Clover
our haiku/short prose:
Dew dances
Hidden gems
Rising from a carpet of green
Transcript for Clover
Welcome, let's take a mindful look at this artwork Clover. To start, find a quiet, comfortable place to sit, if you can and bring your full attention to the image in front of you. Take a moment to simply look and explore.
Perhaps one of the first things we notice is the composition - how it’s made up of two sections - in the background we see a cloud covered sky, patches of blue seeping through - and taking up two thirds of the artwork is this lush and overgrown field bursting with colour, swirling lines and organic shapes.
Take a moment to explore the many fresh and verdant tones of green that are here. Darker shades of forest, emerald and moss green - positioned alongside the lighter tones of jade, mint and pastel.
And as you’ve done this you may have noticed scattered throughout the leafy pasture little patches of pink. Flowers poking their heads out. Starting from the left hand side of the artwork and working your way across, look at and notice each flower.
Now let’s turn our attention to the horizon - noticing the soft light that lands on the rolling hills in the distance. What can we see here? More hues of pink… and a stronger presence of yellow. A setting sun perhaps. Or a sunrise. What do you think?
As you look at this artwork, does this scene remind you of anywhere? Perhaps somewhere you’ve been before or somewhere you’d like to go?
Being in nature has been proven to support our health and wellbeing. Some fresh air and sunlight whenever we can has shown to have its benefits on our mood, our sleep and even our immunity.
The next time you’re in a space like this or perhaps in the hospital garden - take a few moments to savour the sights and sounds around you. Notice colours, shapes and textures.
Why not share some of your thoughts about this artwork or this exercise with someone you know.
Acorn
our haiku/short prose:
Autumn oak leaves
Carpet the green grass
Acorn grows
Transcript for Acorn
Welcome, let’s take a mindful look at this artwork, Acorn.
To start, find a quiet, comfortable place to sit, if you can and bring your full attention to the image in front of you.
Take a moment to look at this image. What do you notice about it? What stands out to you?
It might be a particular colour, - the vibrant lime green and yellow in the three acorns near the top of the picture. How the leaves that are near the top appear more rich and verdant and start to change colour as your eye moves further down.
Or perhaps it’s particular shape - the organic, curved forms of the oak leaves. Or the collection of squares seen towards the left. Each one a different colour, Each one containing a delicate imprint of a leaf. Take a moment now to notice these.
Or maybe it’s the absence of colour that stands out to you. Outlines of oak leaves are present but their centres remain blank. These ‘ghost’ leaves can be seen throughout.
There are 9 acorns in this image. Each one is different from the next. Take a moment now to find them. Notice their differences. Which ones are green? Which are brown? Which have lines? Which are paired with another? Which one is the smallest?
Did you notice that they are all facing upwards, all except one?
This artwork is a celebration of the acorn. These tiny objects found in nature, so familiar to us in their shape and size - are transformed here into larger than life icons. Their considerable size makes them the main focus of this piece. But what else can you notice in the artwork, in its different layers? The example of repetition of the crimson red oak leaf just to the right of the downward facing acorn. The blue sky that might evoke memories of beautiful early autumn mornings.
The mighty oak, like us, does not become resilient overnight. It goes through many stages of growth. To enable this process the tree needs certain elements to support its growth - sunlight, rain, nutrients. We humans are not that much different. We too need certain elements to support our growth - nutrition, sleep and rest, supportive relationships and one other important element - self-compassion. Whatever stage we’re at, we always need to remind ourselves that we are worthy of acceptance, kindness and compassion.
Take a moment now to reflect on what it was like to spend your time noticing the colours, shapes and textures in this artwork.
If you’ve listened to this audio before, did you notice anything new this time?
Why not share some of your thoughts about this artwork or this exercise with someone you know.
River
our haiku/short prose:
Ripples on the water
Reflecting the light of dawn
The breaking of day
Transcript for River
Welcome, let’s take a mindful look at this artwork, River.
To start, find a quiet, comfortable place to sit, if you can and bring your full attention to the image in front of you.
First, let’s notice colour. What colours can you see? Do any stand out to you?
Take a moment to notice the cool, fresh tones of blue scattered throughout the artwork - turquoise, teal, aquamarine and navy blue - accompanying shades of green - emerald, forest, mint and jade.
