"True art is creation, and creation is beyond all theories. That is why I say to any beginner: Learn your theories as well as you can, but put them aside when you touch the miracle of the living soul. Not theories but your own creative individuality alone must decide."
Carl Jung
Carl Jung
Art and creativity are the birthright of every person. We've been sold a lie that only some "special" individuals are allowed to engage in creative pursuits, and the rest of us are resigned to lives without creative expression. In reality, we all have a creative force within us, and we all have the ability and the right to draw on that force in whatever way we see fit. This can be a fun experience but also a deeply spiritual and meaningful experience, because it forces us to draw on something deep within our psyches and tap into a larger collective and deeply-felt histories of symbols, archetypes, expressions, languages, stories, and associations we may not be conscious of in our daily life.
I offer personal creative mentorship services to individuals who are seeking to uncover their creativity and inner artistic force. I have formal art education and many years of experience as a photographer, and can use my training as well as my perspective on the arts and creativity to support you finding your voice as an artist, reclaiming your creativity, and building your identity and practice as an artist.
FAQ
I'm not a professional artist / I don't have a chosen medium / I haven't done art as an adult before. Can I still work with you?
Absolutely! Any experience level is more than welcome, and some clients will come to our work together not having done art since childhood.
What do you mean when you say "chosen medium"?
In art, a medium is the vehicle of your expression. Clay, film, pastels, oil paints, voice, musical instruments, collage - all of these are examples of mediums, but there are many more to choose from. Finding a medium is its own process of exploration, and creativity consulting is a great place to start in seeking out the method of creative expression that feels best and most resonant to you. You also don't have to choose just one!
What does creative mentorship entail?
It can include exploring your relationship to art and artistic expression, discussing your goals and aspirations for yourself as an artist (which could range from wanting to find your voice as an artist, all the way to wanting to becoming a professional artist in some capacity); exploring different mediums; practicing getting comfortable with imperfection and mistakes (and even disasters!); and identifying the blocks you may have to seeing yourself as a creative and expressing yourself authentically through your art.
Is creative mentorship the same as therapy?
No. Therapy is a very specific, in-depth process and this service is completely distinct and separate from therapy. If you engage my services as a consultant, it will be strictly limited to discussing your process and growth as an artist or a creative. We will not discuss mental health symptoms or process past trauma, we will not establish a treatment plan, I will not be assessing you for suicidality or other mental health symptoms, and I will not offer a diagnosis of any kind. If we uncover something that may be deeper than is within our scope together, I will offer you a referral to another mental health provider or recommend you speak to your existing provider to process more deeply. Because I am a registered therapist associate in the state of Oregon, I have some professional obligations that may be relevant to our work that I will explain before we work together (for example, I am a mandated reporter) but our work will not venture into the realm of therapy.
Can I see you for creative mentorship AND therapy?
No. If you'd like to engage my services for consulting and you're also looking for a mental health provider, I would be happy to offer a referral to another appropriately licensed mental health professional.
I offer personal creative mentorship services to individuals who are seeking to uncover their creativity and inner artistic force. I have formal art education and many years of experience as a photographer, and can use my training as well as my perspective on the arts and creativity to support you finding your voice as an artist, reclaiming your creativity, and building your identity and practice as an artist.
FAQ
I'm not a professional artist / I don't have a chosen medium / I haven't done art as an adult before. Can I still work with you?
Absolutely! Any experience level is more than welcome, and some clients will come to our work together not having done art since childhood.
What do you mean when you say "chosen medium"?
In art, a medium is the vehicle of your expression. Clay, film, pastels, oil paints, voice, musical instruments, collage - all of these are examples of mediums, but there are many more to choose from. Finding a medium is its own process of exploration, and creativity consulting is a great place to start in seeking out the method of creative expression that feels best and most resonant to you. You also don't have to choose just one!
What does creative mentorship entail?
It can include exploring your relationship to art and artistic expression, discussing your goals and aspirations for yourself as an artist (which could range from wanting to find your voice as an artist, all the way to wanting to becoming a professional artist in some capacity); exploring different mediums; practicing getting comfortable with imperfection and mistakes (and even disasters!); and identifying the blocks you may have to seeing yourself as a creative and expressing yourself authentically through your art.
Is creative mentorship the same as therapy?
No. Therapy is a very specific, in-depth process and this service is completely distinct and separate from therapy. If you engage my services as a consultant, it will be strictly limited to discussing your process and growth as an artist or a creative. We will not discuss mental health symptoms or process past trauma, we will not establish a treatment plan, I will not be assessing you for suicidality or other mental health symptoms, and I will not offer a diagnosis of any kind. If we uncover something that may be deeper than is within our scope together, I will offer you a referral to another mental health provider or recommend you speak to your existing provider to process more deeply. Because I am a registered therapist associate in the state of Oregon, I have some professional obligations that may be relevant to our work that I will explain before we work together (for example, I am a mandated reporter) but our work will not venture into the realm of therapy.
Can I see you for creative mentorship AND therapy?
No. If you'd like to engage my services for consulting and you're also looking for a mental health provider, I would be happy to offer a referral to another appropriately licensed mental health professional.