Hello Creatives! This week, in honor of the expansion of two of my Creatively workshops to the Columbia Art Center this Summer, I am giving you a sneak-peak of what you can look forward to if you attend the “Getting Unstuck” workshop (which is available now at Root Studio!)

At this workshop you can expect to meet some amazing local talent, and in the beginning of our time together we all swap information about our work, current projects, and where we may feel stuck and/or need a boost of creative energy.  The goal of the workshop is to get a push into the flow-y, energized space where we are ready to resume our work. 

Once we have all met, we will review some information that you may have already explored in previous blog topics.  The thing about being “stuck” is, there are many reasons, explanations and sources of the stuck-ness.  To do our best detective work, we need to review some of the context and information we already know about creative people.  So we will discuss the following possible explanations for being stuck:  

        This is individualized; where are you stuck? 
            Diametrically opposed traits of productivity vs rest
            Product vs process oriented
            Perfectionism
            Overworked 
            End of a phase
            Need mindfulness/exit intellectualizing/conceptualizing       
Next we will explore the following approaches to troubleshoot getting unstuck: 
        Approaches: 
            Meditation for mindfulness and being fully present to senses; tap into         
            body needs and inspiration
            Cross-modality; goal to take of “product” focus and perfectionism
            Regressing images, supplies, approaches; goal to “play”
            Repetition; goal to nurture creative rests and reenergize flow
            Look at other work; goal to get perspective and see if you are 
            overworking
            Critique: hear from others feedback, identify where your needs are, if you 
            need to change direction, if you need to pursue or edit, give voice to help 
            gain insight


Feeling “stuck” is very specific to you, and unfortunately in one workshop we cannot try many of the things that may help you- but there is one specific practice that we will dabble in: that is the process of cross-modality.  I will have each participant engage in a project similar to what they currently feel stuck on.  I will then introduce you to two alternative modalities that are not your standard and probably not your strength.  I will lead you through using these to get unstuck by directing you to go back and forth from them to your original piece- taking bits of inspiration and energy along the way. It is here we spend the meat of our workshop. In addition to my feedback, I expect you to communicate with each other, also garnering a kind of “cross-creative-flow” to help you in your process.

At the end of every workshop we will have a critique.  This is not an art critique you may be familiar with from art school, for example, as it is not product focused.  We will take the time as a group to talk to and hear from each member about their experiences, their struggles, any “aha” moments, and give supportive feedback to each other. We use the important insight from others to reflect upon our own experiences and needs.

You can expect to leave with ideas, energy, started pieces, new techniques, new inspiration and enthusiasm to bring to your workspace.  You will not leave with a masterpiece but you will leave with some small pieces to take the energy you have found from the workshop.

The workshop is 90 minutes in total. It is available currently at Root Studio (here) and soon to be at Columbia Art Center (more details to come!) 

Feeling stuck? Ready to change that?  Tired of reading things to try and ready to dive into some practices? This could be for you!​

(C) 2018 Creatively, LLC

Happy Spring Snow Storm!  Unfortunately, due to weather, the Zen Doodling workshop at Root Studio will be cancelled tonight. Contact Root Studio about rescheduling.  Stay safe out there!

The Wellness Series with Cindy Cisneros Artist/Therapist

Biofeedback for Artists
An introduction to the science of biofeedback. Use a simple device to pair your body’s rhythms with the calming power of making art.

Zen Doodling
Try on the simple language of drawing for peace, repetition and control. Try your hand at mandala drawing and feel your stress melt away.

Meditating with Art
Learn the benefit of making art just for the beauty of it. Make beautiful pieces and experience guided meditation using your work.
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Getting Unstuck with Mindfulness
Disarm expectations by experimenting with different media and modalities of art. Free yourself from artists’ block and get inspired with mindfulness approaches.

Experience the power of your creativity! Come recharge in an explorative environment at Root Studio. This workshop is perfect for those feeling stuck, stressed or overwhelmed, looking for a fresh approach or wanting to add creativity to their daily lives. Artist and therapist Cindy Cisneros leads this weekly workshop where participants use a variety of techniques to harness the restorative power of creative practice including biofeedback and meditation for stress reduction, and exploring the grounding and mindful components of the art making process. Learn how to use your body’s natural rhythms to engage your creativity and be well with art!
Materials provided, or feel free to bring your preferred supplies!
Benefits:
● deepen your creative identity
● enhance personal well being, unplugging from our busy lives
● build self esteem
● self discovery
● learn mindfulness
● use mindfulness for inspiration
● learn to meditate
● decrease anxiety, stress and more

To reserve your seat or to learn more, click on the button below!

Creatives! Exciting news.  I have two wonderful workshop opportunities coming up- one at the Columbia Art Center called “Unstuck Studio for 2D Artists” and one at the Howard County Arts Council called “Found Object Mandala and Meditation” they are such exciting opportunities to create and be well. (ARCHIVED)

Fall Workshops at Columbia Art Center are Here!  A brief summary is below- for more and to sign up, click the button below- or- if you come back later- go to the “services” page and click the button under “workshops”- but don’t wait too long, they start soon!:

Zen Doodling: Mandala Making
Learn to draw beautiful mandala designs and experience the rhythm and peace they bring. Making this beautiful artwork is just a workshop away! In this workshop, you will learn the language of zen doodling and tap into the serenity of creating a beautiful art form for yourself. Your new calm is here for you!

Getting Unstuck: Art from the Heart
Feeling stuck in your artistic endeavors? Have you struggled to indemnify what makes you unique as an artist? Come reenergize your creative flow and learn more about your natural creative cycle and tendencies in this workshop. Participants engage in three mini-projects, trying new techniques and fresh approaches to their art. Expect to leave feeling ready to dive back into your creative works with a freshness and excitement to propel you into the artwork that is uniquely yours.  

I am excited to announce I am now offering two Summer workshops at the Columbia Art Center: 

Zen Doodling
Zentangle, adult coloring books and zen doodling are getting attention for their power to create calmness and coping. Making this beautiful artwork is just a workshop away! Learn to draw beautiful mandala designs and experience the rhythm and peace they bring.  In this workshop you will learn the language of zen doodling and tap into the serenity of creating this beautiful art form for yourself.  Your new calm is here for you!
Mondays, July 30-August 6, 7-8:30pm 

Getting Unstuck
Feeling stuck in your artistic endeavors? Have you struggled to identify what makes you unique as an artist? Come reenergize your creative flow and learn more about your natural creative cycle and tendencies in this workshop. Participants engage in 3 mini projects and use the technique of “cross modality” to get inspired, try new techniques and take a fresh approach to your art. Expect to leave feeling ready to dive back into your creative works with a freshness and excitement to propel you into the artwork that is uniquely yours. Feeling stuck? Ready to change that?  Tired of reading things to try and ready to dive into some practices? This could be for you!
Mondays, August 13-August 20, 7-8:30pm 

For more information, click the button above to be directed to the Columbia Art Center program page (if you see Spring programming still, hang tight- Summer coming soon!)

(c) 2018 Creatively, LLC