Creative Mindfulness: An Abstract Watercolor Journey

Have you ever experienced being so immersed in a creative activity that you’ve lost track of time?

• This happens because creative activities such as art-making, crafting, and gardening ease us into a state of mindfulness by enhancing our capacity for focus, concentration, inner peace, and calm. Regularly spending time in a mindful state has been shown to reduce stress and anxiety, help us sleep better, and promote a general sense of wellbeing. Alas, despite our best intentions, many of us struggle to prioritize time for our own self-care.

Karen’s interest in meditative mandalas, her love of watercolors, and a deep belief that true calm comes when immersed in the creative process have converged in a technique she’ll share during this 4-week workshop. The workshop project is process-orientated and relaxing!

• Some experience with watercolors is helpful but is not necessary. We’ll be working with basic watercolor techniques and simple shapes to create a large, colorful abstract piece.
  Participants are encouraged to attend all 4 sessions. We’ll actively work on the project during each session and participants will receive direction for continuing the piece at home between sessions.

Open to Healing Garden Clients only.  Pre-Registration is required as space is limited.  This class will meet at the Healing Garden.

About the Facilitator:  A metastatic cancer survivor since 2011, Karen Arsenault has found the creative process invaluable in navigating the fear and uncertainty of the cancer journey.  Through the many expressive arts workshops, she has participated in, Karen developed a passion for watercolors and now gives back by developing and facilitating her own Creative Mindfulness workshops and donating her art in several forms to The Healing Garden.

This program is supported in part by generous funding from the Clinton, Hudson, Lincoln, Pepperell, and Wayland Cultural Council, a local agency that is supported by the Mass Cultural Council, a state agency.