This post shares words, quotes and my response signpost art that capture thoughts and reflections related to natural and urban studios (as I listened to these wonderful presenters from the World Art Therapy Conference: Pamela Whitaker, Carla van Laar, Kit Kline with host Carmen Oprea). I have woven in quotes to capture the intentions of some of the wonderful developing projects with links for further information and resources.

Happily sharing the World Art Therapy Conference information for 2024. Virtually engage with the art therapy world in rich art therapy learning and community connection for three weekends in February.

What do you feel like creating? Sometimes, we just need quick inspiration. This in-progress resource page I have created on my website can be used as an idea-generator or visual prompt for personal art-making and/or art therapy work with clients.

In such a colourful season… relax, explore your surroundings and create an autumn narrative through photo collages…

A post to acknowledge Remembrance Day on November 11th and Indigenous Veterans Day on November 8th. I am inviting us all to remember and reflect through an equity-informed lens as we honour our veterans, soldiers and all civilians who have lost their lives through war.

Peace, harmony and co-existence are so needed in these ruptured post-pandemic times, for change, shifts of direction and growth to truly occur, and for the global ‘we’ to move forward and heal.

For this post I am digging through the archives (so so many years ago), when I took a studio sculpture course at Camosun College in Victoria.

As we gear up for our first in-person Ontario Art Therapy Association event since the Pandemic began, the board members reflect on the benefits of membership and the need to keep our association active and flourishing in these transitional times.

I Am Here … In a Field of Flowers… Surrounded by such beauty in my favourite season how can I not create a post to share potential creative and seasonal inspiration for art making and engaging with nature!

The hand is our signature, our symbol and our legacy. It is easily accessible to use as creative inspiration and for personal mark-making. In this post I am sharing snapshots of nine of these supportive-hands projects that I have facilitated over the years in various long-term care and retirement settings.

Peer to Peer: The Nature of Well-Being.

Mark your calendars and see you there in person this year for continued professional development in art therapy with OATA’s Conference Retreat and AGM.

Sharing …. Nature as object… with my Pappus treasure (or seed head)… while exploring nature as backdrop during a Saturday morning stroll through the Royal Botanical Gardens in Burlington.

Sharing in this post the creative, co-teaching and co-learning eco-art therapy workshop collaboration with my dear friend and art therapy peer Susan for the Toronto Art Therapy Institute. Also wonderful to be re-connecting with Taylor as she develops the virtual Eco-Art Therapy workshop for TATI alongside us for later this year.

Sharing some professional development opportunities and resources for the 2nd half of 2023.

… Discovering photos that can reflect moments of your week can gently remind you to be present, grateful, and bring awareness to ALL of the moments of interwoven and meaningful experiences.

Sharing in this post my recent creative collaboration with my dear friend Heather at Amica Peel Village for Earth Day 2023. As an Eco-Artist and Art Therapist who works regularly with natural materials, I was excited to engage residents in a nature-based art activity. The afternoon included art displays and information tables and residents gathering in community to create earth sculptures to celebrate earth day.

“The purpose for World Creativity & Innovation Day was, and still is, to remind and encourage people to use their creativity to make the world a better place and to make their place in the world better too. April 21, the day before Earth Day, April 22, was chosen as World Creativity & Innovation Day to emphasize the importance of using new thinking to create a decent life for all on a sustainable planet” - — History of World Creativity and Innovation Day • www. wciw.org
World Innovation and Creativity Week

I have such gratitude for the friends and colleagues that have supported the program at different times over the past 10 years, and as a result some kind of cool projects came into being that I feel very blessed to be part of. It is a great to have an idea, as I am an idea-girl, but without a community of support, it is challenging to put things into action!

For the longest time now I’ve have been so fortunate. When I least expect it, but always need it, a heart appears. Any time of day, any place. There it is.

Thanks to my personal growth journey, I was led to the knowledge and tools that I share with others in my professional life. Early on my path, I did not identify as a creative person, however, overtime I have come to realize that not only am I a highly creative individual, we all are! Life is a courageous act of creating, choosing, and becoming in each and every moment. HeartArt was unexpectedly birthed during this process.

FEB. 2023… “The Art Hive at the Toronto Art Therapy Institute is back for spring art-making! An art hive is a community art studio and a welcoming place to talk, create, connect, share skills and build community”