Posts Tagged ‘Artswell’

MUSiC LOG/JOURNAL : CC & AiLEEN MARTELLA & OTHER CONFESSiONS from an ANXiOUS BOY

Published by cctadmin on April 11th, 2012

Last Friday, my friend and fellow Torrid Productions member AiLEEN MARTELLA got together for some much needed bonding and creative time.

Some of you might recognize MARTELLA’s name;  her work as a painter, poet and singer/songwriter are admirable and she has been a great source of personal and creative support and inspiration for me over the past two years as I share more of my arts and music with the public.  For anyone who happened to catch my set at THE RAiNBOW a few months back, you might recall I performed a MARTELLA original for the first time live – that song being OPEN UP MY HEART (YOU’LL SEE A TiNY ARMY).  It’s a beautiful number that she wrote for and inspired by me – resulting in what I believe is a truly poetic song with every potential to blossom into an even more amazing recording.  Hence why I am currently toiling away with it as we speak in the recording studio with other collaborator DARREN HOLMES.

More to come on OPEN UP MY HEART but in the meantime, MARTELLA and I hooked up in effort to put our heads together for some song-writing and general fun times.  Together we jammed in my living room, in and out of conversation and song; MARTELLA is also working on new material, both song and poetry so I also had the wonderful opportunity to get a taste of it myself.  Not one to be too familiar with collaborating on music, I enjoy the time spent with her, and I usually find myself inspired to create and push myself even more.  These jam sessions, if you will are encouraging as well as important to the collective process.    Check out the youtube video below of my RAiNBOW performance of OPEN UP MY HEART and be sure to stay tuned for more from MARTELLA.

In other news, while there no future dates set to perform THE CORRUPTiON of FLESH with DANNiEL OiCKLE and OLEXANDRA PRUCHNiCKY, we at TORRiD PRODUCTiONS are nevertheless always toiling away on something special.  Right now TORRiD PRODUCTiONS is currently putting together my very first official music video.  The video is set for release at the end of May, and will feature my original song LONELY BLUE WAVES (i WANT YOU) from the 2011 album THEY SAY i’M DiFFERENT.  Filming the video has been a fun process, and I look forward to seeing the final outcome so stay tuned!  If you want to check out my album, be sure to visit iTunes (http://bit.ly/zQFwDg) or Reverbnation, where I currently rank at #6 on the Ottawa Folk Charts (http://bit.ly/HHwuXy).  These are just some of the creative things going on that I’m particularly excited about.

I’m also continuing my work as an artist/facilitator for ARTSWELL, where we are about half way through the 10 week workshop MOTiONS AND POTiONS.  I’ve tried to blog about as many of the sessions as possible, sharing photos of the work going on by myself, as well as the other facilitars and participants.  I value this work very much – and this Saturday ARTSWELL will continue with a workshop on PASSAGES .  For more information on ARSTWELL and MOTiONS AND POTiONS, please visit www.artswell.ca.

In other random news, I was featured recently in THE KiT Magazine, (which also has an online blog – check it out here www.thekit.ca).  In a feature on clothing and fashion – I was mentioned among others as having the best  street fashion across Canada.  Inside I’m laughing – although on the outside I feel nothing but gratitude for the mention.  I’ve always loved fashion and style and although I would not say they are among my priorities in life, I have always appreciated the value of self-expression through style.  I’m just lucky they caught me on a day I wasn’t running to the grocery store in my sweatpants!  Thank you to JUSTYNA for stopping me and giving me a featured spot.   Check out the image below.

Finally, I’d like to make a comment for anyone interested in hearing something a little more confessional.   I say this as someone who continually strives to make the best of life,  but admittedly contends with a lot of anxieties, most of which are socially based.

I’ve never been officially diagnosed with any disorders, although I have been in and out of  counseling for years. When the chips are down I’ve never been too ashamed to ask for help yet I recognize as much as I have pushed through a lot of said anxieties, I have also seen opportunities to advance in life, pass me by as a direct result of not  knowing how to ask for help in facing the fears.   Feeling ALONE  in life’s journey can be a paralyzing experience for anyone familiar.

That said, lately I’ve been at a cross roads in my life and without meaning too sound vague I have been re-evaluating not only where I have come from, but where I am and where it is I wish to go moving forward.  At times this commitment to making these changes and advancements in life can feel unsettling, as to embark on change can bring on many anxieties – yet I’m also invigorated right now because I have never felt more serious about finding my place and making that mark.

