Touch Drawing Workshop Facilitation

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Comment by Grace Wood-Wills on June 12, 2009 at 9:31am

Hi all facilitators - I am hoping to meet many or all of you someday. My name is Grace Wood-Wills and I live in Chico California. I took Deborah's facilitation training at California Institute of Integral Studies in March and April. I love doing touch drawing, and see so many wonderful applications for self-discovery and joy with my inner places as well as the general public and special populations. I have done a 4 hour healing session with two friends who have some intense medical issues. The transformation that happened for them through the touch drawing process was amazing. I facilitated a 6 hour group, Monday June 8th and have another touch drawing workshop this Saturday June 13th. I was expecting more of a response, I had 3 people in my Monday group and will probably have 4 people in my Saturday, however, I am grateful to be doing the workshops. I charged $60. per person which included material for the workshop. We began in a circle, moved to a demo. they got their boards ready, and then moved back to the circle. I did a relaxation, body grounding - etc. and they began their first session while I sounded and drummed to them. We did group witnessing, a potluck lunch, a rest time, 5 rhythms movement for 25 minutes and then a 2nd drawing session with witnessing at the end. The feedback is that they really appreciated the sounding and drumming, as well as the drawing experience. They also liked the movement and to be able to go right their boards after it. During the 2nd drawing session I let them experience drawing in silence for a while and then began sounding again. They commented that it was nice with a little silence, buy the sound of the drum and my voice gave them a richer experience. I encourage you all to try the sounding and drumming. It takes trust and courage (I know) but it deepens the experience for the participants, and I find for me too. The entire day is a gift to them and to me. I prepared my studio the day before the workshop by bringing in roses and sweetpeas, lighting a candle and letting it burn for a while, and by sounding in there and letting a beautiful CD I have play to the room and the participants who were in my mind. I would love to hear from you all and your experiences and special populations. I feel honored to be doing this kind of work in conjunction with other expressive arts and coaching/healing work that I do. Blessings in all ways, Grace

Comment by Jeanne Bradley on April 4, 2009 at 4:56pm

Well, I had taken a long step back from being involved with the TD community in this past year, while I was very involved with teaching art classes at my local arts council, and showing on the Art Show Circuit, but now I am back ! I just recently moved to Oregon and feel the call of TD again.

Comment by Mary Barrett on March 31, 2009 at 5:07pm

Claujuh - thank you for the helpful comment. I agree with you about the fear demon and I am working my best to negate it and proclaim the truth! It really is beyond belief to have this happen out of the blue. And it's just terribly sad. Today we met for another mediation session and I came out feeling so sad. Sad is different than grief. It's quieter and softer but oh so very deep. I think that the sadness will always be with me. Certainly not as powerful as it is now, although sometimes it may be, but this will always be sad to me. So much loss.
Again thanks for writing. I am lucky to have TD and it is a great way to express this stuff but it's also such a uniquely penetrating experience that offers us the wonder and beauty and truth of everything. And it's up to us to accept the offer or not. xoxox Mary

Comment by Claujuh on March 31, 2009 at 10:05am

i am just moved by your words Mary, and by your current life circumstances, and i just wanted to toss in there, for your consideration: don't trust the fear...the fear is part of the False Self and it delights in tripping you up and holding you back. SO THERE, FEAR! nyah nyah! (tongue sticking out, thumbs wagging in ears....LOL)
i feel for you, truly i do. i wanted to say that too...even if this is not the right message area for it! i'm also 56 and still married to the man i married 31 years ago; it is painful to even think about having that end. you are strong and brave and just kick that fear to the curb.....it's just very unfortunate that you need to seek employment during these impossible economic times. hopefully there is provision for that reality in the "divorce proceedings"? i'm thinking of you, sending you light, wishing you well......Claujuh

Comment by Mary Barrett on March 31, 2009 at 8:27am

Kate - I apologize for not getting back to you. My life is overshadowed by the divorce I am going through. But I am seeing the light at the end of the tunnel. I am very interested in doing the Artist's Way with your support and I am so grateful for this and I will be in touch. All the best to and your loved ones, Mary

Comment by Kate Ziff on March 31, 2009 at 5:29am

If you decide to begin the workbook as a support to developing a TD practice you could get started and then see what you need!

Comment by Mary Barrett on March 18, 2009 at 8:18pm

Kate - I am familiar with Julia Cameron and have worked at morning pages but not diligently. I have The Artist's Way Workbook, not the original book. I have wanted to work with it for a long time.
I truly appreciate your offer and definitely am interested. Let me get back to you. Do you have more to say on how you image we might do this? Mary

Comment by Kate Ziff on March 18, 2009 at 1:07pm

Mary, one resource I have found helpful over and over again is Julia Cameron's book The Artist's Way. I have used it for getting myself together to take on new directions or new projects, and it works. I am not ready to coach you on developing a TD practice, but I am willing to be a sounding board as you go through the workbook if you decide to do that. Perhaps in a discussion forum?

Comment by Mary Barrett on March 18, 2009 at 9:53am

Hi All - I really need help getting myself out there with all of my skills the things I want to offer to others. I find it hard to do. I know that fear and a sense of overwhelm (it's too hard) are probably the reasons. And at 56 years old I am embarrassed that I find it so hard. I have spent most of my adult life homeschooling my children and receiving lots of training in what interests me - creative expression - and only as small amount of being employed doing it. So, I have very little experience interacting with the world with "working purpose." I have brought this issue here before and here I am again. This time I am asking for specific help. Is there any one who would be willing to coach me regarding this?
Happy Drawing to all, Mary

Comment by Mary Barrett on March 18, 2009 at 9:41am

Dear Deborah - What a wonderful way to use TD! It's obvious how TD can be incorporated into all the various therapy and health care and creative expression modalities, as well as education. And these are very important. But it's great to learn that it is also being combined in ways that are not so obvious. At least to me! It supports me in my efforts to combine TD into my Reiki practice (very small at this point) with women and horses. And I mean Reiki with women and horses separately and together. Of course Amanda Koh, a TD member, has commented on this before regarding horses. And I used TD during a workshop where horses were the teachers. It was magnificent, as I believe horses are.
Please continue to comment on your experiences. Thanks, Mary

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