I love to play with the tension between shape and form. The body in this piece, completed today (maybe completed, maybe not) is flat in places, but has curves in others. I see in this image a wild sexuality, but also an ambivalence. The body is out of control, but still confined. In my work I often struggle with how […]

One of the things I love about art is the relationship with the unknown.  Through improvisation, artist journals and reiteration, symbols arise and evolve. I get to witness it happening, and though this process, I am also healed and given messages. One of the archetypes in my work is Rabbit Woman. She has a funny beginning, in a floor tile. […]

Things will be shifting and changing here at Dive 3 Studio.  When I started, I was focused on creating a place where people could reignite their creativity, and use the arts for healing and self discovery.   I still want to do that, but something wasn’t quite right. Since I first discovered expressive arts therapy, I’ve been inspired by it. […]

Oh ha ha!  For the past few years I have felt so proud that I could work past my blocks! I had my little bag o’ tricks that could get me into the flow and productive pretty reliably. I had a mild resistance, really just laziness, and I knew how to deal with it. Unfortunately,  I recently uncovered the long […]

I recently decided a few things. I decided to switch mediums. I decided to do larger work. I decided to try to actually sell my work. Eeep! I had an art show recently and realized my work is so small, it is not very noticeable in person.  I like working small, I like the intimacy. And it is so much […]

Here is a wonderful project to do on your own or with a group of friends. It does not require any special artistic skills. Check out the slideshow, or the video, and make sure to download the meditation audio as well.  Have fun!    

This week an email was sent to me and my colleagues asking us if we would like to share our bucket lists. This piqued my interest for a moment, and then I felt like sobbing. I couldn’t think of anything at all. 

I’ve had a rich life. I’ve travelled, had kids, lived in many places, eaten at interesting places. I have already been privileged to have experience many of the things that go on a bucket list. I’ve had my adventures. I’m in my quiet years now, and that is fine. But lately I worry that the only thing I have to look forward to is brushing my teeth and doing the dishes. 

I have a sort of “workout” I do. I get some tempera paints and big cheap paper set up, put on some music and do some movement, and then I paint intuitively. 

Actually, I really hate it. It is not artistic bliss. I usually hate the paintings that result from the process, I don’t really like painting with tempera paints, and I don’t like painting large.  

Painting that way pisses me off. But here are five reasons why I do it anyway. 

It forces a conversation with my inner critic.

And by conversation, I mean a dysfunctional one in which I ignore what the Critic is saying, or agree with it pathetically, or argue with it and feel angry and defensive. It’s a confrontation that allows me to externalize the voice and be more objective about what it is saying.

I saw this comic the other day, and loved it. I often confuse my introversion for depression. I have not set up my life to support my introversion. I am a teacher, a parent and I have an extrovert partner.   When I get overwhelmed and need to recharge, I often fail to recognize my need for alone time, and […]