Drawing and Writing, noun/verb…. We’ll be focusing on the verb – the activity – to observe how we experience our world and our state of mind. 

When we relax our struggle and return to our senses, we are in the present moment, “Square One”. From here, we might make a gesture that is truly an expression of now. This can feel irritating or joyful, and it is open and genuine. It’s a practice and an experience of connection. 

There is no requirement for any particular skill or need to be artistic. Everyone is invited to draw, to write. As Chögyam Trungpa, Rinpoche said, “The principle of art is related with that idea of relaxation and trust in ourselves. We begin to feel that we are fully genuine.”  There will be time for everyone to share their insights and discoveries if they wish.

Supply list (very flexible): Any drawing and writing supplies you like. Pencils, pens, crayons, pastels, ink and brush… Paper: Any type or size you prefer. 

About the teachers:

Natalie Pascale Boisseau is a writer who grew up in Montreal in the province of Québec, started school in Pascagoula, Mississippi and currently lives in Seattle, Washington state. The landscapes of the St-Lawrence River and the Salish Sea are recurrent territories in her writing, of poetry and creative nonfiction. She writes both in French and in English. Natalie Pascale facilitates the workshop “Writing from the Heart: The Writing Practice”, supporting generative writing with contemplative practices. She weaves in the writing her journey as a healer – as acupuncturist for the last 15 years – and meditation and contemplative practitioner since 1990. https://www.nataliepascaleboisseau.com/about-natalie

Anne Anderson Saitzyk teaches painting and drawing at Art Center College of Design and occasionally in other locations in the world. She met the Shambhala Buddhist dharma through the Dharma Art program in 1997 and has since become a practitioner, meditation instructor and Shambhala Art teacher and administrator. She co-founded Contemplative Creativity Lab in 2013 and is dedicated to creative practices that celebrate community and collaboration.

About Contemplative Creativity Lab:

Contemplative Creativity Lab is an online meditation community group led by Shambhala Art teachers and special guests. Join us from anywhere in the world, live via Zoom  –  Second Saturday of the month 10 AM – 12 PM PT.   

The aim with our labs is to engage the senses, do one thing at a time and bring the fullness of our awareness to any task. Everyone is warmly welcome, no exceptions. There is no need for any experience with art or meditation to take part. See upcoming labs on this page below, or go to our monthly calendar and search for “Creativity Lab” and click for exact time and dates.

See also our MeetUp Group here to see photos of past labs.

Open to all. No art or meditation experience necessary.