What a fantastic week-long encaustic intensive with a wonderful group - thank you to all who participated and for immersing yourself in creative rejuvenation- here are the student's creations - fantastic right ?!

Teaching a week long encaustic program- such magic and creativity happening 😃 more photos to come

Artwork above by Beverley Hawksley, who was a featured artist at Death Perceptions - She writes "Caring for the body after death used to be a natural part of life, but over time we have become distanced from some of the personal involvement that was once routine. Many of us are wishing to recover some form of honouring death, that allows us to fully embrace the ritual and ceremony of the end of our earthly time. In gathering together to set in motion the making of our shrouds, we will have an opportunity to consider and celebrate the vessel that contains the life lived stories embedded in its cells." Join Facilitator/Artist: Beverley Hawksley in this wonderfully opportunity - www.beverleyhawksley.com Date: June 17th, 2017 Time: 1 - 5 pm Place: Riversound Retreat in Fergus, Ontario Cost: $60perperson all art materials for embellishing and adornment will be provided. Pre-registration required: contact: jill@riversoundretreat.com or 519-993-7480 Please bring a length of fabric that is "double sheet size" to use as a base. Tablecloths and sheets work well. Some participants may choose to use actual clothing. Anything that speaks to your intention of enfolding is fine .

So here are some of the fabulous works of art made by the students last weekend at "the calming box" play shop/work shop. Absolutely incredible aren't they ? :)

This workshop is more of a “play shop”, using art to creatively explore and engage with yourself in a new way. In daily life overwhelming emotions, such as anxiety, anger, fear, and confusion can derail your day. In this artistic play shop you will create a ‘calming box’ that will hold personal resources to help bring balance, calm, hope, comfort and self-care back into your day. Facilitators Linzy Bonham, MSW, RSW and Supria Karmakar, MSW, RSW will guide you with: Discussion of self-calming and the benefits of doing it Examples of calming resources and tools you can include in your calming box Art techniques using acrylic paints, glazes, glues, mixed media, papers and embellishments to create your own calming box You will leave with a tangible resource to assist with your self-care, calming and comfort practice that will be personal and meaningful to you. All materials will be provided, however, if you would like to use some of your own images, tools or mementoes please feel free to bring these along. Light refreshments will be provided. No artistic experience is necessary. Cost: $195 Limited spots. For more information or to register email staceymcdonald08@gmail.com

Excited to announce a new creative play shop that my colleague and I will be hosting Feb. 4th….The "Calming Box" play shop. Take a look at the invite and/or here is a link to more info. on the offering:http://linzybonham.com/calming-box-workshop-2017/

Special Combination Class - Encaustic Level 1 and 2. Learn how to work with encaustic and mixed media collage, metal leaf, gouging and pigment sticks. To register call 519-829-9312 Or email: supriasdesigns@gmail.com. Only two spots left for the class.

New Winter Encaustic Classes have been set, January 8th combination class, Level 1 & 2, Encaustic Beginner's and Beyond Collage, Level 2 is filling up fast. For more information and dates please visit: www.supriakarmakar.com - gift certificates are available.

Some great food for thought….more evidence for how art is great for the heart and soul…..https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/inspired-life/wp/2015/08/25/why-making-art-is-the-new-meditation/?tid=a_inl&utm_term=.f0bf769deaae

This art based activity has been a wonderful way for clients to express themselves. This is a self-care comfort box that helped a client express their boundaries inside and outside, while also filling it with ideas and tools to take care of themselves when they are feeling stressed, anxious, depressed mood, and/or triggered etc. www.supriakarmakar.com