An artist I’m not. Even my stick people don’t look like stick people. This was my thought as I bravely approached an art workshop. Believing that I can only appreciate art, and being assured that I could do this, the idea really piqued my curiosity enough to attend.
The workshop, “Art From the Heart,” facilitated by Tara Brennan, promised it would be fun. Curious, but not too sure about this, I was told that a gourmet lunch would be served by Biana Princeton, a fabulous cook and delightful woman who specializes in coaching for families dealing with Alzheimer patients. I was sold!
Yes, I will paint for food.
As I went through the day, “Art From the Heart,” made sense.
It was about painting until you felt complete by letting the brushes take their course. With Tara’s gentle coaching, the images eventually told my story of fearing failure and fearing success. And yes, I did start out with a BIG stick figure of me. The process used an extremely creative approach that involved some coaching to dig deeper until I felt the painting was complete and I could look at it without being critical. I felt complete when I put a big black X on both fears.
Working with colors to express thoughts and feelings was an eye-opener. The first painting was trying to make it look good. As you can see, it turned out to be about something else. The second painting was about free-flowing use of color. This also had a message as I tried too hard to make it perfect. The message, “KISS” (keep it simple sweetie)
So here’s what’s true for me now.
Everyone was born with a creativity gene that was probably toned down by well-meaning caretakers…mom, dad, teachers, experts, etc. The result is that we’ve been bombarded with the competing messages, “That’s not the way,’ do it the right way, what will people think, will they still love me if I do it the wrong way, and on and on.
Some of the greatest progress has been made through creativity and “breaking the rules.” Think about, changes in communication, photography, medicine, transportation. What made Galileo, Thomas Edison, the Wright brothers, Madame Curie, Picasso, Steve Jobs, Bill Gates icons of world changes?
What if we could go back in time and break some of the rules that have kept our creativity locked away in the closet of perfection? What if things didn’t have to be done in a certain way? What rules could you change that would unleash your creativity how could they better serve the world? In the long term, life is about the process, not perfection.
My paintings now hang in my bedroom as reminders that life is not about perfection, some rules are made to be broken, and that art truly does come from the heart.
Your energy and laughter were so inspiring and contagious at the workshop. It was a real pleasure to watch you explore. keep celebrating the artist you ARE!
Bravo!! I’m delighted you tried your artistic hand at this class. Art frees the soul and color inspires the journey. I’ve been expressing myself for years this way and it never gets boring.
You go girl!
Anne
Great essay Dolores – one of your best!
Your art work is amazing! Going through the creative
process not only unleashed a talent you weren’t aware
you had but also some valuable insights. Thanks for
sharing this personal experience.
Truly inspirational! You have gioven me a lot to think about. Thanks as always you have such great insight.
Marti
Dolores you are an incredible communicator and most importantly a great listener! You took your experience and gently learned and then extrapolated how limited we keep ourselves. How it is not about the product but where you ‘go’ before you get there, and that there is a chest full of treasure awaiting within us all. Thanks again!
Thanks Bibiana,
It was indeed an adventure and a lot of fun for me…to say nothing of the yummy lunch:)