Writing is an important part of the process of making art that transforms. You create something, you notice the process, you look at the product and you write. You write intentions to begin with. You write what happens during the process. You write what you see in the product. You write and in the process of writing you find truth.
Quote
"…the aim is to burn through to first thoughts, to the place where energy is unobstructed by social politeness or the internal censor, to the place where you are writing what your mind actually sees and feels, not what it thinks it should see or feel."
Natalie Goldberg, Writing Down the Bones, p. 8
Art-Making Inquiry – writing your truth
This week’s inquiry is "what happens when you write each day for a few minutes? ". You may write about something happening in your life experience. You may write about some of your artwork. You may write about nothing and everything. The inquiry is to write and see what happens for you. What truth do you find?
Below is a paraphrase of what Natalie Goldberg recommends to get you writing your first thoughts, the ones full of energy and consciousness not clouded by your ego or made pretty by your internal censor. This is support for writing your truth.
1) Decide how long you will write and write for that long.
2) Keep writing. Don’t pause to reread anything just written.
3) Don’t edit any of it. No crossing things out. Just leave it.
4) Don’t worry about spelling, punctuation, grammar or staying in the margins and on the lines.
5) Lose control. Let go. Let it flow.
6) Don’t think about it all. Don’t get logical. You don’t need to understand any of it.
7) Dive into what has energy and may feel scary, raw, naked and real.
You may also decide to work into the writing process your image making. Perhaps, creating an image then writing about it. Or, writing for your assigned time and then asking what imagery comes from it and creating that imagery. You decide and have fun with it.
My Art Work
| 71107, magazine images & paper, 2007, 12" x 12" |
73007, magazine images & paper, 2007, 12" x 12" |
73107, magazine images & paper, 2007, 12" x 12" |
You can click on an image or its title to see a larger version within the online gallery.
I always welcome a connection with you. If you would like to share about
the inquiry, art-making or other things happening in life, please feel
free to contact me.
Previous inquiries are online at www.artasaccess.com/resources/inquiries
In all of time, there will only be one you. Your greatest gift to yourself and the world is the expression of your authentic, creative self. By using art-making to connect deeply with yourself, may you find the courage and strength to share your beautiful, joyous self with the world.
-Ryl
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