Spring Time Happenings
A practice for bravery, art happenings in Boston, and a new pilot program!
Hello all of you blossoming flowerbuds!
This morning I pulled the Chariot tarot card - what a perfect reflection of the energy Aries season brings us. A reminder to charge ahead (maybe sometimes we should plan a bit more but hey - lets learn as we go!!) As someone who can get caught in the weeds of perfectionism, Aries season reminds me that there’s no way to get where we want to go unless we actually move towards it. I often want to feel a complete sense of certainty before I make decisions but the next few weeks I am going to muster some bravery to jump.
Here is a practice for bravery: Rise with the sun. Light a candle. In your journal answer the following question “What have I put off trying because I haven’t felt ready?” Gaze into the flame for 20-30 seconds breathing slowly and deeply. Noticing the flickering of the candle and allowing yourself to take in the strength of the flame. Close your eyes and ask for the ancestors who have done the unimaginable that live inside you for their love, support, and reminders. Write down or draw any messages you may receive. Tape this paper somewhere you can see it every day. Give thanks. Blow out the candle once you are ready. Get ready for your day with intention and slowness. Tucking in a seed of bravery with your movements.
Art Around Town
Boston Compass
It was such a joy to be the featured artist for the March/April edition of the Boston Compass. You can read the full issue online here . Boston Compass is a FREE magazine and my fave part is the Happenings section that shares all the fun events going on in Boston. As someone who used to hate Boston and now cannot deny my love for my community here finding the places where I could feel a connection to something bigger than myself was a key part of building a home here.
Call and Response: Illustration in Uncertain Times
Call and Response: Illustration in Uncertain Times features illustrations and graphic designs by seven local AAPI artists who have used their craft to speak to this complicated moment. As with other kinds of labor, these artistic gestures offer critical support to the community by giving voice to different experiences and encouraging care. Curated by: Leslie Anne Condon
Participating Artists: Deborah Johnson, payal kumar, Lillian Lee, Shaina Lu, Yuko Okabe, Sanika Phawde, Wen-ti Tsen
Opening Reception | Friday, March 31, 2023 | 6:00 - 8:00 pm
Registration is required, please register here.
Creative Care Sessions
I’m excited to share a new program that I’m piloting - Creative Care Sessions. Creative Care Sessions are 1:1 sessions with me to explore arts and somatic practices connected to integrating more creativity into your life. This is a great fit for someone who wants to supplement their already existing therapeutic practices and is curious about somatics, meditation, and art. It is also a good fit for someone who has been feeling stuck in their creative work and wants support getting out of that block. These sessions are not therapy or a substitute for clinical therapy.
Sessions are 60 minutes on a sliding scale between $50-$100. If you are interested and want to learn more you can email me at e.deborah.johnson@gmail.com for a 15 minute chat to see if we might be a good fit working together!
As always, thank you so much for reading and all the support. This humble newsletter has grown in ways I could never imagine and most importantly - is a lot of fun to write! Hope that your bravery takes you to some exciting places this week.
With love,
Debs