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Workshop Schedule & Descriptions
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Drawing for Greater Awareness Registration: Class full. Registration is now closed.
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Drawing in Today's
Dharma Landscape Registration: Please contact the East Bay Meditation Center to register.
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Drawing
As a Way of Seeing:
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If you wish to pay by check, email Sylvia with "Workshop" in the subject line. Include your name, address and the workshop title in the body of the email. You will receive an email back with the payment address. Please note that your registration will be confirmed only after payment has been received. |top| |
Descriptions
Why do we draw? Because we want to observe the world for what it is. If we can spend even five minutes observing an object for all its characteristics, without judgment, associations, abstractions, and other filters that separate us from its reality, then we are actually seeing something, and that allows us not only to become better at drawing, but also more sensitive, aware, and alive in the world.
Over four classes we will do simple, concrete drawing and perception exercises to hone our powers of observation and increase our level of awareness.
All are welcome. You don’t have to be an artist to benefit from the insight that comes out of drawing practice.
Please bring: a sketchbook 8” x 10” or larger, soft graphite pencils, and a pencil sharpener.
Drawing in Today's Dharma Landscape
In these fast-moving times, how much of the world do we see? In this workshop, we will use drawing as a practice to slow down the mind and anchor it in observation. Our day will consist of simple drawing exercises followed by an open discussion on art and spiritual practice. We will end the workshop with a meditation.
All levels of meditation and drawing experience are welcome. Meditation and drawing instructions will be provided.
Please bring: a sketchbook 8" x 10" or larger,
pencils, a pencil sharpener and your own lunch.
Drawing On the
Path:
An all-day pilot contemplative drawing workshop in nature
Nature has always been a source of inspiration and energy, an ideal subject of contemplation for artists, writers, creative and intuitive souls, spiritual aspirants. Following their example in this workshop, we will adventure into the beautiful natural setting offered to us in northern California and observe the natural world through drawing!
I will guide you through this inspiring and fun journey using principles from Taoism, Zen, and Yoga philosophy. However, you will be encouraged towards your own discovery through hands-on exercises in drawing, direct perception, and walking meditation. Most exercises will be done in silence to facilitate deepening into your own relationship with nature. There will be some time to socialize and share in between.
Workshops will be held in various places in the bay area that are easily accessible to us.
Materials: a sketchpad (something 8.5" x 11" or smaller, with a sturdy binding or back, is best since we will be walking with this), a few soft graphite pencils (4B- 6B), a pen (optional).
Drawing As a
Way of Seeing:
a course in contemplative drawing (6 weeks)
Seeing is vital to any creative endeavor as well as to a deep appreciation of life. It is during our moments of clarity - of clear perspective - that inspirations hits us and moves us to create. This clarity allows us to understand the situations of our lives for what they are. Yet in these fast-moving times, when we are bombarded by thousands of images and impressions a day, how much do we actually see?
In this course, I will lead you in contemplative drawing, a practice that slows down the mind and anchors it in observation. Unlike a traditional drawing & composition class, this course will focus on the process of drawing and reflecting, rather than the finished product. Most of us think we cannot draw because of lack of talent or skill. However, it is usually our thinking that gets in the way of our drawing!
The purpose of this course is two-fold: 1) to practice seeing in order to draw: the methods used in this course are based on a conviction that the obstacles to drawing are primarily in the mind and that the best way to draw is to learn to see. 2) To practice drawing in order to see: when we think about drawing in terms of final product, we've already closed the doors to the creative process. In this course, we will use the process of drawing as a way to observe the world as it is.
I will guide you through these drawing exercises using principles from Yoga philosophy, Taoism, and Zen. However, you will be encouraged to discover for yourself what contour, shape & form are through the hands-on drawing and perception exercises.
This course will benefit anyone who's curious about drawing, whether or not you think you have the skill. Beginners can benefit from this non-threatening approach to drawing. Artists and creative people of all persuasions can benefit from the clarity of vision that this workshop develops. Meditators will find drawing a great way to support your ongoing spiritual practice. Anyone can gain greater insight into yourselves and the world around you.
Materials: a sketchpad, some soft pencils (4B - 6B),
a pencil sharpener, one 5" x 7" piece of pre-cut matboard, and
a few sticks of vine charcoal.
Contemplative Drawing Intensives (1-day)
These one-day intensives are an excellent introduction for those new to contemplative drawing or as a refresher for those who have taken the Drawing As a Way of Seeing course.
Most of us think we cannot draw because of lack of talent or skill. However, it is usually our thinking that gets in the way of our drawing! In this workshop, I will lead you in contemplative drawing, a practice that slows down the mind and anchors it in observation. Unlike a traditional drawing & composition class, this course will focus on the process of drawing and reflecting, rather than the finished product. We will draw on principles from Yoga philosophy, Taoism.
Materials: a sketchpad, some soft pencils (4B - 6B), a pencil sharpener, and a few sticks of vine charcoal.
