Make it an inspired weekend.

You will never be merely pretty. You are amazing. Thank you Katie Makkai.

I love what she says about the “mind is always trying to stop us…”

Have you ever experienced that? Not just with the act of creation..but with our dreams? With our wishes? With our passions? The mind is always getting in the way. Like Polly (my inner critic) getting into my mind and passing on her critical thoughts as my own.

Perhaps we can tame those dragons. Perhaps we can allow intuition and heart to speak louder than our critical minds. Perhaps dreams can live in our souls and grow when we listen to them. As long as we know that the dragons are there, we have a chance to tame them.

This is the direction I am moving. To create space for myself and others to create; to journey into our souls using art as a medium. To open ourselves up to the process without a goal in mind, but to discover parts of ourselves along the journey. To Celebrate. To uncover. To grow.

photo by blmiers2 on flikr.com

It’s the first day of spring. The weather has been unseasonably warm and gorgeous. I’ve had a lot on my mind lately, and today I’m taking the first day of spring as a sign to do some spring cleaning.

I need that. I need a reminder to clear out some of the cobwebs of winter. Some of the thoughts, fears, and judgements that have been collecting in my mind. I need to stretch myself mentally and physically and free myself from the walls of winter.

I have been thinking a lot about my future. You see…I have a dream. I have a dream to one day start an expressive arts studio. A studio for personal growth, deep inner work, expanding health, and finding your creative voice.  A place where you can not only seek psychotherapy, but an array of opportunities to explore your soul. It’s a dream that has been building for many years. A dream I want so badly that I can feel it in the shadows of every moment. Just waiting to be born.

I have taken detours from the dream. I have listened to my critic Polly and felt as if it wasn’t possible. I have hemmed and hawed.

But now, I am taking one of my first steps. I am looking into programs that offer a certification in Expressive Arts Facilitation.  I am craving more in depth training and experience. I want to expand and stretch myself.

So my current goal is to enter into and complete a program by next summer. So that I can continue moving towards my dream. So that I can shape my future toward what my soul knows is the right direction.

block printed papers for mixed media work

We are all busy right? Life is busy. There is work, household chores, kids, family, friends…

It is hard to find time to create. I often feel like I am saving it up and then when I get some time it’s like downloading my brain visually. All the bits and pieces of inspiration come pouring out of my soul with paint, paper, ink, or whatever medium feels right.

Yesterday was one of those days.  A full day of uninterrupted art time. Ahhhh.

But It used to be that when I had time to create and hadn’t “gone” there in awhile, my mind would freeze up. I would second guess. My critic Polly would wreak havoc on my self-esteem and I would be caught listening to all of her lies rather than pouring out my artistic joy.

So here are a few tips I have learned over the last few years. Thought you might enjoy them.

1. If you are afraid of “messing up” then start with cheap supplies to take the pressure off. Use kids paints, tempera, or student grade acrylics you find at the local craft store for under $10. Don’t let the fear of “ruining” really swell products hold you back.

2. Save up bits and pieces of inspiration over a few weeks. Have an inspiration list by your bedside, in your car, or in your purse. Or have three different lists, journals, or cheap pads to write things down. A flower you saw that was pretty, a color you liked, a word you want to respond to visually. Whatever sings to your heart.

3. Limit your palate. Choose three colors that inspire you. Yesterday it was pale green, turquoise, and purple. I’m not saying DON’T use any other colors. But if it’s been awhile and you are rusty, stick to a something a little less overwhelming. Then if a piece is screaming for another color…then go for it.

4. Work in series. I often work on multiple pieces at once. If you are going to take out the paints or inks…then work on several pieces of paper, canvas, or wood at the same time. It keeps you from getting too attached and sucked into “the outcome of perfection” syndrome. So clear off the kitchen table, put down a dirty old sheet and spread out so you have room for more than one substrate at a time.

