Drawing to Ignite Creativity and Discover Self-expression

Using drawing as a vehicle for creative inquiry, our resident artist, Brenden Bates, encourages curiosity, original thinking and confident self-expression, helping young people and parents discover that drawing is far more than the creation of images.

Drawing is a powerful way to explore ideas, challenge assumptions, and to develop and communicate new ways of seeing and thinking.

Building confidence in self-expression empowers children to communicate their unique ideas with imagination and conviction. The emphasis of the workshop is on developing this confidence, embracing experimentation and discovering new possibilities through the creative process.

Participants will work with a variety of materials, including charcoal, soft pastels, and more. Through both individual and collaborative works, participants will explore drawing on paper and spatial drawing, challenging traditional expectations of what drawing can be while experiencing the value of collaboration, independent thinking and creative expression to engage deeply with the world. Essentially, it's going to be lots of inspirational fun!

What to Bring Please note that this is a practical workshop.

• Hands will get dirty and clothing may become marked.

• Wash basins and bathrooms are available in the building.

• If your child prefers not to have charcoal on their hands, please bring disposable gloves, wipes or personal hand wash.

• Please wear suitable clothing, or bring a smock or oversized shirt that can get messy.

All artistic materials will be provided.

Individual artworks can be taken home after the session.

About the Presenter:

Brenden Bates is an Artist, Designer, Creative Director and local dad, supporting GTCASA as a committee member.

For more than 25 years, Brenden has worked across a broad range of creative disciplines including creative direction, graphic design, UX/UI, branding and identity, web design and development, illustration, conceptual art, animation, video production, photography, product design, interior design, fashion, marketing, events, e-learning, multimedia and more.

Through his studio, Thought Balloon, he has delivered design solutions and provided creative direction for organisations spanning airlines, manufacturing, retail, software, government, education, universities, health and medical services, charities, media, public transport, banking, telecommunications, property, sport, logistics, food and wine, fashion, and many other industries. His work has taken him throughout Australia and internationally across Europe, Asia and the United States.

Brenden holds a Bachelor of Graphic Design (Environmental Design) and further specialised in Multimedia at the European Institute of Design in Italy.

Alongside his professional design business, Brenden maintains a deeply personal artistic practice. His creative process serves as a vehicle of exploration, each canvas a window of possibility, with works providing insight into the true nature of life and glimpses into a vast universe (or multiple thereof) beyond the canvas. Paintings are kept at the edge of resolution, to retain the conversation and allow questions to continue providing answers.