Relax, focus, use art in prayer

Published: November 9, 2017

Event Details

Date: November 18, 2017
Time: 1 to 3 p.m.
Location: Art Group Gallery, #902 11525 Cantrell Rd. Little Rock AR
Contact: Holly Tilley 501-690-2198

By Laura Woford

November 1, 2017 | Rome, GA

Book cover photo

Arkansas native, Laura Woford, founded Art2Pray in 2017 to help people pray peacefully through art. The first book, Coloring Meditations for a Full Life, part of a series combining art and prayer, was published on Nov. 1 in Rome, Ga. where the initial book signing took place a week later. Laura has won the Stephens Teaching Award and puts her teaching experience and studies of Spanish literature to work for you in this small, user-friendly book. It helps readers meditate on the wisdom of St. Teresa of Avila while coloring scenes of Avila or scenes evoked by her words. In this quiet, simple activity, you enter a world of peace and joy without inner chatter that strengthens abilities in discernment and relationships to others.

The next book signing will happen Saturday, Nov. 18 from 1 to 3 p.m. at the Art Group Gallery in Pleasant Ridge Center on Cantrell in Little Rock.

Those who already know the benefits of coloring may be unfamiliar with St. Teresa of Avila. Although she lived in the 1500s when women were not encouraged to read and write, she did both. Her fame as a woman of prayer grew and she was asked to write her own autobiography. People using the book pray in a relaxed, focused way through art even if they are not artists.

A video about coloring techniques and recordings of the meditations to permit listening are available by subscribing at Art2Pray.com. Future books are being planned to reveal details about the other saints’ lives.

As for this book, Cackie Upchurch, director of Little Rock Scripture study, has said, “Art is a lovely way to meditate on small pieces of wisdom from St. Teresa . . . and the notes are simple enough to get at the heart of how these words of wisdom apply today.” All books in the series have the goal of supplying an avenue to pursue the wisdom of the saints.

As Art2Pray develops, retreats and trips to give people more personalized guidance in prayer through art will be made available. A free Facebook group already exists at facebook.com/Art2Pray where the author and others can share about their prayer lives to help one another grow as prayer warriors and deepen relationships.