MeMoments – The Art of Feeling Better through creativity - for women who live or have lived with someone suffering from alcoholism!
Creative expression through art and writing to soothe the soul. It offers a moment for yourself in the company of those who understand you.
This online Me-Moments class is an art and writing class with a difference. There are actually two classes, one art and one writing class. These can both help you find peace of mind and possible solutions as to how to change your journey through creating art and creative writing.
Who is this for?
The art and writing classes are for:
- women who are living with or have lived with an alcoholic partner, parent, child or other family member. Classes are conducted online via Zoom so that women from anywhere in the world can join.
- women who have been affected by the irrational behaviour of a loved one with an alcohol problem.
- women who wish to be part of a supportive community and express their feelings either through art, writing or both.
- women who would like to take some time out for themselves in the company of others who are having, or have had, a similar experience.
Why a “women only” class?
The dynamic of a women only class can help women who feel particularly vulnerable and who may have suffered abuse to feel safe. This is very important if we want to express ourselves freely with words and art.
This class is on a 4-week basis (you can continue after the four weeks if you like - payment is per 4 weeks so you don't feel you have to commit long-term (as situations can sometimes change).
As a participant you will receive an invite to a private Facebook group where it is possible to share work and encourage others. There will also be weekly Zoom calls.
All participants will be required to agree to a Non-Disclosure Agreement not to share information or opinions voiced by their fellow participants during the Zoom calls, without prior written permission.
For more specific information please scroll down!
Painting created by Suzanne Elizabeth Saunter Clark,
a lady who has participated in my online Saturday morning art class for over two years.
What can this class do for you?
The objective of this class is to spend some quality time with yourself. Give yourself permission to enjoy a Me-Moment where you can forget about daily worries, and get in touch with your intuition, your deep inner wisdom.
You will be part of a supportive group of women who know what you are or have been going through. This is a safe space where the focus will be on you and not on taking care of your alcoholic loved one. Taking care of yourself, by allowing for some ‘Me’ time is a very important step into healing some past hurt or to become stronger and find possible solutions to either live with or find the courage to move on.
Committing to a class and working in a group with like-minded people can be a very positive experience and give you a sense of belonging. It can take you out of your isolation. These Facebook groups are self-regulating in a sense that we can encourage each other to paint and write and heal.
Please note that these are not therapy classes. If you need psychological help, I strongly encourage you to seek professional help.
Who am I?
My name is Renate van Nijen and I’m a Dutch, internationally-exhibited artist for over 35 years and a published writer of eight books (so far).
An experience expert
I have experienced the healing power of painting and writing during my years of living with a functioning binge-drinking alcoholic. I know how devastating this can be. I’ve experienced the Jekyll and Hyde behaviour of a person I dearly loved. After twelve intense years with plenty of ups, but many ‘difficult to understand’ downs, my story with this partner ended.
More about me below!
How does it work?
There will be a separate Facebook group for the writing group and a group for the painters. This is because some women might only want to paint or only want to write, so I offer three options: just art, just writing and the option described on this page. When you opt to do both art and writing, which I recommend, you will be part of both groups.
You will receive an invite for the Facebook groups. These groups are intended for sharing your creativity and to get positive feedback and encouragement. I strongly recommend that you attend the weekly live Zoom classes as well.
Please bear in mind that these classes and Facebook groups are not intended to ask for help for your alcoholic partner, child, etc. It is not a place to rant (which can be very useful – but there are other FB groups for that) and we don’t talk about politics, global health regulations, etc.
These Groups are safe places to connect and respect. Of course, during the Zoom meetings it is possible to chat with each other as well, but the focus will be on creativity. Zoom meetings will not be recorded to ensure the privacy of participants.
Non-disclosure agreement
All participants will be required to agree to a Non-Disclosure Agreement not to share information or opinions voiced by their fellow participants during the Zoom calls and in the Facebook group, without prior written permission.
What to expect from the Art class
After you have enrolled for the writing and art classes you will receive:
* A download (a digital copy) of my book Cheers, breaking the silence … one voice at a time
* A video on how to mix colours.
