Graphic Arts

**Paint My Love** is a guided creative experience exploring love - in all its forms. ***Love of self. Love we were taught. Love we long for.*** ***Love in friendships, family, community, and romantic relationships.*** Through art, reflection, and small-group conversations, we’ll create space to slow down and explore what love actually means to *us -* beyond clichés and socially imposed expectations. This is not an art class and you don’t need to be “creative.” This is about expression, curiosity, play, and connection. Get your tickets here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/paint-my-love-a-creative-exploration-of-love-connection-tickets-1982076347712?aff=oddtdtcreator ### What to expect * Guided prompts exploring love, relationships, and self-connection * Art materials to experiment, play, and express freely * Small-group, facilitated conversations * A warm, intentional space for meaningful connection, without pressure * Laughter, lightness, and room to be human We care deeply about creating events that feel both **heartfelt and fun**. Play is an important part of how we connect, and this evening will hold space for both depth *and* joy. ### Who this is for This event is for you if you: * Are curious about love and how it shows up in your life * Want deeper, more intentional conversations * Enjoy creative experiences without needing to be “good” at art * Are craving connection that feels authentic, gentle, and grounded Come solo or with a friend, many people arrive alone and leave feeling connected. ### What’s included * All art materials * Guided facilitation and prompts * Small-group discussions * A cozy, welcoming café setting Food and drinks will be available for purchase from MottoMotto Café. ### Accessibility MottoMotto Café is accessible directly from street level. If you have any accessibility needs or questions, please reach out - we’ll do our best to accommodate. We’re committed to creating inclusive, thoughtful experiences for all.

Our next monthly **Art Crawl** is on *Saturday February 7th. (Thank you for filling up the January Crawl so quickly and smoothly!)* For February--**starting close to Dundas West TTC, and finishing at Lansdowne TTC** PLEASE read everything over first! What are the next steps.. About 15-18 members each time. **Once each month** on a *Saturday afternoon*. (1pm-3pm range) **$10 per person. Sent via e-transfer when you signup/rsvp.** ***We will visit 3 different*** (downtown/west end) galleries each month (short walks between each one). \*\*\*Each month will be different galleries. \*\*We'll meet the Gallery owners/artists/directors--who will lead us in 30 minutes of tour and conversation at each stop. Cold, hail, snow, rain, slush---**we will carry on!** NO cancellations/No refunds or any re-scheduling. Interested in ART/artists--**and learning/visiting the exceptional local downtown galleries we have in Toronto?** Saturday February 7th (1pm-3:30pm) Once I have 15-18 confirmations from Meetup members (you)--I will email you the location of our ART Crawl!! In early January. *If interested, please email me $10. (e-transfer)* @ torontoisculture@gmail.com **Include your first name only, and email address for a reply. I will then confirm you.** See you on February 7th! We will do this in January, February, March, and April 2026. 12 galleries in total. Each month will be posted separately. $10 each time. **January 2026 is FULL.** You can email me directly here or questions. torontoisculture@gmail,com Greg Thanks. Upcoming: March 2026.

Happy New Year! Hope everyone had a fun and relaxing holiday season. **We're back with our weekly Expressive Art Classes for 2026.** **Weekly Expressive Art Classes** Our weekly **Expressive Art Saturdays** weekly sessions are an invitation to slow down, breathe, and reconnect with yourself through creativity and mindfulness. Each class weaves together meditation, connection, and expressive art, guiding you toward stillness, clarity, and calm. We will explore different expressive art activities designed to support ongoing self-discovery and emotional release. Some practices may return over time, allowing for deeper reflection and new insights with each experience. To sign up please complete the form: https://forms.gle/v6NWdEXNsfsKnKY66

