Alchemy of Writing & Art

a monthly workshop to explore incorporating artistic expression within your writing practices

Starting 6/1

The first Monday of the month

6 PM

Led by Mary Phillips

What to Expect

Alchemy, simply defined, is a power or process that transforms something in a mysterious or inexplicable way. Expressive writing is an alchemical experience which fosters transformation through discovery, growth, and healing. Using pen and paper to engage with our thoughts, feelings, and wisdom opens us in ways that are often more expansive and accessible than spoken-word communication. Writing in a group also allows for connections with one another, which can further energize healing and transformation of our souls. This workshop will explore intuitive writing along with the transformative energy that comes up from adding basic art journaling to the words. We will play with simple ways to decorate our pages with watercolor washes, collage, stamping and textures. Preparing pages with color and mark making can decrease the intimidation that can present itself in a perfectly blank page that you don’t want to “mess up.” Additionally, we will play with adding messy loose artwork on top of and around our words as a way to protect and transform very personal writings, providing some safety to writing down exactly what is coming up. Alchemy.

All are welcome. No writing or art experience is necessary- only curiosity and a desire for self-exploration.

Reconnect with your body and mind

About Mary Phillips (MSN, PMHNP-BC)

Mary Phillips (MSN, PMHNP-BC) is a psychiatric and mental health nurse practitioner with 25 years of experience as a registered nurse, and 18 years as a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner. She has always had a special interest in working with individuals with addictive disorders and trauma. She is also passionate about working with the family members and loved ones of people with substance use and addictive disorders. Mary obtained her BSN from UNC-Chapel Hill and her MSN from Vanderbilt. Mary is a lifelong journaler, writer, and documenter of her daily life and her inner world. Her home is in the country outside of Nashville with her 2 beloved dogs, 4 mules, and 1 cat. You can find her standing in the pasture combing out a mule’s tail, walking wooded trails with her dogs, playing with her granddaughter, or sitting on a rock near a river reading a book and thinking.