Drawing Out Your Soul;
An Experience of Touch Drawing

Presenter:
Deborah Koff-Chapin

Format:
Experiential Workshop

Time:
Three hours would be a minimum time for a complete introductory experience. The workshop can be expanded to a full day or weekend.

Description:
Touch Drawing is a simple, direct and profound process. The technique involves moving the hands on a sheet of paper which has been placed over a smooth surface of oil paint. The resulting impressions are seen upon lifting the page. A multitude of images are born from within through the touch of the fingertips. What emerges is a visual journal of a deep inner process.

This is an experiential workshop that offers participants a complete introduction to Touch Drawing. Deborah begins with a demonstration of the process, and addresses issues of relevance to the group. Each participant then goes to their own drawing board. Deborah gently guides the group into Touch Drawing through a series of gentle suggestions. With live improvisational music (drum, voice and chimes), she creates a supportive environment for each participant to deepen into themselves as they continue to draw. Experiences may range from playful to therapeutic to spiritual.

When each participant has come to completion with a set of approximately 15 to 30 drawings, they share their images with a partner. After this time of intimate communication, the whole group gathers again to reflect upon their experience and explore ways of using Touch Drawing in their professional and personal lives. This workshop is of relevance to artists seeking to deepen their personal expression, therapists, educators, healing practitioners and anyone wishing to explore their souls and free their creative energy. No artistic confidence necessary! This is a time of contemplation, expression and renewal.

In a day-long or weekend workshop, there is time for more drawing sessions, as well as multi-modal processing techniques such as journal writing, music and movement. Weather and environment allowing, contemplative walks and drawing in the natural environment are also included

Material Requirements for Workshop:
Deborah usually provides everything needed; paints, rollers, paper, drawing boards. She requests a contribution of $5 per person for materials used for a three hour workshop; more for a longer workshop. Another approach is to provide a full set of materials for each participant to use and then take home. The cost for this is approximately $30. per person. (Special arrangements must be made for some of the materials in international workshops)

Room Requirements:
This is for a group of thirty. Deborah is able to work with a larger group.

• Large, preferably uncarpeted and ventilated room to accommodate:
• 10 six-foot tables, with three chairs per table, or
• 8 eight-foot tables with four chairs per table
• Table by the entrance for printed materials
• Thirty cushions would be appreciated, but are not required.

Noise levels:
For much of the workshop Deborah will be playing a drum, chimes and singing.

Learning Objectives:
To have a personal experience of the transformative power of Touch Drawing. Basic materials, technique and therapeutic applications will be discussed. This one experience should enable a practitioner to begin exploring the use of Touch Drawing for personal expression and within their own professional situation.

Through The Veil: The Story of Touch Drawing

Full Description:
This program opens with a live demonstration of Touch Drawing including interaction with the audiance. Then, through use of two slide projectors and a dissolve unit, Deborah creates a flowing experience of imagery as she relates her personal yet profoundly universal story. She begins with her first teenage awakenings, to lonely explorations within the New York art world and the delicate seeds of realization that led her to the discovery of Touch Drawing. Deborah then delves into her healing journey to the present time. Twenty-eight years of images convey a visceral experience of the evolution of a psyche, and communicate both the transformative power and sensitivity of Touch Drawing. Deborah shares images by others to communicate several applications of Touch Drawing's use as a therapeutic tool. The slide show closes with an inspirational sequence of images and music evoking the connectedness of all life.

Program Description:
Join Deborah Koff-Chapin, creator of SOULCARDS, in an evening of images, music and heartfelt sharing. Deborah will demonstrate Touch Drawing and dialogue with the audience about the process. Through slides and story, she will convey a visceral experience of her inner journey and communicate the transformative power of Touch Drawing. The evening closes with a soul-stirring experience images and original music.

Trusting the Wisdom Within You: The Experience of SoulCards

Full description:
This program opens with a live demonstration of Touch Drawing. Deborah will briefly share the story of it's discovery and her journey of healing and growth which lead to the creation of Soulcards. She will then use a full set of SoulCards in slide form to guide participants into a deep visual experience of these images. Audience interaction and dialogue will help participants draw personal meaning and insight from the visual experience. They will then break into small groups and use SoulCard decks to continue exploring in a more intimate setting. The evening closes with a soul-stirring sequence of slides and original music.

Program description:
Practice the art of listening within as you reflect upon the soul-stirring images of SoulCards. Through slides and live music, Deborah will create a magical atmosphere for self discovery. Deborah will also demonstrate Touch Drawing, the simple technique through which these profound images were created. If you have a deck of SoulCards, please bring it.

Format:
Lecture, demonstration, slide show, live music, question-answer

Equipment Requirements for Slide shows

• Darkened room with large screen or white wall.
• Two slide projectors with carousels, dissolve unit, zoom lenses, spare bulb and extension cords.
• Sound system for cassette tape
• Microphone
• Screen or white wall
• Darkened room

Note:
For the trusting the wisdom Within You slide show we will need enough open SoulCard decks on hand for groups of 2-4 participants to work with. This is not required but gives a wonderful participatory aspect to the event. If a number of people who already have decks can bring them, it would help. Deborah brings some open decks, and encourages participants to purchase the decks they have been using. It is also an option to request participants bring writing journals for private introspection with the cards.

Noise levels:
Recorded music and live voice with microphone.

Interpretive Artist

for Conferences and Concerts

Presenter: Deborah Koff-Chapin

Though the immediacy of Touch Drawing, Deborah is able to visually portray both the content and energetic qualities of a speech, poetry reading, or musical performance. She may create 10 to 15 drawings per hour. These images can then be displayed for the audience to reflect upon, and possibly offered as gifts to presenters. The images can be reproduced for sale to participants along with conference proceedings or used as promotional material for future conferences. (Examples featured in our Gallery pages.)

Deborah can engage in this process along the sidelines without distracting from the presentations. It is also possible for her to be on stage so that people can witness the Touch Drawings being created. She has collaborated with musicians and dancers in this way.

Deborah can also do a brief (5–20 minute) demonstration and talk about Touch Drawing. Her live demonstrations never fail to send a wave of amazement through the audience.

Deborah has also created several slide shows. Her 20 minute sequence of original music and images (see last 20 minutes of the video Through the Veil) would be a powerful visionary experience to offer as part of the evening functions. She would also consider creating a new sequence of slides to accompany a musician who may be performing live at the conference.


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