Forthcoming Events

'Creen Craft' - The Art of Bearing Witness, begins with the view that we are not separate from nature, and offers an invitation to revive your living connection with the Earth. We will take a wholehearted approach to exploring our creative vision as individuals through art making, and in group discussion as part of a wider collective. The challenge of this work is to re-invigorate our capacity for beauty and wonder, in the times in which we live. The making of art in service to a living connection with Earth is a nourishing and potent medicine for all.

Ba (Hons) Fine Art. MA Art Psychotherapy

I have been exploring a love of landscape through my art practice for over ten years. I have worked with individuals and groups, in a variety of settings, including the NHS. I am registered with the Health Care Proffessionals Council (HCPC), and the British Association of Art Therapists (BAAT).

Below you will see information on forthcoming group sessions. Places are limited to keep the group size small, so please click on the links to book your place (via the Eventbrite page) in advance.

By scrolling down the page you can find out more about this work, and what to expect from the sessions. If you have any questions please do not hesitate to get in touch by using the 'contact' page on this site.

Work with individuals, and organisations

I am also available for one to one sessions for those who are interested in short-term or on-going therapeutic work.

If you belong to an organisation and feel this work may be of benefit to your staff, clients, or members, I would be happy to hear from you.

Please send me a message via the 'contact' page on this site, and I will respond to you as soon as possible.

The groups will generally begin with a brief introduction, and then informal group discussion allowing each participant to contribute. We will then move to a creative mode, where you may work individually on imagery with the art materials provided, expression through the written word. We will then reconvene as a group to view what has been made, elaborating upon and deepening the themes of our discussion. As a group we may move between these two modes several times during the course of the session.

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We will not be concerned with judging what is created as good or bad, and there is no need to have a prior experience of, or confidence in art making. This can be a space for the spontaneous, perhaps that which seeks but seldom finds a way to be seen and heard in our every day lives, but nevertheless calls for our attention. The imagery created in the group will be viewed as partly belonging to the individual who formed it, yet also as a vital element in the work of the group as a whole. In this way we consider our being together in this particular time and place as a unique occasion, allowing the opportunity to work with the themes and ideas which emerge during this session, rather than following rigidly a pre-conceived curriculum.    

Attendee's are asked to arrive willing to participate verbally and through using the art materials. However, this will be on your own terms, and you will not be put 'on the spot' in any way.

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Before booking, please take a look at the FAQ's section below

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Do I need to book in advance?

Places are limited to keep the group size small. You are advised to book in advance, via Eventbrite, to ensure your place.

 

Is Creen Craft therapy?

These sessions are not intended to replicate art therapy, or group therapy in the traditional sense. However, it is likely that in the process of devoting ourselves to the wonder and beauty of life, that we encounter the difficult, painful, and problematic, all of which have their place and part to play. The therapeutic, transformative, or healing aspect of this work, will be found through bearing witness to life as we know it to be, in all its various aspects, attesting to what inspires our being in the world through creative acts.    

 

Is Creen Craft an art lesson?

In this work I will not be teaching any art techniques, or skills, or even suggesting how you are to go about using the materials. However, that is not to say that learning will not occur. You may encounter ideas in work made by others, and you might also discover simply by experimenting, or by 'not knowing' what to do, that in fact you have your own way of going about making imagery. An extremely valuable insight!

 

Are there rules?

There will be some basic, yet essential boundaries that all participants (including myself) will be expected to adhere to. This is in order to ensure an atmosphere conducive to allowing you to express yourself in the company of others. Examples of this include confidentiality, use of mobile phones/camera's, aggressive or threatening behavior. This will be elaborated upon at the beginning of the session.   

 

Do I need to be good at making art?

The purpose of this group is about the spontaneous use of art materials to express yourself with regard to your thoughts and feelings on a particular theme, in a particular time and place, and as such you cannot do this wrong. The work is also viewed in the context of the group and its theme. So, for example, if you feel it has been very difficult to express yourself as you wished, we would consider this as not just your personal struggle to do so, but as a valid part of the experience of the whole group, and what this may communicate regarding struggle, lack of agency, and frustrations at the difficulty of free expression in the world at large. Likewise, it is also quite possible that one who enters the group not feeling confident about ones abilities, may experience surprise and delight at what manifests.   

 

This area of research has been my lifework/I am an established artist, am I welcome?

Yes, you certainly are.

 

What if I feel nervous / don't have anything to say in the group / or don't know what to do?

Whilst all participants are encouraged to contribute to discussion and art making, it is sometimes the case that one cannot find the words, especially in a group setting. Or that what is felt does not have words - hence the power of image making to reveal and make visible. It is also acknowledged that often when faced with art materials even a prolific artist can find himself or herself stuck. If this happens it is considered part of the creative process, and the work of the group as a whole. You cannot do it wrong! 

 

I like the sound of this work, but do not wish to take part in a group session. Do you offer individual work?

Yes, I can also work with you on an individual basis, for short-term or ongoing therapeutic work. Please get in touch via my website or email. 

 

I cannot attend on this date. Will you be offering more sessions like this?

A variety of one off meetings with varying themes, as well as groups with duration of 6 sessions or more, will be forthcoming. Please visit my website, and join the mailing list for further information. Alternatively make an expression of interest to

 

Is there an age limit/minimum age?

This event is open to those aged 18 or over. Whilst I have worked with children and young people, and appreciate the importance and value of doing so, this group is for adults, and the space cannot accommodate children during the session.  

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What can/can't I bring to the event?

A range of art materials will be provided. Please do not bring your own, as it is important that all participants have access to the same materials.

Tea and Coffee will also be available.

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Do I have to bring my printed ticket to the event?

Upon arrival I will check your name against my list of attendee's, and the ticket would be useful confirmation in the event of any discrepancies. 

 

What is the refund policy?

Please be advised that the ticket price will not be refunded if you are unable to, or decide not to attend.

In the event that I have to cancel the session a refund will be provided.

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'Creen' is a Scots word meaning to cultivate a lament. So in this context we are talking about the intention to create something meaningful, to honor not only the life presently surrounding us, but also that which has departed.