Reflections
Expressive Portrait Workshop Replay
(originally a live session)
Create two expressive portraits—
one with your non-dominant hand and one with your dominant hand.
In this expressive portrait workshop facilitated by Melanie Rivers-- we will explore, play, and build portrait skills. Expand your creativity through non-dominant hand and blind-contour warm ups and then let's play with creating two paintings--- one with our dominant hand and one with our non-dominant hand. Bring your curiosity…
Playful Warmups—
non-dominant hand, upside down, both hands at the same time…
Learn to see what is actually there Vs What we Think is there.
The medicine of our non-dominant hand:
To see what is actually there
To expand our creativity
To free self from the inner critic
To play
Express, Play, Expand
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
to be curious
Supplies (can be adapted to what you have on hand):
4-6 pages of sketchbook paper
4 pieces of mixed media or watercolour paper (or canvas or wood board) 11 x 14 or bigger
2-3 colours of paint plus a white (any kind) and some brushes
Spray bottle
pencil and/or charcoal pencil or stabillo all
brayer/roller and/or palette knife
No art or writing skills are needed. Let’s explore, expand, play!
“Melanie has an energy like beautiful still water! I am instantly at ease and in the flow when doing art with her.”
$52 CAN
approximately $40 US
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.”