Creative Practice: Art & Wellness Studio

Quiet Colour Club took on a little late-summer flavour today. 🌻

We started with a simple framework of concentric circles, then used a ruler to divide each ring into sections. From there, the structure gradually grew into a floral pattern - petals filling most of the rings, with a band of leaves tucked in between.

By the time colour was added, my version had started to remind me of a sunflower - which feels just right for late August.

The drawing itself was completed during our session, with plenty of time to settle into the repetition of making one shape after another. The colouring and final details took me quite a bit longer afterward, which is one of the things I enjoy about this kind of activity. You can keep returning to it and adding as much or as little as you like.

I especially like activities like this for Quiet Colour Club because there is enough structure to give you somewhere to begin, while still leaving lots of room for individual choices in colour, pattern and detail.

Quiet Colour Club is guided artmaking for calm, curiosity and flow. No drawing experience needed - just a willingness to slow down and make something.

Monday evenings, from 6:30 - 8:00 pm.

Yesterday's Pop Art Pet Portrait workshop was such a fun afternoon at Creative Practice!

Each participant brought a photo of their own pet and worked through a similar painting process, while making their own colour choices and finding a look that suited the personality of their pet.

With guidance from Kat, participants built up layers of acrylic colour, using shadows, midtones and highlights to create paintings with depth, personality and plenty of playful character.

The room had that lovely mix of concentration and conversation, with everyone experimenting, comparing colours and watching their pets gradually come to life on canvas.

A big thank you to Kat for leading such a thoughtful and encouraging workshop - and to everyone who joined us and brought these wonderful personalities to life in paint. ❤️

What exactly is a sound bath?

If you've never heard of a sound bath before, you're definitely not alone.

Despite the name, there is no water involved. A sound bath is an immersive listening experience where you get comfortable, settle in and allow yourself to be surrounded by layers of sound.

During Laura Notton's sound baths ( ), live instruments including crystal singing bowls, gong, chimes and other resonant instruments are layered with wordless vocals and a nature-inspired soundscape. You may hear familiar sounds such as rain, crickets and bullfrogs woven into the experience.

You don't need to know how to meditate, and there is nothing you need to accomplish. Simply get comfortable, listen and notice what you experience.

People experience sound baths differently. You might feel deeply relaxed, notice sensations in your body, find your mind wandering, feel emotionally moved - or simply enjoy listening to the sounds. There is no right way to experience it.

Toward the end of the session, Laura gently guides participants with breathwork, vocal toning and grounding practices, helping create a gradual transition back and allowing the experience time to settle.

Curious to experience a sound bath?

Laura returns to Creative Practice on Friday, August 28 at 7:30 pm for Gathering the Light: Full Moon Sound Bath.

Registration is now open: https://www.creativepracticestudio.com/book-online

Kat is getting ready for next week’s Pop Art Pet Portraits workshop - and there are just 2 spots left! 🎨🐾

I love how much personality comes through in these colourful portraits. If you’ve been thinking about joining us, take a look at Kat’s post below for all the details.

🎨 Only 2 spots left! If you know someone who would love to turn their pet into a colourful work of art, tag them or share this post before the last spaces are gone!

Your pet deserves a place on your wall — in bold, colourful POP ART style!

My Pop Art Pet Portrait Workshop is almost full, with just 2 spots remaining.

No painting experience? Perfect. I’ll have your pet’s portrait drawn onto the canvas ahead of time, then guide you step-by-step through choosing a playful colour palette and bringing your furry friend to life with paint.

✨ Beginner-friendly
🎨 All about having fun with colour
🐶 Your own pet becomes the artwork
💜 Leave with a one-of-a-kind portrait you’ll actually want to hang up

If you’ve been thinking about joining us, this is your nudge — once these last 2 spots are gone, they’re gone!

📍 Creative Practice: Art & Wellness Studio
106 King Street West, Brockville, ON
Register directly through Creative Practice: Art & Wellness Studio to claim one of the last 2 spots!

Need a little quiet in the middle of a busy weekend?

Brockville is buzzing with Ribfest this weekend. If you are looking for a calm place to step away from the crowds and noise for a couple of hours, join us Sunday afternoon for Pattern & Pause: Slow Drawing with Kat Greenwood.

This relaxed two-hour workshop uses mindful pattern drawing as a way to slow down, settle your attention, and enjoy the simple rhythm of making repeated marks.

No drawing experience is needed. You will begin with some guided pattern-making, then have time to explore and combine patterns in your own way, with the option to add colour.

We already have a small table coming together, and there is room for a few more.

Sunday, August 9 | 1 - 3 pm
Materials included.

Register here: https://www.creativepracticestudio.com/book-online

August at Creative Practice is now open for registration!

This month’s lineup includes mixed media nature projects, meditative pattern drawing, pet portraits, papermaking, and a full moon sound bath.

