Alter Your Art, Alter Your Mind

“Every child is an artist. 

The problem is how to remain an artist once we grow up.”  

Pablo Picasso

Yesterday I taught an altered art class at C3.  I love teaching.  I look at it as building trust and sharing ideas PLUS you leave with your own treasure.  We turned a plain old mirror into a personal statement. Some collage, some paint, a few trinkets, and a whole lotta talking. Talking is key.  I don't know if it's because of my career (hospice) or the magic powers of art, but the talk always turns to stories of the soul.  I've said it before: art heals.  Art helps people touch what words often can't, and as the art is created the words and emotions surface.  Fears.  Regrets.  Faith.  Longing.  Grief.  Awe.  So many emotions, expressed through art and spoken out loud around a paint covered table.  It's wonderful to feel safe and supported and to just BE.    I receive so much more than I could ever give and for that I thank everyone who has ever taken a class with me.  We are students together, all teaching and learning and sharing and BEing. As I drove home it came to me loud and clear: I want to teach healing art.  I want to help people grow their souls and mend their wounds, through art. Now I just need to find the situation where I can do that AND receive health insurance.  No small trick but it's only Monday - I've got all week!

Here are a few photos of altered mirrors.  I forgot my camera yesterday so these are mirrors that I've made but trust me, the class mirrors were AWESOME!  I'll try to remember my camera the next time I teach; I'm taking a photography class tonight so hopefully my picture details will improve.

angel mirror

diva mirror

birthday mirror