DRAWING CENTER STUDIO

Drawing as Mindfulness
Find Your Center!

A Weekly Breath of Fresh Air ...No Talent Required!

Led by Brigid O’Kane (nearly) every Monday since January 2018

[ REGISTER HERE ]

NOTE: Drawing as Mindfulness was among the first programs to transition to Manifest's new home at 3464 Central Parkway (M1) as of May 9, 2022.

We can't wait to continue unveiling the amazing space and environment of this new context for creativity and contemplation with participants! Bear in mind our transition to the new space will take time, and so various procedures may evolve over the coming months. Please be patient with us as we grow!

Description

Mindfulness is the psychological process of bringing one's attention to experiences occurring in the present moment, which can be developed through the practice of meditation and other practices.

Research studies have indicated that the practice of mindfulness is strongly correlated with many benefits including improved health, a calmer mind, stress relief, more restful sleep and a greater sense of wellbeing.

Drawing is similar to meditation, in that it requires focused attention on subject matter being drawn. The drawing process is just as important as the drawing being created, and in this course process is emphasized within the present moment.

“The goal of life is to make your heartbeat match the beat of the universe, to match your nature with Nature.”

— Joseph Campbell

Some say "Art is Life." This program embraces this concept by weaving together drawing with mindfulness, creating a transformative experience in Life, Mind and Being—we just happen to use pencils and pens to get a grip on life.

This weekly offering is designed for anyone, from those with no skill, talent, or experience, to those who have studied art all their lives.  It serves trained artists as well as non-artists. Founding principles of this course include the notion that drawing is a lens with which to see the world. Building upon this idea, Drawing as Mindfulness is a thoughtful approach to drawing and an invitation for you to get to know yourself on a deeper level. The class primarily focuses on practices of observational drawing. Participants interested in other practices should get approval from the instructor.

 

“Drawing is a way to communicate that which cannot be said with words. Communication within the wordless realm requires presence. Therefore, who you are being during the drawing process is just as important as what you ultimately produce."

— Brigid O’Kane

 

Principles of visual organization such as negative space, balance, harmony, proportion, and movement, among others, merit exploring in life as much as in art. Through the same processes that creatives use to make works of art, non-artists and experienced artists can learn more about themselves, their world, and being in time. Drawing as Mindfulness is not about creating a wonderful product (a 'work of art'). Yes, drawings will be made—usually of objects from nature provided by the instructor. The real product is a quality experience. Participants in this course report experiencing a deeper appreciation of practicing a form of visual art. With a pencil and eraser, participants develop an enlivened connection to life and art, which enhances their relationship to the world and people around them.

Join a 'rolling' 8-week group of like-minded individuals to explore how being in 'the studio' is like being in a church, an ancient old-growth forest, or prehistoric cave. The experience dissolves assumed barriers between what one thinks about oneself relative to life and art. It alters how we process the reality of being connected in the world. 

Each week will include basic and refreshing guided drawing sessions as well as philosophical thinking structured around 8 principles of visual organization and their opposites. Classes are 2 hours. Each class is facilitated by Brigid O'Kane who brings her expertise and life insights to each class. Insightful discussions and thoughtful drawing processes are all central to the practice of mindfulness and are anchored in the 'principles of the day'. 

Level of Study

The class is open to anyone. Those from all levels of drawing experience are welcome. The course is for those who are open to participating in guided drawing experiences and friendly conversations about the crossovers between life and art. No talent is required, only curiosity and an open mind. 

 

Tuition:

$200 (covers 8 consecutive weeks*, 2hrs per week)

One makeup session is added to the end of an 8-week session for one absence, plus one optional chance to BRING-A-FRIEND (for the $25 walk-in rate) per 8-week session. Students are also encouraged to attend the Drawing Center’s FREE Open Studios every Sunday to practice the topics covered in class each Monday.

Returning Participants Discounted Rate: $150
A 25% discount offered to returning course participants re-registering within one week of their prior session's conclusion. Mindfulness is a lifelong practice, and Manifest offers this discount to encourage ongoing participation.

Walk-in Option: Those who have taken the full 8-week course at least once may later register to walk-in to any Monday Drawing as Mindfulness session. Register on-line anytime. Contact Brigid O’Kane if you spontaneously register the same day you plan to attend class.

FREE Open Studio Sundays: Participants in Drawing as Mindfulness are invited to attend free Open Studio Sessions on any Sunday afternoon, 4:30-7:00pm as an extension of this class. This is optional for those who are interested. 

