Not you Average Art Class!!!

Conscious Creativity:
Inspiring Art Classes where the Studio Comes to You
Instructor: Laura Murphy

Sessions begin with five minutes of simple Yoga stretches, five minutes of meditation, and five to ten minutes of journal writing and reflection. Music making is optional.

Six work-shops available:
Acrylic Painting from Emotion: painting emotions, experiences, memories, dreams, and developing expressive symbols on paper and canvas
Life, Perspective Experimentation and Abstract Drawing: still life, copying photographs, and drawing from imagination with graphite, charcoal, oil and chalk pastels on paper
Collage, Textiles, and Mobiles: transfer techniques using cut-outs from magazines, photos, sketches, textiles, and 3-D objects on wood board; mobiles will be made with found natural treasures and other materials
Mixed Media Approach: an expressive, adventurous mixture of materials from all workshops
Murals: designing and painting indoor or outdoor murals
Goddess Adoration: a special spin on creativity and expression through body temple adornment and sensation. This work shop is relaxing, healing, unifying, includes a creative project and is perfect for female rights of passages and other special occasions.

Class Fees: $35 per person, per class, and the fifth person is free. This is a base fee and includes all materials and light refreshments. Extra supplies costs, extended classes, and travel expenses beyond the LA Metro area will be added. Murals are $105.00 per person for nine hours of instruction (this price is equal to a regular three week class).
An hourly fee of $30.00 will be added if project exceeds nine hours.

Introduction to Conscious Creating with Laura: 1- three hour session
Regular Class: 3 – three hour sessions for three weeks

Recommended group size is 4-5 or more. I teach children, youth, adults, senior citizens, families, and at home schools, after school programs, recreation centers, senior citizen assisted living homes, and more.

Creative References:
Chris Torres (323)241-2181
Jamie Stokes (808)982-8891
Dodie McGere (503)550-5767
Rashaan Cruzé info@rashaancruze.com

Contact Laura:
Lauras.creation@gmail.com
(323)663-3824

Web Site:

www.conscious-creativity.com

Seed Pod Mobiles...Let Peace Begin With Me

This is my World Peace project...ambitious, not really, just conscious creativity. I paint and write messages on these natural treasures and give them to others to spread love and joy one pod at a time. This really works to improve my life as well, for my personal wealth grows as I am able to share what I have with others. I encourage others to utilize this idea or any variation of it because there is an abundance of free supplies out there falling from the trees and they make lovely, unique gifts. The people I give the pods to read the message and feel good. I am told often that they are sitting on a desk or shelf to be seen over and over and the pods serve as a reminder to value love, self, the Earth, and more. That can make a difference in some one's life. The smallest bit of love and kindness plants a seed that has the ability to turn into a beautiful garden, field, grove, and even forest over time.

The seed pods in the circle are from a Jacaranda tree and the others I am not sure, but they're all over my neighborhood! This piece is a mobile I made for my friend's birthday...it was especially made for a very special person.

"Divine Mother Avocado Tree" August, 2009

This piece is a painting of a burned up tree in Griffith Park and is dedicated to the Divine Mother, Mother Nature, the spirit of life which infinitely perseveres moment by moment. Divine Mother, forever rooted and grounded in truth, beauty, and eternity stands tall and strong in faith and devotion to life. Her children, all beings, are a reflection of her made in her image and we may look to her for strength and inspiration. As I move through the changes that inevitably happen in my life I trust Divine Mother to guide, protect, and embrace me with love. Graciously I learn from her to be courageous as I walk through the fires and I stand in unwavering faith today. I know without doubt that I will make it through, for the only way through is through.

