Process as the product

Create Space Studio provides workshops and intensives that center on process-oriented art making and reflective writing. These workshops are opportunities to reconnect to personal creativity in relevant and sustainable ways.

Picking up a paint brush or pen can a be spontaneous gesture that brings awareness, relaxation, growth, and enjoyment.  Your creative process doesn't have to be complicated — it has to be practiced. 

The Open Studio Process

Create Space workshops center on the Open Studio Process (OSP). OSP provides a flexible guide for a self-directed contemplative creative practice. This presence-based process is a straight-forward approach that bookends intuitive art making with structured writing.

Open Studio Process is a simple, supportive creativity methodology that encourages trying less hard and going with creative flow.  We practice letting creative process unfold in surprising and vibrant ways.

The OSP arc has 4 elements; Intention, Art Making, Witness, and Reading. These elements are engaged "comment/critique-free" to co-create an atmosphere of supportive noninterference.

Intention (writing) 

Settling down, tuning in, choosing a preferred path. Clear, concise, active-voice statements, that calm, clarify, and focus your creativity in personally relevant ways. 

Art (making)

Letting go of ideas, putting aside the plan — following impulse and intuition with uncomplicated and abundant materials. Pleasure and curiousity are trustworthy guides.

Witness (writing)

Automatic, stream of consciousness, unvarnished writing in response to the art making. Free writing that reveals the meaning in the making, in your own words. 

Reading (or not)

An opportunity to listen and hear; choose to voice some, all, or none of the writing — every aspect of the process is voluntary. 

What do I need?

All you need to start is a notebook or favorite journal and comfortable clothes suitable for art making. Then check your calendar and sign up for the next Create Space Intro Series. If you’re not ready to commit to a 3 workshop series, you can register for any workshop as a stand-alone.

Create Space Intro Series

A Create Space Intro is a place to start. Designed as a 3 workshop series (drawing, painting, sculpture) with flexibility in scheduling and media preference. These 3 hour workshops are an introduction to the Open Studio Process and a specific material/medium. You may take any Intro as a stand alone workshop as well.

Process Immersive

Process Immersives are like a day hike — ranging 5-6 hours, giving you ample time to explore at a relaxed pace. Immersives are an opportunity to dive into a specific medium — drawing (oil pastels), painting (tempera, watercolor, gouache), sculpture (tape & foil, cardboard & hot glue), and collage (repurposed & found print collateral) are offered. 

ReCreate 

ReCreate is an "self-directed studio" where you can bring your current creative endeavor to the table (or wall). Whether your project is materials-based, a writing project or another process, ReCreate provides time to settle, focus, and move it forward.  Bring your preferred materials, and use the studio supplies as you like. ReCreate is the open studio that provides both flexibility and structure to take the next creative steps to advance your project.     

Free Style

Free Style workshops are stand alone process labs, often led by a guest artist/facilitator and explore a range of materials from diverse approaches.