Virtual Live Soulful Retreat: Allow
Meditation, Poetry, Art-Making
A Creative Grounding
Saturday, June 20th, 2020, 10am-1pm PDT
Creativity, imagination, ritual…. all offer medicines that help ground us. In this live virtual session, I’ll lead you through nourishing and soulful activities:
relax and listen to me read some poetry
get centred through a guided meditaion
find meaning through a collective ritual
access your own wisdom through a creative activity
share and interact with each other and build community
The theme for this retreat will be the FOUR LEGGED. Bring imagery related to an animal that brings you comfort, courage, strength…
Create a sacred space with candles, a feather, and any other items of significance to you. Recording will be available after the session (only me on camera).
Connect with your own creativity. Find quiet moments to create art. Be inspired. Feel free. Be bold. Experience peace. Sit with your thoughts. Find meaning.
Invitations:
to show up as you are
to allow your own creativity to be present
to be kind to yourself
to hold each other in safe space
Supplies:
journal and favourite pen
mixed media or watercolour paper (or canvas or wood board)
old text pages
stones, candle and other sacred items
imagery that speaks to you
2-3 colours of paint plus a white (any kind) and some brushes
pencil and/or charcoal pencil or stabillo all
optional: patterned papers, old book pages, collage imagery…
optional: matte or gel medium
optional: brayer/roller and/or palette knife
retreat guide (sent 2-3 days ahead)
No art or writing skills are needed. We will build community, connection, and grounding.
Space is limited to create an intimate group.
$37 CAN (approximately $27 US)
registration closes at 2pm the day before
“The retreat offered multiple means by which to share one’s voice. It was powerful to sit in meditation and joint creative expression with a small group of women (and their wisdom). Melanie offers more than teaching art, she shares her heart space.”
“Melanie has an energy like beautiful still water! I am instantly at ease and in the flow when doing art with her.”
About Me:
I am an Indigenous mixed media artist who teaches online art classes to women around the world. I help women build a joyful and self-compassionate art practice. I am trained in Expressive Arts.
Creating art brings me into the present moment, into stillness. In this space I am not dwelling on the past or worrying about the future. In stillness, I find myself. I find peace, clarity and connection with my real emotions.
I am from the Squamish First Nation in Vancouver, Canada. I live in my community with my wonderful husband of 20 years (and our sweet kitten) and I draw from my traditional ancestry and teachings in my art practice.
In my art, I depict the strength, realness and vulnerability of women. Art has many medicines to share with us—stillness, joy, connection-- and by building a self- compassionate art practice, we can experience these medicines on a regular basis.
“This retreat allowed me to authentically connect with my inner creative spirit. I felt supported, confident, creative, artistic and accomplished. I’m looking forward to being in Melanie’s calming, strong, feminine presence again.”
registration closes at 2pm the day before
Q & A
Do I have to be on camera or audio?
No, if you want to participate via the chat box, you are welcome to do that! Or have your camera on some of the time.
How many participants will there be?
The session is capped at 20 participants so people have the opportunity to share (if they want).
What if I can’t make the time of the session?
We would miss you! You can catch the session on the video replay (which will only have me on camera).
How will we be connecting?
Via Zoom.
Do I need to have an art background?
No, I love introducing people to art. The focus of the retreat will be on enjoying the process and experiencing the ‘medicine’ of creating art and being in community together— stillness, joy, play, quiet, connection…
When will the video replay be available?
On the Monday after the retreat.