Exploring connection and loss through drawing and writing

Drawing

Over the last 4 years DAD has organised an IWD creative Drawing or drawing and writing event. This year on March 7th DAD teamed up with the POWER of WOMEN Thanet and Suzy Crothers, of the ‘Less Alone More Alive’ project, and Mental Health First Aider Annie Sutton to present an on-line wellbeing and creativity workshop using drawing & free writing for expression.

Clare Smith, DAD founder Director  died in December 2022. One of her passions was creating together with others, the evening was in memory of her.

The 30 Participants were asked to bring paper and their preferred art materials: pen, felt tips/ coloured pencils, pastels water colours etc
as well as anything else that helped them to feel comfortable and cosy (blankets/hot water bottle/ cushions). They were asked to join in with relaxation and breathing exercises from a chair or lying down with eyes open or closed, camera on or off. Together we will establish a ‘brave space’,using relaxation techniques, drawing and free writing.
Suzy & Annie

After a crazy busy day at work, the workshop offered a chance to slow down and recentre. I loved it. Happy International Womens Day!

Thank you for gathering a group of incredible artists and hosting with such grace. It really was a special evening and extremely moving.

Great experience. Thank you x 

…………I just visited my friend in East Germany, not so far away, so I spent yesterday in Dessau.  That’s where I was last night.  With no WiFi signal.
On the fourth floor of the Bauhaus studio building.  I only got up there because a nice young Polish man carried up my suitcase!  No lift.  Not for lots of energetic young Bauhauslers!
Just after the workshop I went to boil some hot water in the kitchenette at the end of the corridor.  I left the door open and, as a consequence, trapped a young man in his room, as the open door went across his door.  We laughed over that, writing it off as bad design.  The buildings were totally renovated in 1976 as an East German research project, and modernised since.
Apropos of loss, I couldn’t help feel tearful in the museum yesterday.  There are so many photos of Bauhauslers mucking about and being young and very modern.  And soon to become such a diaspora.
The principles of the Bauhaus were adopted by the Nazis as were the buildings.  Bombed in 1945.  Further wrecked by neglect.  Yet the influence has been lasting.
I donated the bottle image as I had previously been to the wonderful Morandi exhibition at the Estorick, one of my favourite places.  Morandi drew that lifelong vocabulary of a few items that speak across time.  Literally a message in a bottle.  Continuity.
And, truly, I think Clare would have enjoyed this.  I’m sure she was present.

I used black ink to draw and used a Chinese brush that Clare had given me. It was a lovely opportunity to join together to draw and reflect on Clare’s incredible legacy.

Thank you for arranging this workshop to commemorate dear Clare. It was very calming and facilitated quiet reflection, which I welcomed and enjoyed, and it was great to see all the other participants and their work. I think of Clare often, and I miss her, what a strong and talented lady, a fitting subject to mark International Women’s Day.

It was a very moving experience, last evening; thank you.

Mental Health, kindness

All here to Share and honour Clare…

Women’s day. Power of women.

A brave space by the sea,

Waves lapping at my heart and through the gap, bathing you.

Breathe, hold my breath under the water

Count and find the sky, two three four.

Heart is missing a piece.

But I am holding the piece

And one day it will find its way back

Home…

 

Survival kit.

Pen and paper, thesarus,

Words slip out when mouth and head

Can’t find the way.. but pen in hand

Or typing at the key board I can find the word…

The words that say I feel…

Writing is my inside out.

 

Slightly disjointed, a group of faces

Some I know and some are new,

And some you knew.

You are with me as I write and I wish I could reach out

And touch your skin, but you are here within….

And your energy is here. Still so raw

But full of love

 

Happy walks along the cliffs, along the beach,

Blue blue sky, swimming in the sea with Junzi as you watched

And then I stumbled on the pebbles,

Towelled him dry.

Jennifer (Clare Smith’s sister)

I found the zoom to be helpful, but frustrating not to connect directly with so many excellent people. But I thought the throwing the ball game to be a fascinating concept and it worked to get us together as much as possible. All-in-all a positive experience, so thank you and all involved.

Thank so much for that – It was lovely and inspiring!

Suzy Reflection
I was grateful to bring this work to this particular group of women at this particular time of year.  When embarking on this work, I am brought back to remembering the weight and value of creativity, and the value of having a ‘brave’ space where one can gently explore one’s own creativity.  Day to day, taking a moment to connect with oneself can be a challenge.  We offer up our work as an antidote to this, and, moreover, we offer up a space to ‘be’ for an hour and a half.
What a joy it was to be in the company of creative women and to use this time to commemorate a formidable woman, Clare Smith.
The workshop offered a ‘brave’ container, where the participants could express feelings of loss through their chosen medium.  Participants shared a variety of thoughts, feelings and creations as we progressed through the work.  The session was moving, with special moments from Clare’s sister, who shared with the group.  I felt such a wellspring of support for her and felt reassured of the power of simple human connection.  The workshop offered an opportunity to connect with creatives down in Dover and I loved seeing some of the artworks afterwards.  Reflecting on the content of our ‘Less Alone, More Alive!’ workshop, I feel heartened to see, in practice, that in moments of challenge, such deceptively simple creative and wellbeing exercises may offer a balm.  

Annie writing reflection
I wore orange in twilight storms and felt the glow of many suns.
With tears and full across the screens to warmth in a hug that was collective and mine to hold.

What was it like to facilitate to this group of women ?

I love being part of the ‘Less Alone, More Alive’ project run by Suzy and that it is centred around storytelling and creative expression as a vehicle for wellbeing and connection. I am always grateful that she invited me. So it was such a privilege to share some of these tools and focus celebration with a commemoration to Clare Smith, especially as part of International Women’s day celebrations and POW Festival. We have delivered to a broad landscape of communities and artists of diverse cultural experiences and backgrounds offering a brave space for a moment, a shared cup of tea, a reflection and hopefully a breath of collective joy. To co- facilitate on a stormy night with a bond of women – sharing beautiful artwork and heartfelt compassion was very special. Having Clare’s close friends, colleagues and family in the room was very moving – it felt calm, vivid and memorable. It was a responsibility – as always I bring my authentic self- and I am glad we felt connected. Afterwards -as someone with lived experience of grief -I reflected on the tools that night and the creativity. I recognised the power of love. I needed to sit for an hour afterwards , having held the space with Suzy for over 24 women. Thank you Joanna for hosting the event with such grace and I will remember this one.

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