Eco-Art and Natural Attractions

Nature and Art have been intrinsically linked from days of ancient civilizations. Cycles of nature and human well-being are woven deep in cultural rituals as survival was depended on the inherent wisdom from deep connecting with Nature. Ancient people painted pictures and symbolic representations on cave walls, animal skins, bark and worked with other natural materials to creatively demonstrate their innate natural connections and experiences.

Workshops

Eco-Art methods gently provide a greater sense of health, balance, happiness and clarity of insight through creative expression.

As an Eco-Art Facilitator, I assist you to connect with Nature for sensory benefits and sense creative inspiration to create an artwork based on your experience. Please find below the process shared to assist you to guide yourself with an Eco-Art Activity.

Eco-Art workshops and classes

We begin with following a sensory Natural Attraction (NA) in nature or with a plant or animal...

We run through the process below to 'tune-up' so we can enter a deep listening/connection experience with Nature; our inner Nature and Natural environment.

Within this experience we sense creative flow and take the wisdom from this connection to create an expression in the form of an artwork.

Firstly consider an intention... what is your purpose for wanting to do this exercise?

SEEK AN ATTRACTION
Seek an attraction in nature.
This may feel like you are drawn to something or as if you are called, or feel a sensory message such as liking the look, colour or hearing something which attracts your attention to explore further.
It may be as simple as lying on the grass watching clouds, observing a potted plant or pet, or admiring a majestic tree.
This is what we call a Natural Attraction (NA)
Imagine a feedback loop; you seeking it and it seeking you, breathe slowly and deeply this imagined cycle.

CONSENT
Access Nature with respect and mindfulness by obtaining permission to interact and learn.
This may seem unusual for you to do if you are not used to talking to plants or animals, please persist with curiosity and see what happens... try to play with the idea maintaining a non-judgmental mind-set and be curious about what might come up!
Be conscious of making a connection, wait about 10 seconds. If place, space or natural entity feels right, continue.
If it doesn't feel attractive, thank it for its guidance and repeat until you find an attractive area that feels like it is giving you consent.
Tune into thankfulness in your body for being granted permission to interact.

EXPLORE
Explore the sensory world around and within you while breathing deeply and slowly for few minutes.
Be mindful of what you see, hear and other natural sensations on and in your body.
Allow the feelings to flow, try to be spontaneous and non-judgmental of the process or your experiences.
Close your eyes if you feel safe to do so and explore your senses for a few minutes.
Where in or on your body to you experience sensory messages?

CONTEMPLATE WITH SENSING EXPERIENCE
Consider your intent or the facilitator-led intent
If it to simply feel relaxed, explore deep natural connections or insight into a problem, you may like to 'play' with Nature where you tell your worries and concerns and ask for guidance?
If you are feeling 'blocked' in this stage, try not to be judgemental and simply find another Natural Attraction or sit for a few quiet minutes thinking of your intent or repeating in your mind the word ‘attraction’, 'webstring', 'gift' or 'connection' whatever word feels right to you.
Remember to breathe slowly and deeply while focusing on your intent and sensory world, where in your body do you feel it?
Remain neutral and non-judgmental as you sit for a few quiet minutes.

GRATITUDE
Thank Nature and sense gratitude for insights and experiences. Enjoy the the sensations of gratitude... within your body and surrounding you.
Ask Nature; "How can I serve you?"

REFLECT
ECO-ART: You may choose to partake in a creative activity to express your experience.
Contact if you wish to have a specific Eco-Art creative expression activity related to the season or your intention.

DOCUMENT: Document or journal your experience by sharing and writing to assist with old and new brain connections changing behaviour patterns and thinking processes. Write a short honest reflection from the activity, your thoughts and feelings. Let the words flow for a few minutes without censoring them.
-Write the 3 most important things you have learned from this activity.
1. On the head level? (Thought) Do you feel any previous behaviour, perspective or belief system has been challenged or re-educated?
2. On the heart level? (Feeling) Are you feeling differently from the experience?
3. On the hand level? (Behaviour/Action) Do you feel a change in how you would like to act/behave in the future from having this experience?
OR access this 5-10 minute Reflection Survey

SHARE: Sharing and feedback connects us to others on a deeper level and validates our learning, sensing and thinking.
Please feel free to share your experiences (reflections, photos, artwork, etc) in a confidential email to me if you wish to receive a personalized response.

“Whenever full consent is not present, we cannot achieve our full potential. Consent nourishes and supports the roots for individuality and cooperation.” (Cohen, Reconnecting With Nature, 2007)

"A star that lived and died before our Sun was even born made the calcium in your bones and teeth, and in egg shells and coral, moon rocks and marble. An ancient star cooked up the carbon in your muscles, and in diamonds, moths, and mushrooms. Carbon from a star is in everything alive today. And billions of years ago, a dying star created the iron that’s in your blood right now, and the iron in comets and in the Earth’s core."

The Kids Book of Awesome Stuff-Charlene Brotman