Drawing as a Way of Seeing I: an Introduction to Contemplative Drawing

four-week workshop with Sylvia La Seeing is vital to any creative or innovative work. It is during our moments of clarity – of clear perspective – that inspirations hits us and moves us to create. Yet in these fast-moving times, when we are bombarded by thousands of images and impressions a day, how much do we actually see? In this workshop, Sylvia La will lead you in contemplative drawing, a practice that slows down the mind and anchors it in observation. Unlike a traditional drawing & composition class, this 4-part introductory workshop will focus on the process of drawing and reflecting, rather than the finished product. The purpose of this workshop is two-fold: 1) to practice seeing and drawing, and 2) to train the mind through observation. You will be guided through drawing exercises that will allow you to discover for yourself the elements of drawing, such as contour, shape & form. Beyond “learning how to draw,” you will also be training your mind to sit still, observe, and become intimate with an object in the world through the drawing process. This workshop will benefit anyone who’s curious about drawing, whether or not you think you have the skill. Beginners can benefit from this non-threatening approach to drawing. Visual, literary, and performance artists of all persuasions can benefit from the clarity of vision that this workshop develops. Meditators will find drawing a great way to support your ongoing spiritual practice. Materials: Participants will need to bring a simple sketchbook of any size between 7” x 10” and 9” x 12”, a few charcoal pencils or soft graphite pencils (No. 4B – 6B) and a pencil sharpener. These materials should be basic. Please do not spend a lot of money on fancy materials. If you have difficulty sitting in a chair for long stretches at a time, please also bring cushions or sitting other props. Date: Saturdays, February 16 - March 8, 2008 Time: 12 - 2PM Location: KSW's space180, 180 capp street, @ 17th street, SF Cost: $150 registration fee, regular; $130 for KSW members Workshop is capped at 12 registrants; first come, first serve basis. To register with credit card, please click on one of the buttons below. To register by check, please send a check or money order for full amount to KSW, 180 capp street #5, san francisco, ca 94110, and include your full name and contact info: General workshop registration (non-KSW members): KSW member workshop registration: contact Samantha Chanse at 415.503.0520 or sam@kearnystreet.org for more information. About Sylvia La Artist Sylvia La is interested in the connection between art and consciousness. She started the Drawing As a Way of Seeing workshop to spark dialogue about one role of art in human experience – as a practice to bring people to greater awareness. Sylvia has been drawing and painting for 15 years, studying human figure, gesture, portrait and narrative. She is proficient in a wide range of media, including oils, watercolor, inks, charcoal, pastels, and collage. She exhibits her artwork throughout the bay area. Sylvia is a meditator and spiritual aspirant. She has been studying the yoga sciences of meditation, prayer, mantra, and hatha under the guidance of her spiritual teacher, Haricharan Das. She has also received blessings and teachings from several high spiritual teachers in the US and India, including His Holiness the Dalai Lama, the Venerable Kirti Tsenschab Rinpoche, Ammaji, and Guru Mata Keshavadas. For more information about Sylvia La, visit www.sylviala.com. Kearny Street Workshop is a community-based arts nonprofit based in San Francisco. Founded in 1972, KSW's mission is to produce and present art that enriches and empowers Asian Pacific American communities. Our vision is to achieve a more just society by connecting APA artists to community members to give voice to our cultural, historical, and contemporary issues. KSW offers workshops, visual exhibitions, readings, artist salons and panel discussions, an annual arts festival, and more. For more information, please visit www.kearnystreet.org