For years I believe a part of me has been afraid to shine – but for now I’M READY TO SURRENDER to the VULNERABiLiTY – and I admit that for me to be supported and connected to loving and positive people is a key ingredient to my survival.  I thank those who are committed to me in any way and for any reason -

CC

 

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ARTSWELL : Motions and Potions / Week 3 : AMULETS & TALiSMANS

Published by cctadmin on March 25th, 2012

Yesterday was Week 3 of Artwells’ Motions and Potions; a 10 week workshop for youth ages 16-25 held Saturday afternoons at Hopewell Eating Disorder Support Centre (153 Chapel Street, Ottawa).

I have spoken before of my connection to Artswell – a non-profit charitable organization dedicated to improving the quality of life and well being of individuals living with the effects of age, illness or injury.  After my graduation from Carleton University’s BSW program, I discovered Artswell simply by searching the Ottawa area for innovative arts-based programming.  I had been seeking opportunities to become more involved a community that promoted the use of interactive art programs as  I see the arts as having endless benefits .  I was seeking out opportunities to engage with like-minded caregivers.  Artswell is a unique organization – their professional artists and therapists work in various mediums along with talented musicians to provide an amazing experience which allows participants to discover the creative process within a safe and friendly envirionment.   Motions and Potions is but one of these programs and my involvement with Artswell as an artist and facilitator gives me great pleasure.

Week 3 focused on Amulets and Talismans – facilitator JENNiFER RYDER-JONES lead a discussion and workshop where participants were encouraged to think about the healing power of amulets and talismans as a medium for which they could discover more about their individual abilities and their strengths.  Talismans, or amulets – are considered to possess supernatural powers that are placed on the object by an outside force.  They are usually inanimate objects, and can often become sentimental objects or souvenirs of some kind – looking at them they can usually evoke a certain emotional response.

I can’t speak highly enough about Artswell – and its clear to me within these workshops that participants can and do make new connections, and more so they provide a vehicle for them to develop their communication, validate feelings and encourage social interaction.

Take a look at some photos I took below, you will see the beautiful works done by participants.  For more on Artswell and their programming please check www.artswell.ca


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ARTSWELL : Motions and Potions / Week 1: MANDALA MAGiC / “To learn about Mandalas is to learn about YOURSELF.”

Published by cctadmin on March 4th, 2012

Yesterday ARTSWELL launched the first of ten workshops for Motions and Potions, a series of workshops for youth ages 16-25 (see www.artswell.ca and www.hopewell.ca for further information).  These 10 workshops, as I have mentioned previously incorporate photography, visual arts, sculpture, dance, mandalas and more – and together the goal is to implement these expressive arts workshops for youth struggling with distorted body image, low self-esteem, social anxiety and depression.  Statistics show that eating disorders have the highest mortality rate of any mental illness and that suicide is the leading cause of death among Canadian youth.  Youth who directly experience challenges in society can often identify solutions through the “talking arts” (movement, color and narrative).  With any success, they will be able to express feelings in a safe, trusting environment.  These 10 workshops will increase self-esteem, encourage social interaction, combat isolation and develop new skills and healthy habits.

If yesterdays first workshop, on Mandalas was any indication – Motions and Potions will be a great success, although participating numbers were lower than had been anticipated.  Note: for anyone who knows of youth struggling with identity issues and believes that they know someone who might benefit from expressive arts, I encourage you to put them in contact with Artswell as there is no doubt there is a need for these workshops, however I do also understand that it takes a lot of courage for youth to step out and share very personal things, especially in a group setting and with strangers.  Yet I whole-heartedly believe in Artswell’s vision – and that there lies a lot of healing power in the expressive arts and I do see a need for these youth programs.  Please spread the word!

 

As for yesterday, Josee Robillard facilitated our first workshop on Mandalas, and to provide a little history:  a mandala, meaning “sacred circle” is a geometric representation created from two basic essentials: a circle and the central point called a “bindu”.  The word mandala is rooted in Sanskrit, the ancient language of India and symbolizes the womb of creation.  It is a visual representation of wholeness and it represents the endless cycle of life, with no beginning and no end.  According to Robillard, mandalas have been used across different cultures and faith traditions for centuries for purposes of healing, contemplation and meditation and have always been viewed as a path to enlightenment.

