creative cycles, journey of SELF, Theatre of the Imagination

(she was on a journey to (SELF) discovery, archival prints available here!))

I have been painting up a storm in my studio these past few weeks...overflowing with ideas... creative fires burning. Just a few months ago I was immersed in a slump and no matter what I did...I simply couldn't get into my studio and paint. Sure I worked on backgrounds and played around a bit but...
 As I mentioned a few posts back, I have been listening to Theatre of the Imagination by Dr. Estes. She talks in depth about the difference between the natural ups and downs of creativity vs. the toxic and unnatural state of polluting our creative channels whereby we don't/can't create. It is a very important distinction and extremely helpful (if you happen to be in a creative slump) to figure out the reason behind it.

Dr. Estes says that every creative cycle goes through periods of being dormant; that is natural and healthy. She equates it to a field that has to lie fallow in order to be fertile in the seasons to come. There is nothing to worry about when you are in this sort of slump...ideas are germinating and seeds are being planted...the soil is being fertilised even though we see no evidence of that.
The toxic pollution state that causes slumps, though, are a completely different matter entirely! This is where we don't create because there is a psychic injury that inhibits us from bringing our creativity to fruition. In this state...we do things like this: we don't even begin, we continually procrastinate or make excuses or...on and on.
But...here's the magical and amazing thing! Our creativity can never be killed off no matter what we do. She goes on to explain how we can use this very situation to deepen our creativity. Have I mentioned how much I love this woman? How valuable her teachings are? For those of us (myself included here!) who haven't had a mentor, an encouraging person in our childhood, a mother who passes down her innate knowledge of the feminine ...Dr. Estes is all of that...and so much more! This series is just smoking hot!

Dr. Estes talks about how everything we need to fuel our creativity is right there within our own psyches, ourSELVES. All it takes is getting out of our own way...and journey back home to SELF.

For me...it was a multitude of things that pulled me out of my slump. I had to be gentle with myself...patient. And I had to take a step back and not force things.

* now go make some art!! or...Laugh, sing, dance...go sit under the fat full moon, eat poems, lay on your back and stargaze...

painting with "theatre of the imagination"

(tonight in my studio)

I have been busy busy painting tonight. There is just something about being all rested and replenished that leads me straight to the heart of creating. I am currently listening to the audio series Theatre of the Imagination by Dr. Estes. Can I just say that she has the most beautiful voice? I mean it is sweet and mysterious, deep and warm...an absolute pleasure to listen to. This is a two volume series of oh!...I think about10-12 tapes. I am listening to them while I paint. She is a master storyteller in the age old tradition...she infuses every word with depth, breadth...nuance and life. This series tells us about our psyche...using fairy tales and archetypal psychology, poetry, life experiences and wisdom. I actually purchase this series last year but with moving etc..I just couldn't get to it. Now is the absolute perfect time, though because I am so open and receptive in a different way than I was even a few months ago.

(She Holds the Key to Knowing, mixed media on canvas)

I just love love love this woman to pieces! Am I gushing?? I have absolutely no shame in my complete and utter embracing of her work and spirit. Every word she speaks is a magical potion of unflinching truth, brilliance and understanding... poetry and wisdom. She combines her life experiences with Jungian (archetypal) psychology to give us the keys to our own knowing. She teaches us how to mend our broken pieces (we all have them) and how to be strong, fierce, vulnerable, kind, strong, loving...human. The part I am deeply deeply listening to right now is all about intuition and insight (inner sight). How our intuition can be weakened and how to retrieve and fortify it. How intuition is linked to every single aspect of our lives and she also speaks of it's relationship to creativity. Juicy good stuff and I highly highly recommend this series to everyone. Any of her work...really.

(side of wood panel)

I am using these deliciously thick wood panels that I discovered at Dick Blick. I just love how thick the sides are. And it is a bit of a different experience painting on wood as opposed to canvas. I love it!
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                                                                (yesterday afternoon)
Tara has been a busy bee creating art too! We have been making a few gifts to send to a few dear, loved ones all over the world. She loves yellows and pinks, blues and greens...watercolors, acrylics, crayons, markers...everything! I just love her complete abandon and confidence. She totally inspires me and I am mindful to bring some of that fearless abandon into my work as well.

This painting right here is for her darling daddy.