New Classes for 2020
SOUL PATTERNS: Art Journal Your Archetypes Part 2
Archetypes part 1 classes were very popular and let’s face it…there are lots of Archetypes, so I have decided to carry on with these classes, focusing on 6 more archetypes of the feminine. These classes will be held fortnightly in Brunswick heads starting in mid March.
You can choose from Saturday classes or Wednesday classes. 10am to 2pm. Cost will be the same as last year, $250 or $220 early bird (enrol and pay $60 deposit by end January)
There is no prerequisite. You don’t have to have done the part one Archetypes classes, or be able to draw well.
email me if interested: alison.mackay@gmail.com 
What participants of Art Journal your Archetypes (1) have said: “Art Journalling with Alison is a powerful experience. It is a wonderful opportunity to tap into your own natural creativity and wisdom, supported and encouraged in a nurturing group situation. Alison is an amazing facilitator and source of inspiration for us all and we are all just SO happy to gather for our art sessions. Many of us have been together for a number of years now and have witnessed each others growth, challenges and emerging creativity along the way. In one way we are just ‘playing’ with paints and collage, but on another there is a deep inner process of awareness going on and self reflection on the journey of our lives. It is very empowering. Very supportive. And oh what a lot of fun we have together. It is a little like creating a visual story book of your Life and through it revealing yourself to yourself! 🙂 “ Ankya
Here is Ankya’s art journal page she created for the “Fool” archetype….
She calls it “Entering into Eden, leaping into Love”
SOUL PATTERNS: Art Journaling your Archetypes A new six part course, starting March 12th and 13th 2019 in Brunswick Heads, NSW. Classes will run 10am to 2pm fortnightly on Tuesdays or Wednesdays. You can choose whether you want to be in the Tuesday OR Wednesday group.
Carl Jung first introduced the concept of Archetypes, which are innate tendencies or patterns of behaviour which influence our lives and the choices we make.
Over a series of six 4 hour sessions (10am to 2pm) we will explore many archetypes such as the healer, the artist, the queen, the orphan, the teacher , the mystic etc You will identify which archetypes have been major ones in your life and make art journal pages about them. We will work in an art journal (about A4 size) OR an altered book.
I will show you how to use acrylic paint and stencils in various ways to create interesting backgrounds, and you can choose from a range of collage images that I will provide. You can also source images that you might want to use, as well as “ephemera” ie patterned papers, book pages, old music, news print, old letters etc
You do not need to be good at drawing or painting, or have art experience.
Cost: $250 , or $220 early bird ie enrol and pay $60 deposit by end January.
The Heroine’s Journey
I have developed a course for women called The Heroine’s Journey, in which we reflect on our lives using Joseph Campbell’s stages of the Hero’s Journey as a starting point. The course involves looking at myths and fairy tales, some writing and art journaling. Using collage, acrylic paints, stenciling and other mixed media techniques, we will create an art journal to celebrate your heroine’s journey. You do not need any skills or experience in art or drawing, this is a course anyone can do.
I taught this course for several years and also developed a Part 2 course. In 2019 I will be teaching my new Soul Patterns: Art Journaling your Archetypes course, but I may return to the Heroine’s Journey again one day. I am open to running weekend workshops in it.
I also run monthly 4 hour “Art and Soul Journaling” classes in Brunswick Heads on a Tuesday or Wednesday and in 2019 I may run the occasional Art and Soul Journaling class on a Saturday. In these classes we start with an inspiring story or some quotes and readings on a theme, followed by some reflective writing and sharing of our thoughts and feelings on the topic. Then we move to our art journals, often trying out a new skill, technique or colour idea and usually incorporating some collage, to create a soul satisfying page.
An end of year gathering of Heroine’s Journey graduates!
Some testimonials:
The Heroine’s journey course gave great pleasure to a group of women who did not all know each other at the beginning but were a cohesive group by the end . Alison is warm, inspiring, wise, creative and very encouraging, especially to people like me for whom artistic things do not come naturally. Professor Colleen Cartwright, PhD
Alison guides us so beautifully in this journey of self discovery and the skills learnt can apply in so many domains. Highly recommended. Elana Deveaux, M.A. (Social Ecology)
“I’m so excited that after years of having small children I’m finally in a place where I can make space again to be creative in a low-pressure totally relaxed and fun environment. Alison has amazing skills, she holds the space beautifully for us women to explore, and brings in loads of inspiring art journal techniques, but ultimately it is totally up to us to experiment and see what comes forth. Fantastic, fun, free and flowing!! I really recommend this workshop. ” Caroline Cowley
4 hours lost in creativity and exploration. What a joy this is!! I love the way Alison teaches…..straight forward and helpful with loads of personal attention and helpful ideas, supporting everyone to find their own unique process. There is no right or wrong. I love that. She also provides us with many techniques and art supplies and books to help us discover our own personal form of expression. The Heroine’s journey offers us the amazing gift of self discovery through creativity. Thank you Alandra McLaren
…I am awestruck and inspired at the beauty and wisdom that has unfolded from the first page we created at our art journalling course. This will be and already is a deeply moving journey into our magical self skillfully and lovingly guided by Alison. Anna Parker