After teaching

 

You Did It!

Your 13 Step painting class is finished, the students have gone home or exited zoom - whew!! And now what? 

After documenting the process and what came up - for you, for your beloveds, and some self care, there's your Canvas, in a special after- class limbo! What's next in your own process?

I try to take time after teaching to connect with my demo painting and do some of my own Journaling - as I usually don't get much time for that whilst teaching! Sometimes *another* Old Story has come up for clearing, and I make some new story cards. Did any recurring or new codes symbols come through? What do they have to say? 

If I did a demo before class, I may bring that out, and begin a dialogue with both. Perhaps I'll bring her out to my porch for morning café, and into my bedroom for awhile to inspire my dreams. 

Forest Queen 👑 

This can be a good time to consult our own Oracle - pulling a card or two from the Soulful Story or Wild Card deck can bring insights and inspire the next step ❤ 

Several years ago, Shiloh suggested this process for reclaiming a demo painting: To really change it up, set aside some time,  smudge, spray your canvas, and paint a strip of white (or white with a bit of color) along the top of the canvas - spray again, then sit back (6' away or so) and journal while it drips! Use that as a guide to move on, and reclaim her! Spending at least a long on the painting after a class as you allotted duringthe workshop allows you to listen for the painting's voice. 

Other options I've used after Journaling and sitting with the painting awhile, are to go in with another round of Lights and Darks, tending details, perhaps adding code and prayer dots, then glaze again. 

If I skipped any steps for ease of teaching, I might revisit those - pulling out my 13 step cards helps me refocus! I may also have had some insights around using the cards, and be ready to rework one or two! 

If the canvas calls for bigger shifts, I might do directional glazes, using different colors on each side, spraying and letting it drip, then turning the canvas and repeating.  I sometimes use gold for this, or my beloved interference paint! 

Sometimes m all the demo painting really needs is another round of Lights and Darks m a partial glaze, some listening and adornment! And sometimes m they seem fine for months - or years - then begin nudging is for attention!! 

She Changes

Mama Gaia Class

Another element of the after class process is a follow up connection with students, both for feedback and perhaps tending if a lot came up for them! While we're only responsible for our piece of the thread, when that piece includes teaching, there's also connection and tending. 

You may wish to schedule an occasional Open Studio session, where beloveds can bring their own WIP and receive support and tips! One beloved called me 18 months after class, and was ready to do more on her painting, so we scheduled a private session on her covered deck! I brought She Changes, which had been my class demo, and we painted together. 

Learning to balance your own creativity process and tending your students is ongoing, we've got this! 

KISS - Keep it Simple Sweet one!

As we approach teaching online or in person, one key is to keep it simple! 

• Set up so they can see your demo - do a trial run with a buddy if this is new
• Give an overview of the the class and format 
• Talk a bit, then let them do that step! 
• Honor questions - they benefit everyone! (And set boundaries!)
• Allow time at the beginning for your circle, and time at the end for everyone to share their guidance, insights and painting

Ginger and Jean - 4 hour Harvest Queen

Handouts - email:

• Materials list
• Give journaling prompts as pre and post class homework
• You might have a common symbol handout, winged and flaming heart, spiral, bird, ... plus a few words on possible meaning
• Consider including a simple face map (full face is easiest) 
• 
  Linda Allen - Simplicity

Personal prep

• Choose your poem/ readings to match your theme
• Do a practice painting on your theme, in the time you've scheduled for your class
• Keep your sample simple, and leave it unfinished as an example 
• Jot down journaling prompts as you paint, to support your inquiry
• Do your own journaling! 
• I have a painting panel with options for features - eyes, lips
• Practice the visioning
• Have some tools for coping with the critic! 

Linda Allen - Simplicity

Flow

• Create your 13 step prompt cards and perhaps a few extras around your theme
• Combine some if its a shorted class
• The 13 steps are proprietary for intentional creativity, and for our own use. We usually don't talk about them much, saying, "now we're going to do a Risky Glaze to integrate the colors" (rather than "now we're doing the integration step") ...
• Keep the class moving along, give a bit of warning before moving on
• Allow for tea and movement breaks
• Have show and tell time at the end (~20 minutes) 

Two or more sessions

• Generally, glaze by the halfway point, or end of the first session
• If you offer the class over two + sessions, don't work on your class painting between!!
• You could work more on your practice painting - and at the end, share a screen shot of where you left off, and what it looks like after more attention! 
• Share additional journal prompts, including tips for coping with the critic
• Second session - do a mini circle and perhaps short visioning to bring them back 

Charging

• Check what others in your area charge for classes similar in length
• If your class is virtual, you may choose to charge less, as they'll supply the materials, you can still charge for your time!
• Consider the option donations to a favorite charity, provide the link
• Offer partial scholarships, or discount for a second person, as you choose

After completion, invite them to share feedback and photos, and do a follow up email. You may want to schedule a call if someone voices big challenges or insights. 

Thanks to Color of Woman graduate Linda Allen for sharing her Simplicity story card - you can find more of Linda's writing and work here.

Be sure to give yourself time for self care, and integration you worked hard!!