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Michele Cassou Newsletter
April 2013
Hello Dear Friends and Painters,
I hope you are well and happy and have welcomed the spring with joy and creativity. To tune into that season of rebirth, I have been planting brightly colored flowers in my garden and I am now enjoying their beauty.
I have also put a sand tray in my home for my teachers' meetings and for myself. The teachers' meetings have been very fruitful and have inspired me to write down my new discoveries on creativity and how to teach it. I have been writing quite a bit, uncovering and listing the true principles of creativity. I have realized that what holds back creativity in people is never a lack of special ability but a lack of the deeper understanding of the creative process. There is a lot of confusion about its true purpose and how it actually works. When the true and often hidden purpose of creativity has been seen, creativity always blooms as a result. At the end of the newsletter I am listing a few of the numerous principles of creativity that will go into my new booklet to give you an advance taste.
Likewise, I have gathered many creativity quotes that I had scribbled down during the last couple years of workshops. Of course it will take more time to organize it all into a finished product but one day I will, hopefully soon.
I have been enjoying giving Skype web sessions for students and teachers who cannot come to the workshops. The process is working well beyond my expectations. There is a little waiting list to get an appointment but not too much.
If you are interested in Skype sessions:
email Michele at
cassouart@aol.com
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FEATURED WORKSHOP
"Creativity and the Magic of Intuition: The Point Zero Painting Process"
Esalen Institute, Big Sur, California.
visit the Esalen website
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June 23-28, 2013.
A wonderful painting retreat on the spectacular coast of Big Sur.
For beginners and continuing students. 5 days Residential.
Taught by Michele Cassou
With Cherie Ray, Anna Billing, Gwinn Alderson.
"The creative painting work offers practical ways to dissolve creative
blocks and find inspiration so that, in a state of infinite possibility, art
becomes not a means to an end but a place we inhabit, a place to explore our
true selves and the mystery of our lives."
Fee for the workshop including lodging, gourmet food(mostly organic),
natural hot baths and pool, and spectacular setting right on the coast:
$935 for bunk-bed, $1215 for standard, $650 for sleeping bag accommodation,
and other choices of premium rooms—plus $50 painting materials fee.
Call (888)837-2536 for registration and information.
Additional number:(831)667-3005 for registration and information.
Or, register on-line with Esalen
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ALL WORKSHOPS 2013
"Creativity Without Limits: the Point Zero Process"
Mabel Dodge Luhan House. Taos, New Mexico.
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May 3 - May 11, 2013.
The Longest workshop of the year. Very popular.
Class starts Fri May 3 dinner, ends May 11, after lunch.
Taught by Michele Cassou
With Cherie Ray, Anna Billing, Gwinn Alderson.
It is rare for most people to use painting for its qualities of inner adventure and self-discovery,
to paint purely for the process of exploration, not for the result. The purpose of this workshop is
to provide a setting to explore the self through painting, to discover in form and color a powerful tool
for uncovering and dissolving blocks to emotional and spiritual expression.
Participants will be given the support and stimulation to develop a natural way of painting based
directly upon feeling. The work takes place in an authentic studio setting with large white surfaces to
confront the creative void, along with a rich spectrum of colors and brushes.
No prior experience is necessary.
Paints, paper, and brushes supplied.
Please bring a smock.
Price: $2095 - includes all materials, lodging in semi-private room, and gourmet food.
$500.00 deposit to register ($250.00 non-refundable)
Call 1-800-846-2235 to register
or e-mail: mabel@mabeldodgeluhan.com
.
Visit Mabel Dodge Luhan House on the web.
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"Creativity and the Magic of Intuition: The Point Zero Painting Process"
Esalen Institute, Big Sur, California.
visit the Esalen website
|
|
June 23-28, 2013.
A wonderful painting retreat on the spectacular coast of Big Sur.
For beginners and continuing students. 5 days Residential.
Taught by Michele Cassou
With Cherie Ray, Anna Billing, Gwinn Alderson.
"The creative painting work offers practical ways to dissolve creative
blocks and find inspiration so that, in a state of infinite possibility, art
becomes not a means to an end but a place we inhabit, a place to explore our
true selves and the mystery of our lives."
Fee for the workshop including lodging, gourmet food(mostly organic),
natural hot baths and pool, and spectacular setting right on the coast:
$935 for bunk-bed, $1215 for standard, $650 for sleeping bag accommodation,
and other choices of premium rooms—plus $50 painting materials fee.
Call (888)837-2536 for registration and information.
Additional number:(831)667-3005 for registration and information.
Or, register on-line with Esalen
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"Creativity without Limits: Point Zero Painting"
Germany: August 23-28, 2013
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Taught by Kathrin Franckenberg.
Taught in English and German. Fully residential.
In Germany at the ZIST center near Munich;
a beautiful setting in the country with a spacious studio!
Price: 560 Euros
Register at: www.zist.de or email info@zist.de.
Tel: +49-8856-93690.
Fax:+49-8856-93670.
For more details in Germany:
you can also contact Kathrin in Cologne tel. 0221 - 240 8314.
Or check her website www.malfreude.de.
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This workshop will be acknowledged as one 5-days for a prerequisite
for participation at master classes with Michele Cassou in the US.
Master Class:
"Finding the Intuitive Painter and Teacher Inside"
Taos, New Mexico. Mabel Dodge Luhan House.
Mabel Dodge Luhan House website
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Sept 6-14, 2013.
Taught by Michele Cassou
With Cherie Ray, Anna Billing, Gwinn Alderson.
A unique practical program for teachers-to-be.
—Develop your teacher's intuition by practicing simple exercises.
—Become familiar with the basic principles of creativity and how and when to communicate them to your students.
—Learn key points to teaching in order to support process and inspire your students.
