Supporting creative + consensual exploration & Expression
About Me
Jen Metta Smith
Hello! My name is Jen, and I love offering workshops, art and other resources that weave together and reflect my interests in creativity, consent and community. My offerings support empowered embodiment, clarity and authentic expression and connection. I'm also a visual artist and parody song writer.
I facilitate workshops on mandala painting, as well as workshops called 'Let's Get Consensual' which explore the art of clarity, communication and consent through a blend of theory and experiential practices. While the origin of this work is body-based, the skills and insights generated in these workshops are applicable to all areas of life.
I'm grateful for many friends on the path, many of whom aren't formal teachers and many of whom do not have a public online presence. That said, here is a selection of some of the teachers who have influenced and inspired me.
- Paul Heussenstamm, Mandala Painting
- Marsha Donner, Artful Solutions
- Ted Wallace, Intuitive Painting
- Caffyn Jesse, Intimacy Education
Mandala Workshops
You will be guided and supported step by step in creating a personally meaningful and authentic mandala painting.
This workshop will nourish your artistic journey - helping to blossom your innate creative intuition, develop practical painting techniques, and harness the collective power of group energy.
This is an opportunity to express yourself through a painting that is yours to keep, connect with others who share similar interests, and to held in the support of a strong container. Creating space in your life for this can have profound and fulfilling results. I love offering these and am always amazed at what emerges. All materials are included and no experience is needed. The next workshop will be in Winter 2024. Learn more here.
Join the mailing list to be notified of upcoming workshops, or reach out to explore hosting a workshop in your community.
'Let's Get Consensual' Workshops
How do you know what you want, and how do you act when you really believe it's for you (or for the other)?
One of my passions is The Wheel of Consent, a tool developed by Dr. Betty Martin, which explores the nuances of consent, intimacy and pleasure. I recently completed the facilitator training course for the School of Consent, and am in the process of becoming certified. There's a lot to learn! ????
These workshops are a blend of theory and experiential, body-based exercises. Topics covered include noticing our desires and limits, following your pleasure, asking for what we want, creating clear agreements, and discerning between 'giving' and 'doing'. These are practices - you're meant to keep coming back to them, and every time I do I continue to learn something new.
The next workshop is Saturday, March 9th in Victoria, BC. Join my mailing list to be notified of upcoming workshops, or reach out to me directly to discuss hosting a workshop in your community.
"It was a humbling, challenging, wonderfully beautiful process and I'm so grateful I stuck it through to completion. I gained greater clarity and insight into my particular creative gifts and challenges and I know they will serve me in other corners of my life (Kosmic T album anyone?).
As a workshop facilitator Jen is highly skilled, endlessly patient, deeply kind and encouraging. Highly recommended!"
"Jen’s clear, matter of fact way of approaching and guiding this work makes something that can feel quite vulnerable somehow easier.
Slowing down in the way we were invited to throughout the workshop allowed a deepening of my awareness and also a playful curiosity to unfold. The exercises also really helped me see where I struggle and what my default patterns are. The slowing down made it easier to see where I tend to override my own needs and desires, and also supported me in creating spaciousness to actually really check in with myself, like, “Hmmm… what do I want, good question!”.
It was also fun to get really curious and open up space for the other person to really ask themself the same questions. Both my partner and I are big givers, and this practice continues to be potent for us to learn how to really lean into our own desires and to ask for and receive what we really want, which ultimately creates more pleasure for both of us!"
"Jen is a humble, kind and gentle facilitator dedicated to inspiring artistic expression through embodying joy and a deep surrender to the creative flow. In her workshops, Jen creates a safe and fun space to explore, play and learn techniques that allow participants to experience authentic self expression and the creation of beautiful, vibrant art. I was surprised at how many personal insights came up for me through the process, and felt very held and nourished in the container she created."
" Jen’s 'Let's Get Consensual' workshop provided me with a great framework to approach consent. Using the practices from the workshop with partners has been an excellent way to foster safety, connectedness and expression of boundaries. I especially liked Jen’s prompts throughout the workshop, encouraging participants to share what came up for them during each exercise.
This allowed me to reflect on what blocks and resistance I have surrounding pleasure and desire. The 3 minute game introduced in the workshop is now a huge part of my social life with friends and partners alike!"
"Jen’s workshop really opened the gateway for my creativity to flow and initiated me into a whole new world of discovery and expression. The walls of my home are quickly becoming filled up with all the art I’ve been working on since this workshop - which was my first time painting on canvas ever! Thank you so much Jen for introducing me with such heart and humility to one of my greatest joys that I didn’t know was hidden within me. Forever grateful for your vision and initiative!"
"Some of the things I noticed in this workshop were so subtle yet at the same time so impactful on my life. One of the most important skills I've developed as a result of the workshop is taking a pause to notice what I want and what information I'm taking in about a given situation. I make less assumptions. It's supported a new degree of clarity and openness with myself and my partner."
"The 'Let's Get Consensual' workshop gave me a new understanding of what giving and receiving truly feels like. I learned of the many facets of consent, the value of slowing down, and how meaningful and juicy each quadrant can be. I never knew how empowering 'getting clear on who it's for' can be when used with this new awareness!
Whether it’s for yourself or as a couple, I would wholeheartedly recommend Jen as a trustworthy guide on your consent journey."
