Red Thread Circles

  At the end of January, I saw an invitation to craft vision boards with one of our Neurographica teachers in an online session. I'd already made a soul collage card for my word of the year - Connected , and loved this invitation of another way to work with it.  I've made vision boards off and on for several decades, and am always intrigued with the images and messages that appear. One of my first Red Thread offerings was making vision boards, in 2016!  Vision board 2025 For the neuropathic vision board class, we used the Feng Shui 'bagua' grid to lay out the pictures in 9 'sections'. After they were in place, we drew neuro lines over the collage, to support our Word and our intentions! I made a smaller board (~ 8x15") w/ some of the left over images I'd chosen - and it's still on my wall 😃. I love that central figure!  ᏗᏓᏂᎸᎢᏍᏗ  di-da-ni-lv-i-s-di Celebrate! I often use lighter weight tagboard for the backing - but this year's boards are on s...

  Many of us reflect on gratitude during November, and that was our focus for this month's Red Thread Circle.  We each shared something we are grateful for as we passed the Red Thread; some were connection, pleasure in small moments, Community, clarity, presence and our time together.  I used a compass in my journal, inspired by Cindy and Linda to create a couple of mandalas. I so appreciate collaborating with these amazing co-facilitators! Neuroart Gratuitude mandala Neurographica is a form researched and developed by a Russian psychologist, Pavel Piskerev, and taught by practioners on several countries.  It dovetails beautifully with Intentional Creativity, as you begin my focusing on an intention, or something you wish to shift. Pavel observed that while angles make us somewhat uncomfortable, round shapes are soothing and calm our nervous system.  Linda and I took the basic class last year, and often use neurgraphica as inspiration for our own neuroart adapta...

 I discovered Neurographica about this time last year, (read about that  here ) and have played with the form ever since. This fall, Aline Smolyansky posted an invitation to her 'Neurovember' challenge, a 'soft' invitation to post daily - or frequently - throughout the month. Neurovember Cover Page A couple of months ago, I broke my right wrist (!! Slipped on a patch of mud!) and after surgery with a GREAT doctor, and being fitted with a splint with Purple Velcro - was slowly able to write - and then draw again .... one of the first forms I 'tackled' was my trusty Neuro-Noodling!  Two months post surgery, I'm pretty much up to speed writing, playing harp, painting - Woot!  The general theme of NeuroVember is The Joy of Being - and the first week's prompts are: Joy Wisdom Happiness Vitality Knowledge Creativity Personal Theme Hands and Autumn Leaves Art challenges are a good way to get in a daily drawing (etc) habit, to get 'unstuck' if you'...

  Our theme for our December Red Thread Circle was Shine Your Lïght.  In the Northern Hemisphere, night comes earlier, and light and warmth feel extra precious. Since humans began using fire, tending and keeping it has been a sacred task. In Denmark, the word Hygge is used to denote a cozy, comfortable atmosphere, which often includes firefight, candles, soft and fuzzy fabrics.  This last summer, with hot winds from the east and dry forests,  Oregon and the NW had many wildfires - there is a fine line between safety and danger! Some inquiries to ponder: what encourages you and brings you light and hope? Where do you struggle? What encourages you, and gives you hope? What beings feelings of safety? Shine Your Lïght Take a moment to center, pour a cup of tea, light a candle, tug your Red Thread Work on paper, canvas, your Smashbook or art journal Write several Light words - qualities you hold for yourself and for your community Choose images for these qualities: stars,...

 This fall many of us have been enjoying learning about, and beginning to do  Neurographica .  This way of creating helps  "Balance the mind, inspire creativity, and explore different approaches to problem solving."  " From the first rounding of intersections and angles, there is a sense of recreating wholeness, of softening the edges of harsh thoughts; of merging with our greater intentions and better knowing. Of being whole and letting go of fear, of opening to unlimited possibilities." The basics: Think of your intention or a concern Draw random lines (not an even zigzag!)  Or begin by sketching an object or tracing around your hand, a leaf... R ound the intersections  Circles bring harmony  Observe how your body feels as you draw, as those intersections soften. C olor - 3 or more colours, color in at least three segments with one color  Through November I drew and colored a number gratitude cards, and some centered around handprints or le...