* A video on what you need to start painting. You only need five colours to create any colour you like, so the initial investment doesn’t have to be high.
* You are also invited to join a Facebook group which has been set up specifically for the purpose of this art class.
* You will learn from a professional artist
When is the art class
Every week on Monday (3.30 – 5.30 PM CET - please convert to your time zone) there will be an online class via Zoom. If you cannot make it to the class, you can still do the painting. If you let me know in advance, you will receive a personalised email with information with suggestions for your painting.
Not everybody in this class will be on the same level. Some might be beginners and others more experienced painters. Some paint fast, others paint slower. This really doesn’t matter. Sometimes everybody works on their own piece of art in a genre that they like most, for example landscape, figurative … and sometimes we work from a theme.
I do recommend attending the live Zoom classes, as there I can give you tips and advice and show you how you can achieve certain effects. If you cannot make it and do have a question, you can ask me in the Facebook group. I will do my best to explain how to achieve what you have in mind.
What I love to do is help people find their own style and to experience what painting can do for your soul so to speak. Painting can be a challenge but at the same time very meditative. It will completely take you away from daily worries and things to do.
When you have finished your painting you may upload it in the private Facebook group, a place for positive feedback and encouragement.
What to expect from the Writing class
You will receive:
* A download to my journaling book "How (not) to live with an alcoholic" also available as a paperback
* A weekly short story assignment to do at home. This is extremely useful to practice creative writing.
* You are invited to join a Facebook group which has been set up specifically for the purpose of this Writing class.
When is the writing class
Every week on Friday (3.30 – 5.30 PM CET. Please convert to your time zone) there will be an online class via Zoom. If you cannot make it to the class, you can still write and then upload your work in the Facebook group.
During the zoom call there is an opportunity to share our stories and then talk about what we have shared. There will be tips and suggestions and guidelines to bring some structure into the stories. The number of participants in the live zoom classes may vary from week to week. If the group is very big, it will be divided into sub-groups.
The writing class requires a decent knowledge - not necessarily perfect - of the English language. It is not about perfect grammar. It’s about becoming creative and playing with words and in the process explore your life and possible positive solutions. So even if English is not your native language, you can still join.
You don’t have to be present during the Zoom meetings, and if you prefer not to, you can read the suggestions every week in the Facebook group, and by email. However, attending the weekly Zoom meetings can be very powerful to connect with other women who understand you.
Prices (please note that prices are in Euros as I am located in Spain, you can convert to your own currency)
Art & Writing - 4 weeks (includes all the above and the two zoom calls - 8 lessons in total) € 388 - Special offer: First 4 weeks € 291 (first week free)
If you are struggling with the amount, please contact me. With sufficient participants I will create free scholarships and discount options.
More about me, your teacher:
Just before our roads separated, I decided to write my book ‘Cheers, breaking the silence … one voice at a time’ For this book I interviewed over 40 people (partners, parents, children and friends of alcoholics, but also healthcare workers and recovering alcoholics).
Writing the book was healing for me. I soon found out that sharing these poignant, real-life stories in my book - in an accessible storytelling style - helped people recognise their own situation, which often was the nudge needed to either seek help or make changes in their lives.
The process of interviewing all these wonderful people who were happy to share their stories with me, left a profound impression on me and I still feel very compassionate about the subject ‘living with an alcoholic’. For this reason, I’ve decided to create an art and writing group (you can opt for just writing or just art) as I love to provide some tools, such as creating art and writing to find peace of mind and even clarity.
I have written all my books in the English language. I can honestly say that I am more in touch with the English language than my own native language, Dutch.
I absolutely love storytelling and I love to help others to develop this skill as I do believe it can be healing.
Are you interested?
Please contact me via the contact button in the menu bar, (type the word 'Cheers' where you are asked for your family name, for privacy reasons, but also to help me distinguish that you are interested in this art class and not in my art newsletter).
You can also contact me via WhatsApp or Telegram 0034-655211276
Hoping to inspire you,
Renate