This collaborative day retreat brings together somatic psychotherapy, mindful movement and meditation to work with different layers of experience (body, mind, spirit). Through experiential exercises, guided movement (Qi Gong practice), reflective activities and group sharing, you will be supported to slow down and listen inwardly to what is emerging while practicing being compassionately present with processes that are sometimes difficult to bring to conscious awareness. This is a chance to slow down, be present, and centre yourself in order to reconnect with your inner wisdom and clarity. Ultimately, it is this inner wisdom that can support you in navigating the stresses of life with more presence, ease, intuition, and alignment. **This day retreat is suitable for:** * Individuals interested in deepening somatic and movement-based practices * Those experiencing overwhelm, stress, or nervous system overload, and longing to slow down and settle * Anyone wishing to explore mindful Qigong and embodied practices that support overall health and wellness—physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually * Anyone seeking greater support with emotional fluidity * Those wanting clarity around belief systems and habitual ways of thinking, and support in understanding and shifting them * People feeling stuck, uncertain, or unclear **Location:** 1369 Bloor St. W. (Near Lansdowne and Bloor), Toronto **Facilitators: Dr, Shira Taylor**: Physician Psychotherapist: Focused medical practice in psychotherapy since 2014 with a special interest in mind/body/spirit approaches to healing and wellness. Her practice focuses on group psychotherapy. Dr. Taylor provides clinical services for people struggling with a wide variety of life difficulties including depression, anxiety, PTSD, Complex Trauma, chronic pain, chronic illness, grief, sexuality, religious and spiritual challenges. She brings a unique trauma-informed approach to mindfulness and operates from an anti-oppressive framework. **Fraser/Rishi:** BIO Fraser Rishi has been practicing and teaching Qi Gong for over two decades, using these practices to support health, overall wellness, and healing. He has studied Tai Chi and Qi Gong in a number of traditions and has been authorized to teach Taijiwuxigong by Andy Henry. He has also completed a one-year mentorship in Five Elements Qi Gong with Mimi Kuo-Deemer. He also has completed two yoga teacher trainings, the most recent completed in India in 2016 with longtime teacher Pankaj Seth, whom he first practiced with over 20 years ago. Fraser received the name Rishi from his root teacher Moojibaba, whose love, presence, and clarity have contributed greatly to his life. He is a bio-dynamic cranial sacral therapist, as well as a certified mindfullness instructor through U of T Social Work Program. **Cost:** Dr. Shira Taylor's services are covered by OHIP with a valid OHIP card. Fraser Rishi’s services are available on a sliding scale of $200–$350 (tax included). This sliding scale is designed to support accessibility and choice. If financial support is needed, it is possible to contribute at the lower end of the scale. For those who are able to offer more, contributions at the higher end help support the availability of reduced-cost spaces for others who might not otherwise be able to attend. As much as possible, we do not want money to be a barrier to participation. **Scholarships:** A limited number of energy exchange scholarships are available upon request. Please email for details. **Registration:** 1\. Please email wholepeaceconnect@gmail\.com and or follow this link for further details and to start the registration process: https://www\.drshirataylor\.ca/upcoming\-groups/inhabiting\-ourselves 2\. Complete any electronic intake forms required which you will receive electronically if you have not done any previous workshops\, retreats\, or groups with Dr\. Shira 3\. Complete your registration by sending your $50 deposit or full payment via e\-transfer to [wholepeaceconnect@gmail.com](mailto:wholepeaceconnect@gmail.com)

***\*\*\*This class is open to all levels, weather permitting; in an event of poor weather conditions class will be changed to a regular class\*\*\**** **Come workout, have fun, relieve your stress, and meet your fellow neighbours!** Welcoming interested people to join our FREE classes every Tuesday evening from 7:00pm to 9:00pm and every Sunday afternoon from 2:30PM-4:30PM near Bathurst/Lake Shore area. Classes are led by our event organizer, Master **Dave Crook**, a seasoned 4th degree black belt Hapkido practitioner from a respected academy with many years of experience in this art and various others. **About this form of martial arts:** Hapkido is a hybrid Korean martial art. It is a form of self-defense that employs joint locks, grappling, throwing techniques, kicks, punches, and other striking attacks. **How to join:** Join this group/event and directly message me with your interest. **Q: Is this completely FREE?** A: Yes, classes/lessons are completely FREE **Q: Do I require a gi/uniform to participate?** A: Gi is completely optional, only required when doing groundwork grappling/throw techniques **Q: Are there grading and belt progression?** A: Yes, there are grading and belts, which will cost $30 just to cover the cost, testing will done when YOU are comfortable and ready! **Current Martial Artists Belt Status:** 1x Masters - 4th Degree Black Belt 1x Yellow Belt (former red belt) 1x Yellow Stripe Belt 134x White Belts **Belt Colours - Progression in Descending Order:** * White Belt * Yellow Stripe Belt * Yellow Belt * Orange Stripe Belt * Orange Belt * Green Stripe Belt * Green Belt * Blue Stripe Belt * Blue Belt * Red Stripe Belt * Red Belt * Black Stripe Belt * Black Belt **Curriculum of Techniques** **White Belt to Yellow Stripe:** **Strikes (all strikes from left wrist grab, striking with right)** 1\. Sword Strike to Clavicle 2\. Nunchuk Strike to Temple 3\. Companion Sword Strike with Elbow Strike to Solar Plexus 4\. Spear Hand to Femoral Artery 5\. Palm Strike to Floating Rib 6\. Spear Hand to Trachea **Breakaways (all breakaways from right wrist grab)** 1\. Latissimus Dorsi push with bucking back fist 2\. When pulled with bucking back fist 3\. When pushed with bucking back fist 4\. Downward break away with elbow strike 5\. Live\-hand tricept push up with elbow strike 6\. Assisted tricept push\-up with elbow strike **Take Downs (performed both sides)** 1\. Pivot throw Joint Locks (all joint locks from right wrist grab) 1\. 'Kul Nut Key' to elbow 2\. 'Kul Nut Key' to elbow 45 degrees 3\. One inch bow 4\. Side wrist lock \- bend elbow 5\. Side elbow lock 6\. Elbow lock controlled **Escapes From Mounted Position (all from opponent on mount position - performed both sides)** 1\. Escape to Mount 2\. Escape to Guard 3\. As punches are received \- buck \- single arm hook \- roll 4\. As punches are received \- buck \- shoulder walk \- two arm hook \- guard 5\. Escape when head is locked 6\. Escape when head is locked with high mount **Kicks (both sides)** 1\. Side kick **To learn more about Hwa Won Yue Hapkido visit our website here:** http://www.hapkidohwawonyue.ca/toronto.html#

