Allowing Time : Session 3

We start the session with giving permission to allow oneself to simply be. I open out my journal and show how I found some old photographs of myself and using photocopies placed self-portraits within  different page 'scenes'. I open out too a little musical fragrant soap box filled with tiny 1950's rubbery bendy family figures.  The man has a rather strange look and even odder tie.   The woman is only partly together, whilst the children look sorted.  One mum laughs and mentions she has been up since 1.00 am, and if her partner was wearing a tie at the time, she might have used it to convince him to get up to a hot and crying baby.  As material boxes are laid out I talk about how a friend kindly suggested we go for a cooling walk the other day, to enjoy some time out after a particularly busy time.  We both agreed we felt the need to walk by trees and water, and choose a sunny path alongside a canal to re-connect with the soothing quality of nature.   As it was a very hot, we choose to sit in the shade under a bridge.   We talk and listen, watch the rise and fall of our conversation, together with the movement of the shadowy water.   The time allows a listening space for reflective questions about what we needed for our own well-being, particularly at times of change.  

Q: Can I allow myself to feel the way I do?
Q: Can I let go as best I can?

In this third session we scribble down on paper how we were feeling and then used diverse materials to create our journal pages with themes of before and after.  Concerns are placed within layers, with calm thoughts unfolding into beautiful opening out creative designs.   As we work and mull together, we explore what the MTMS sessions have offered for us all.  Some ideas are shared about what we could affirm to other women:

• It is ok to ask for help
•  It is ok too to ask for time for oneself
•  Let go of feeling guilty about wanting time out
•  It is good to come to meet other adults & make friends 
•  Enjoy being recognised as you!

 Flowers & fragrant associations...a space in which to breathe!

How about creating a play about your life?
You could make a kitchen sink drama on one page, what would be on another page?  A chill out zone!

In the midst of the making, talk for some is easier, for others the circle around the table allows thoughts to quieten, confidence to grow and a sense of calm. The group are kind, supportive and caring of each other.  There is laughter as we organise ideas, thoughts and materials - inks, ribbons, cuts-outs and fabrics.  Worries spill around the table and are folded back in again. On looking at the clock I reflect on how we have experienced a timeless space again, but I need to start organising myself quickly to close on time, when I notice my huge bag of brightly coloured sequins have burst out at the bottom of my materials box!

Identity: Session 2

We start with not knowing how to start...then there is a thought about identity, what makes us so different, about how we may have changed. There is an idea to start a thought list, include too thoughts about what we need as individuals.  I show a little story card I have made for myself, which notes a visual prescription of more time required in nature, a need for sunshine, different horizons and daily walks. 

The room goes quiet.  And, there it is, the moment of panic, of not knowing what to do, how to think, how to respond.  I chat about going to a vintage party dressed in the wrong era gear, and reflect on the enjoyable art of writing a fast and furiously long letter to myself about a troubling matter, and then the ripping it up and discovering I liked the patterns the writing created.  We begin our list with our name/s.

Suddenly there is a change in the room, heaviness transforms into movement, there is a scribbling in different colour pens, followed by some rigorous stamping, some beautiful folding and unfolding, plus a heavy application of glitter and a panic about fabric and glue. 

Add cA discussion unfolds about elements of our life which have changed.  For instance, never having time to oneself, a longing for deep uninterrupted bath times and regular beauty regimes - a remembering of special places where we can reconnectaption

.

We discuss the use of different materials to describe our thoughts on our pages.  Old photographs are quietly placed on the table, together with some mags and ribbons and a pair of scissors.  There is talk about the inspiration behind a torn papery monochrome landscape and a felt black dog.

We begin, all doing something different...the pages transform, and there is a unspoken struggle to get things right.  A plate of custard creams and choc drop biscuits goes round the table, together with cups of strange tasting tea and quiet observations.  In addition to stamping, glueing and arranging, there is talk of times past, never ending responsibility, pressure and excitement about events to come.

"I was really nervous when I came to the first session, not about leaving the baby, more about meeting other mothers.

Its been the best and worse time (having a baby)...

My body has changed size since a 36 hour labour, now I am a size 8 and I used to be blonde!

I felt inspired by the first session, each day since I have put aside half an hour at the end of the day to spend time with my journal, its really helped me reflect on myself. 

Its been great coming here and being with other grown-ups!" 

Arriving : Session 1

If you are a mum, could you imagine being hands children free for a couple of hours?  Could you find your way through demands of home and children, to just be in a relaxing supported space, to perhaps make creative stuff if your energy levels allow.... to be with other mums, eat biscuits and sip endless cups of tea! The current sessions explore individual and collective storytelling using journal pages and storyboxes.  We explore ideas, allowing time to arrive and just be.  I chat and we consider ways to interesting material, mags, papers, stamps, inky messy, gluey stuff, small curiosities and odd stuff.   It is always hard to arrive initially, but everyone feels very welcome.  I explain you don't have to have to be arty, being a mum is the most creative thing ever! 

A gift of a concertina journal and the white space is slowly and quietly taken away.

At each of the two hour sessions, the tables are set out in the large warm meeting room, covered with beautiful fabrics and papers and arranged with collections of pens, pencils, pots and boxes of seemingly creative gear, together with fabulous lengths of wallpaper and materials rich with birds, flowers and colour...There are some concertina journals which a friend kindly helped make, together with some storyboard cards.  Everyone starts worrying about having to be creative, and then they surprise themselves with making stuff.

"It all looks a bit creative, I am worried I won't be able to concentrate" she said quietly.

 What is the colour of pressure?

A small cut out tree and a scribbling ...
 of how we felt, a number out of ten, 

and what we needed too.  

Everyone started to make their own journal or storyboard pages, a process which opened out a discussion..the organiser talked about her BURNT CHEEKS, the artist a BROKEN FINGER NAIL, the health visitor (proper) the reason why she was wearing flip flops, a BRUISED HEEL, the health visitor (trainee) BURNT ROOF OF MOUTH...a mum with a hair straightener situation BURNT FINGER.  Our tree is listed with just some of these concerns, and I realise when taking a photograph of my page that I have noted my energy levels 2/10, OMG what if someone finds out!

Background

Artist's blog about a women's post-natal creativity sessions called My Time, My Space, Radstock.  

My name is Jill Carter, I am a visual artist and facilitator, interested in arts & health, based in the South-West UK.  I am experienced in a diverse range of social engagement / participatory arts projects.   In my work themes explored often involve life journeys, a process which acknowledges individual and collective stories.  I bring a warm hearted, sensitive and playful approach to my work, using journals, story boxes, photography, drawings, artist's blogs, sound and film.

Women are invited to the ten weekly artist-led sessions designed specifically for mums with young children  organised by Creativity Works, Radstock, in association with BANES Health Visitors and Radstock Children's Centre.

Monday morning: 9.45 am - 11.45 am
Radstock Children's Centre (near Library)
Radstock, Somerset
Children's Creche
Free Parking