Intention and Art Making                                            February 2008

reassurance"Reassurance"                                                monoprint 17 X 22
Hello Everyone,
I am noticing the swelling buds and the bulbs growing. Yesterday on my walk there were hundreds of robins flying and eating madrone berries up the creek in our watershed. The sight and sound was a glorious reminder of the promise of spring.       Hallelujah.

I have written before in my musings about fear, avoidance, and intention. It is a topic that keeps coming up for discussion in my workshops. I believe it is worthy of further attention and reminder.

When we create something new we tend to call up our fears. Some of these fears may be fear of the critic (inner and outer), fear of failure, fear of change, fear of success, fear of who we think we are not. For example "I'm not a writer or a real artist." Fear and avoidance can paralyze our ability to do art. Our fears can keep us in old patterns not allowing us to reach our full potential not only as artists but as human beings. Fear is a bad habit and is a barrier between you and your heart's desire. If you can think of fear as an old pattern in your brain that is there to keep you safe and comfortable, it might be easier to say to your fears "Thanks for protecting me." "I no longer need you to keep me safe." "I can take care of myself now." 

I believe that writing an intention before creating or doing something new is a good way to address fear, avoidance,
worries, and the critic (also known as the judge, monkey mind, and performance anxiety). Writing an intention is also a good way to ground yourself in the here and now. Some of my intentions have been to show up, to trust the process, to remember who I really am as an artist, teacher, and human being. When you intentionally write down what you really want you are being the navigator and creator of your life. You are being consciously aware of what you want and what you are asking for. You are engaging fully with your life and your art. 

When we set our intention by writing it down and feeling it within our bodies, we are then held by that intention and are free to use our will to take action. When I have set an intention and I feel it resonate with my heart, I can forget about what I have written and any fears I may have. My fears are held in check by my strong heart-felt intention. We can create what we want and we can receive what we ask for.  How will the world know what we want if we don't ask for it?  To ask clearly is important. To feel it in your body is important.

To set an intention:
It is good to have a ritual of beginning. Do something regularly that is a reminder to your self that you are entering creative sacred time and space.  This may include stretching, taking three deep breaths into your belly, lighting a candle, ringing a bell, or all of the above. In sacred time and space you can ask for anything. Anything is possible.

This is how I begin:
I choose a time when I won't be interrupted. I turn off my phone. I have paper and pen for writing. I take three deep breaths into my belly. This automatically gets me out of my head and focuses me on the here and now. I sit comfortably. I quiet my mind.
I tune into my deep self.  Some people call this the higher self, to me it is the deep self. I tune into what it is that I really want right here right now.  I begin to write whatever comes to my mind. I let it flow. I write until I have honed my thoughts to a clear essential statement.  I try to feel what I have written inside my body. I breathe it in. When the words or intention resonate in my body, then I know the intention is set.  I can now let go of my fears or worries and work toward my heart's desire.
I close my writing and begin to  create.

If your intention doesn't  hold-
and the critic, judge, fears, worries, monkey mind, performance anxiety, etc. come back into your head, take three deep breaths down into your belly. Your body remembers your intention. Your body knows what to do. Forgetting and going back into fear is just habitual. Those old habits take a little practice to change. Setting a clear intention and staying in your body really does work.

Speaking of intention I would ask, if you are willing, that you imagine all of the Presidential candidates safe and sound through this whole campaign and into the election. I really want the best for our country. We need a strong, capable, intelligent, and compassionate leader. I want to believe in this possibility. Whoever gets the job has a lot to cleanup after the past 8 years.

May "America the Beautiful" be so.

May all beings (including our candidates) be happy and have clear creative intentions.
Denise
 
My workshops are full for now.  I will keep you informed of any changes.  I do have a waiting list.  Let me know if you would like to be added to it.  I will have openings in the fall.

A workshop some of you may be interested in if you like collage and a deep experience.  Please contact Sharry or Sheila below:


Play + Art + Self-discovery = SoulCollage Adventure!
Four Suites. One deck. All you need to get started for first timers and a deepening understanding for those already engaged in the process of SoulCollage.
 
            Make a card that expresses your uniqueness from one or more of the 4 suits
Learn how each suit can enrich your experience and inspire your to become more expressive
Bring the wisdom of the Animals and the Chakras into your life in a creative way (Companion Suit) Click here <http://soulcollage.blogspot.com/>  for slide show of Sharry's Companion Suit.
Connect deeply with others in a supportive and friendly circle of sharing
 
When:  Saturday, March 29, 11:30-5:00 pm-bring a lunch-we'll provide dessert and tea
Where:  808 Clay St. Sheila Filan's home/studio
Investment:  $65 ($10 discount to returning SoulCollage artists) 
Enrollment limited to 8.  Sign up early and reserve your place. 
Make checks payable to Sharry Teague, 443 Normal Ave., Ashland, OR
For more information Sharry Teague (541) 488-8016 [email protected]
Sheila Filan (541) 488-0956  [email protected]

 

Denise Kester
Drawing on the Dream