Healing Through Art

opticalparadox · Posted: Fri Nov 02, 2007 4:49 am Post subject: Healing Through Art

Well, I have applied for the 'Healing Through Art' course in the spring at the Findhorn Foundation. Offered to pay the £95 deposit. I have also sent the personal letter I used to apply for experience week along with my blog 'The Findhorn Experience' and have just endeavoured to answer a couple of specific questions (below). It's rather expensive - going to cost me at least a grand for the fortnight but am considering it part of my travelling / new experiences money. Hopefully, it'll be worth it. It is actually held at Newbold House where Ian / Ianto is now living so we'll get to hang out >> http://www.findhorncollege.org/eia/index.html

What attracts you to the course?

I have always had an interest in art & design. I got a B in art GCSE, apparently I was about 1 point from an A. And then, I started doing art at A'Level but because it was very free-orientated; they wanted you to use large sheets of paper and charcoal etc, I had difficulty because I wanted to be neat and tidy, so I ended up dropping it. I loved Graphics at school because it seemed more precise and involved creating design sheets, which I'd fill with images and text in such an orderly fashion. Then, when it came to university, I was torn between my love for art & design and my interest in the 'thinking / theories' subjects. I was considering undertaking a course called 'human interdisciplinary studies' which was a combination of psychology, philosophy, sociology etc. It made sense since I had been studying religious studies, english literature and sociology at A'Level, which were full of human emotions, different cultures and ethical debates. But in the end, I decided to do a HND in Graphic Design at the North Wales School Of Art & Design. During the interview, I showed the tutors work from Art and Graphics GCSE and to my surprise (particularly since I hadn't even taken A'Level or a foundation course) they suggested I take the degree course instead. So I ended up with a BA (Hons) Graphic Design. Funnily enough, during college, I kept spending time doing elaborate illustrations on my design sheets, when it wasn't necessary. You don't have to be able to draw to study Graphics; you have to learn to use a computer though. Since then, I have taught myself further design programs and become a self-employed web designer.

What do you hope to gain from participating in the course, both professionally and personally? What challenges do you imagine you might face in doing it?

During experience week in Oct 2007, we visited the Morray Art Centre at the Park and were encouraged to draw like a child. As a web designer, I’m always tightening things up, making them more efficient and precise so I struggled with this exercise because I desperately wanted to be neat rather than messy. I was afraid to put marks on the paper because I wanted everything to be perfect. I know that when I finally stop thinking and get into the flow of drawing from the heart, it's highly creative and cathartic. I’d like to encourage that artist feeling of letting go, so that's why I'm applying for the ‘Healing Through Art' course. Drawing doesn't come easy for me, I have to work hard but it's very rewarding. I particularly enjoy illustrating the human form, anatomy and skulls rather than rigid objects. Professionally? It may help improve my ability as a web designer. I go through phases of being inspired / passionate and then unmotivated / lethargic. I am more creative than technical so get frustrated if a project is too functional. Not enjoying work so much at the moment (possibly partly because of the client from hell), even considering doing something else so if it helps clarify whether I should continue doing art & design for a living, that would be extremely useful. It will definitely be a challenge for me to relax and get into the course but I'm hoping I'll be able to do that with guidance and enjoy it.
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Ian Moore · Posted: Sat Nov 03, 2007 1:40 am Post subject:

More adventures for you then, Missy.

I'm really glad. It'll be neat to have you in the house for two weeks.

Don't know how that picture got in here.

But here's the lantern I made out of a watermelon cos Tesco was all out of pumpkins ...

We all sat around a big camp fire for Halloween and musical types played guitar, fiddle and squeeze box.

opticalparadox · Posted: Sat Nov 03, 2007 2:19 am Post subject:

Cheers Ian, I have uploaded the photo to my Findhorn album. I don't look too freaky...Have you seen the red wig ones yet? Very Happy

Good job with the fruit.
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Wendy W · Guru Joined: 05 Aug 2005 Posts: 678 Location: england

It sounds like it'll be interesting. I hope you really enjoy it and get something out of it.

Ian, I'll warn you now, if we ever meet up I'm going to steal your hat.
Razz

Oh and nice watermelon.
Very Happy

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Yay! The internet's back!

Ian Moore · Posted: Sat Nov 03, 2007 3:41 pm Post subject:

Yes, Jen, I seen the pink-wigged wonder that is you. I think you should post 'em here for Wendy and Jessicat's benefit. You look cute as can be, but we already knew that anyway. When are you going to wear it to the pub is what we want to know?

And Wendy ... I can promise to wear my hat if it will lure you out into the open. Maybe we can find a festival or event of some kind that isn't too far south sometime in the new year for another ad get together? But you've got to wear your purple hat so I can recognise your approach.

Wendy W · Guru Joined: 05 Aug 2005 Posts: 678 Location: england

Like I'd go anywhere without my purple hat.
Razz

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Yay! The internet's back!

RMCrookes · Posted: Mon Nov 12, 2007 11:59 am Post subject:

How did I miss this one - Ian in the dress - what a way to start the week - I'm deeply disturbed (I know - you already knew that)

Great watermelon Ian, but if you're healing through your art, on the basis of that picture, you must have been pretty poorly beforehand Very Happy

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Ian Moore · Posted: Mon Nov 12, 2007 7:50 pm Post subject:

How did you miss it indeed. I guess there was a clairvoyent (sp) aspect of yourself that was protecting you. Don't worry if you felt stirrings and strange urges when you looked at that picture. It's perfectly natural at this stage in your development Neutral

opticalparadox · Posted: Thu Mar 13, 2008 10:34 am Post subject:

So, it's now less than a month to go til I journey to Findhorn for the 2nd time in the last year. I've been feeling slightly concerned due to the fact that I'm not an artist per se but the course tutor emailed me providing reassurance with their philosophy that 'everybody is an artist...' So I'm feeling more optimistic in general and looking forward with anticipation.

I have also started reading a spiritual-esque book called 'The Quest', along with writing notes and drawing diagrams in my diary. This activity is actually inspiring and giving me ideas for the course as I'm thinking about building on my sketches and creating further illustrations of a spiritual nature / theme. However, I expect it's best not to go with too many expectations / plans and just see what happens during the creative process. I'll probably feel compelled to blog about it on my return. Hmm...I hope I'm not putting too much pressure on myself.
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RMCrookes · Posted: Thu Mar 13, 2008 11:30 am Post subject:

Can't wait to hear how you go on Jen - just let it all go and have a great time.

I'll wager you come back with some amazing stuff
Very Happy

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http://www.richardcrookes.co.uk
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Ian Moore · Posted: Thu Mar 13, 2008 1:55 pm Post subject:

It's funny, Jen - I've been going to a creative writing class on a Wednesday evening, but it's run by a gestalt psychotherapist. The group's purpose isn't tp improve our writing, it's more about self discovery through writing. Perhaps Healing Through Art works on a similar premise. Can't wait to see how you get on.

RMCrookes · Posted: Thu Mar 13, 2008 2:00 pm Post subject:

opticalparadox · Posted: Thu Mar 13, 2008 5:02 pm Post subject:

Today's horoscope on facebook: "You may hear a news story or read an article that leaves you feeling uncertain about your career. Rushing into a commitment to brush up on your skills might be premature. It may not be necessary or even a good idea to go back to school or to take that expensive course right now." Oh dear...
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RMCrookes · Posted: Sat Mar 15, 2008 3:46 pm Post subject: