Thursday, December 31, 2009

My Journey


Back to when I was a teenager myself trying to find my way in the art world and in life in general I felt lost somewhere somehow for a long while. Coming from a broken home and not being able to voice my feelings out loud burned a hole in me. As I got older the big hole remained deep, real deep. If I couldn't express I would just pile it up into that deep dark hole. Mind you this went on for a very long time. If I got upset angry or wanted to cry I would just stuff it way back and way deep. I questioned everything about trust, love, honesty, loyalty, family, friends and myself. Not feeling good enough made me very insecure and with result I delivered poor art work without substance - the cause of not believing in myself. 


Turning a new leaf - This experience forced me to look further, further within. There was no other way but forward.  In order to make a change I needed to forgive and be kind to myself. There began my journey as an artist - by getting in touch with my inner child, by embracing her all the way. Through tough times I began to understand what I was suppose to do - listening to my inner voice gave me the spiritual power I so needed guiding me in the right direction. I gave myself the chance to heal, to enjoy my life and my art. Giving myself the empowerment made a huge impact in my life. And I'm happy to say it's been a tough but wonderful journey and I am here to guide you through yours as well.  


As artists, we beat ourselves constantly but know that in the dark there is beauty too and plenty of it transforming into brilliance. Like the moon in the dark welcoming the sun to begin a new day. Art keeps us sane and true. Art allows us to spill openly. A light that keeps burning within. 


The moment I decided to teach, I knew I wanted to to give students a whole new world of great possibilities no matter how ugly or how troublesome we all face in this so called Jungle of ours, there is a great amount of beauty to inhale. That we can rise from under anything. That change starts when you believe in yourself. Falling behind or feeling sorry isn't the answer or an option but a crutch making the pace a slow process. When you are lost, it can be hard to rise but with a support system the journey can be wonderful one and encouraging. 


Through art the students learned to spill their feelings into perspective with color and imagery and with group discussions they shared their master pieces and experiences. And as for me I enjoyed making a difference and sharing my experiences. At the end of the day when you open up, you are never alone. 


In my new workshop I will be teaching basic tools:


Finding yourself through drawing and rhythm:


Drawing is like music - feel, flow and give voice to your image at it's core, deep in the heart. Allow yourself to bring the image to form. Remember if you find yourself stuck - don't worry. Take time to breathe and relax. I will later discuss about being stuck in the mud ( Art Block )  Never force yourself let yourself come out naturally. Listen to music - if you feel music helps by all mean pick a song or music of your liking to help ease the moment. No thinking is allowed - Too much thinking can slow the process, it takes you to a complete red light. No distractions either - take yourself to a quiet space. Remember it's you and your ideas only. Come into your own with passion with no limitations. Once you have achieve an ambiance you can then begin to set your drawing paper and pencil. Now that you have your drawing paper ooddle doodle across the page scribbling relaxing your hand controlling the  pencil. Now let out your inner child create with you. Everyone has an inner child and she wants to play. Once the child is allowed to play she will create her scenery. Ask your child what she wants. For some of you this can be difficult and terrifying. We are never too old to play even when we are busy women and mothers with a pile chores to do during the day. She always wants to play but sometimes moments and days of work work and responsibilities can make us tired and upset. Then there are excuses, the famous excuses! Women who want to explore the art realm but are afraid they can't are always intrigued with the idea of being an artist.  Well, it's never to late to play on canvas. Explore that part of you even if you have not taken any classes, you are now in this workshop. 


The joy of art is connecting to the child who always wants to create a world she can play in and be herself. Just remember back to when you were once a child - never afraid to explore. But I'm not every child out there. So for some, this can be a bit new. As we get older the child still remains and never dies. Others have their inner child buried deep within sealed in a dark shell just pounding to be let out. Some are silent while others cry banging loudly in your head. I say unleash her and trust the guide she has to offer, Don't shut her out she begs you. Who said you can't play in the garden and plant wild flowers there and make paper animals to come to life. It's about connecting with her spiritually. There's an amount of exploration to be done here. Listen to what she has to say. She even has questions for you or maybe not. Any who, she may just want you to stop closing her in, embrace her with love. And if you need to forgive, forgive her - the child is, you.


