“What gives this art its power is that it makes us dream” Jean Clottes
We will explore archetypal images in the caves, in our dreams, and in the beautiful landscape of the Dordogne Valley, France, with instruction from a gifted artist and teacher who helps each person, novice or advanced, express their inner landscape. The painted caves of southwestern France are the perfect metaphor for the internal journey to the unconscious that we experience each night in dreams. Art is a visual language of symbol and metaphor which has been the language of humankind since the first dawning of human consciousness. Nowhere is that more evident than in these beautifully painted caves which likely functioned as sacred spaces for early humans. C. G. Jung and Jungian Analyst Marion Woodman believe that by learning to remember and attend to our dreams, we can discover more about ourselves and our relationships to others. Utilizing active imagination and recording our own dream images with various art mediums, will enhance our experience and aid in our inner journey.
On a typical day we will have a dream workshop/drawing session after breakfast to connect/elucidate our own images. We will then visit one of the painted caves in the area. Lunch together provides time for discussion with some afternoons free to hike, kayak, bike, rest, or visit some of the other wonderful sights in this area including castles of all sorts, duck farms, and wineries. We will reconvene in the evening to experience ways to further amplify dreams with art-making, mixed-media techniques, music, movement, and guided imagery. Workshop is suitable for professionals as well as lay persons, anyone, man or woman who are interested in dreams symbolism and archetype.