Learning to see...
process NOT product...
Play...NOT perfection...
dip your brush in color and let the magic begin....
Let go...of control...
tumble into the void...
Let the wild child be your guide...
During our last Soul Sessions class, one of my students who has worked with me for awhile said, "I finally get it, I get what you do, it's CREATIVE RECOVERY." I stood there dumbfounded, as I had never thought of it that way, yet when she said it to the class, and I saw all the nodding heads, I felt like I was finally able to "name," what previously had been intangible.
As a result, I have been thinking about these last couple of weeks about what it takes to find our own creative voice. Learning styles and techniques from mentors and teachers is a very important step in our creative recovery. It's a safe and playful way to open the door to rediscovery and remembering that art and the creative process belongs to everyone.
This is Emalie, my friend creative Goddess Linda's grandaughter. The voice narrating is Stephanie, Emalie's mom. This video, will make you weep, if you've forgotten..
At some point it's time to begin to trust the source within. Your source, your innate creative wisdom, the golden gem you were born with. At first this can be VERY scary! No magazines? No photo transfers? A blank sheet? Yep! That's exactly what I'm inviting you to do and I want you to know I experienced those same cold sweats when beginning my own creative recovery so many years ago. Oh the voices...they were VERY VERY LOUD! Remember...I became a photographer, because I was told I could not "draw," and had a deep need to express what was inside me.
So what's the first step to beginning this journey? All it takes is the willingness to take a risk, to make a mess and the willingness to accept what comes WITHOUT JUDGEMENT! The intention is NOT to make a pretty picture. If you begin there, it's a set up, because you are beginning AT THE END...not at the beginning with the Zen concept of "Beginners Mind."
Soul Session-#1, 1999
This is my very first Soul Session, created in 1999 on newsprint with acrylic paint on a tarp on the floor of my bedroom. What's your first impression? Go on, be honest, you won't hurt my feelings, I promise! I show this painting to all my introductory students in Soul Sessions. It's the first painting I did when I decided to find my own voice. I made an agreement with myself that I would not show the paintings to anyone. I would date and title each piece and when I was done, I would thank whatever showed up, talk to the Venomous Toads and then put them away. It wasn't easy to tame the Toads at first, but eventually I was able to learn to accept what showed up, knowing that the image had something to share with me.
Art is accessible to EVERYONE, not a select and elite few.Would you like to take a risk today to learn to see? Take some time today and finger paint. Be willing to PLAY...that's all that's required.
Continue reading as our series continues and leave a comment and let me know how it's going.
Welcome to the Boutique. Here you will find links to my shops which carry products to support your personal and professional transformation, as well as gear to show off your Feisty spirit!
I'm thrilled to announce my first Creative Awakenings online class! WOOO HOO! Join me and Alison Lee of Craftcast.com for a Feisty, creative and fun evening!
We'll show you how to make your very own Book of Dreams journal and get you started on the EnVision Art of Intention process, so you can create a guidebook for your dreams and intentions!
We've got free goodies and giveaways AND....All participants will be registered for a drawing of signed edition of Sheri's book, Creative Awakenings.
Each month we will feature a Transformation Deck Card and issue a Creative Awakenings Coach Challenge and call to Dream Spirit
The Card: Create a New Story This
excerpt from the Deck of Transformation in Creative Awakenings, to
review their "inherited or implanted stories." What does this mean?
Just as we have stories that have been passed down that inspire us, we
also carry stories that run our lives and keep us from reaching for
what it is we truly want in life. Very often these stories aren't even
OURS! Other stories are those that inspire us to reach for what we
want.
This card invites you to examine your stories, decide
which you want to keep, and which you are ready to release so you can
write your very own!
EnVision Guided Principal: Write It: Make
a quick list of stories that might be keeping you from your dreams even
if you can't remember where they came from...or who told them to you.
October 07, 2009
Photo Credit: Linda Drake from her blog...Another Artful Day
Linda has stood by my side through thick and thin. She is one of the reasons there is a book at all! Her work is delightful, whimsical and will bring a smile to your face. Her blog is a wealth of positive expression it's a must bookmark and please share her link!
My October EnVision Art of Intention. Wonder. So here's what is amazing. I don't traditionally date my pieces, but at the last minute, decided to add 10/5 at the bottom. I then realized that the exact opposite numbers 5/10 is the month I am WONDERING ABOUT!
That's exactly how EnVision works! I hope you'll join us monthly for DreamTime Monday's, so you can begin to create your own Book of Dreams journal.