—Find out how to deal with student's and teacher's blocks.
—Bring spontaneity, joy and liveliness to your teaching by fully understanding how teaching creativity works.
The master class is highly recommended for those who wish to deepen their painting process and/or
have an interest in teaching creativity. Daily in-depth discussions and practice lay out a solid
foundation of the way creativity works as well as explore the spiritual dimensions of the creative
process. The master classes offer a solid base of understanding and practice for those who want to teach.
Residential - Truly Gourmet food - Beautiful studio -
Maid service- Walk to town - Wonderful and inspiring atmosphere -
A treat for spirit and soul!
Place: Mabel Dodge Luhan House, Taos, NM.
Class starts Friday Sept 6 at dinner, ends Sat Sept 14, after lunch.
$2095 includes everything with all materials needed.
To register email: mabel@mabeldodgeluhan.com
or call 1-800-846-2235.
PREREQUISITE for master class: nine days of workshops with Michele or equivalent.
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WORKSHOPS 2014
"Creativity Without Limits: the Point Zero Process"
Mabel Dodge Luhan House. Taos, New Mexico.
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May 2 - May 10, 2014.
The Longest workshop of the year. Very popular.
Class starts Fri May 2 dinner, ends May 10, after lunch.
Taught by Michele Cassou
With Cherie Ray, Anna Billing, Gwinn Alderson.
It is rare for most people to use painting for its qualities of inner adventure and self-discovery,
to paint purely for the process of exploration, not for the result. The purpose of this workshop is
to provide a setting to explore the self through painting, to discover in form and color a powerful tool
for uncovering and dissolving blocks to emotional and spiritual expression.
Participants will be given the support and stimulation to develop a natural way of painting based
directly upon feeling. The work takes place in an authentic studio setting with large white surfaces to
confront the creative void, along with a rich spectrum of colors and brushes.
No prior experience is necessary.
Paints, paper, and brushes supplied.
Please bring a smock.
Price: $2095 - includes all materials, lodging in semi-private room, and gourmet food.
$500.00 deposit to register ($250.00 non-refundable)
Call 1-800-846-2235 to register
or e-mail: mabel@mabeldodgeluhan.com.
Visit Mabel Dodge Luhan House on the web.
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Master Class:
"Finding the Intuitive Painter and Teacher Inside"
Taos, New Mexico. Mabel Dodge Luhan House.
Mabel Dodge Luhan House website
|
|
Sept 5-13, 2014.
Taught by Michele Cassou
With Cherie Ray, Anna Billing, Gwinn Alderson.
A unique practical program for teachers-to-be.
—Develop your teacher's intuition by practicing simple exercises.
—Become familiar with the basic principles of creativity and how and when to communicate them to your students.
—Learn key points to teaching in order to support process and inspire your students.
—Find out how to deal with student's and teacher's blocks.
—Bring spontaneity, joy and liveliness to your teaching by fully understanding how teaching creativity works.
The master class is highly recommended for those who wish to deepen their painting process and/or
have an interest in teaching creativity. Daily in-depth discussions and practice lay out a solid
foundation of the way creativity works as well as explore the spiritual dimensions of the creative
process. The master classes offer a solid base of understanding and practice for those who want to teach.
Residential - Truly Gourmet food - Beautiful studio -
Maid service- Walk to town - Wonderful and inspiring atmosphere -
A treat for spirit and soul!
Place: Mabel Dodge Luhan House, Taos, NM.
Class starts Friday Sept 5 at dinner, ends Sat Sept 13, after lunch.
$2095 includes everything with all materials needed.
To register email: mabel@mabeldodgeluhan.com
or call 1-800-846-2235.
PREREQUISITE for master class: nine days of workshops with Michele or equivalent.
Visit Mabel Dodge Luhan House on the web.
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Our Online Store
Support your creative process and prevent creative blocks by visiting our online store.
Make sure you own
The Questions Booklet
as a workbook companion!
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Listen to
Creativity Without Limits
a 2-CD set to inspire you
when painting.
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Read the new book
Teachers that Dare
if you are thinking
of teaching some day.
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The Creative Principles
alignment
&
clarity
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The Radical Power of the Creative Principles:
We cannot underestimate the importance of becoming familiar with the Principles of creativity.
- They transform the way we create.
- They offer a solid and inspiring ground to stand on.
- They hold the powerful key to new layers of exploration into the depth of our heart and soul
with a newness, profundity and wonder we could not have imagined.
A Few Basic Principles:
These principles are at the heart of all creativity:
- Creativity has a fierce and daring job: to destroy the beliefs and prejudices that prevent us to look at life with a fresh and awake look.
- The call of creativity asks us to stop moving in patterns, to step out of our mental routine, out of the conditioned ideas of how to act and what to do. If we do not find our creative freedom we hold our intuition hostage.
- The creative process is a tool for in depth self-expression, self-exploration, and spiritual exploration.
- Creativity's deepest purpose is to bring to consciousness and explore the immense mystery of our life.
- The act of creating is an intuitive non-verbal response, not a mental reaction; creativity responds, minds react.
- Pure creation comes from an inspiration that arises from a point before any conditioning takes place: The Point Zero place.
- Creative integrity is the roto-rooter for our stuck feelings; it cleanses denied, hidden or unfinished emotional blocks or fears. These blocks lie in thick deposits in the channel of our creativity.
- There is no need to be inspired, gifted or talented to create. The life force inside all human being is immensely creative; nothing needs to be added to it to be able to create. Only the right understanding of creativity needs to be found.
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A quote from Rumi:
Surely there is a window from heart to heart:
They are not separate and far from each other.
Though two earthware lamps are not joined,
their light mingles.
Have a wonderful creative Springtime!
With love and many blessings,
Michele and the joyful Point Zero Staff.
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