Do you mind map?

Mind mapping is a fantastic technique I use when I want to get all my ideas out, vision forward and clear my brain so new ideas can come in. I am often fascinated that people are not aware of mind maps. It can be as simple or as complicated as you want to make it, same goes for the teaching of it.
I'm a fan of paper rather then software when it comes to Mind mapping as will be demonstrated by the contrasting images below.

Roisin Markham, Mind map 2010 

Roisin Markham, Mind Map Bursary Application

Do you know the technique? What do you use mind maps for?

Labyrinths and other forms of mazes

Thinking about my blog post yesterday and Rose Hughes comment about

"I also find it intriguing how a motif may capture us in our youth and continue to move and grow within ourselves throughout our lives"

I thought about all the other avenues and interests that I know now link into this area of interest: landscape mazes, potagers, parterres, garden design and the places I had to visit like Chateau de Villandry in the Loire Valley, the beech maze at Russborough House, the labyrinth below the fountain in the centre of Vigeland Sculpture Park in Oslo. The corn maze that I loved just outside Dublin in the 90's.
I feel like I have finally given myself permission to full engage with this motif. What was it Dorothea Lange said

Pick a theme and work it to exhaustion... the subject must be something you truly love or truly hate.

Here are some pictures of the completed labyrinth made during the workshop this morning. It now awaits interaction in the exhibition space at 96 South Main Street in Wexford. Come and explore.

Labyrinth in situ 'of earth and soul' expo 2010

 I also started working on easy make finger labyrinth that I will blog about tomorrow. I'll take more shots of the detail of the Labyrinth at the weekend. Be interesting to see how people respond to it.

Labyrinths and your creative or mediative process

Tomorrow I am looking forward to sharing some of my work on labyrinths at the workshop.
The shape has been dominating my work and its presence can be seen in my current exhibition online preview here.
At the opening of the exhibition a friend commented on the fact that as a teenager I was always drawing mazes and this is indeed true. I love that our connection and her knowledge of my creative work can see the link to the labyrinth and how far back it goes in my creative consciousness.

maze doodle circa 1985
Roisin Markham

As a teenager I was fascinated with Celtic knot work in both manuscripts and metal relief work reflected in such Irish treasures like the Book of Kells and Ardagh Chalice. Perhaps this is where my love of typography came from too.
After learning how to do celtic knot work I developed my own take on it for my portfolio for art college. It too evolved and became my doodle that I did idly everyday everywhere. A maze doodle that is linked to this labyrinth work even now.
Amazingly I did come across some examples of the doodle after being handed a crusty biscuit tin of old letters and photos. I love that I can share this with you so that you can see how old my link is to this topic.
For the workshop tomorrow I plan on teaching people how to draw labyrinths, and explore the idea of what it holds. I'll speak a little on what this work has brought me to insights into process, discovery and reflection on my journey living creatively every day.
Have you got an image or motif that you use, collect or it catches your curiosity?

Winter Programme of Events 2009 - 2010

I'm delighted to be announcing my Winter Programme of events 2009 - 2010 and hope you will get a chance to join me at some stage for creative fun, networking, socialising, meeting new people, engaging with art materials and discovering creative visualisation if you have n't already.
I am currently looking out for workshop venues in Carlow, Waterford, Kilkenny and Wicklow, if you have any suggestions I'd love to hear them email me creativedynamix[at]gmail.com. Or you'd like me to come facilitate a network session for a group in your location let me know and I can get right on it!
I'm really excited to be bring you Creative Safari's in 2010 these have been a dream to do for a few years and have come together, so I am delighted to offer you a creative weekend away "...to the waters and the wild...”.

Entrepreneurial Downtime
7.30 – 9.30pm Tuesday 24 November, 2009. €25
Introduction to creative visualisation. Give yourself space and time to stop your brain, connect in with you and have some fun with art materials. Starting with a deep relaxation followed by an invitation to engage with art materials and networking with a difference.
No experience required.
Tea and coffee 9.30 – 10pm.
Location: dreaming, Donaghmore, Ballygarrett, Gorey

Open Studio Sale
10am – 4pm Saturday 28th November. All welcome.
Ballygarrett Art Studio Sale; paintings, photography, prints and handmade textiles framed and unframed. Unique gift ideas, super price range €10 - €2,000. Also open by appointment.
Location: Ballygarrett Art Studio, Templederry Lane, Ballygarrett, Gorey

Introduction to creative visualisation.
7 – 9.30pm Monday 30 November, 2009. €25
Give yourself space and time to stop, connect in with you and have some fun with art materials. Starting with a deep relaxation followed by an invitation to engage with art materials and share the experience.
No experience required.
Tea and coffee 9 - 9.30pm.
Location: Ann’s Angels, 6 Cinema Lane, Wexford

Entrepreneurial Downtime
7.30 – 9.30pm Tuesday 1 December, 2009. €25
The journey. Using deep relaxation and a guided visualisation you are invited to enjoy space just for you. Art materials are provided for fun and as away to explore and express yourself. It’s about the process not the product.
Tea and coffee 9.30 – 10pm.
Location: dreaming, Donaghmore, Ballygarrett, Gorey

