Daily Nourishment for July 6, 2024: Slow Down and Get Curious with Guidance, Words, and Art from Luz Bratcher
Daily Nourishment Read Time: 45
Pause/Prompt/Practice Time: 15
“Art invites us to slow down and get curious as a way to process, heal, and integrate our experiences.” -Luz Bratcher
Pause.
Take a few deep breaths with a six-count inhale and a six-count exhale while looking through these photos of middle schoolers’ art on Instagram. (Be sure to scroll through all of the images!)
Prompt.
I love this from artist Luz Bratcher:
“One of my favorite techniques to share is tearing up your pieces if you’re feeling too precious or outcome-oriented about your drawing. Not only is it satisfying, but it opens up so many new possibilities. Rearrange the pieces. Draw on top of them. Or just keep the parts you like the best and release the ones that incite judgement. Whatever helps keep your curiosity alive.”
Practice.
Find some things to tear up today.
An old draft of an essay, poem, or story.
Pages from a book still on your shelves by a theologian you no longer agree with.
Junk mail.
Bills. (But pay them first!)
Use the pieces to make some art of some sort if you like. Paint, draw, or color over them. Make a mosaic or a collage.
Take notes for five minutes afterwards to capture some of what you experienced through this process.
Want More?
Learn a bit of Luz’s story here at the intersection of tragedy, grief, and hope.
A three-minute video featuring David Chang and his calligraphy is included. Please take a few minutes to sit with this story and the video.
(Much love to you, Luz.)
Luz Bratcher will lead a visual arts guided retreat at this year’s Glen Workshop. During the month of July, Spiritual Direction for Writers® Daily Nourishment will feature Glen Workshop facilitators and other Glen-ish people, places, and things. Enjoy!
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Here’s more about Luz from her website golden.repair
“Golden Repair is led by me, Luz Bratcher. I’m a therapeutic artist, elementary art teacher, and seasoned creative. I also identify as a wounded healer: grief, depression, anxiety, and burnout have all been significant themes of my story, from family mental health crises and navigating my own neurodivergence, to toxic tech jobs and traumatic deaths. Most recently, my husband and I lost our daughter at 36 weeks in 2023. While I had hoped to spend the rest of my life teaching her art, I would love to teach you how to become your most creative self in her honor. I’ve seen how art can bring new language for restoration and healing, and I would love to invite you into that space that I am also inhabiting as well.”
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Upcoming Workshops & Gatherings
—The July Co-Writing Schedule is live.
—July 8: Thoughtful Readers Gathering with Anna Gazmarian 7-8 p.m. CT
—July 21-27: Charlotte Donlon will provide a few spiritual direction offerings at the Glen Workshop in Seattle
—July 27: Online Revision Stations Designed by Lauren F. Winner
Today’s Daily Nourishment was provided by Charlotte Donlon.
*Please help us protect our intellectual property, our creative process, and the integrity of our work. Spiritual Direction for Writers® Daily Nourishment is covered under the Spiritual Direction for Writers® trademark. You are welcome to share this link with others, but any other use (written or spoken) is prohibited without written permission from Charlotte Donlon.