And what about warmer shades, like red and purples, seen particularly in the top left. A corner of claret and crimson tones with hints of rose pink and lilac. Can you notice red anywhere else?
Remember you can take a break at any point and come back to this whenever you like.
The leaf is a recurring motif in this artwork. Bring your attention to the two leaves that are just above the centre of the canvas. One is blue and the smaller one placed on top of it has a range of colours – notice how jade green turns to pale pastel and towards the edge there is a beautiful shell pink. Can you notice this shell pink repeated anywhere else?
Many of the leaves seem to float, creating a sense of gentle movement. Where else can you sense movement in the artwork? Perhaps in the sprawling leafy vines that appear to stretch upwards? And in the ripples of the water perhaps, where the winding lines of the river seem to entangle themselves. Is there more than one river? What do you think?
And finally let’s look at texture. There is so much texture to notice! Of all different varieties, on the surface of the water and leaves, sprinkled all around. Flat, smooth, simple surfaces contrast against rough, rugged and detailed ones. Zoom if you like for a closer look. Patterns and prints, smears and smudges, wavy stripes - marks made in the most creative ways.
Art can often inspire different thoughts in our minds - memories, connections, ideas… places you’ve been or times in your life.
Does the artwork remind you of anywhere? Or somewhere you’d like to go?
What season do you think it depicts? What time of day? If you could step inside it, where would you place yourself? What sounds do you think would be around you?
If you’ve listened to this audio before, did you notice anything new about the artwork this time?
What was it like to take your time savouring the colours, shapes and textures?
Why not share some of your thoughts about this artwork or this exercise with someone you know.
Blossom
our haiku/short prose:
Spring cherry blossom
Fills my sight, beautifully full
Soft, gentle, peaceful
Transcript for Blossom
Welcome, let’s take a mindful look at this artwork Blossom.
First, let’s ground ourselves in the present moment. You can do this with your eyes open or closed, it’s completely up to you. But I invite you now to take a deep breath. In through your nose, hold for a couple of seconds and then exhale slowly through your mouth.
Well done.
And now bring your attention to the artwork in front of you. Rest your gaze on it, let your eyes wander. Taking in each and every aspect. The abundance of colour, shape and textures. Luscious cherry-coloured blossoms, energetic greens and vivid blue brushstrokes. Flowers that flourish in clusters and ones that stand out on their own.
Perhaps one of the first things we might notice about this particular artwork is the dominant colour is pink - we can see lighter and softer shades of pale blush, salmon, rose and light raspberry.
Seen alongside these are rich and deeper tones like cherry, fuschia and mulberry pink. And it's not just the flowers in bloom that are pink, some of the leaves are too!
Take a moment to notice all of these.
Although dominant and eye-striking pink is by no means the only colour for us to notice. Blue and green make their presence known of course in the crescent-like arched brushstrokes seen all around. But let’s turn our attention next to yellow - where can you notice this? Little pops of yellow dispersed here and there. Vibrant yellow forms begin to reveal themselves to us - perhaps you’ve already noticed the bright yellow leaves and petals with tiny white polka dots.
Amongst the layers and layers of marks and rubbings - the more we look the more we see - the trails of tiny white and orange dots on the stems at the bottom. Can you notice these trails anywhere else? And what about the pink blossoms with orange centres towards the centre of the piece? And the curious little collection of squares and rectangles stacked together in the top right hand corner.
There is so much to notice in this artwork that if you return to this image again and again I’m sure you’ll notice something new each time.
Why not share some of your thoughts about the artwork or this exercise with someone you know.
Spring
our haiku/short prose:
Spring rain
Everything just grows
More beautiful
Transcript for Spring
Welcome, let's take a mindful look at this artwork, Spring.
First, let’s turn our attention to colour and what a rainbow palette of colour we have here. Take a moment or two to simply notice how many different colours you can see. Are you drawn to a particular colour? Does your eye keep wandering back to one? How would you describe these colours? Vibrant, bright,energetic perhaps? Or maybe for you they’re harmonious and soothing?
Send your attention now to the radiant sun, we might be surprised to notice that the sun itself is represented in white. Its strong life-giving rays are shown as thick white lines and the sun is a white circle within a circle.
