“Would you feel even more loved, safe, and supported if you knew you were being guided in each moment to the spaces, places, and people that would serve your highest and greatest good in each moment?” Whitney Freya, Rise Above: Free Your Mind One Brushstroke at a Time
How connected do you feel to your intuition? Can you hear it above the busyness and noise of everyday life? Can you tell the difference between inner wisdom, the inner critic, and fear?
“The invitation right now is to tune in to the ways your soul is whispering to you every step of your journey,” writes Whitney Freya. Feelings, synchronicities, dreams, and imagination “represent an unfiltered, higher perspective. Your soul communicates to you very clearly- if you understand its language.
Explore intuition through meditation, breathwork, a guided visualization, conversation, and a powerful (yet very easy) painting process that I will guide you through step-by-step.
Register on Brown Paper Tickets to reserve your place at the table for this conversation and intuitive, painting experience.
This week, I’m sharing how “saying yes” in my creative process awakens possibilities beyond the realm of intellectual decision-making. Last week’s blog post “Saying Yes Leads to the Next Yes” explored how opening to possibilities in life as they speak to me on a soul level, can create space for profoundly wonderful things to happen. The same is true with my artistic process. Sometimes, I start with an idea or sketch which makes its way to the canvas or paper. Other times, I like to sit in the stillness and wait. Rather than put my idea on the surface, I want to see what will reveal itself to me. Being receptive rather than being “in charge”. Allowing rather than controlling.
The sketch for “Awakening” came when I allowed music to guide my process.
INSPIRATION THAT AWAKENED MY CREATIVITY
Several weeks ago, I decided to do something I had never done before. This isn’t news. I love trying new things! Sounds of Spirit was performing nearby and I had the opportunity to attend. I had never heard of them before but their website intrigued me so off I went with a sleeping bag, my journal, and a water bottle. It was a spiritually moving and creatively inspiring experience. The group uses a rich variety of instruments, nature sounds, and human voices to transport the listeners to a different place. The outward experience of being in the space with them led to an inward journey for many of us in attendance. I was so deeply moved that I bought their CD and listened to it over and over as I worked in my art studio.
During the creative process, I have to allow each bold choice to guide me to the next choice.
ALLOW MYSELF TO BE A CHANNEL
On the day I created the sketch above, I turned up the volume on my CD player and let the music wash over me and through me. I kept my eyes closed until imagery started to appear. Then, I opened my eyes and simply transferred those images to the paper. I felt like I was a channel not a creator at that point. I said “Yes” to one image, which informed the next, which informed the next. I allowed the process to happen freely without interference from my analytical mind or pesky inner critic.
I started with the 3 large repeated shapes in the background. Then, the larger seated figure wanted to appear. Then, little images around her began to tell their own story. These figures informed the border and smaller symbols around the edges. Each “yes” lead to the next “yes”. The same thing happened when I chose my first color to wash over the larger areas. Each choice naturally flowed into the next.
BEING BOLD MEANS BEING VULNERABLE
Who said being bold meant being confident or certain? Not me! Having the courage to be bold is also having the courage to be vulnerable and exposed. Being bold doesn’t mean I’m always going to get it right in art or in life. It means I have the courage to try. There is a measure of risk in creating art that is a genuine reflection of who I am and where I am on my journey. There is even greater boldness and vulnerability in allowing others to see it. For I’m aware that those who truly look at my art with open minds and hearts will have the ability to catch a brief glimpse inside the soul of the artist.
The finished mixed media piece titled Awakening is the result of saying yes to creative possibilities.
AWAKENING
After many hours in the studio and many layers of pencil, gouache, and ink, AWAKENING was complete. I was awakened to the possibilities created by saying one “yes” after another. I hope this piece awakens something in you, too.
