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Creativity isn’t something you can make happen, it’s more like something that happens to you. It’s the doodle that appears on the page while you were talking on the phone, the internal melody you hear while strumming your guitar, a few choice words that inspire a story or poem.

Creativity comes in myriad forms and is part of our human nature. It brings us alive by connecting us to a place of openness and wonder. One can’t force or command it to appear, but there are definite techniques that help one tap into it. All of my courses rely on the same basic techniques to unlock the door to your creativity. The first is using meditation to quiet the ever-chattering mind, the second is letting go of the inner-critic, the third is allowing your playful inner child to take center stage.

Incorporating these techniques I take participants into a space where the inner voice can communicate in the form of words, images or photos. Afterwards, we reflect on how our creation tells us something about who we are and what is important to us.

Doodlespace

DoodleSpace is an activity where participants practice drawing from the right side of the brain. Like the other two creativity courses, it is an opportunity to let go of self judgments and comparisons. Using meditation techniques throughout the experience, participants open to a playful, curious space within from which the doodle appears, almost effortlessly, without planning or controlling.

When it’s finished participants are encouraged to reflect on what the doodle says about themselves and where they are at in their lives.

Word-Play

Imagine going on a scavenger hunt without clues, or looking for a destination that’s not on the map. The only thing you can trust is your intuition. It will guide you as you turn the pages in a magazine quickly, not looking, just allowing your eyes to be grabbed by certain words or phrases.

You tear out the page and move on, over and over, until you have enough. Then you begin pushing them around on the page until phrases and free form poems emerge. Then comes the fun part, reading them out loud and reflecting on what the poem says about you.

Photo Bingo

This is a very simple activity that is built on the principle of synchronicity which Jung defined as meaningful coincidence. There are 32 numbered photos, but all are hidden from view. The activity begins by quieting the mind and allowing a number to simply float up into awareness.

When it’s that person’s turn, they state their number and I turn the card over to reveal one of my photos. The participant is then invited to “step into” the photo and begin to explore it in writing (prose, poetry, etc.) Finally, assuming that the principle of synchronicity is operating, we inquire why we might have chosen that particular photo and what useful message or idea it might have for us.

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One of the questions we ask ourselves over and over in life is Who am I? Every major life change from parenthood to job loss, illness to divorce forces us to ask the question again. This course is a place to do that kind of self-inquiry in the company of fellow seekers, through photos that each person takes. The groups are small, 4-5 people max in order to promote trust and intimacy. Sessions are two hours long and there are four meetings included in each package of courses.

THIS IS NOT A PHOTOGRAPHY COURSE…. it’s a SELF-DISCOVERY course so no special skill or training is necessary. However, people who sign up for this course have a desire to learn more about themselves, an interest in meditation, an interest in exploring the connection between what we see and who we are, and finally, a willingness to “step into the arena,” and show up with honesty and respect for themselves and others.

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SEMI PRIVATE: ONLY 4 PEOPLE PER COURSE

This course has 3 main goals: to develop your “eye” so that you begin to truly see what’s around you, to teach you how to use proper exposure techniques so that your photos truly “pop” without resorting to long hours in photoshop.

THIS IS A FULL DAY COURSE: 9:30 – 5:30 and includes:

• A discussion of your personal interests, what makes a “great” photo, and the “art of seeing”
• An introduction to the basic functions on your camera (Aperture, Speed, ISO, Manual, and white balance), and how to use them to create a perfectly exposed photo, also basic principles of composition
• An hour long photo shoot in a beautiful nearby location to practice the techniques
• Viewing, critiquing, celebrating and printing one of your best images of the day

A DELICIOUS LUNCH IS INCLUDED IN THE COURSE

Location: Vankleek Hill (ONE HOUR FROM OTTAWA AND MONTREAL JUST OFF THE 417)

To receive notifications of future courses, email me fineartphotography@reeniemarx.com