Each week there is some recommended readings to be done before we meet. **Please see the attached schedule for this week's readings.** The Bible Timeline® study program takes you on a guided journey through salvation history. Presenter Jeff Cavins will show you how fourteen of the Bible’s narrative books tell the biblical story from beginning to end and will give you the keys to understanding the amazing story woven throughout Scripture. The Bible Timeline will teach you how to read and understand the entire Bible and introduce you to the wonderful narrative of Scripture in a way that will transform your life. The online material can be bought online through the link below (optional). However, each session we can share copies for you to have discussion questions in class and reading guideline for the next session. https://ascensionpress.com/products/the-bible-timeline-the-story-of-salvation-online-video-access

Learn the elegant art of Japanese Calligraphy in a single, focused project! **When:** Sunday, 15 Feb 2026, 10:30 AM - 12:00 PM **Where:** Nova Labs, 3850 Jermantown Rd, Fairfax, VA 22030 **Registration** is **Online Only** at: https://portal.nova-labs.org/event-6471021 **Details:** Learn the elegant art of Japanese Calligraphy in a single, focused project! We'll teach you how to properly use and care for the tools. By the end of class, you will create a beautiful, inspirational Japanese word on Hanshi paper to display proudly in your home. Start your calligraphy journey today! This class includes the Brushes that you'll need in this class so you can keep practicing on your own! Children are welcome, but registration is required. Any child under 12 must be registered and attend with a parent or guardian.

Let’s hang out and journal together, trade stationary and stickers, and have a good time! Please note, we do not have a reservation, so we will do our best to find some good spots when we get there.

Let’s meet again to share the joy of fountain pens with each other! Bring your spare inks to swap samples, if you enjoy that sort of thing. Journaling and art is welcome as well. See you there!

Join us for this exciting painting workshop in NOVA area. I am a [professional artist/university prof.](https://www.nataliyagurshmanpaintings.com/) and I will teach you ins and outs of palette knife painting. You will learn new techniques, and create a beautiful landscape painting to take home. No experience required, just desire to explore something new and meet other creatives, and enjoy a sip of wine (not included in the ticket). All of the art supplies are provided. Please [sign up at the link below.](https://www.eventbrite.com/e/creative-singles-40-plus-painting-workshop-with-live-instruction-tickets-1980791522766?aff=oddtdtcreatorte) https://www.eventbrite.com/e/creative-singles-40-plus-painting-workshop-with-live-instruction-tickets-1980791522766?aff=oddtdtcreatorte I am looking forward to meeting everyone. Bring your friends and family.

This class will provide instruction into various concepts of **Jiu-Jitsu** as a form of **martial art**. Participants will have the opportunity to **study**, **practice**, and **experiment** with **submission holds** and **strategic fighting controls** that are the hallmark of the now famous methodology of Professional MMA athletes and professional combatives users. This **gi class** is held every **Tuesday** and **Thursday** and includes **one hour of instruction** and **30 minutes** (sometimes longer, TBD) of **open training**. Gis are available if you need one. Drop-in fee for non-members is **$20** which which can be paid on-site. Note that we are in **Suite #130**.

**The Arts of Life with Nancy Burbridge - Discover Yourself through art!** **You're Invited to 'Arts of Life'** A meditative journey through art with local artist Nancy Burbridge Join us every third Friday of the month at the Brahma Kumaris Meditation Museum, Virginia from 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM for creativity, relaxation, and self-discovery. In this interactive session, you will learn how to draw, paint, and explore the beauty within, cultivating the best version of yourself in a serene and supportive environment. Come experience the magic of art and meditation as tools for self-expression and inner growth. All materials are provided, and no prior experience is necessary. Just bring your curiosity and a willingness to explore! We can't wait to see you there! Fri., Feb. 20th, 11:00 am – 1:00 pm. Held at Brahma Kumaris Meditation Museum- Virginia, 14020 Thunderbolt Pl., Suite 200, Chantilly, VA, 20151. Free Event – Register at: [https://shorturl.at/m6Ncn](https://shorturl.at/m6Ncn)