This past Saturday I lead a creativity workshop inspired by the Courtenay River Estuary. During the three hour session, we received an introduction to the natural and historical value of the estuary by a guest from Project Watershed. Then, in a nearby location we proceeded to work on a twenty minute collage (inspired by a quote about the estuary), drawings in india ink and finally a small painting in acrylics. Each exercise lead into the next. At the end, I received a few comments from participants, such as; “I could do this all day”. As usual, the time flew by.

I was biking along the river with my 4 year old the other day – taking the dog for a good run. It was one of those days where you feel like a walking accident waiting to happen; everything you touch either breaks, falls or doesn’t work. My accompanying state of mind was scattered and irritable. I was ready to get rid of the dog and also the fridge. I hoped it was safe to be on a tandem bike with my child. The bike ride actually was attempt to turn the day around. I packed a picnic and our little sketchbooks.

I lead us to a secluded spot by the river and we sat on a dry blanket and ate our muffins. My son seemed ready to participate in sketching, which was great (and pretty cute), and it gave me a chance to draw too. We drew for about 10 minutes (attention span of my 4 year old). I got instantly involved in drawing this fallen, dragon-like log in the river. In that short time span, the focus on an external point redirected my thoughts and calmed my mind. I am aware of drawing’s affect on me, but was still amazed at how much happier I felt after – like everything shifted back into perspective. My son too seemed extra happy.

It was a reminder also that drawing (for any amount of time) awards us a chance to engage the right hemisphere of the brain, the creative side, which is like tapping into a river of all good things.