Pamela Underwood Expressive Arts Studios

Where do I begin to say a heartfelt THANK YOU (to Pamela Underwood) for an amazing experience! The bond I felt with our group was so safe, comfortable, and warm… it was like a giant hug held me throughout the weekend. Thank you from the bottom of my heart! Thanks to you… I can now shout from the rooftops – I AM AN ARTIST!

When I decided to give Bodywriting a try, I was an emotional and physical wreck. My marriage of 22 years was dissolving. I was really surprised how many of my feelings surfaced (the first) night (during the Intuitive Collage). The experience of slathering paint on my body and imprinting not only gave me a spiritual sense of freeing myself, it was fun! I felt a real connection with the other women. I left there feeling stronger, more sure of myself, more creative. Thank you, Pamela, for your loving guidance and direction.

“I find that when I take my journal with me as I did this week when I spent considerable time… at my parent’s home, I find a release from what I’ll call family anxiety. As conversations go on around me that are of no interest to me or are anxiety producing, I just put my journal on the table with oil pastels or some paint and I just dig in. I happily add another layer to my pages. Works for me. One of the most precious things to me is that my grandson, Thomas age 7, also brought his journal when he came to his great grandparents house … We go over each page together. Running our hands over his work while he tells me what inspired his drawing, painting or whatever. It is one of my favorite things to do. Thank you.” - Image Quest Sojourn

“My kudos for this workshop is a long list which includes great food, great company, great organization and great ideas for the process. I found everything to be relaxing, stupendously beautiful and thoroughly enjoyable. It is extremely clear that Pamela works very hard to make this the safest, cleanest, most luscious and vivid experience for everyone. I absolutely love the end result that I came away with.” - Bodywriting

“I first came to appreciate the value of reflective writing during grad school when I used it as a learning tool in a study skills class I created for my thesis project. While I keep thinking journals to organize my thoughts, they have been filled primarily with practical words and thinking images. Now my thinking journals are alive with color, filled with meaningful words and imagery, and have become indispensable learning tools. Pamela taught me how to be a more thoughtful observer and a smarter thinker.” - Image Quest Sojourn

…Pamela , just last night I was staring at my Bodywriting art, ruminating about how far I’ve come in three years (since Bodywriting) and how it would be great to come full circle again now that I have healed so much. It was a very empowering thought and just another testament to the incredible power of your concept and process.

"There seems to be a bank of creativity that is available each day if we don’t spend all our energy on other things – like work and worry. Alas, I spend great gobs of energy on those things and that is where Pamela comes into my life. Pamela provides me the permission and guidance to delve into the wonderful creativity of life which sparks much needed insight and happiness." - Image Quest Sojourn

“For me, Image Quest is a journey inward in the presence of a strong group of co-creators. We witness each others’ experiences of experimenting with paper and paint and words …our creations become more and more reflective of who we are as human beings and as artists until we really come to our own voice with our images. My process led to an unexpected appreciation of my roots in the Midwest and the extended family members who have contributed to who I am today. My sojourn with Pamela created a deep resting place within myself where I can call on inner resources to better meet the challenges that life presents. " - Image Quest

So much of the sum total of me shifted there (at Bodywriting). Like the big clamshell the woman comes out of, or the head of Zeus, or Spiderwoman’s lair… If you saw the “March of the Penguins,” you’ll know what I mean when I say I will always have a deep hard-wired notion to spend time (at Pamela Underwood Studios).

“Pamela Underwood’s Bodywriting workshops are [a] portal into a deeper part of ourselves, an opening into that place of light within where we can make sense of our experiences and listen to our body’s wisdom. It is not just another creative experience. It is a journey into wholeness and newness. She is a gifted facilitator who helps you access your own truth and discover your real beauty in a joyful, imaginative and supportive environment. It’s a weekend you will never forget and the art you make will surprise and delight you on every level.” - Bodywriting

“Bodywriting is clearly cellular…no instruction or book or therapy could of freed me like this. Feels like the brain and the cells have transformed completely using the body as a tool…by going through the body it feels like it tricks the brain and then it all lets go…the cells feel happy and different and free. There is a quality of trust and faith that takes place on the retreat revealing our true self expression not only as women but as spirit in a body…This can only happen in a safe and soothing environment which Pamela provides." - Bodywriting

Pam​e​la Underwood is a creative genius. She designed and buil​t​ her home sanctuary in harmony with the land​,​ to foster creativity. She is the architect of Body​w​riting ​R​etreat. With Sage wisdom, she leads her circle of wom​en into finding their plumb~line. During my time at Body​w​riting ​R​etreat I found my plumb~line many times. While walking the labyrinth, in the pool, brushing paint to canvas and seeing the subtle blend of color, are just a few of the moments when I felt the powerfully soft sensation of being in true alignment; My plumb~line. In this five day retreat I had so many deep belly laughs. As my painting emerged, I was giggly. Pam​e​la's poetry reading softened me to sweet sensitive tears, that carried into lighter lighter brush strokes and finer details in my painting. All of my needs were met during this retreat. Including, much needed and wanted, technical composition​​ techniques,​ ​to create depth and dimension in my painting. I am filled with gratitude, for the care and craft that Pam​e​la put into creating this profound experience. (Namastay).