The Mindful Artist: Collaborating with Nature

Judy Nemer Sklar returns to the Artists Center at the Galen in 2023 with a unique four-part series designed to bring the artist back to basics, back to the simplicity of nature, a place of solace and creativity.

Nature surrounds us but is also deeply within us. It is a life force, a pulse. During this series of sessions participants will take time to explore, examine, and manipulate aspects of nature, recognize that they can use explorations of the landscape and gardens surrounding the Artists Center to inspire and motivate the practice of art, and utilize them to create art connected to the shapes and patterns we discover in the natural setting.

By returning to the basic elements of nature, so often overlooked in our busy lives, we will work to clear our minds of contrived and forced efforts and seek once again the essence of what we understand about ourselves and our art. The combination of our collaboration with nature along with simple meditation practice can become a vehicle for self- reflection and allow for a feeling of flow and freedom in one’s creative process. Materials

All participants must have a Canson Artist Series Watercolor spiral notebook 12”x 9” Item #09608-1023 available through Dick Blick https://www.dickblick.com/products/canson-artist-series-watercolor-books/ or Cheap Joe’s, Item #CN54498, https://www.cheapjoes.com/canson-artist-series-watercolor-pad-9-x-12.htmlQuestions: Please contact instructor: judy@judynemersklar.com

Sessions include:

Blades of Grass: Simplicity: The Mindful Artist begins the day with a simple breath in and out and an intention set for the day. Gathering objects found in nature, students will create art-making tools and using simple mediums will explore the art making process.

Materials needed in addition to the Journal: 2 oz Gorilla Glue, twine, or ribbon (optional), 3 or 4 colors of acrylic plate plus black, acrylic paint brush, #2 drawing pencil, eraser, Drawing pen (optional), Modge Podge Gloss (small size), Utility brush (small), synthetic gloves (optional)

Stones Unturned: Discovery: The Mindful Artist sets out in nature in walking meditation. Gathering leaves twigs, flowers and stones, the artist returns to the studio to create an art project that is beautiful, but as in life, impermanent. Photographing the work, the Mindful Artist discovers inspiration for future work.

Materials needed in addition to the Journal: Gorilla Glue, twine/ribbon (optional), acrylic paint, acrylic brush, utility brush, #2 drawing pencil, eraser, drawing pen (optional), synthetic gloves (optional)

Shapes & Patterns: Recognition: The Mindful Artist practices a mind wandering meditation, and the artist reflects upon the rhythms and symbols found in nature. Using reeds beads, twigs, twine and paints, the artist will create a reeds sculpture inspired by the marks, curves, shapes, and patterns.

Materials needed in addition to the Journal: Acrylic paint, acrylic brush, utility brush, #2 drawing pencil, eraser, drawing pen (optional), synthetic gloves (optional)

Nature as Muse: Reflection & Gratitude: The Mindful Artist returns to the journal to reflect with gratitude. Using words, paints and a wooden cube, the artist creates a collage “muse cube”; a gratitude project for the purpose of focus and inspiration as the artist moves forward with her creative work.

Materials needed in addition to the Journal: Modge Podge, Magazines, scissors, Acrylic Gloss Medium (small size), utility brush, #2 drawing pencil, eraser, Drawing pen (optional) synthetic gloves (optional).

JUDY NEMER SKLAR is a professional artist, writer, and educator residing in Palm Desert, California. She is passionate about the creative process and believes that using art-making along with a mindfulness practice can be highly beneficial for those in both creative and non-creative fields.

She received her Bachelor of Arts from Chapman University, Orange, California, and her Master of Arts from California State University Dominquez Hills, California.

Along the way she has been the proud recipient of grants and scholarships, has shown her art in numerous galleries and has won regional and national juried art awards. She has sold her work in the United States and abroad. Her art and writing have been published in various art, wellness and children’s journals.

In 2018 she developed a creative art workshop program entitled “Embracing A Creative Life Workshops for Health and Wellness” teaching at both large and small venues including organizations such as Sunnylands/Annenberg Foundation & Trust, Eisenhower Medical Center and the Riverside County Department of Education.

Nemer Sklar, served as facilitator for the 2022 program “A Gathering Process: Using Talking Circles and Mindfulness Art to Process Through a Pandemic” in coordination with Riverside County Department of Education and Sunnylands Center & Gardens which has been extended into 2023.

Nemer Sklar is currently continuing her education certification at the C. G. Jung Institute of Los Angeles.