by their very nature employ a more narrative/art therapy approach as one paints and unpacks things/thoughts which are perhaps constantly on ones mind (with or without knowing it), but which are never addressed in words - or colour - or anything: or if they are, in a way which is without cohesion. With the Right of Writing approach, identifying - and yielding to the liminal space, allows it to become less anxious as we acknowledge its shadow presence with us - all the time.   As one is able to freely verbalise and visualise through words, poetry and art, thoughts which are trapped behind doors we just have not had the EXACTLY RIGHT opportunity to understand in this way, and tentatively they can find their way towards the sun. Whats more, the participant is NEVER alone. We are joined by our humanity: I am with you, e

Eye4Art at the Sunningdale Shopping centre was the venue for a new class on book binding. Give Me Back My MoJo was certainly in full swing and MoJo's were flying  😃  SUCH a great space! Those of you who have not gone there for a cappuccino and a squizz REALLY should!  We finished the accordion book - the front was the city and the back is a landscape - there were 9 beautiful paintings, all made in approximately 10 minutes! They were so exciting I forgot to take photo's... Michelle and Zelda were their usual gracious selves and their gallery has become a haven for many people interested in delving deeper than the surface of a canvas. Both are excellent teachers in their own right, interested in pushing workshop goers as far as they can. I'm in good company! 

Using my own 'new' way to think, I solved the problem of journaling in a 'different' way. We all have journals, perhaps quite a few - most of which are not full - right? I'm not giving it away...but what a wonderful solution - a good conclusion to 'practice what you teach'! Two classes in quick succession so I have just combined the photographs, but one participant at the MoJo studio had not painted before - amazing results for the book spine... we were BOTH very excited! We tackled book making, discussed chapbooks and zines and started paper altering techniques. Of COURSE I had way too much material to present, but never mind - we have 6 weeks to do this, so time to get cracking!  Well done everyone - what a mess, but what a joy... Michelle and Zelda - thank you once again for your hospitality. Prior to starting and before we were FULL at eye4art. If you have not visited this gallery - do yourself a favour and go.  Michelle will also be

The Medici effect  refers to a phenomenon that occurs when creative, talented, and productive people from different fields come together and are able to collaborate to create something innovative and new. Frans Johansson coined the phrase in a book by the same name. During this course, we move from a  discussion  of a simple diagram to layer the art work done during the previous class. I use this idea for course participants to use their own strengths and abilities from different areas/ disciplines  in their lives to form innovative intersections which will help them achieve their goals. The diagrammatic artwork obviously becomes more complex, the more the ideas are unpacked. Risk areas are discussed, as is overstepping in certain strengths. Such 'overstepping' means the intersection is passed and the innovation is lost as the strength is not reigned in.  It’s a methodology which can work when tackling ANY goal, no matter how small or great it is. To analyse, quantif