It can’t be Christmas till I get a day off!
7.30 – 9. 30pm Tuesday, 8 December, 2009. €25
A fun evening for friends, neighbours and family to join in a lovely relaxation, have a nice introduction to creative visualisation and get creative with art materials.
No experience required.
Tea and coffee and mince pies 9.30 – 10pm.
Location: dreaming, Donaghmore, Ballygarrett, Gorey

Visualise your Client
10am – 12.00pm Tuesday 15 December, 2009. €35
Develop a clear understanding of who your ideal client is and create a visual reference to consolidate information and as a tool to focus your business.
Tea and coffee 12 -12.30pm.
Location: Ballygarrett Art Studio, Templederry Lane, Ballygarrett, Gorey

Moving Forward!
6 week course starting 7.30 – 9. 30pm Tuesday 12 January 2010 €150
A six week course that combines creative strategies, tools for living and art materials with goal setting. Clarify what you want in your life and start making it a reality. More details on request.
Location: dreaming, Donaghmore, Ballygarrett, Gorey

Creative Safari Weekend
arrive 8pm Friday 29 –depart 4pm Sunday 31 January 2010 €280
“Come away to the waters and the wild...”
Give yourself the gift of a weekend away just for you. Immerse yourself in relaxation, creative discovery and mythic location. Two nights’ accommodation and all meals included. Full details on request.
Location: Caraiosa Centre, Bishopstown, Moate, Co. Westmeath

Creativity coaching is offered on a 1:1 basis at Ballygarrett Art Studio or at an agreed venue.

Gift Vouchers available.


Contact Roisin Markham to book on the CreativeDynamix hotline 086.1546163

You’re invited to

a workshop introducing

the magic of sheep fleece to felt
on Saturday 3rd of September,
3.30 in Ballygarrett Art Studio.

Ballygarrett Art Studio invites you to discover the ancient tradition of felt making with “the magic of felt” workshop series. An opportunity for hands-on learning in the workshop at the studio. Children are welcome with a parent or adult.

Learn how to make felt at one of the workshops:
Saturday 3rd October, 3.00 – 4.30 pm
Tuesday 13th October, 3.00 – 4.30 pm

Saturday 17th October, 3.00 – 4.30 pm

Workshops €25 per person + €5 for materials. Child & adult price €40 + €8 for materials.

Book your place call Roisin on 086.1546163 email ballygarrettartstudio [@] gmail . com

Join in the creative fun with artist Roisin Markham at Ballygarrett Art Studio, Templederry Lane, Ballygarrett, Gorey.

What is felt? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Felt

I will be demonstrating wet hand rolled felt making and some needle felt.

The Workshops are about learning how to make wet hand rolled felt.

Up and coming events at Ballygarrett Art Studio

Septemeber Schedule
More information to follow.

Saturday 19th September, 2.30pm -4.30pm: Felting demonstration and workshop at the studio. Children are welcome with a parent or adult.


Tuesday 22th September, 7.30 - 9.30: Women in Business Network creative down time.

Saturday 26th September, 11am - 4pm: Open studio.
Paintings, fine art prints, photography and handmade textiles for sale. Great price range €10 - €800, opportunity to see artists studio, collection of diverse work and purchase gifts or a treat for yourself.

Course dates to be set for the following:
Moving Forward Course
Accessing the Creative Process Workshop
Creative Safari Weekend, get away from it all and enjoy some creative down time.
Inspired Business Growth Seminars

Follow up to networking with a difference

Last week a group of twelve of us meet in 'Dreaming' for an alternative networking session.

We started with a warm up using clay, a simple and effective process to settle people into a session and build group repor and respect.
Everyone is invited to take some clay, as much or as little as they want. Then sitting in a circle everyone rolled their clay into a ball. After a short time I asked everyone to offer their clay ball to the person sitting on the left. Being clear that no one moulded or shaped someone else's 'clay ball' (a group of women with these instructions are fine but with teenage boys and mixed adult group I slightly rephrase the instructions!). The group passed the clay ball around noticing how each of them felt; wet, dry, warm, hot, cold, heavy, light, etc. We passed the clay balls around until our own returned to us. People commented on how different some of the balls felt. The clay was returned to the materials table.

Then I asked everyone to sit comfortably and I facilitated a deep relaxation followed by a guided visualisation which lasted for thirty minutes.

After bringing people back to the room I invited the participants to create something from their relaxation or guided visualisation using a broad range of art materials. The group did not need any encouragement they got stuck in there. It was fantastic to watch these business women accessing their creativity.

After the set amount of time everyone was brought back into the circle and asked to share their work. Being clear that if they did not want to that was okay to.

I was fascinated several of the women had not done anything like this before but what they produced was visually lovely, colourful and they had just started the task without thinking about it (the powerful connection in the grounding relaxation facilitates participants getting out of their own way to just start often with surprising results). Everyone really enjoyed the relaxation.