Now that you have lovely white paper just waiting for you to create and play - I want you to sit comfortably  position yourself  with confidence and ease. Don't feel anxious - anxiety can cripple ideas to form. And if you do feel a bit anxious, just relax and take in some breathing exercises - slowly breathe in and out 5 times. Now, it's just you, your ideas, your paper and pencil. Let's begin shall we! I'm sure you want to start painting but not yet. I would need for you to have fun and explore the child within. Believe me, she is excited too! But she understands that speeding the process means missing out on the juicy stuff. There's no rush!


You have paper now. Gush I'm excited! Use drawing paper best for scribbling and doodling. If you have paper pad great! Don't use good quality paper for this. Regular paper for practice and writing ideas down only. So let's begin!  Once you are done take a step back and look at it, take in what you just done. 








Note - I will teach on video soon!



Tomorrows lesson 2


Groove and transform:














Wednesday, December 30, 2009

Introduction: 


Voice . Paint . Be yourself

Years ago I  had the opportunity to teach a number of students who wanted to be artists but were afraid. Afraid they weren't good enough to fulfill  their dream but were willing enough to give it a try. I  created an art workshop for everyone who wanted to apply. Some of the students that attended came from broken homes. Attending my workshop allowed them to express themselves in ways they couldn't at home. Through art they found a voice and together they all found friendship. I called them my family! As a group we had discussions and assignments allowing them to reveal feelings that were heart felt and very difficult to share. They're Art delivered healing which made their process full of play, joy, inspiration and anger. Anger which plays a major  part reveals it's true nature during these art  sessions.  Moments of tears, sadness, out bursts and arguements all have a true place in the healing process - embracing the light as well as the dark, spilling it openly onto the canvas or in writing. My reason for teaching was relating to my students. Each one of them had a gift and the heart to break the barriers between them and with just one push their confidence and openness blossomed within weeks. For some,  it was difficult participating in assignments given to them - it meant discovering  hidden feelings, with time as they watched others explore another side of them and finding fun - they slowly came out of their shell. They became all family. It was a wonderful sight to watch them all enjoy their process. My job was to teach them how to come out on their own with art, to listen in, to love, to embrace them  and most of all,  believing in them. These kids needed a teacher, a human being  to listen what they had to say without judgement and to believe in them. Believing in them makes a big huge difference. Every kid had their own story to tell in their art  and each story was about acceptance and breaking free! 


For two years I taught art therapy and it was the most wonderful experience. I invite you to join in this journey,  your journey. So Welcome! My blog - Voice. Paint . Be yourself is about discovering, learning,  letting go, about being good enough, about believing in yourself, about being strong women, about getting to know another side of yourself you thought never existed, about finding a voice through art, about acceptance, forgiveness, about discovering the child within and nurturing her, about embracing the light and the dark, about a sense of power, about spirituality encouraging creativity and flow, about art block, about trusting your creativity, about play and having delicious fun fun! It's all about believing in who you are and what you do every thing else will follow and take form.  I will later discuss a series of topics that will begin the journey. So stay tune for the adventure... Voice . Paint . Be yourself!


                                                                        
          


                                                                          -

Monday, December 28, 2009

Voice . Paint . Be yourself


Hello Everyone!! As of today I decided to create another blog called Oodle Doodle Smudge solely for those who want to voice paint and go on a art journey of self discovery with me. This blog will be about a course of getting to know more about who you are through art. If you want to voice, want to paint but feel that you can't - due to fear. You can start by joining Oodle doodle smudge a wonderful exciting journey where everything is possible! Art is about expressing, about letting go, creating beautiful dreams and embracing the light as well as the dark. So spill, play, paint and be yourself!!