Swipe through to see what’s coming up, then visit https://www.creativepracticestudio.com/book-online for full details and registration.

Space is limited for each offering.

Reminder: there is no Open Studio tonight. I will be at the Brockville Peace Collective's Friendship Kite-Flying Event at St. Lawrence Park. Join us from 5-9 pm.

🪁🪁 Kites for Peace – A Human Rights and Friendship Kite-Flying Event 🕊️🍉☮️ - Please share widely!

When: July 30th from 5-9pm
What: Kite making and flying, potluck/picnic, multifaith gathering with music
Who: Brockville Peace Collective and Friends
Where: St. Lawrence Park, Brockville, Ontario
What to bring: A kite or kite making materials, a picnic or food to share for the potluck, a chair/blanket

The Brockville Peace Collective and Friends invite you to an evening of friendship and fun on Thursday July 30th from 5-9pm!

This event celebrates the 15th anniversary of the United Nations International Day of Friendship. Established in July 2011, this day encourages friendship, understanding, and peace among people and cultures around the world.

Our event is also inspired by the great achievement of the Palestinian children of Gaza, who in July 2011, set a Guinness World Record for flying 12,350 kites. Kites have since evolved into an international symbol of human rights, peace, resilience and the dreams of children everywhere.

Both of these events remind us to come together, in community, and celebrate the peace and friendship we enjoy, while also advocating for everyone across the world to enjoy the same rights and privileges.

The evening will begin with kite making and flying at 5pm. Kites will be flown at 5:30pm and kite flying will be followed by a potluck meal. Participants are asked to bring their own picnic lunch and/or a potluck dish to share.

A multi-faith gathering will follow with music and inspirational readings and words from peace and faith leaders.
Join the Brockville Peace Collective on a day of celebration, remembrance, unity, peace, and friendship.
Everyone is very welcome!! 🎶

How is it almost August already?

This summer has seemed to rush by - even with all the rainy days that may have changed our plans or kept us closer to home.

Nature’s Treasures offers a chance to pause at the halfway point of the season, take stock of what has caught your attention, and spend a day turning those small discoveries into something meaningful.

Perhaps you have picked up a shell, saved an interesting leaf, noticed a feather on a walk, or brought home a stone from somewhere you want to remember. In this full-day workshop, artist Sharlena Wood will guide you in exploring those natural treasures through drawing, painting, colour, pattern, and mixed media as you create your own accordion-style art book.

You do not need to be experienced at drawing or painting. This is a day for slowing down, looking closely, experimenting, and creating a personal record of summer.

Nature’s Treasures: Mixed Media Workshop
Friday, August 7
10:00 am-4:00 pm
$140 - all art materials included
Creative Practice: Art & Wellness Studio
106 King Street West, Brockville

Bring a few natural objects that interest you and spend the day creating with Sharlena.

Registration is available through the Book Online page on the Creative Practice website: https://www.creativepracticestudio.com/book-online

An afternoon of creative exploration at the studio!

Last Saturday, we welcomed participants for our Mixed Media Play Workshop, led by instructor Christine Thompson.

Throughout the afternoon, Christine guided us through a series of creative explorations using graphite, acrylic paint, pastel, collage, and a variety of tools for making marks and textures. From printing with bubble wrap and pool noodles to scratching into paint, experimenting with pastel techniques, and creating paper collages, each activity invited participants to explore new materials and creative approaches.

One of my favourite parts of the day was watching everyone become completely absorbed in the process. People took their time, experimented freely, and followed their curiosity as each exploration unfolded. There was plenty of conversation, shared discoveries, and encouragement around the studio table.

Thank you to everyone who joined us—and to Christine for creating such a welcoming space for curiosity and creative exploration.

If these photos inspire you to spend an afternoon making art, we'd love to welcome you to one of our upcoming workshops.

Visit https://www.creativepracticestudio.com/book-online to learn more and register.

A wonderful afternoon of creativity at the studio!

Last week, we gathered around the studio table for our Pop-Up Box Card Workshop, led by instructor Kat Greenwood. Participants experimented with watercolour pigment powders, stamping, layering, and paper crafting techniques as they learned to create interactive pop-up box cards.

One of my favourite parts of the afternoon was watching everyone's ideas unfold in different directions. Even though everyone began with the same project and techniques, each finished card reflected the creativity of the person who made it. There was plenty of conversation, laughter, and creative problem-solving along the way.

Thank you to everyone who joined us—and to Kat for sharing her knowledge, enthusiasm, and her very cool collection of cardmaking tools!

If these photos inspire you to spend an afternoon making art, we'd love to welcome you to one of our upcoming summer workshops. We still have a few spaces available next week.

Visit our website to learn more and register: https://www.creativepracticestudio.com/book-online

Which card is your favourite?