Through the Lens of Classical Chinese Medicine
with Helene Anne Fortin – Wakefield Quebec School of Art
Are you as fascinated as I with being creative? Or is it simply my obsessive compulsive nature? For years I struggled with this yearning (for something) deep inside of me wanting to come out.
Slowly, patiently, the “creative me” emerged. Many guided me along this path and I am so grateful. But truth be told if we can learn to trust in ourselves, get to know our inner self, then the breath naturally becomes much deeper, and life more enriched.
This is one of those “coming home” workshops where we combine my two love affairs: painting and my fascination with Chinese Medicine’s 5 Elements’ theory.
(Note: My painting opposite is entitled: Ghost Tree. It was painted in 2025. Acrylic with gold leaf on gallery canvas. 16″x30″.)
The 5 Elements are 5 personality types. But it is so much more. As a healing tool, the Elements become a mirror of who we are: our strengths, our weaknesses. It is how I learned to balance and appreciate myself (and especially others.)
In this Tree of your Life Workshop you will discover your Element and its traits. You will deepen your understanding of creativity through the art of painting, and grasp how your Element has shaped your life. All levels of creatives are welcome here.
Become subtle enough that you can hear a tree breathe. John O’Donohue
Why is this important? Well I am a combination of two Elements: Earth and Wood. What does that say about me? I care a lot about people (Earth) and I get a lot of things done (Wood). My life lessons are : learning to look after myself better (Earth) and to not get so frustrated if things don’t go my way (Wood). BTW my OCD tendency links to my Earth Element. As you can see I am still a work in progress.
Understanding my Elements and my tendencies of action/reaction I have learned to change, soften and mostly laugh at myself.
(Note: The Kanji opposite means Wisdom.)
But this workshop is really about painting a tree with a very limited palette. Your tree will reflect the colours of your Element. The soul of who you are.
As with any of my workshops, you can choose to take it as deeply or as lightly as you wish. For example, how do I make a colour really stand out if I am working with a limited palette? Say I have a primarily green palette. What happens if I underpaint my canvas in red?
Yes, there are colours associated with each of the 5 Elements. For example, the colour predominant in the Metal Element (a strong character with distinctive viewpoints) would be white. The Wood Element would be green. The Earth Element, yellow. The Fire Element, red. The Water Element: blue or black.
“May there be kindness within when you look within. May you never place walls between the light and yourself. May you allow the wild beauty of the invisible world to gather you, to mind you and to embrace you in Belonging.” John O’Donohue
The personality traits of each are part of this Workshop. For example, a Water Element is prone to fear — getting stuck in life and not easily able to move forward. They counterbalance by learning to trust in themselves, and their universe.
Let’s take that a step further. How would you paint a Water Element Tree with colours of blue or black?
How would you portray trust in line and form? Obviously expressive mark-making becomes central. That too you will experience in this workshop.
Over time I’ve come to realize that painting is about problem solving. Every stroke of the brush leads to the question: what if I did this? Or what do I do next? The core of painting with ease is truly about learning to let go (an ideal Metal trait.)
(Note: This recent painting represents the Fire Element. An acrylic painting on 12×20 on gallery wrapped canvas.)
So this Workshop ties together a limited palette exercise, expressive mark-making, a deepening knowledge of self and a playful approach to coming home with canvas, brush and paint in my safe studio space…all rolled into Your Tree of Life. Your Spirit Canvas.
You are so welcome here.
Goals of the Workshop…
- To help you to elicit simplicity in abstract design.
- To, possibly, deepen your love of your uniqueness.
- To connect/reconnect with inner joy and peace while doing so.
The Tools…
The tools we will use: canvas, acrylic paints well as one of my favourite apps, Notanizer. If you wish, you can download the Notanizer app prior to this workshop. It costs about $3ish Cdn. I’ve installed mine on my iphone to test the power of my artwork. Don’t worry, I’ll show you how it works. I will supply the acrylic paint, brushes and canvas though you are welcome to bring your own.
One final note about the Workshop. As a portrait photographer, artist and mentor, my studio is steeped in creativity. I strongly believe that being creative is critical for our mental and physical health. So part of the Workshop will be to explain how our brain fights to keep us non-creative, and the importance of working with your non-dominant hand.
If you wish to get some insight into my creativity obsession, here’s a link to my recent article: Creativity Sanctuary published in Energy Magazine. I’ve been a contributing writer to this magazine for years.
