During this retreat weekend we will be exploring automatic drawing, creativity and dreams. By practicing various different drawing techniques that help to distract the conscious critical mind, we will encourage the creative potential of the subconscious. We will explore working with different mediums such as ink, watercolour, pastel, oil pastels and charcoal. We will be discussing our dreams and the power of the subconscious and how we can better learn to work with it to inspire our creativity. We will also look at artists who have used these techniques to inform their work, such as Alma Rumble, Leonora Carrington and Hilma af Klint.
The weekend is designed to be a fun experiment and open to everyone and all abilities. Come with an open mind and an interest to explore something new!
The workshop runs from 11am-4pm on Saturday and Sunday and attendance on both days is required.
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Day 1
Flora will begin with a brief introduction to her own journey of working with the technique of automatic drawings, what has inspired her interest in the practice and what it has helped her to learn and achieve. We will look at the work of some artists for inspiration and participents will then be invited to take part in a few drawing exercises to start to loosen up and experiment. We will talk a little about the role of dreams and their connection to automatism and guests are invited to bring along their own dreams to work with. After lunch, we will end the day with exploring some other exercises aimed at learning to draw from the right side of the brain.
Day 2
Weather depending, we will start the day with an optional sea swim. We will then begin with a dream discussion, or a talk around the theme of our relationship towards creativity in general and the conscious mind. We will discuss using metaphor as a way to think about and interpret dreams and have a go at some more practical drawing exercises. After lunch, we will watch a short documentary and end the day with some last automatic drawing exercises before we share some of the work and our experience of the weekend.
Refreshments and a simple, vegetarian lunch will be provided on each day over the weekend.
What to bring:
a notebook
a swimming costume (optional)
a dream diary or any dreams you’d like to work with
All other materials & paper will be provided.
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Stay with us:
During this retreat weekend, participents are invited to stay and book into an all-inclusive weekend package that includes a two-night B&B stay at Kindred House (Fri 5th & Sat 6th April), along with full access to the weekend workshops.
Kindred House is offered not only as a space to retreat to, but also to connect within as we invite our guests to be active participants in cultivating our community. Our workshops & various events play a key role in the spirit of Kindred House, in crafting an environment that actively inspires & encourages connection, creativity & learning.
Our retreat weekends make a wonderful gift to oneself or a thoughtful offering to a loved one. They provide an ideal opportunity for a weekend getaway in our sanctuary beside the sea, whilst having the opportunity to get creative, learn a new skill & make new friends along the way.
Rooms are limited & tend to get booked quickly so get in touch early to avoid disappointment.
The workshop weekend is limited to 8 places to ensure a more intimate experience. If dates need to change, you’ll be able to swap to the new date or obtain a refund if you’re unable to make the new date. Should you need to cancel your booking, we will try our best to fill your spot, otherwise tickets are non-refundable.
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About your teacher: Flora Wallace
Flora Wallace is a ceramic artist, ink maker and illustrator based in Stroud. Much of her work is inspired by observing natural forms and the behaviour of plants, animals and fungi. She also explores ways in which her dreams influence her creativity through using the techniques like automatic drawing and dream journaling. This work has been influenced by her commitment to Jungian dream analysis and her enquiries into art psychotherapy. She explores ecological processes and the materialities of places through her work by transforming seasons and moments in time into inks and pigments. She also creates ceramics using porcelain and clays that she has gathered from the regions around her home in Gloucestershire.