Creating mandalas with the participants yesterday was exceptionally fun as well as interesting.  I know I learned quite a bit myself – that the mandala is a unique method of visual self-expression offering an inner self-portrait.  The process itself is part of the creator’s journey and I could tell that it did expand all of our states of inner-awareness.

 As everything that is said within these workshops remains confidential, I will wrap up this reflection by saying I am extremely proud to be a part of ARTSWELL and Motions and Potions – the artists and professionals involved are incredibly gifted and insightful, the youth brave and full of a lot of promise.  Today’s youth have a lot to contend with and Artswell recognizes the arts as essential to the well being and health of everyone – I couldn’t agree more.

Stay tuned for more on Motions and Potions – next workshop (March 17th) is called Making Waves and incorporates silk painting!  I’m looking forward – and with any hope, more youth will be in attendance – help us spread the word about Motions and Potions!  Check out selected images from yesterdays workshop!

CC

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NEW DiRECTiONS / ARTSWELL & Envisioning the world where the arts are recognized as essential to the well being and health of everyone

Published by cctadmin on February 15th, 2012

Although I have a big interest in the creative arts, rarely do I get the opportunity to speak specifically about my interest in art as a form of therapy.  Personally, I’ve used the arts as a coping device for years; music, film, creative writing, have all been a great source of support through my youth, and even today.  A lot of the photography and music I do is connected to the use of arts as a form of self-exploration and discovery.

Over the course of time I have achieved my education in social work, getting my Social Service Diploma from Algonquin College and my BSW at Carleton University.  At the time of these educational chapters, I did not fully make the connection of the arts as a form of therapy – I believe I gradually pieced this together – in the end, determining that if I continue my professional career as a social worker – I would have to do so while connected to the arts.  This makes more sense to me now than ever; after all, I still utilize arts as a form of self-discovery and support – why not transition my career towards art and/or music therapy?

Since graduating nearly two years ago with my BSW I’ve spent a great deal of time nurturing the artistic side of me – submerging myself in writing, music, photography – at the same time developing my own sense of who I am as both an artist and social worker.  These exploratory years have been beneficial; not only have I accomplished a few things but I have also developed a clearer sense of how to move forward with this aspiration of mine to connect with people via the arts.

While a longer term goal is to eventually get a Masters in Art/Music Therapy – a shorter term goal is to gain hands-on experience in the art therapy world.  I believe I have a lot to learn but I am very excited at a new opportunity on the horizon.  ARTSWELL, a non-profit charitable organization here in Ottawa, is dedicated to improving the quality of life and well being of individuals living with the effects of age, illness or injury.  Over the past year I have volunteered with ARTSWELL as a means of staying connected to the helping profession – and what appeals to me about ARTSWELL is that they carry innovative, interactive art programs, workshops and projects for the benefit of people all ages.  The professional artists and therapists that work at ARTSWELL use various mediums that allow participants to discover the creative process in a safe and friendly environment.  I’m all about that, and how ARTSWELL’S intent is to provide a vehicle to develop communication, validate feelings and encourage social interaction.  I know that when I was a youth and struggling to connect, this is a program I would have been very curious about.

 

ARTSWELL has graciously invited me in on the wonderful action – I will be volunteering and doing some facilitating with MOTiONS & POTiONS, a series of ten expressive arts workshops for young people struggling with distorted body image, low self-esteem, social anxiety and depression.  These workshops will increase self-esteem, encourage social interaction and group participation, combat isolation (I’m all about that) and develop new skills and healthy habits.  I, along with ARTSWELL’S professional artists/therapists will explore the concept of self-worth through story-telling, art-making, photography, journaling, drama and dance.

I know that this program will positively impact the young Canadian participants involved, and I am incredibly excited to see it kick off beginning in at the end of this month.  This is an experience I’ve been waiting for, and it couldn’t have come at a better time, as more than ever I feel ready to put my education and experience into practice.  I’ve also received a big vote of confidence from ARTSWELL as I will also be running one of these ten expressive art workshops, specifically focusing on SELF-iMAGE and PHOTOGRAPHY.  This will give me a chance to speak to my own use of photography, meanwhile working with youth to facilitate their own self-discovery and exploration.  It’s really an honor when I think about it.

As these workshops begin, I will likely spend time reflecting and journaling my experiences – so for anyone interested, stay tuned and check out ARTSWELL’S website for further information on this charitable organizations programs and goals.

CC

http://www.artswell.ca/

For more on MOTiONS and POTiONS – http://www.artswell.ca/motions-potions.html

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