Jill Segal's Newsletter

Winter 2008 - 2009

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Dear Friends,

I want to wish you all a very happy Holiday season, filled with joy, peace, love, good health, and laughter.

I am going to be in Naples, Florida for January and February enjoying the ocean and sunshine and acquiring much inspiration to pass onto you in the Spring.
 
The exciting news is that I have just received my Kripalu Yoga Teacher’s Certification, and can now teach yoga, and integrate all the wonderful things I learned into my art classes.

I really believe it is important to pay attention to our bodies and our breath when we are painting and creating. As we become involved in our process it is so easy to neglect our posture and our breath, and this can create back and shoulder pain. A few reminders to breathe and regular appropriate stretches can help to prevent chronic pain.

 I’ve also been incorporating some meditation and centering exercises, before starting our classes, and my students have reported that these definitely help to bring them into the stillness of the present moment and enable the voice of the “Muse “ to be heard.
So, I am looking forward to sharing more Yoga/ Painting Creative Exploration workshops, combining Yoga, Meditation, and Painting.

My studio fall classes were so much fun. I also taught workshops for The DonValley Group of Artists and the Markham Group of Artists. Students were really encouraged to play, to try different approaches, to take risks and to express their unique, authentic selves. The works of art produced were spectacular.

“A child’s world is fresh and new and beautiful, full of wonder and excitement. It is our misfortune that for most of us that clear-eyed vision, that true instinct for what is beautiful and awe inspiring, is dimmed and even lost before we reach adulthood” 
Rachel  Carson.

During this holiday season I really encourage each one of you to look upon the world with a child’s eyes for wonder.

 Allow the child in you to play and run and breathe and love and be.

Perhaps this afternoon you can dance to the music that only you can hear;
Or share an ice cream Tuesday;
Or colour a lion purple outside the lines?
Perhaps, you can move beneath this sophisticated and intellectual illusion of adulthood, and into the heart space of being Your Divine Child?

SPRING CLASSES AND WORKSHOPS

A) CREATIVE EXPLORATIONS WITH WATERMEDIA (INTERMEDIATE/ADVANCED)
 Date:                  March 19 – April 23 (5 classes. No class April 9)
 Time:                Thursday, 9.30 a.m.-1.00 p.m.
 Fee:                     $150
 Location:          My studio

In this course we will explore creative expression, using water based media of your choice i.e. fluid acrylic, heavy bodied acrylic, watercolor and mixed media (watercolor crayons, oil pastels and collage). Teaching by demonstration, discussion, individual attention and critique.  Creativity, fun, uniqueness and personal expression will be emphasized.

B) CREATIVE EXPLORATIONS WITH WATERMEDIA
(INDEPENDENT STUDY)
Date:                May 28, June 4, June 18
Time:               9.30 a.m. – 1.00p.m.
Fee:                  $90

This is a great opportunity to work on the subject of your choice in the medium of your choice, with like minded artists. My garden is gorgeous at that time of year. Individual guidance and direction will be given, and each person will be encouraged to express their own unique concepts and style of expression. Each class will end with a group critique.

C) COLLAGE AND ACRYLIC EXPLORATIONS
Date:                 June 29 –July 3, 2009
Location:         Haliburton School of the Arts
To register:     (705) 457-1680
Website:           www.HaliburtonSchoolofTheArts

In this exciting process oriented course you will learn to combine collage materials and acrylic paint as a means of personal visual expression and distinct visual vocabulary. With a creative spirit, you will be encouraged to explore and experiment with new concepts and ideas,  using magazines, old paintings, oriental and stained papers, found objects, photographs, fabric, fibres, acrylic paint and anything else that you would like to adhere to your support surface. Composition and design principles will be addressed. You will benefit from individual attention and group dialogue. Personal creative expression and uniqueness will be encouraged.

D) CREATIVE EXPLORATIONS WITH YOGA AND ART.

Spring/summer date to be decided. Let me know if you are interested.

Please contact me at Jill@jillsegal.com if you are interested in any of these classes.

Once again best wishes for a wonderful holiday season and New Year,

Blessings,

Jill Segal

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