If you would like to work on this inquiry with myself and others in a supportive online group, I invite you to join the Art As Access yahoo group at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/artasaccess/
your heart’s desires – likes, longings and love
This month’s inquiry theme is “your heart’s desires – likes, longings and love”. What happens when you bring awareness to your heart’s desires?
What do you love in Life? So many things to delight in from a baby’s giggle to a beautiful sunset, a well cooked meal, a warm hug, your favorite sweater or a wonderful story. Part of this month’s inquiry is to notice what you like in Life without judging it or yourself. Discover your truth around what your heart desires and see what happens.
Also notice your attitude towards your heart’s desires. Where/when are you free to feel your heart’s desire fully with all of your experience, letting unbounded joy spill out and where are there conditioned ideas that get in the way? What are those ideas within you? I shouldn’t want/need it. I’ll be disappointed if I don’t get it. I don’t deserve it. That’s not what I’m suppose to want. If I get it somehow I’ll have to “pay” for it. So many ideas, this month start noticing which ones are limiting your hear and your life.
Art-Making Inquiry
Working with the inquiry in the realm of art-making and creative expression lets you access your inner knowing that is not easily accessible in one’s normal everyday consciousness. There’s a part of you that knows everything that has ever happened to you, been said to you, where you have moved through the world, what you have said to others, everyone of your actions and reactions, your full experience including all of your heart’s desires.
When we make art with the intention of knowing ourselves more fully for our own personal growth and healing some of this unknown truth can reveal itself through the art-making process and the images. I believe that one is never shown more than one can see at the time and I trust the creative process as a gentle and caring force that cares for all Life and each human being.
Let your art-making support you in understanding more about “your heart’s desires – likes, longings and love”.
Start by making a list of what your heart loves and leave space in between items. Brainstorm a list without censoring any of it.
When you have a list, review it slowly and feel into each item on the list. How do you feel about it? - frustrated that you keep saying “wait”, sad because you long so deeply for it, confused, or whatever arises in your moment? Make note of the feelings and let yourself feel them.
Choose one item from the list and express the feeling tone of it. Collage it, or paint it, or draw, or sew, or write poetry, or dance, or garden – whatever creative process inspires you. Let yourself not know what you will create and follow the images you are drawn too and the way the process wants to unfold. Notice thoughts, feelings, body sensations during the art-making process and write in your journal. Sit with your image and ask what it would like to reveal about your heart’s desire(s). Write in your journal what comes up for you.
Repeat as desired with other items on your list. Enjoy the process.
Art-Making Warm Up
Sort magazine images into two piles, likes and dislikes. You don’t need to know why an image goes into either pile.
Work quickly, without thinking too much about it. It’s more of an intuitive, “gut” level thing.
When you have 5-10 images in each pile, review them again slowly this time. Feel into what you like about the image – the composition, the color, a certain curve, texture, the way it reminds you of “home”.
Again it is not important why or even what it is about the image. What’s important is to feel the desire. How does it feel in your body? If you notice judgments about your desire, feel more into the body and what’s happening in the present moment.
My Art Work as Inspiration for Your Art Work
I share my artwork here to inspire you to create your artwork. It is through your art-making that you will discover more about who you are.
I haven’t been collaging much recently so these are older collages that spoke to me about this inquiry theme.
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| 072809-1.jpeg, watercolors & ink on paper, 2009, 5″ x 8.5″ |
072709.jpeg, colored pencil on paper, 2009, 8.5″ x 11″ |
072809-2.jpeg, magazine images on paper, 2009, 10″ x 10″ |
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.
If you would like to work on the inquiry with myself and others in a supportive online group, I invite you to join the Art As Access yahoo group at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/artasaccess/
Have a great month and live in the remembrance that in all of time, there will only be one you. Your greatest gift to yourself and the world is the expression of your authentic self.
-Ryl
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Please share it with them. Thanks