5. Most importantly.. Have Fun! Who cares if it is perfect…only your inner critic. The most important thing is stretching yourself creatively. Make mistakes…they will lead you to more amazing techniques and experiences. The process is important, not the product. So routinely take deep breaths when those creepy thoughts start dragging you down and send them away so that you can enJOY yourself.

work in series...prepare multple substrates at once

]]> http://artandsouljourney.com/2012/03/five-tips-for-creating-when-you-have-little-time/feed/ 0 http://artandsouljourney.com/2012/03/five-tips-for-creating-when-you-have-little-time/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=five-tips-for-creating-when-you-have-little-time http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Artandsouljourneycom/~3/XTg7AYRoCNM/ http://artandsouljourney.com/2012/02/video-time-to-breath-and-taking-risks/#comments Mon, 27 Feb 2012 13:00:32 +0000 michelleturbide http://artandsouljourney.com/?p=232 Continue reading →]]> On my google reader is agirlandherbrush. She wrote a beautiful post in response to this video by Melody Ross of Brave Girls Club.

I love hearing about other artist’s creative process, growth, and inspiration. I am always so amazed that there are so many commonalities to the nature of how one is inspired to make things.

Melody’s comment that most of her art happens in her head an heart really resonated with me, what about you? I have always described my creative process as gestational. A flicker of an image, idea, or concept gets me excited and it begins to grow within. It changes, it morphs, and often times it doesn’t even come out in the way that I imagined.

For some that could be frustrating, and I am sure that it would be if you were tied to the original image. But I have come to learn that, for me, it is so much more about the process in art and life and how we journey through it… that makes us whole and who we are.

It is about those risks of taking up the marker, crayon, or paintbrush and just letting it out. Whatever the outcome may be.

Melody is also an amazing example that through a tragically difficult time in her life, she can move through that with the resolve to live her life passionately and with purpose. She talks about how she had to “surrender to the faith” that living creatively was what she was supposed to do. That success was not defined by wealth, but by happiness.

I truly believe that there are so many things we can do to live our lives creatively and with purpose. It is not necessarily huge gigantic moves that can help stir our souls, but little ones. Baby steps towards seeing the world with magic, wonder, and newness that can inspire us. Putting aside an hour a week to do something creative and soulful. Seeing the possibility and giving ourselves the gifts of taking the time to enjoy it.

Isn’t that just beautiful? He paints a picture of how being honest with yourself and REALLY letting go of control in order to connect, empathize, and understand can enrich our lives.

When he talks about how he had to look beyond his perspective that he was {the healer} and come to terms with what his role was in his friends pain, I was so blown away by his honesty. I have found myself doing that…separating myself from others. How we all do that to one another. That self-protection that says…not me…I am not like that.

Liv Lane wrote on her blog recently that she met Maya Angelou who told her “Human beings are more alike than we are un-alike.” So True. To me, finding empathy means really relating to another soul and realizing that we are all a part of the same. That we all have so much to give and receive from one another.

I am awestruck by his perspective. I hope you will be too.

In honor of Valentines Day…I want to blog about how art helps me love and accept myself.

Art is taking the time to look into the depths of my internal dialogue. To reflect upon what is going on within my heart and soul. I cannot pick up a brush, or lay down some ink without revealing whatever mantra, story, or criticism is playing in my head.

Art-making is the practice of tuning into the chatter in my mind, and letting go in order to listen to my heart. My heart…the true wise voice.

When you stir up your creativity, you stir up your soul. Art-making forces me to confront myself…or live in that dark place of self-criticism. That place that artists have feared for centuries…the block.

Polly my inner critic loves to comment when I am trying to create. She loves to point out that what is pouring out of me is not what I had originally intended. She likes to control and pretend that perfection is the goal of art.

But as I quiet her voice and tune into my heart, I am reminded that perfection is not the goal. I am reminded that the process of listening is what makes magic happen. The goal is letting go and accepting all that I am revealing. Even if that revelation is not what I expected.

When I let go of control and allow creation to flow from my heart, rather than my head…I find those moments of bliss. That sweet spot where art is meditating. Where art is truly seeing within and having the courage to reveal it to myself and others.

The poet Rumi wrote “Close the door of words that the window of the heart may open.” Art-making allows me to open my heart, and when my heart is open… I am one step closer to acceptance and self-love.

Please check out the other wonderful creatives participating in the Love of Art blog party.

Happy Valentines Day. I wish you all the self-love that your diving spirit deserves.