SESSION 20: Traveling Treasures - Earth Art Eco Mandalas 

Participate in our Taking Care Virtual Field Trip, and if possible, see if you can join us from an outside location this week. If not, no worries! We can always bring the outdoors in! Continuing themes from our previous session, let’s take time to notice the treasures we find on our paths along the way. 

This practice challenges us to look at our circumstances and surroundings with gratitude. As well as being able to let go and practice impermanence. Can we create space knowing that more treasures will surely come as we continue on our path? Explore your relationship with gratitude and impermanence through this eco-art experience. No experience needed! Please join us even if the steps below were not completed! We love spending time being creative together in whatever way feels right for you right now.  

Leading up to the session, there are a few things to consider: 

1. Begin to collect treasures on the paths you usually take! (Ie. stones, flowers, leaves, found objects, etc.). Allow yourself to wander with wonder through your everyday environments and collect items that seem to bring you joy or you feel connected to!

2. Consider a place you would like to create your eco mandala. Is it indoors or outdoors? Is it in a familiar space? Take time to consider where you feel called to explore further, and be sure to clear this space prior to the session. You can do this by brushing an area of any distracting elements so you have a blank canvas (ie. all grass, dirt, asphalt, wood, etc. as the background for the mandala). This helps the creative process to enter into a state of flow. If you choose to create indoors, grab yourself a tray or cooking sheet to work on!

Suggested Materials: 

• Collection of treasures (found objects: stones, leaves, flowers, natural materials, etc.) 
• Large Tray (if completing indoors) 
• Any materials you feel connected to! 

Process:

1. Envision or travel to your special place.

2. Create blank canvas.

3. Using your found objects, begin to create your nature Mandala or Earth Art! This is a playful process - allow yourself to be curious about the shapes, patterns, textures, and colours of the treasures you have collected. 

4. See if there is a specific intention behind your Earth Art today.

Art Instructor Ayesha Drouillard will guide us through creating Mandela's out of natural and found objects inspired by nature.

Taking Care: Where Art Meets Wellness is supported by the Government of Canada’s Emergency Community Support Fund, WindsorEssex Community Foundation, and the Solcz Family Foundation.