When I was in my early twenties I got really excited about the idea of painting watercolour covers for all my cassette tapes. Dozens of tape cases and a few paintings in my journals later, I set the paints aside recognizing that i had no great talent or skill in this particular art form.
Here’s the catch: I really enjoyed it.
And yet I set it aside. I allowed my thinking brain, my inner judge, to bring an end to an activity that had brought me great delight.
Now, almost twenty years later, I am painting again. This time on canvas with acrylics. While dancing. Yes, I am dancing and painting! My dear friend Sybille offers a Dance Your Painting workshop. Once a week we gather in circle and she shares our theme for the morning, exploring the energy of each of the 7 chakras. She guides us into movement and so it begins.
There is no need to stand puzzled before a blank canvas or to come up with a brilliant artistic inspiration. My thinking brain is set aside and as I dance, the images come to me. When I am ready I pick up the brush and begin. My paintings are filled with strong colours, swirls and curves. Each time I feel stuck or begin to Think, Analyze or Judge, my hips begin to sway to the music and I set down the brushes to allow myself to simply feel the painting.
“Don’t try to paint what you feel. Feel and paint.”
- Michelle Cassou
My days are full and the to do list is long. Once a week all this is set aside. The movement, the colour, the unknown of what each dance and canvas will bring. I am enchanted.
Now for the truly brave moment – here are a few of my works of art for your viewing pleasure! Grab some wine, crackers and cheese and enjoy my very first gallery opening…
I got lost recently. Wandering on a university campus and trying to find my way, I asked first one, then two, then three passersby for directions. Not one of them could help. Discouraged, I gave up on asking, somehow believing that if they couldn’t help me then nobody could.
© 2009 Mothering Magazine