What to Bring…
Your phone or ipad.
A notebook and pen.
A snack as the Workshop lasts 4 hours. (BTW stop whenever you are hungry. My tendency is just to keep teaching. Here you need to look after yourself.)
Three large plastic tubs (like large yogurt containers) – see pic (for water and paint) if easily available.
Cheap Brushes Only…
Three cheap natural hair brushes (see pic) I repeat: cheap ones. Shouldn’t cost more than $15. I am looking for small, medium and large brushes. Everyone’s tendency is to paint with too small brushes. We get lost in the minutiae rather than painting the big picture.
No precious clothes that day, please. I expect most of us will be covered with paint.
The Ritual of Tea & the Art of Contemplation…
Today’s world insists that we be active all the time otherwise someone questions our worth. Art-making or creative play requires the opposite: a time for contemplation.
The ritual of stopping and sipping tea and looking at what you have created, is an important part of this process.
So step back. Sip tea in small cups. To really contemplate what you have created. If you are lucky, perhaps, you will be “told” what to do next.
Of course there will be tea “on the boil” all day — usually Golden Dragon Jasmine or my latest favourite: a Jasmine Oolong.
Where is the Workshop Being Held?
Where? In the gardens…
Of Helene Anne Fortin’s Wakefield Quebec Studio – 5 Burnside Road in the heart of the Village – 11-3 pm on Sunday, September 26, 2026 and another date in September (to be determined). It is not allowed to rain that day (say I)…selfishly. I am trying to keep paint away from my hand-made carpets.
Cost • Levels • Accommodation
Workshop Cost: $100.
All levels welcome. This is about exploring YOUR creativity.
Accommodation: Right now, my Airbnb suite (at the back of the studio) has a vacancy for that weekend. If you wish to stay overnight in Wakefield, here’s the Airbnb link: airbnb.ca/h/wakefieldartstudio
Questions?
Email: info@portraitsofyourlife.com • Tel: 819 459.2161
Testimonials from Previous Workshop Participants
- The transformation Workshop was a lot of fun. I would do this again although I love what I have painted!
- Your Workshops unlocked my brain power.
- Thank you again for a beautiful workshop that nutured our souls.
- You are adorable. Your experience and knowledge really help me in letting go. Thank you for being generous with me.
- Doing the workshop outdoors was an excellent idea – love everything about this workshop. Thank you!
- I will try to come to all other workshops. (This was) …fun, inspiring.
- I can’t thank you enough. I had a wonderful time!
- Best investment in myself I could ever have made.
- Really enjoyed the day. I loved the challenge, the creativity and the beautiful environment.
- 5+ out of 5 – Liked the stories! Appreciated the guidance.
- It’s my second workshop with Helene Anne. So interesting!
- I am completely new to art and struggle to let go. Helene Anne was great at getting me to loosen up. I got there in the end! Took a while but I truly enjoyed the process!
- Helene Anne, you have a very unique and calming manner to approach painting techniques. Your studio is most inviting and inspirational — a sense of calmness reigns throughout. I completely enjoyed this session!
- Thank you so much! Great info, guidance & inspiration.
- Very appreciative of this opportunity and would love to experience another class. Wonderful environment!!
- I appreciated the very confident and supportive style of teaching.
- Merci beaucoup pour ce merveilleux moment!
- I realize that the class is already four hours in and yet it doesn’t seem like enough time!
- Such an inspiring and spacious day, thank you! So much more than I ever expected.
- Loved that the workshop touched on so many different aspects of the art of painting. Learned a lot and got the inspiration I came for.
- Thanks for providing such a lovely educational, unique and inspiring class. Amazing environment!
- As before (this is my second workshop with Helene Anne), I really enjoyed the class. My only suggestion is to have a list of references or websites mentioned. (Note: Some are in your workbook but I will add others shortly — thank you for this important comment. Helene Anne)
- Very much enjoyed the afternoon. The point was to ignite the spark I had as a child. I succeeded.
- Creative environment and playful. The day opened new ideas and possibilities and calmed the spirit. Thank you!
- Love the spontaneity of communal art!
- Inspirational!
- Great class and group. Inspires me to continue.
About Helene Anne…
This Kanji means Wisdom.
Helene Anne Fortin • kind mentor 