Each material has different properties, different level of structure, and lends itself to different types of expression. When I want to create in a more loose, intuitive, or spontaneous way, I’m more likely to choose pastels, paint or clay. Which material are you drawn towards? About the Author Kara Ashley-Gilmore believes in the use of our innate creativity for our…
For Pleasure
…just for the pleasure of it. About the Author Kara Ashley-Gilmore believes in the use of our innate creativity for our wellness and healing. She is a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor, Registered Art Therapist, Provisional Somatic Experiencing Practitioner, and a mixed-media artist at Mountain Creative Arts Counseling, in Hendersonville, NC. She provides individual and group psychotherapy with individuals who…
Fifty-Four Percent
According to the National Endowment for the Arts’s 2017 “Survey of Public Participation in the Arts,” 54% of adults 18+ created or performed art that year. That’s 133 million adults! Let’s normalize adults making art just for fun! About the Author Kara Ashley-Gilmore believes in the use of our innate creativity for our wellness and healing. She is a Licensed…
Trauma Spectrum
Comparing our functioning and capacity to others’ functioning and capacity keeps us locked into shame. These aspects of our experiences are on a spectrum, and where we are on that spectrum shifts throughout the month, phases of our lives, and phases of our healing. Can we please be more accepting and compassionate of our own internal maps? About the Author…
Play
I know this…and I have everything I need..and yet, making time for play feels so hard in the middle of life and *all the things*. One thing I’m finding helpful these days is to block it out on my calendar as a non-negotiable appointment with myself, AND to leave the house to play elsewhere. I’m hopeful for the day when…
Endocannabinoid System
We all have an Endocannabinoid system, which is active whether or not you use cannabis. There’s a lot we don’t know about exactly how the ECS helps with sleep, mood, appetite, memory, immunity, and inflammation. However, we do know that having a balanced system involves managing a combination of lifestyle factors to support its optimal functioning. About the Author Kara…
Perfectionism
Perfectionism is the enemy of Creativity. Comparison is the fast track to dissatisfaction and disappointment. About the Author Kara Ashley-Gilmore believes in the use of our innate creativity for our wellness and healing. She is a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor, Registered Art Therapist, Provisional Somatic Experiencing Practitioner, and a mixed-media artist at Mountain Creative Arts Counseling, in Hendersonville, NC.…
The World We Deserve
We need both. About the Author Kara Ashley-Gilmore believes in the use of our innate creativity for our wellness and healing. She is a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor, Registered Art Therapist, Provisional Somatic Experiencing Practitioner, and a mixed-media artist at Mountain Creative Arts Counseling, in Hendersonville, NC. She provides individual and group psychotherapy and with individuals who feel crushed…
Be Seen
If we let ourselves be truly seen, then we can be truly loved. About the Author Kara Ashley-Gilmore believes in the use of our innate creativity for our wellness and healing. She is a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor, Registered Art Therapist, Provisional Somatic Experiencing Practitioner, and a mixed-media artist at Mountain Creative Arts Counseling, in Hendersonville, NC. She provides…