Painting with a twist
About 10 years ago I did a course on ho'oponopono (1) and in one session our shaman used the technique of art-therapy. It was fascinating and a useful and fun way to throw light on and work through problems and life decisions . I later completed three courses (First basic connections including Birth, then connections with the 5 elements and finally the seven chakras).
In this section I would like to share this valuable technique and show you some of my pieces.
I decided to call it Painting with a twist, as this version of art-therapy is not intensive, although for some the process can be extremely enlightning and can help you find clarification on some life patterns and can help you move on. The word Art for some can be intimidating and the truth is you don't need to know how to paint or draw. You just need to reconnect with your child within and have fun!
Although I used oil paints in my courses, I am now investigating the potential of water based paints in order to harness the potential of water to communicate and help the process of awakening and healing.
To practice any art, no matter how well or badly, is a way to make your soul grow. Kurt Vonnegut
Theme: CONNECTION WITH MY BIRTH, from the first basic series.
This is how the picture looks now. Note the yellow boot and leg walking "off stage".
The original image from the initial session is below together with how I worked on it, reworked to induce change within me, ie, to get up and move on!! The next theme in the series was MISSION IN LIFE.
Initially I saw myself sitting on the branch fishing for a basket of ideas, blossom falling from the tree into my basket, just gathering goodies. But I don't appear to be in a hurry to do anything with them.
The pictures are never finished; they reflect a part of you and as you go along, you may suddenly have the need to change them and this in time will effect a change in your external world.
Oil paints are used in the process. The initial work you do on a theme will need to be worked on and oils don't dry as quickly as acrylics, so you can scrape off, and edit and add easily.
Some elements of the process
- When I gave classes, I asked the participants to light a candle and pick a card(2) to guide, and I would talk through the theme briefly. It's important to meditate on the theme and be receptive.
- Don't try and condition the outcome, leave all preconceptions behind, this is your subconscious mind guiding you.
- When you start painting, do so as a young child would, don't think, just have fun and slap it on!
- Different techniques are used in the process which mean you cannot just draw a flower on a horizon as you will twist the canvas round several times during the initial session.
- Then, place your masterpiece (it is you after all) so that the rest of the class or family and friends can see it in order to 'read' the image. You may see people, plants, trees, fish...within your creation all helping you view the theme from a different angle or just go on how you feel when you look at the painting. Your skill as an artist has no influence.
- You decide on which angle/side you want to work on and start highlighting shapes and in a way fixing the image.
- The idea is that you are creating and opening up your future path with that theme. Like me deciding to remove myself from the branch and just show me exiting the picture stage right, boots on, hiking towards my mission!
It's a good tool to work on. I often use it to find clarity over a matter... sometimes with just a pen and paper. But the big questions in life, the major decisions really do deserve a bit more time and attention and the paints come out.
(1) Ho'oponopono. A practice in Hawaiian culture based on forgiveness and love and the belief that we are all connected.
(2) Guidance pack of cards. There are many to choose from or you could make your own with inspirational phrases for example.
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