Elemental Expressive Arts

06/23/2026

This month, Dr. Elizabeth Warson guided us in a portion of her Elemental Shield work series. Our expressive arts therapy supervision group frequently explores elemental and nature-based themes.

I opened group with an earth-focused practice, inviting us into relationship with the ground beneath us through attention, sensory awareness, and presence. I also offered a closing movement experience in response to music, weaving together multiple elemental layers through embodied expression and bringing the work full circle.

Reflections from my personal artmaking and exploration of the Elemental Shield (Image below)

The smell of iron, rust, metallic earth-
childhood mudpies & witches brews
Pendulating from the grit under my nails
to the cool, clay-like texture in my palms

Growth & grit
Supported by the elements
Rooted in movement
Flowing with air
Permission to breath

Themes noted by Dr. Warson, which resonated well with my experience:

• Earth as resource rather than subject matter.
• Pendulation and titration translated into visual and material practice.
• Bilateral engagement through alternating attention between sensation and art materials.
• The shield emerging as a spontaneous image rather than a predetermined symbol.
• Protection understood as relationship rather than defense.

Thank you to everyone for the continued inspiration & willingness to explore!

06/11/2026

Start the process towards your legal name change with FREE services from the Legal Aid Society of Eastern Virginia! We are a non-profit law firm providing free legal services in civil matters to low income residents of Hampton Roads.

Join us at our Norfolk office on Tuesday, June 23th from 2-5pm! If you qualify for our services, you are guaranteed to receive SAME DAY advice from an attorney. There is no pre-registration required. Guests will complete an eligibility screening at the event. You must qualify for services to speak with an attorney.

Our Norfolk office is located at 125 St. Paul's Blvd, Suite 400. We are across the street from the courthouse. Parking can be limited in downtown and we recommend carefully reading all instructions to ensure that you are parking in a valid spot.

06/10/2026

Art isn’t about perfection. It isn’t about getting every brushstroke right or creating something flawless.

Art is about discovering joy, finding your voice, expressing emotions, and connecting with yourself and others. It’s about being present in the moment and allowing creativity to flow without judgment.

Sometimes a splash of color, a simple sketch, or a few moments spent creating can bring a sense of peace that words cannot. Art has a way of healing, inspiring, and reminding us to slow down and appreciate the beauty around us.

Art isn’t just something we see, it’s something we feel. And often, it’s exactly what our hearts need. 💛

Find a class that feeds your soul: www.milfordshac.org/classes

06/10/2026

Check out Boswellia Bodywork this weekend The Virginia Zoo Pride Night.

Hey y'all! Happy Pride month!

I will be doing my first vendor event out at Pride Night this Saturday at the

Who will I see there? 😊

06/10/2026

An opportunity for creative expression in Pittsylvania County, Va.

🌈📚 Add a splash of color to your summer!

Join us at the Gretna Branch Library on June 24th from 3:00–4:00 PM to create your very own Tie-Dye Book Tote! Get creative with bright colors and unique designs, then take home a one-of-a-kind tote that's perfect for carrying all your favorite library books.

📅 June 24th
⏰ 3:00–4:00 PM
📍 Gretna Branch Library

⚠️ Registration is required and opens June 10th. Be sure to reserve your spot early—spaces are limited!

We can't wait to see all the amazing creations! 🌈✨

06/09/2026

A great opportunity for creative expression!

📢Calling local writers! Submissions for our 2026 Words From Home publication are still open.
📝We are looking for short stories, essays, or poetry (1500 words or less). Original, unpublished, and unassisted work only. Writers aged 13 and older from Danville/Pittsylvania County. To be published by Danville Public Library as part of the annual Reflections of Home Arts Festival in September. FREE to participate!
💡Visit reflectionsofDanville.com for more information.

06/08/2026

Check out this article about the area where we relocated.

: Danville, Virginia is 90 minutes from Raleigh and worth the drive. Here's where to eat, what to do, and why we keep going back.

05/13/2026

🎨 In our most recent supervision group, we explored somatic expressive arts therapy. I introduced my new experiential, "Body as Sacred Space", pairing embodied expression with pocket Altars. We journeyed through movement & breath to turn inward.

We explored how this translates clinically, honoring Hakomi principles:
✨ Organicity: healing is within us
✨ Mindfulness: Turning within, moving from disconnection to connection
✨ Body-mind holism: The body & mind are interconnected
✨ Non-violence: Emphasizing collaboration with clients, exploring connections to treatment goals
✨ Unity: Exploring the interconnectedness of all things

A special thank you to Dr. Elizabeth Warson for facilitating the opening & closing practices, including a mediation to connect to the body & Qigong sequence to work the lived meridian.

Gratitude for Joy sharing her work on creating 3-d Altars. Inspirational!

We currently have 3 Friday cohorts running and are on a waitlist at the moment—it’s been incredible to see the interest in this work.

If you’re curious about future openings or want to learn more, feel free to reach out.

05/05/2026

Somatic expressive arts therapy: a chance to tune into the body, listen within, & find the gentle rhythms that can move us from darkness to light. The body is a sacred space. Find practices that honor the innate knowledge & intelligence of the body. Healing is within in you.