Schedule

Every Monday, 7-9pm
(Doors open at 6:45 - Come early, get set up, and mingle) 

**NOTE: This class has returned to weekly, in-person meetings. Masks are still requested for all participants and social distancing will be practiced as frequently as possible.

Ongoing, weekly in 8-week overlapping blocks. Sessions will be removed from this list, or note will be made, when all seats are full. Session dates further in the future will be added several weeks out.

** Seating is limited. Early registration is recommended.

Upcoming Session Start Dates:

August 1 (session full)
August 8 (session full)
August 15 (session full)
August 22 (session full)
August 29 (session full)
September 12 (session full)
September 19 (session full)
September 26 (session full)
October 3
October 10
October 17
October 24
November 7
November 14
November 21
November 28
December 5
December 12
December 19

 

Sessions are limited to 15 participants max. Enrollment can begin on any scheduled Monday*, and will continue for 8 weeks.**

* see registration for details and limitations. Please note: sessions falling on U.S. holidays generally skip dates too.

Class will not be held on the following dates in 2022. Any session that includes one of these dates will be extended by one week to ensure 8 weeks of class. Please plan accordingly:


September 5, 2022 - Labor Day
October 31, 2022 - Halloween
December 26, 2022 - Christmas Break
January 2, 2023 - New Year Break


** registration is only available in 8-week blocks for new participants. We strongly feel the full benefit of the program only comes from at least one full cycle of the 8-week program. Repeat and ongoing enrollment is encouraged for those who would like ongoing practice. The program is designed to gradually evolve to ensure a fresh experience across a full year.

             

            
Class Size

Limit: 15-20    




Materials

• Sketchbook: Approximately 8.5”x11” or slightly larger in size with white paper.

• Eraser: Any firm white vinyl eraser such as the Staedtler Mars Eraser. A mechanical eraser with retractable case and/or a kneaded eraser is highly recommended.

• Pencil Sharpener: Brass Bullet Sharpener or single hole sharpener with plastic dome that collections shavings.

• Pencil: Any standard #2 pencil. However 2B, HB and 2H graphite pencils are highly recommended. Participants can optionally bring a set of graphite pencils of additional varying hardness.

• Ultra-Fine Black Sharpie Marker: Additional thicknesses are optional.

• Ball Point Pen: any color (optional)

 

 

What people are saying...

"It wasn't about drawing for me anymore, because I can't draw to save my life, but it was about me learning to be mindful, peaceful and have a sense of calm. Drawing as Mindfulness changed my life in ways I never thought possible. Three weeks into the class, I decided to take all that I learned and apply it to my everyday life. Six weeks later, I spend every morning meditating, journaling and spending quiet time. My family noticed a change in my attitude and a general calm to my being and that was good for everyone! Being mindful has even helped me handle every day stress and the occasional road rage driver." 

— Lauri Z. (stay at home mom)

 

"To me it connects the strands of principles of opposites, poetry, drawing, thought, people and pieces of myself I forgot existed. Listening to the insights of other members of this class is germinal and awe-inspiring at the same time. Brigid makes this class stimulating and productive for individuals that participate. She puts a great deal of thought and energy into the building of our weekly encounters. She rounds out this class with her remarkable drawing skills and knowledge that, coupled with a personable grace, enable her to provide growth and direction to anyone at whatever level of drawing experience.  

This class has reminded me that I love drawing, the magic of line and marks opening up the dark and light of surface." 

— Kitty S. (retired customer service rep.)

 

"My first Drawing as Mindfulness class was in January of this year. When my eight weeks were up I signed up for another eight week session, and I’m now starting my 5th time. Why do I keep coming back? When I was younger, much younger, I enjoyed drawing, sketching, and doodling. I never took any art classes in school so my skill was limited and other things became more important. Then I heard that Manifest was starting a drawing class combined with meditative, mindfulness practices where any skill level was welcomed. I thought this could be a good way to finally start improving my drawing skills and expand my ongoing attempts at being more mindful. And that’s just what these classes have turned out to be. Brigid is very good at explaining and demonstrating the numerous principles that can be used to improve everyone’s drawing abilities. The mindfulness practice running thru the class allows everyone the chance to have a couple of hours each week of experiencing what this means and feels like. If they like it, hopefully they will start including it throughout the rest of the week. As for me, it’s nice to be around people who are making the effort to improve their lives and encourages me to “up my game“. I look forward to each class and always leave feeling I’ve learned something." 

— Kurt P. (retired machinist)