The Void Is The Womb Of Creation: Drawing As A Psychedelic Experience

In this four week figure-drawing course, we will journey through a series of guided drawing exercises led by longtime artist and psychonaut, Johnny Sagan. While teaching drawing by working from the live model, Johnny will provide the BPS community with the opportunity to use drawing itself as a means of psychedelic gnosis. Over the course of four weeks, we will learn how to use the artistic process as a form of meditation, accessing the self-reflective state often cultivated in our spiritual-intellectual tradition by working with entheogens.

All are welcome to join us on this artistic journey inwards! Johnny aims to activate our community’s potential as a collaborative creative space, giving beginners at drawing a supportive, encouraging foundational experience, while allowing seasoned artists to practice and share their skills. In line with healing, we want to emphasize expression without judgment in this workshop. Artists of all skill levels are encouraged to participate!

Johnny Sagan studies drawing, painting, and graphic arts at the Art Students League and in the City University Of New York at Hunter College. Since New Years 2018, he has remained sober from all entheogens (except for tea and coffee!) and has used creativity and art as a bridge to the psychedelic. Through art, we bridge the mind to the material - “we are drawing something in and out of ourselves.”

This course will meet from 7-10pm on 4/14, 4/21, 4/28, and 5/5. Participants are welcome to enroll in all four sessions or individual sessions if you are unable to commit to the full course. All necessary supplies are included in the tuition for this program. More information about the curriculum for this course can be found here. Please note that the intention of this course is to explore drawing as a means to achieving an altered state, without the use of entheogens. We encourage sober participation to maximize your engagement with this course.

We hope this space can provide you with reflection, healing, and connection. If you have any questions, please reach out to us at hello@bps.community. We look forward to you joining us for this practice!