This painting was done just after my beloved dog Bella's euthanization on June 2, 2017. It was an emotional, tender and meaningful time. It was so helpful to paint her that day. I painted myself with an emphasis on my heart and then she came in with her wet nose resting on my shoulder and her little paws rapped around me. I felt so much joy in painting her. I felt deeply connected in the painting and could feel her love for me. It was pure bliss. I had a sense that she really had not gone anywhere that her spirit was still right here with me.
I am continually amazed at how the simple act of painting can intimately connect me to myself and the greater whole. I have found that creativity used for self -discovery is a true path to awakening. In this process one learns to move from the intuition and what feels alive in the body, to let go of attachment to product, meaning and control and to fall in love with exploring and inventing. It accesses the subconscious easily and one learns to trust the images and impulses that come which often lead to profound insight. I look at creativity (for process not product) like a rotor rooter cleaning out our human pipeline. It opens the heart, cleanses the soul and always takes one where they are not free in the psyche. Often when a painter has a blissful opening then they will meet something very uncomfortable that they want to pull away from by painting over or even ripping up the painting. Through the process of staying with what is uncomfortable and accepting what is without trying to paint over it a healing occurs, feelings are felt and energy is met.
I have personally met so many exiled parts of myself through this painting process. I think of it as a path to freedom. The intimacy I have felt with myself and all of creation has been exquisite. The ability for the process to alleviate physical pain in my body has amazed me also. The process gives me an opportunity to meet myself just where I’m at without resistance. Every human energy can be expressed through color, image, intention, etc. in the work.
I am continually amazed at how the simple act of painting can intimately connect me to myself and the greater whole. I have found that creativity used for self -discovery is a true path to awakening. In this process one learns to move from the intuition and what feels alive in the body, to let go of attachment to product, meaning and control and to fall in love with exploring and inventing. It accesses the subconscious easily and one learns to trust the images and impulses that come which often lead to profound insight. I look at creativity (for process not product) like a rotor rooter cleaning out our human pipeline. It opens the heart, cleanses the soul and always takes one where they are not free in the psyche. Often when a painter has a blissful opening then they will meet something very uncomfortable that they want to pull away from by painting over or even ripping up the painting. Through the process of staying with what is uncomfortable and accepting what is without trying to paint over it a healing occurs, feelings are felt and energy is met.
I have personally met so many exiled parts of myself through this painting process. I think of it as a path to freedom. The intimacy I have felt with myself and all of creation has been exquisite. The ability for the process to alleviate physical pain in my body has amazed me also. The process gives me an opportunity to meet myself just where I’m at without resistance. Every human energy can be expressed through color, image, intention, etc. in the work.
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