The circle is a repeated motif within this artwork. Bubble-like shapes are scattered throughout - the tranquil blue and yellow ones near the top for example or the green one towards the bottom corner. Or the little rose coloured circle just to the right of the sun. Take a few moments now to notice other circles in this artwork - their colours, textures and sizes.
You may have also noticed by now other forms that are repeated throughout - the daffodil heads. The delicate blue flowers with their white and orange centres.
Spring is a time when greeness grows over brown beds and nature in her wisdom reminds us that nothing is permanent. Everything is temporary. We too are a part of nature. We too go through cycles of change and healing, experience ups and downs, light and dark seasons in our lives. Throughout all these the wisest and most compassionate version of ourselves will gently remind us that no winter lasts forever, no spring skips its turn.
The promise of Spring’s arrival can sometimes be enough to get us through the harshest of winters.
Why not share some of your thoughts about this artwork or this exercise with someone you know.
Meadow
our haiku/short prose:
A flowing tapestry
Swaying with the breeze
Welcoming morning’s light
Transcript for Meadow
Welcome, let's take a mindful look at this artwork Meadow.
To start, find a quiet, comfortable place to sit, if you can and bring your full attention to the image in front of you. Take a few moments now to settle in.
Let’s explore the artwork together.
At first we are met with a scene of long lines reaching upwards towards the wide open sky. Notice how the vertical stems of flowers and blades of grass seem to be almost moving, weaving amongst each other - appearing as if to swish in the wind. There are very few horizontal lines in this piece. It is a picture of verticals.
Take a moment now to notice them - their colour - how do the shades of green differ from one another? The difference in the thickness of their stems. The difference in their length. The direction in which they lean towards. Where is the longest vertical line? And where is the shortest?
The dominant colours in this artwork are green and yellow - but as we take our time looking and noticing, giving it time to reveal itself to us. We begin to see that there are other colours present. Shades of purple, pink and orange. Where can you see these?
If you were to step into this artwork, what sounds do you think you would hear? What smells could you sense? Art can evoke so many memories, associations and connections in our mind. Perhaps this image reminds you of somewhere. Or somewhere you’d like to be.
If you’ve listened to this audio before have you noticed anything new in the artwork this time? There is so much detail to notice. Take your time, savouring looking and noticing colour, line, texture and shape. Who knows you might notice something new next time.
Why not share some of your thoughts about this artwork or this exercise with someone you know.
Forest
our haiku/short prose:
Feel the gentle breeze
The leaves rustle in rhythm
To nature’s heartbeat
Transcript for Forest
Welcome to this short mindfulness practice looking at this artwork “Forest’.
Before we begin mindfully looking at the artwork, let’s take a few moments to settle ourselves into the present moment. . And by that I mean, let’s tune into the here and now using our senses. So whether you’re seated or standing, what’s it like to send your attention to whatever is supporting your body. Can you notice the sensations of your feet on the floor or the sensations of your body against the bed or chair that you’re on. This can sometimes be difficult to do, especially if we’re doing it for the first time or if our minds are particularly busy today but let’s give it a go.
Perhaps you notice a certain temperature or texture in the areas where your body is in contact with the floor or furniture. Perhaps you notice the weight of your body. Perhaps you notice whether you’re tensing certain areas. Your shoulders perhaps, or jaw. And if you do notice this, see if it’s possible to soften or loosen those areas. As best you can. Remembering that if they become tense again through this practice or throughout the rest of the day, you can always intentionally soften them again and again throughout your day.
Tuning into how we’re holding our bodies can help us become more aware of them. And this in turn helps us to respond to them with gentleness, inviting them to soften, unclench, loosen whenever possible. Some days it might not feel possible to do this and that’s ok, you can always try again another time.
So let’s move away from that settling in practice and bring our full attention to the artwork.
Allowing your eyes to travel around the image. Freely exploring what there is to see. Noticing colours, textures, shapes, lines, areas of light and those of shade.
What do you notice about the colours? How would you describe them? Are they warm, cool? A mixture of both perhaps?
And what did you notice about shapes? Scattered shapes of leaves all around - sycamore, oak, beech and birch leaves. Look and notice how different they all are from each other, in colour as well as shape. Some are flat with no detail whilst others appear almost translucent. We see the veins of the leaf on the surface of the artwork.
