6th Anniversary Special with Jennifer Walsh

NOVEMBER 2024: To mark the 6th anniversary of The Art of Awareness studio I was delighted to catch up with Jennifer Walsh from The Lost Art of Being Human which also recently celebrated an anniversary. Living at the opposite ends of the globe we are in different physical environments, but we are still each connected by what it means to share the human experience; to love the beauty of the natural world and people, to walk with wonder and to have a sense of belonging. The last few years have seen lots of changes as we've adapted to a changing world. I share how self-awareness is the foundation for the actions we take and these shape design and our world. Awareness is a way of being, but is different to mindfulness. Learn more.

You can listen to our conversation below. As you do, try and imagine us each in place, Jennifer  walking in Central Park amongst the gingkos in NYC, and me living in the forest and my home accessed only by a walking track or via boat (a strong storm and wind whipped up around me during our call).

Inspired by the terrestrial and marine forests around my home my current focus is on human behaviour, nature-culture connection/identity, our relationship with the natural world and, subsequently, with each other. Moving forward the direction for The Art of Awareness will be more refined with a focus on Are You Noticing Your Nature - Exploring Inner and Outer Landscapes - my signature offering for professionals in healthcare, parks/recreation and urban planning.

What is The Art of Awareness?

The Art of Awareness studio is a space to create Art for Awareness.

The Art of Awareness is also a skill in self-awareness.

This is part of the way we behave and is influenced by all sorts of different things. It is different to just learning facts about a particular topic and it is different to being mindful. 

But wait - there is more! People are "raising awareness" but research shows there is ineffective action  Why is this?

Self-awareness is how we each experience and understand our own character/personality, often within cultural context or perspective, and our human traits such as feelings, motives and desires. It is the foundation for choices we make and the actions we take. There are steps. The actions and decisions you take will depend on which part of you is more dominant; your choices will result in different effects and impacts in the world. This can be powerful when blended with experiential learning; learning by doing. Thus, bridging the gap between theory and practice, especially across different disciplines. I can walk along side you on this journey, showing you some of the steps, and related aspects, to consider. Some of this work is sensitive and often confidential. I recognise this.

The Art of Awareness studio occupies several physical and virtual spaces. The unique physical space is currently situated at my home, Bluewater Lodge, in a beautiful location where the stunning mountains meet the blue seas and offers an opportunity for space to breath, to rest, to reflect and regenerate. 

The studio (physical/virtual) is a space to nourish self-awareness which is a state of being. Self-awareness is the foundation for the actions we take and these shape our world. Various approaches are taken including creating biophilic art (especially for those who view themselves as "not artistic").

Who has benefited?

Professionals in healthcare, recreation and the built environment, as well a educators, carers, researchers and here.

The refreshed logo of a tree placed within merging circles, with colour, symbolises interconnectedness, courage and vulnerability. The tree, a connection between earth and sky, represents birth, death, growth, resilience and life. The roots, while critical, are not shown cultivating curiosity around "that which lies unseen" beneath the surface.