13/05/2026
Bringing in the Character, Colour & Connection! Yesterday for the first time I facilitated two new unique workshops exploring the intersection of wellbeing science, coaching and creative self-portraiture, and the response honestly exceeded my hopes and expectations!
Using Character Strengths, Best Future Self-reflection, and expressive portrait-making, participants created bold, powerful and colourful representations of themselves.
But what unfolded in the room was so much more than an art activity.
There was energy, openness and genuine connection. Participants reflected deeply on the strengths that have helped them navigate the challenges and opportunities presented in both their professional and personal lives.
They recognised strengths and qualities they more often take for granted, and sometimes overplay, and explored how they want to show up in the future, not just for themselves, but for those around them too.
What struck me most was how naturally people aligned colour, symbolism and image with identity, emotion and possibility.
The workshops reinforced for me the growing evidence that creative practice can activate multiple pathways to wellbeing combining the cognitive, emotional, social and embodied.
I’m increasingly convinced that his approach has huge potential not only in arts and wellbeing settings, but also within organisations, leadership and team development, and in schools and the wider education and training sector.
I’m now developing this work further ahead of presenting and facilitating the workshop at the European Congress on Positive Psychology at the Dublin Convention Centre in July. Can’t wait! I’m so excited to see where this convergence of character, colour and connection might lead.
This post is dedicated to the memory of Dr Andrea Giraldez-Hayes who’s shared love of art and coaching truly inspired me to be bold and do this, and who touched the lives of so many people in so many positive ways. 🙏 ✨
