I offer a variety of courses for both artists and people not currently (or who have never) engaged in art making before. Books are used as a tool for a formulated type of art therapy and introduction to narrative making, creative thinking and creative visual writing (poetry and asemic writing).
Within each of us lies a “Wild Woman”, filled with passionate creativity and ageless knowing. But these instincts have been repressed through a value system that for centuries has trivialized emotional truth, intuitive wisdom and instinctual self-confidence. How, through visual expression can we begin to access these fundamentals again?
Think on this:
“A woman’s crying has been considered quite dangerous, for it loosens the locks and bolts on the secrets she carries”.
Clarissa Pinkola Estĕs
COURSES/WORKSHOPS:
The Cinderella Cinderome
Cinderella Cinderome is an insightful look into the psyche of a central figure in an
unfolding life story. It is an ancient story with many retellings. Generally this
motivational talk is directed to women and is useful in explaining the meanings of
universal archetypes. Archetypes are recurrent motifs or symbols in art and
literature and denote patterns, or models. What is YOUR Cinderella Cinderome?
Asemic Writing
Asemic Writing is a fascinating form of script which everyone, unknowingly or
knowingly has always done. It is a way to unlock as much as one wishes, that which
lies within, in a visible way known only to its maker.
Visual Poetry
Making words and sounds visual, visual poetry is a development of concrete poetry
but as it contains many non-representational elements of language and is a form of
poetry in which visual elements predominate, this ambiguous form of creativity is
exciting and fulfilling as a means of personal expression.
Academic Willard Bohn, defines visual poetry thus:
“Visual poetry can be defined as poetry that is meant to be seen – poetry that presupposes a viewer as
well as a reader”
See: Bohn, Willard: Modern Visual Poetry, Associated University Presses
On making Books there is no end.
Nothing can be more satisfying than making your own book ☺ – I say that NEARLY
unequivocally. Books, since their inception are expressions of power on a spiritual,
social and political level. On a private level, making a book is fulfilling in ways that
are only explicable once one has made one. These artifacts are interactive,
portable and an experience easily shared. This course involves a variety of binding
methods, a short history of books in general and artists books in particular.
Bhubezi Mythology – Chronicles of Lyrech.
On creating your own Mythology.
What is a mythology? It’s a place to store your secrets, your dreams and passions. A place where word and image are loaded with meaning known mostly to you. There are many things that are universal, and we take them for granted, such as ‘fairy stories’. But they’re not ‘fairy stories’ they are stories of warning and questions, narratives of wounds and scars. They’re words, assembled by ones we know nothing of, to get children home before dark, hints and advice on accessing ones instinct and conversations between Self and the world. They’re mediations of reality. They’re behavioural truths to warn the innocent and prod carers to look through imaginary situations to the reality that lies within the human psyche. And you can create your own, if you have not already. And then you need a place to put them.
