Hi, I’m Sandrya

The Founder of Mindful Arts CIC

Mindful Arts Hub CIC was founded by Sandrya, a Birmingham-based artist whose personal drawing practice began as a way to slow her own mind and find steadiness during periods of overwhelm.

What started as a private, grounding process gradually evolved into something she wanted to share with other, particularly people who struggle with traditional mindfulness or feel intimidated by art.

Today, Mindful Arts Hub CIC brings that same thoughtful, pressure-free approach into group settings, working with communities, organisations, and partners who value wellbeing, inclusion, and care.

My Approach to Mindful Drawing

A calm, pressure-free approach to creativity

My workshops are not traditional art classes.
They are gentle, person-centred creative spaces designed to help people slow down, feel safe, and reconnect with themselves through drawing.

I focus less on artistic skill and more on how it feels to draw.

Simple ideas

Through every step, we've focused on staying true to our values and making space for thoughtful, lasting work.

Lasting impact

We build with clarity, act with integrity, and always stay curious.

Creating a state of calm through drawing

At the heart of my work is the belief that creativity can be a regulating, grounding experience, especially for anxious or overstimulated minds.

I intentionally create environments that feel:

  • warm and welcoming

  • calm and unhurried

  • free from judgement or pressure

Drawing becomes a quiet ritual, a way to breathe, focus, and gently settle the nervous system.

Creativity without pressure or perfection

Many people believe they “can’t draw” or don’t feel comfortable in traditional art spaces.
My approach removes that barrier.

You don’t need:

  • prior experience

  • natural “talent”

  • confidence in your creativity

I use simple, accessible mark-making techniques that allow people to surprise themselves with what they can create without striving for perfection.

A person-centred, supportive space

My workshops are rooted in person-centred creative practice.

That means:

  • the individual experience matters more than the outcome

  • participants are encouraged to work at their own pace

  • there is no comparison, correction, or critique

My role is to facilitate and hold space, offering gentle guidance while allowing each person to explore in a way that feels right for them.

Designed for anxious and sensitive people

This work is especially supportive for:

  • people living with anxiety or chronic stress

  • those who feel overwhelmed or mentally overloaded

  • introverts and sensitive individuals

  • anyone who feels disconnected from creativity

The atmosphere is intentionally non-performative — you are never asked to “share” or explain your work unless you choose to.

Focused on process over perfection

Rather than teaching step-by-step techniques or aiming for technical mastery, I focus on:

  • slowing down

  • repetition and rhythm

  • quiet focus and flow

Participants often leave feeling:

  • calmer and more grounded

  • mentally lighter

  • more confident in their creative ability

The shift in how people feel matters more than what they produce on the page.

A gentle alternative to traditional mindfulness

My workshops offer an alternative for those who don’t resonate with more abstract or “woo-woo” forms of mindfulness.

There’s no requirement to:

  • analyse emotions

  • meditate formally

  • talk about personal experiences

The drawing itself becomes the anchor : practical, accessible, and quietly effective.

A space to return to

Ultimately, I aim to create workshops that people want to return to — not just for the activity, but for the feeling.

A place to:

  • pause

  • breathe

  • draw

  • and simply exist for a while