This mixed media piece was done for Inspire Me Thursday. The inspiration was the word "Healing," and I think I really need it right now. It was a timely challenge, seeing as I feel like crap. It's nothing serious, but enough to make me feel like crap and not want to do anything and snap at the kids all morning.
At first I thought of it as emotional healing, but upon waking up and feeling icky, I turned it back into physical.
Here, this is about connecting with the power of your body, your spirit, the universe to readjust the negative energy of pain into something that is healing and gentle. The heat of pain becomes the warmth of the sun's rays. The anguish of hurt becomes the release of allowing yourself to be in pain, allowing yourself to let your body do what it does to heal what is wrong.
Sometimes, I think, allowing yourself to be in pain, not fighting it, not whining "but I don't want to be in pain," lets the good things in. As we resist, we block our natural abilities to recover, maybe making it even worse next time. And here, I am talking about emotional pains too, not just physical.
I did this piece with whatever was in my art pouch. Pen and ink, gouache, egg tempera, paint pen. It's in my favorite journal book that I carry with me everywhere.
Oh. Did I say I actually feel a bit better after focusing on the painting, not my ouchies? Hmm.
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14 comments:
Thanks for sharing this. I liked your writing about your art, too. Nice healing artwork and healing words. Sincerely, Connie
This piece is great - I love how the rays are coming from the inside of the body, spreading the healing outwards.
I was feeling pretty "icky" myself today when I took up the "Healing" creative prompt challenge. I so agree that changing the focus to the expression (the good the bad and the ugly sometimes) can definitely help those "ouchies" seem less intense !
Cheers,
Kim
Oh cutie I hope you feel better...but it looks like you are...this is the perfect healing picture. I like the way you re-focused your thoughts and found a positive spin on ouchies!
Hey I've started a community photo project at CreativeNachos.com and would love for you to submit...your work or even the kids with the camera??
pain or joy. happy or shy. outgoing or hermit. Whatever the mood, there is a medium that lets me express it. The photography side of me is the more happy and outgoing, and the painting side of me is more reserved and ponderous.
I've been painting like a demon this week, if that let's you into my psyche at all.
I get your painting. I love it.
I'm going to go buy more watercolor paper tomorrow.
Art works wonders. Like the piece.
And I'm going to respond to the award this weekend. Thanks again.
Hello!
I linked to you from IMT. Your art and words really speak to me. I love the whole healing arts idea and enjoy a handful of differnt types myself. When looking at your drawing I immediately saw and felt "connection"; being connected the the life-giving energy that pulses through us. And your thoughts on not resisting pain, are relevant to me as well. Thank Goodness for creativity, and creative community!
My post on IMT hasn't shown up yet, but you can see mine at the link below - I think you'll like it and will relate..as it's on the same wavelength as yours.
http://mandalaoasis.blogspot.com/2008/07/venus-flytrap.html
Also, I invite you to our Mandala Oasis online community. It's a kindred group, sharing life insights, questions...and creativity and discovery via the mandala:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/MandalaOasis/
In any case...I'm glad I stopped by your blog and experienced your art and words; and glad you're feeling better!
~Cheryl
It is so wonderful how your art made you feel better/healed. So perfect!
I love that piece! LOVE IT! I love where the healing is radiating from. Females being the nurturers and creators of the lives on this rock have the ability to heal, too. Wow...
So, I always remember this saying when I don't want to go through something difficult: "If you don't slay the dragon, it will keep coming after you." Sometimes, I think, bring it on a third time, I don't care. Other times I ask myself if I really want to waste anymore time putting this dragon off for another round later.
Pain, healing, recovery... all wonderful stones on the path of life.
an interesting illustration. it reminds me of the book "true balance" which focuses on clearing chakras.
i really enjoyed the photos from the childrens perspectives below. occasionally i remember being small where things were only knees and elbows of very large people.
yep....that's what it looks like! well done. and you illustrated/wrote about a good point...two things heal: expressing it & then focusing on something more helpful.
Very poetic and evocative work! It looks a bit like a vaudou doll. Love the symbolism and that you actually felt a little better after making it!
Wow, thanks for all the great and insightful comments.
I can't figure out if I am surprised that so many people connect to this, or if it makes a lot of sense.
I really do believe in the healing power of art, although I think I usually mean emotionally.
I'm going to explore this idea some more, I think.
Wow! I was very moved by the piece and the responses to it. It definitely hits at a primal level.
Oh yes - art is very healing. I think it's because we 'step out' of ourselves for a bit and let other things go to work. Thanks for stopping by...
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