The colour palette is one that most of us would recognise as autumnal. Shades of Green, yellow, orange and brown take up most of the surface. But as we look for longer we begin to notice another colour is present.
Curious little pops of blue that stand out from the rest. Two solitary blue leaves rest on the bottom branch, accompanied by a small cluster of intriguing pale blue lines just beneath them. Can you notice blue anywhere else? The hint of pale blue sky in the background. But what is that near the top right corner, resting in the highest branch. A blue bird’s nest perhaps?
As with the other artworks in this series you can return to this image again and again. The artworks are layered with so much detail that there will always be something new to notice. A new leaf here and a new colour there - a detail you missed the last time.
Why not share some of your thoughts about this artwork or this exercise with someone you know.
Fern
our haiku/short prose:
Soft unfurling leaves
Your greenness soothes
Transcript for Fern
Welcome, let's take a mindful look at this artwork Fern.
Before we explore this artwork together, let’s begin with a short mindfulness of breathing practice. First, find a place where you can be comfortable. Whether that’s seated or standing or lying down, find a position that feels right for you. Then, if it feels ok to do so, gently close your eyes. You don’t have to close your eyes if you don’t want to, you can always lower your gaze to a spot on the floor in front of you. And of course if you do close your eyes, you can open and close them at any point.
So, now that you’re comfortable I invite you to gently bring your attention to your breathing. Noticing where in your body to feel its movement the most. And if it helps you can take a couple of slow deep breaths to begin with. You might notice the sensation and movement of your breath in your tummy, for instance. The ever so slightly rising with the in- breath and the gentle falling with the out breath. Or perhaps for you, you might notice your breath in the movements in your chest area - again with the ever so slightly rise on the in-breath and the delicate falling on the out breath.
Noticing also the sensation of the breath as it enters your nostrils, that faint sensation of the air coming in through your nostrils. Noticing its temperature, how the air in is slightly cooler compared to the air that comes out.
Just taking a few moments to tune into these movements. We’re not trying to breathe in any special way, just allowing the breath to breathe itself. Resting our attention. Noticing the movement.
And now, if it feels ok, open your eyes and send your attention to the artwork. Just sit with it for a while. Take your time noticing it. There’s no right or wrong way to engage with art. This is simply about your experience and what you see.
What do you notice in the artwork? What colours, textures and shapes can you notice?
Perhaps one of the first things we might notice about this particular artwork is that it is more abstract than some of the others in the collection. The title is Fern and we can see beautiful imprints of fern leaves throughout it. Starting at the top and working your way round clockwise, I invite you to slowly look and notice what you can see.
Taking in each and every aspect. What colours can you see? What shapes are there? Where is there an absence of colour?
Can you notice the different marks, smudges and prints that make up the image?
Perhaps noticing any responses that you’re having to it? Whether you like it or not.
If you were to give it another title, what would it be?
Do you find its colour palette - the yellow, greens and blues - calming or uplifting? Would you describe them as warm or refreshing? Or maybe something else altogether.
Why not share some of your thoughts about this artwork or this exercise with someone you know.
Vale
our haiku/short prose:
Clouds forming, changing
Birds singing their song
At one with nature
Transcript for Vale
Welcome. For this mindfulness practice I've created a soundscape inspired by the artwork Vale.
In the other audios I invited you to focus your attention on your sense of sight, - looking and noticing what you can see in the artwork. In this practice, I’m inviting you to engage a different sense. This time I’d like you to bring your sense of sound to the foreground of your awareness. Tuning in and noticing sounds is another way to be mindful. Paying attention to pitch, volume, rhythm and timbre. Noticing the presence of sounds and noticing the absence of them.
For the next few minutes you’ll hear a selection of different natural sounds- the kind of sounds you might hear as you walk around a landscape such as the one we see in this artwork. All you have to do is simply tune and notice what you can hear. If you like you can still look and explore the artwork as you listen, it’s completely up to you.
So why not get into a position that feels comfortable for you. You can do this whilst you're seated on a chair, on a bed or even walking around the ward or hospital garden. It’s completely up to you.
I really hope you enjoy the soundscape.