After sharing the artwork I got people to introduce themselves say who they were, what their business was and involved. It was great to have consciously left this to the end as it removed any conditions on the coming together of the group. We meet as a group, got connected and then discovered some more about each other.

Then we had some light refreshments, chatted for a while and all headed home.

If you would like me to work with you, your business, a network, community group, club, etc please get in touch.

Some feedback I have gotten since:

"I just wanted to thank you very much for a fantastic evening on Tuesday. I had a brilliant time. The format of the evening was great and I really hope you do many more of them. It was such an escape from the daily grind and it really spurred me on to get my creative juices flowing again." via email Linda, business owner manager.

"session the other night was very enjoyable. Thanks." via text Gillian, business owner.

I have developed this type of workshop over the past twenty years. Combining my facilitation and training experience with my creative skills, study in art therapy, my ability to prompt others creativity and build connections. If you would like to use the ideas or workshop outlined above feel free too but please credit it to Roisin Markham and Ballygarrett Art Studios. Also if you do use the ideas you find here let me know how you got on with them.

If you are interested in attending a training session on how to facilitate workshops like this contact me.

Tuesday 18th August: Women in Business Summer Networking Events

Final details for the Women in Business informal network event happening next week near Gorey, Co. Wexford.

Tuesday 18th August: Crash the artistic scene with Women in Business and entrepreneur's down time.
7.30pm -9.30pm
Location: ‘Dreaming’, Donaghmore House, Ballygarrett, Gorey, Co. Wexford [see map].


CREATIVE FUN with Roisin Markham, Ballygarrett Art Studio.

Sessions starts with deep relaxation then enjoy the creative path and immerse yourself in fun with lots of art materials.

This session is a really good stress reliever. Call a halt to trying to do it all. The way I design the workshop is with a gentle process of relaxation to start. Easing the brain to stop thinking about work and just switch off.

Choosing to relax, meet others and enjoy yourself you automatically give yourself a break from all of the things on your agenda. By networking with other women in business you see what life is like in other businesses in your geographical area. What are other women doing? How are they doing it? What are their challenges and how are they managing them?

The art materials are a bit of fun they get you doing something different, using colour, using your hands, doing something completely different from your typical work schedule. The use of the materials is more processed then product based. The workshop requires a willingness to engage and nothing else. For those that run their own business doing something process rather than result orientated is a fantastic and freeing exercise. So no experience is required in art. In fact if you shudder at the thought of using art materials then this workshop is a perfect introduction to engaging in a different creative process. Just 'do it'.

By trying something different and new you stretch your imagination in a different direction. By flexing your creative muscle differently to how you would typically stretch it in your business environment you create new connections and links in your brain that facilitate creative thinking and solution generation on different levels.

There are also the added mutual benefits of being in a group, seeing what happens, how others interact with materials, inspiration and often unexpected dynamic outcomes.

You’ll go back to work Wednesday morning feeling great and ready for any challenges that come your way.

The session will be followed by light refreshments.

Please book & pay; €25 for session (includes light refreshments).
Bookings can be emailed: ballygarrettartstudio [@] gmail . com
Payment by cheque to Roisin Markham and can be posted to
Ballygarrett Art Studio, Templederry Lane, Ballygarrett, Gorey, Co. Wexford.

Any questions call Roisin on 086.1546163 or send her an email.

All women in business in the South East are welcome to attend, if you are not in the South East and would like to attend your welcome to come. Book & pay plus let me know if you would like a list of suggested places to stay. Or alternatively invite me to your area and network.

Women in Business informal network & social creative event

7.30pm -9.30pm Tuesday 18th August

Crash the artistic scene with Women in Business and entrepreneur's down time.
CREATIVE FUN with Ballygarrett Art Studio, GOREY area.

Sessions starts with deep relaxation then enjoy the creative path and immerse yourself in fun with lots of art materials.

Location dependant on numbers contact me for more details, book & pay; €25 for session also includes light refreshments.

read more about other networking opportunties here.

Just "be" Workshop

90 minutes of fun exploring your creative, personal and spiritual development . Just "Be".

Well that's what a group of us did at Holos, Health and Well Being Centre in Gorey on Saturday 27 March. Do you know it? Just opposite Gorey's Theatre. Niamh has created a lovely space there. I really enjoyed facilitating the workshop.

So this is what we did

• a deep relaxation,
• followed by grounding work and a guided visualisation
• we explored a series of colour based exercises using art materials
• a fun surprising exercise called 'goal squares' gave everyone a different aspect to think about and accomplish for the next 2weeks to three months.
• leading into the closing relaxation and a finsh to our workshop.

Thanks to everyone who came and for your feedback.
"Really enjoyed the morning. Possibly a 3 hour session would work well"
"Lovely and relaxing - I came in a bit lu-la! So calmer now. It has opened up my mind to what I need."
"Love it!"
"Great, really enjoyed the experience"