Art enables us to find ourselves and
lose ourselves at the same time.
Thomas Merton
About Me.
Creativity and contemplation is at the heart of all that I do, whether making art, writing books or poetry. Like many, my journey with art began when I was a child. I relished creative time without any agenda or end goal and remember the joy of being totally immersed in the task at hand and fully present in the moment. I experienced the world using all my senses. Simultaneously, I thrived on silence and even solitude, enjoying the stillness and sustenance both provided.
These early practices have carried over into my adult life. For over 30 years, I have participated in meditation, yoga, and contemplative practices. During that time I have also taught art and have been a practicing artist. My work has appeared in solo and group exhibitions throughout the United States and can be found in private and corporate collections. I also maintain an on-going expressive arts practice integrating a variety of contemplative practices to explore my inner landscape. At the heart of creative contemplation is a deep attentiveness where mind, heart, soul, and senses are open and receptive to the moment just as it is.
As a life-long teacher, I have continually questioned the notion that only certain people have artistic or creative talent. To be a contemplative artist means doing what you can as well as you can when the focus is more on the creative process than on the artistic product. Art is open to all. With intention and creative action sprinkled with imagination anyone can experience the power of the arts to enhance self-awareness and promote well-being. I have always believed in the natural capacity of creative expression to support healing and transformation.
For more information about me or to see my art visit: janedalton.com
Photo Credit: Photosynthesis
Join me and learn how to turn creative expression into a meditative and contemplative practice!
Education
Ph.D Expressive Arts
EGS University
Saas-Fee Switzerland
My love of travel led me to a doctoral program in Switzerland where I lived and learned in an international community of creatives. While there I explored the many facets of the expressive arts: visual, creative movement, music, drama and writing/poetry and discovered the discipline of helping and healing that uses the arts as its basis for discovery and change.
M.F.A. Weaving + Textile Design
Rochester Institute of Technology
After traveling throughout South America for several months I fell in love with all things textiles. Once home I took a beginning weaving class and the passion took hold. I spent time living and working in a small weaving school in northern Vermont before finding my way to graduate school ultimately earning a degree in textile design and weaving. Today I practice and teach a variety of “slow” textiles techniques that include weaving, surface design, embroidery, spinning, and felting.
REACE
(Registered Expressive Arts Educator/Consultant)
International Expressive Arts
Therapy Association
After many years of teaching and maintaining a personal expressive arts practice. I applied to become a Registered Expressive Arts Consultant/Educator through the International Expressive Arts Association. I wanted to become part of a global community of experts who provide integrative/multimodal expressive arts to others to help them reclaim their innate capacity as human beings to be creative.