The Artist Within: A 3-Part Series

This three-session series is designed to confront out inner artist and challenge us to take a good long look at what drives our work, style, and process. You’ll be guided by professional Art Therapist and Intuitive Artist, Karen Cunningham. Please read the descriptions and materials list carefully as you are responsible for bringing them to the sessions. Sign up for each session individually or take all three.

Session 1: 1/30/2025 MEET THE ARTIST WITHIN

Art Therapist and Intuitive Artist, Karen Cunningham, welcomes you to Meet The Artist Within. In this safe and supportive environment, we will learn to understand the symbolic language that is unique to you. This language bypasses our conditioned responses and is directly connected to raw emotions and what you care most about. By utilizing this connection, you will be able to activate your creative imagination, personalize your art and bring it to life.

Session 2: 2/27/2025 STORIES WE TELL OURSELVES

Let's utilize the power of art to explore the Stories We Tell Ourselves and tackle the self-limiting narratives that often hinder our personal and artistic growth. In a safe and supportive environment, we can come to realize that every time we create art, our personality is unconsciously reflected in it.

Karen Cunningham, an Art Therapist and Intuitive Painter, will guide participants of any level on a liberating voyage of self-discovery that will enrich both their art and everyday life. This process uncovers hidden truths, promotes self-awareness, and empowers individuals to break down the barriers that hold us back from personal growth, fulfillment, and reaching full potential as artists.

Materials: Journal & writing tool, 1 Large blank Canvas, Basic painting supplies: brushes, your favorite colors of paint plus black & white, mark making tools, pastels or art crayons (if you want). Bring what you are most comfortable with using.

Session 3: 3/27/25 JOURNEY TO UNSTUCK

It’s time to Journey to Unstuck. Different Day, Different Month, Different year, and yet you find yourself stuck in the same situation reacting the same way? Even if you are an experienced artist, it is common to get stuck sometimes. Karen Cunningham, an Art Therapist and Intuitive Artist, is offering an opportunity for artists at all levels to explore how art can be the language of inner wisdom. By using colors, lines, shapes, images, symbols, and metaphors, you can uncover answers to deep questions. Discover what is keeping you blocked and what your next step should be to move forward toward the life and art you desire

Materials: Journal & writing tool, Spray bottle. A large previously painted canvas which you have given up on or a large unused canvas. Basic painting supplies: brushes, your favorite colors of paint plus black & white, mark making tools, pastels or art crayons (if you want). Bring what you are comfortable with using.

Bio: Karen Cunningham holds a Masters in Counseling Psychology, using art to go beyond traditional talk therapy. She found everyone had access to their own symbolic language, which is raw and connected to emotions and bypass our trained responses. She studied art as the key to that inner language and learned to appreciate the language with which when expressed through color line, shape, images, and symbols can reveal hidden motivations when introduced with intention. Karen lives in both Vancouver and Palm Desert.

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

Artists Center at the Galen, 72567 Hwy 111, Palm Desert, United States