Relax and play

Melanie Rivers Art

Welcome!! I hope you enjoy these two playful art sessions. 


We explore and play with front facing portraits using different papers, inks, and techniques like using non-dominant hand and contour drawing. Build your muscle memory and find your unique way.


These are two video excerpts from my Medicine Circle membership. 

Instructor

I'm glad you are here

Hi. I'm Melanie, an Indigenous portrait artist, and I teach online art classes to thousands of women around the world. I help women learn to love their creative time, so they can consistently show up for themselves and experience more joy, relaxation, and energy in their daily lives. I am a trained Expressive Arts Practitioner and experienced educator of 28 years. I am from the Squamish First Nation in Vancouver, Canada and I draw from my traditional ancestry and teachings in my art practice and lessons. I provide gentle guidance and encouragement for women, so they can experience the medicines of art and build their own unique artistic voice. I believe in you.

Melanie Rivers

Supplies

These are the supplies I used with some suggestions for alternatives. Please contact me with any questions. 

  • pencil and eraser (I used 4B)
  • white and black gel pen (or other markers)
  • variety of papers in different colours and thicknesses  (60lb to 140lb)
  • collage papers or old book pages (your own or pre-made)
  • India ink or acrylic ink (or water down some acrylics or use watercolours)
  • sticks in two sizes
  • matte medium or other 'glue' like a glue stick, Modge Podge, or gel medium
  • cardboard
  • white gesso and old gift card
  • stapler or a matte medium or gel (glue stick)

Line Drawing Video

Stick and Ink Video

Medicine Circle Membership

continue your journey with me

It can be challenging sometimes to sit down and create with infinite possibilities, limited time, work and family commitments, health challenges, fear of getting it 'right', and sometimes a tired heart. Or maybe you have a vision for what you want to express creatively, but don't feel you have the skill to do so. 

The Medicine Circle provides:

  • a focus for your creative time
  • lessons designed to build your portrait and mixed media skills
  • inspiration for when you feel stuck
  • explorations to find your unique style and voice
  • strategies for dealing with 'the fear'
  • step by step guidance with freedom to explore


The Medicine Circle invites you to set your intentions for your creative practice, learn new skills while being kind to yourself, find guilt free time for you, and experience the medicines of creating.

Surround yourself with guidance, inspiration, and encouragement from me and the community.

Medicine Circle Membership

opening fall 2022