Kaleidoscope Expressive Arts

09/11/2025

Japan Joy 9
Indigo.
This sneak peek is from my indigo dyeing masterclass I’m taking with one of Japan’s best indigo craftsman and influencer’s Naoto from Naoto’s passion for indigo is ridiculously contagious. Standing firmly on the intersection of traditional and modern, his warmth, kindness, groundedness and mastery of indigo and his careful, intentional sharing of his knowledge and skill has brought me joy in the deepest places.
Follow me as I follow Naoto into the indigo fields, the shed where the picked, dried indigo is fermenting, sit around the workbenches with us, the wash room and the dye pot. I’ll be sharing my insights into the processes of shibori, katagami and yuzen and my reflections on dyeing as an emergent therapeutic process.
Special thank you to .to.ten_localtour and
for your translation 📷 and warm welcome.

06/11/2025

Japan Joy 7
Sashiko: the art of connecting through thread with sashiko artisan We met as strangers with needles and thread, and walked away with shared community infused into our textile pieces. Fabric infused with joy, thread seeped in belly laughter and tales of our Japan travel adventures and the wonder at our co created creativity. One of my favourite moments so far.

03/11/2025

02/11/2025

Japan Joy 5
Fields of cosmos swaying to their own rhythm. I just has to stop, wander, touch their velvet petals… 3 shades of pink, orange and white!! flowers always beckon me, and solo travelling allows me the total freedom to pull over and spend time with these pirouetting beauties… big joy today!
travelling

01/11/2025

Japan Joy 3
The singing boatman of Yanagawa. I hear him before I see him. His melodious voice drifts down the canal as he pushes and lifts his bamboo boat pole, guiding his fully timber craft along the canals smoothly and so skilfully. Bypassing other boats playfully. His face is wrinkled with laugh lines, his skin is sun kissed, his entire load of passengers are grinning, listening to his voice and taking in the scenes. Autumn leaves, manicured gardens, trees trimmed into living sculptures… so much joy!

27/10/2025

Japan joy 2
A place that is deeply unsettling, so evocative and raw, I am deeply moved beyond words. Exquisite bravery sharing their stories and artworks that are so intimate… so glad I went.
So many joyful things but here are 10:
1) paper cranes.
2) ginkgo trees mid metamorphosis.
3) wreckage standing tall to remind all that a peace future is possible.
4) butterflies fluttering by.
5) chains & chains of peace cranes.
6) statures to remind us.
7) peace bell: it’s tone when struck fills your entire body you feel it in every cell, a beautiful experience.
8) koi.
9) me. Hiroshima gave me hope and joy.
10) roses: Remembering those that died and those that suffer still. Remembering in all colours of roses. So many affected people grieving and living.

26/10/2025

Japan Joy 1
Slow eating & slow reading a Japanese local zine using google translate. The joy of Japan is placing value on slowing down and being intentional. In my usual life I often race through books, I skim magazines, glance at social media posts. To include slowness and intentionality is a real gear change for me, and to be honest I think my body has been craving it. So lovely to explore what slow and intentional feels like in my body…
♥️

24/10/2025

Painting my way around Japan day 4: Shinkansen and watercolours Osaka to Hiroshima. Painting the moments: that morning I was in Nara in deer park and one no one else was there. Just me, some moss, autumn leaves and the deer 🦌 a great memory I want to put onto a mini watercolour. I didn’t get it finished as I was enjoying watching the landscape out the window! 😊
Japan

12/10/2025

Just bring your curiosity.
Tuesday art group is a great way to learn how to use art making for mental health, self expression and strengthening self connection.
All are welcome including NDIS participants.
Last art journaling group is this week then I’m on leave.