OBSERVING INTUITIVE ART
As I looked at the bold vibrant colors in the painting in the art museum, I was mesmerized. There was really no design, no figure, no recognizable image in the painting. But still I could not move.
The colors danced through my body, the simplicity of the strokes tickled my mind, the bravery of the painting excited my creativity. As I walked away, I turned back to visualize my painting in it’s place on the wall and my picture and bio on the stark white card attached to the wall. I smiled.
I will paint. I will let my impressions, feelings, thoughts, life sensations pour from me. I will listen to the shut down, trapped energy of my being waiting to explore my consciousness through colors.
And I did— a few years later.
DOING INTUITIVE ART
I felt the freedom, the specialness of the quiet spontaneity as my brush moved across the canvas. It was as if I was living for the first time. Yes, It was the most satisfying experience I had had in a long time— I was finally in sync with the expression, a deep part of me that had wanted to paint for a long time.
Flora Bowley, artist and author of Brave Intuitive Painting, summarizes her intuitive painting experience with these words—
I believe Flora Bowley, artist and author of Brave Intuitive Painting, summarizes her intuitive painting experience with these words—
“After many years of following my heart, I now understand that the very act of pure expression does change the world.
It changes the world by changing each and every person who is brave enough to pick up a paintbrush, open themselves up to the unknown, and express themselves honestly and intuitively. It is through this kind of heartfelt expression that truths are revealed, lives transformed and new worlds are born.”
What would happen if you journal your thoughts, or questions about life, expressing your raw, deep feelings about someone or something and telling your story in a new, more functional way?
How would it feel to have your personal therapy, spiritual connection, and childhood wisdom all rolled into one?.
Inner inspection is the most valuable resource you have to shift your life, if you use it wisely. Here is my experience writing my story.
Amber’s Story
After a childhood with an abusive Mom, I was lost, and confused. Then one day I felt the urge to write poetry, and uncovered hidden veins of curiosity about my life and met the deeper me.
After my divorce I felt numb, weak, drained of all joy, living in a bleak “Now what” state. Then after feeling the deep, deep loneliness and guilt associated with the marriage, I found myself in a12 step meeting surrounded by others seeking a way to regain their lives too.
Soon I was writing about my childhood woundedness and seeking an understanding of why and how I had entered that marriage. As volumes of pages emerged, I could see into the real me. I had married to get away from my Mom. Love had nothing to do with it. Escape was my goal.
And We Write and Paint — Story Painting
We all have a deep need to tell our story, to share a pain, to share our experiences for we are women seeking the courage to break free and find ourselves. We share a struggle for equal rights, acceptance, belonging, and a connection to the truth of our own souls.
Painting out hurt, the joys, the confusion, and insecurities gives life to our words.
NOW I CAN DANCE
My childhood world was gray,
covering me like dark gray cloak
interspersed with drops of yellow—
my hopes. my dreams
In this art class, I threw off that image,
that mindset.
I was ready to set out into the sunshine
and dance through the colors
constantly popping in and out of my head.
Painting freed me.
Colors gave me life
My ship of life now sailed in the sea of possibility
And it was all mine.
We are hardwired to respond to stories— to tell them and to hear them, to share them and to remember them and to love them. Writing allows us to get our story out into the world and dig up the truth about us.
I know many of you feel this urge yourself, to express yourself, to honor your journey or to release some emotional pain or find clarity.