8/6/09..."You can take the girl out of the freight train but not the freight train out of the girl". by Josh Parish

"Pure Heart"

"Pure Heart" is a commissioned collaborative mural/collage by Chris Torres and me. The design is Chris' self portrait full of magical symbols and conscious intention setting. The black angel with a pure white heart is a captivating image which is a reflection of Chris and of the inherent dichotomies in himself and the world. We designed this piece based on his angel, natural elements, the Universe, and God's love. Through discussion and sketches one month prior to the actual painting. Chris built the mural, frame, and even the easel that held the giant painting. August 27 and 28, 2009, one symbol, one colour scheme at a time, we liberated this beautiful creation from the creative ether's of the soul and imagination and it resides in his home forevermore. "Pure Heart" is nine feet long and four feet tall, the largest painting I have ever been blessed to work on!

Thank you Chris Torres for your creative contributions to the world of art and conscious creativity and for allowing me to participate in this collaboration!!!

Thank you Faleena Hopkins for this photogragh!!!

"Dina" Finished 7/21/09

This Painting is Powerful!

I had no idea she, "Dina", wanted to be painted when I began smearing paint on the canvas. I find the process of creating art to be one of magic and mystery. The subject matter can be planned or not, but there is almost always a surprise element that wants, must, will shine through. In my work there is always a message from A Higher Power that I am channeling. I don't take the credit for my work, besides that I am willing to create it and to ask for Divine Inspiration, because I know without doubt that I am a medium, like the paint and canvas, to convey a Real entity, a Living message. Thought becomes form through me and I was manifested for exactly that purpose, to carry the message. We all have a purpose and it is our journey in Life to find out what that is.

Thought becomes form every day and we're responsible for it. As we take responsibility we learn that life isn't just happening to us or around us. We learn we are powerful artists creating in the flow. The fact that we manifest, whether we're conscious of our ability to do so or not, is always occurring starting with our thoughts and conscious thinking simply means that we know it is real, that we are creating. Our world, the Universe, Solar Eclipses, love, Nature, all Life, everything began as a manifestation of the Creator and then became form as a result. A skyscraper starts as an idea, a thought, then becomes form, a blue print, and then step by step a towering edifice. Creation is a direct and Divine reflection of the Creator, just as my painting is a reflection of me and where I am at in my life. Our realities correspond to our Identity. One aspect of myself I identify with more and more is that my art creates healing for myself and others.

Concerning "Dina", I was not conscious of her form wanting to be displayed, but I was conscious of newly learned lessons I find to be inspiring. Through art I am compelled to tell the story of my personal ascension towards enlightenment and self love, to create and express beauty and gratitude . "I am worthy of more than Mediocre Love, Are you?", "No longer trapped in an illusion of self", and the image of a bird flying free from a self created cage that was actually not a cage, but a boxed in way of thinking and living. I no longer have the need to trap myself so that I may learn I am and was born free! I am learning that my life, my relationships, my career, all of the details from daily encounters are my manifestations rooting in my Self Worth or lack of in some instances. If and when I give myself mediocre love that is what I tell the world I expect and am worth.

This recognition is a gift given to me, channels through me as a gift to others and is likened to the Image I am unconscious of when beginning a new piece, yet am guided to create on some subconscious level. That is the Grace of the Creator in action and I do not have to know the why's and how's of Life's paradoxes and mysteries as they occur to follow Good Orderly Direction. I create from this space, from a place of worth, from expecting and claiming that I will only accept love of the Highest degree in my life from myself and everyone. I claim that right here and now with full knowledge and Faith that I deserve this kind of love and that these conscious thoughts are in fact becoming form.

I am filled with gratitude for my life and all that has happened, is happening, for being an artist, and for the gifts of loving transformation. It is also a gift to acknowledge that part of me, my Higher Self, who is developing and doing the foot work, growing stronger every day. Being an artist is being a creator and I see so clearly NOW how I am "made in the image" of my creator and what responsibilities come with this knowledge.

I titled this piece, "Dina" because the woman and her dog remind me of my dear friend and it turns out, not coincidentally, that the colours, vibrancy, and ideas expressed tell part of her story of healing transformation too. I know that this painting expresses the stories of many and that is another reason why art is so amazing.