It is a beautiful thing to see all the different ways that people can interpret the questions for reflection and bring them into a feeling place.  Some of these pieces tell stories with complete images and words, others use color and texture to create the feeling of what it is to limit oneself or push through the fear and doing it anyway.  I love watching the way that each of us brings our truth to the creation.  There truly isn't a way to get it wrong. More to come!
 
 
My colleague, Ellen, and I are in the midst of our summer creative expression camp and today we did a really neat project.  Many times when we are reflecting on our lives we tend to journal/write down those thoughts and ideas.  Ellen had the idea of pushing the words out and getting us to think about important questions using visual media rather than written media.  She posed the following four questions:
1)  What have you always wanted to do but were to afraid to do or try?
2) What is the worst thing that could happen if you did it?
3) What is the best thing that could happen if you did it?
4)  What would you try/do if you knew that you couldn't fail?

We offered a wide range of materials and asked the participants to create their answer visually.  It was amazing to see what they came up with.  I wonder what kind of insight you might gain if next time you were reflecting on something, you chose to create with images, color, shape and texture rather than words...I know I was surprised where it took me...very powerful!  I'll post pictures tomorrow so you can see the great responses!
 
 
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This piece grew out of a hike at a nearby trail.  I set out one early morning with my daughter to enjoy our "mountain" and to connect with nature.  As we headed out on the trail I looked down and saw this root in the trail.  I knew that I had to create art with it so I picked it up, left a gift in return and carried it with me throughout the entire hike.    

The next day was a group day at the teen center where I work.  We were working on the idea of recovery and what it felt like, looked like, etc. in our lives.  I was using a technique called "object art", in which you choose an object as a symbol of, in this case, your recovery.  Once you select the object, you begin to create around it.  You can use paint, fabric, collage, whatever moves you.

I was really clear that this root was a critical symbol of my recovery.  A word here on recovery...I am using this word very broadly.  It is my belief that we are all in and out of recovery all the time.  It doesn't mean that all of us use and abuse a substance but it does mean that we all move in and out of our balanced and complete states and any time we are attempting to return to our original state we are in the process of recovery.  So it is with this definition in mind that I began this project.

What I learned is profound.  It was the classic roots and wings conversation.  In order to fly, I must be rooted in truth, the earth, who I am, my principles and then and only then can I fly, like Prometheus, close to the sun. 

I love this piece.  It is simple but is filled with motion and truth and hope and is a reminder of what I need to remember to return to my original state.


 
 
I've been working on getting this particular blog entry written for a couple of weeks.  First, technical difficulties...then,  life happens!  Well, here I am finally able to sit down and think about this amazing piece of work done by many of the teens and adults that I have worked with.  The question is posed...what is the face you present to the world?  What are the parts of you that you keep hidden?
This is always a very interesting process of reflection for me as I know that I have a very strong image that I present to the world.  I make great effort to hold integrity and to share  who I am in a genuine and authentic way.  In doing this exercise recently, I was surprised to see that there is still so much work to do to keep my inner and outer experiences in alignment.  How often do we put on a smile when we really feel hurt?  How often do we deny our inner voice in order to keep the peace?  How often do we compensate in situations that we ought to stop?  What questions do you need to ask yourself in reflecting on your inner and outer faces?  What would you like to do to integrate those aspects?  Which inner faces do you choose to keep hidden and for good reason?  This is a challenging exercise but one that I find to be well worth it AND every time I engage in the task, I am pleasantly surprised!
 
 
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When you allow the art to just flow amazing things can happen.  I created this piece of art during a particularly turbulent time,  I was drawn to this angel and spent a great deal of time cutting her out and just admiring her.  When I found the child on the stepping stones, the words, "no point in worrying",  fell in my lap.  What I love about the piece is that it is a great source of comfort and a reminder that there really is no point in worrying. 

I was having a conversation wtih someone, I'm sorry I can't remember who, and they were sharing wtih me a story about worry.  It went something like this.  They were listening to a speaker who was discussing worry with them.  He told them that worry is an absolute waste of our energy.  For if you are worrying about something over which you have no control...well, what's the point of worrying.  You have no control over it anyway.  If you are worrying about something over which you do have control then...what's the point of worry...do something about it.  I LOVE this story and the way it came right on the heels of creating this art.  This is what I mean by the act of creativity will take you places.  Like a bottle one might find on the shoreline, open it and there is a message inside.
 
 
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Altered Text is one of my favorite expressive arts forms.  I find that when I have a day that is overwhelming or filled with stress I can walk up to the studio, grab any piece of text, begin scanning it for words and phrases that call to me and within several minutes receive a message that is exactly what I need.  This piece surprised me and was profound in helping me make connections that were missing.  I love its simplicity and its color.  Working with altered text, like many of the expressive arts forms,  takes me to another layer of understanding that I would not have known if I stayed in my mind. 

I wonder...where does your mind keep you?  Is it some place that you want to be?

 
 
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I have fallen in love with this spirit doll that I created.  I love it so much that I decided to use it as the main image in this site.  It came out of some work that I did at an amazing expressive arts training workshop at Sky Mountain.  Anne and Lali, the facilitators there, told us an amazing story of Vasilisa the beautiful.  Here's a link to the story.  http://www.oldrussia.net/vas.html    In this story,  Vasilisa receives a blessing, a gift from her mother in the form of a spirit doll.  This doll guides her throughout the story and utimately brings her to safety.  It was very powerful for me to connect with the idea of the blessings that we pass from one generation to another.  What blessings have I bestowed on my daughter?  And also, what blessings have I received?  It is my deepest belief that listening to our intuition and our inner wisdom is the single greatest gift that we pass along.  This doll, created after this story telling is filled with the energy of wisdom and truth and love of my father.  She has the wings of an angel and the heart of love.  She feels like my guide and I love her.  She embodies what this place is about for me...connecting to one's guidance, inner voice and wisdom...for it is always with us.  All  we need to do is access it.  That is my greatest wish for all who come to Expressive H'arts Studio!  Many blessings to all of you!