Front Cover Artist: Annie Cousins

Drawn To Nature and Awakening Art with Annie Cousins. New courses beginning at Wiston Village Hall on Tuesday 13th September. “art washes away from the soul, the dust of everyday life” (Picasso)

In May, I was invited to teach art and meditation at La Roane, a retreat centre in the South of France, where many people come to escape and find something inspirational, creative and fun.

As someone who has been an illustrator, artist and professional art educator for over 38 years, I have frequently witnessed art transform the lives of people of all ages, those without prior experience, as well as those who dabble or eventually go on to make art a full time affair.

My accommodation was a tree house in the forest and I was not only living close to nature but heaven as well.

Having arrived at my third age, from a professional life spent working in adult education and wondering how on earth I might spend my free time, it felt inevitable, when I returned home from France, that I would set up art courses for my local community here in Steyning.

As a practicing Buddhist running the Steyning Meditation Group and teaching mindfulness meditation for many years, it always felt natural to combine both meditation and art in my courses to enable people to become more creative and visually aware.

Students soon discovered how relaxed they felt and realised drawing and painting in this way awakened something much deeper within, both instinctive and beautiful.

I have lived in Steyning for 30 years and raised my children here, whilst working as an art tutor at CCE at Sussex University as well as leading art holidays in Greece and the UK for many years. Teaching art master classes and workshops for local groups and art societies widened my expertise, whilst more recently as a County Visual Arts Advisor, Co-ordinator and Trainer for adult education, I remained passionate about making art accessible to everyone.

In my travels and on my courses the healing power of art became evident and this inspired me to train as an art therapist and an integrative arts psychotherapy counsellor, enabling me to work with groups and individuals in a variety of different ways. Whilst I am a commissioned portrait and contemporary artist my greatest pleasure has always been to share art with others.

Drawn to Nature and Awakening Art, is a series of eight week courses, for all levels of ability, that offers a rare opportunity to experience the challenges and delights of working in the open air, creating art directly from nature, whilst having the luxury of an art room close by. Under cover, we will gather together, share experiences, relax, refresh, share demonstrations, creative exercises and learn new skills. There will also be other opportunities to meet up at different natural locations on additional days for further adventures.

Drawing from nature offers a calming, reflective and dare I say it, a spiritual way into art. Simply by learning to see, whilst noticing how we are and creatively responding to our natural surroundings, we discover a sense of unity and belonging. There is nowhere more beautiful than the South Downs around Steyning, to invite us to connect and awaken our artistic vision.

For course information or to book a place email anniecousins@talktalk.net or call 01903 812130

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