What would it be like to let go into the creative process without worry?

Let's get into that playful state that makes creativity possible. Through off-beat prompts for both writing and art, you are invited to let go of the fear that stops people from enjoying creative expression, which may either result in an accidental masterpiece or a good time.

Using fleeting multimedia projections, poetry, music, the silly, and absurd, you will be tricked into effortlessly colliding with your true creative voice without overthinking or scaring it away. Any perfectionistic tendencies, comparison to others, hesitancy, and/or immobilizing self-judgment will be terribly confused and ask to be excused.

During this week of wild abandon, you focus on mindfulness techniques to make creativity easier, such as:

• Creative writing prompts that are springboards of unexpected journeys, returning you to your true nature, tricking you into writing pieces you didn't know you had inside of you—all made possible with off-beat beginnings, lowered pressure, and permission to go in whatever direction feels instinctual
• Tips on taking the raw material of your writing and making it punch, as well as activating the muse of creative self-talk to practice the kind of self-language that makes it possible to be more creative
• Ways to sketch and use watercolor that defy self-doubt and crippling comparison
• Altered state of sketching in which you generate a plethora of sketches in a short amount of time

As you unleash a deeper creative voice through the cultivation of intuition and mindfulness, you create at least three sketches you'll want to frame, share with the world, or simply become.

This retreat is well-suited for all levels of experience, from intimidated beginners to seasoned pros wanting to explore a freeing approach.

Please bring the following materials with you to the workshop:

• Journal for writing (or you can use one of the sketchbooks)
• Two Mixed Media Canson Sketchbooks for art or comparable 11-14 and 9x12
• Inexpensive watercolors such as Prang, Misulove or comparable
• These pens will give an experience that’s not possible with just any pen:
  • Micro 005, 05, 08
  • Pens that smear, I use Energel but most Gel pens will smear
• Glitter gel pens (I’ll have some to borrow if you don’t want this expense)
• Good watercolor brushes: round #10, or 12 (recommended: Princeton Long Round #12 from Blick’s).
• Watercolor pad: Strathmore 400 Series Visual Watercolor Journal, 90 LB 9"x12" Cold Press, Wire Bound, 34 Sheets – or whatever you feel comfortable with (the above Canson book can also work if you don’t want to go to the extra expense).
• Uni-ball Signo UM-153 White Gel Pen