Monday, June 22, 2009

Sacred art of the mandala

Having just gotten back from Laguna Beach I am set to go for more creativity in my painting and in my life. It was a fascinating workshop with Paul Heussenstamm of Mandalas.com. Spending 4 days painting mandalas in the presence of his outstanding mandala masterpieces was a great experience. This was my first time creating such a large mandala, having been drawing or painting all of my mandalas on a small scale. Whether small or large, though, to create a mandala is a wonderfully meditative experience in itself - very centering. It is also healing, as Carl Jung explored so thoroughly. When creating a mandala, I find I can never avoid having it somehow reflect what is going on in me, my mind, my heart, and my life. And within that exploration is often the struggle, represented so well by my artist's struggle, as I create, and there also is the answer to the struggle, the beauty and knowingness already there. It's there reflected in both the process of creating the mandala and in the mandala image itself.

And of course it was very fun besides : ) to have the luxury of painting all day for 3 days straight, away from home, no laundry, no dishes, no nagging phone calls. I will try to have my Purple Mandala posted to my blog in a few days. I have been creating a drawn mandala - often a 20 min. drawing meditation - most mornings a week for quite awhile now. This process was more complex, of course, being a 24 inch square canvas, instead of a 9 x 9 inch drawing. But I recommend the simple drawing for a way to connect quickly with the magic meditation of the mandala: draw a circle, make a point in the middle and then draw whatever design, lines, pictures that come to mind. You can also use colored pens or pencils or crayons. It is amazingly healing. I recommend Carl Jung's beautiful book, MANDALAS, for a fascinating search into the healing aspects of creating mandalas. As for me, I hope to start creating LARGE ones. Look here to see some future image postings.

Friday, June 5, 2009

3rd Chakra energizing

I enjoy taking my energy reading and healing classes from http://www.robineaglesage.com. This 3rd chakra is so relevant to my creative life as an artist.  The 3rd chakra's message to me:  Pay attention to what helps me grow and create and thrive.  I am responsible for these things.  If I allow other people and other things in life to interfere - I am still responsible! When I am veering off my path, through outside distractions, I am responsible.  So . . . what I need for me, is focus and self-discipline and prioritizing the outside world with my creative life, including the inner and outer manifestations of it. 
   I also need acceptance and flexibility with others.  I do not need to waste my time trying to control others, even having a plan for them - they, too, have a path and a passion and a purpose to follow.  Doing this allows me to be in present time with others.   More laughter! This allows me to reenergize with the bonfire of others.  Ritual is good, dancing is good.  
  I need to pay attention to the ebb and flow of giving to others around me, and balance that giving to my self - self-care, self-love.  By staying in present time, and loving my work, I attract joy and self-confidence into my being. My 3rd chakra is radiant. My creativity flows.  

Tuesday, May 26, 2009

Lovers and artists

To increase creativity AND romance in your life, try something new!  This can be trying out a new hobby, doing something in a different way, or traveling somewhere new, such as trying a new restaurant, taking a walk on a different route or at a different time, or planning a trip large or small to somewhere you haven't been before.  When we get out of our usual routine and responsibilities, particularly around home, it expands the open-minded thinking parts of the brain. This is good for renewing the creativity generating part of the mind. If you're in a relationship, keep in mind that that same part of the brain that generates creativity also generates romance!  Is there really much difference between a new lover and an artist embarking on a new creation project (whether a painting, a sculpture, a dance, a movie, a garden design . . . you name it)?

So to keep your creative life flowing, and your relationship feeling good, try new things regularly. Should you do these things alone or with your sweetie?  Well, both.  The same part of your brain chemistry is getting fired up in each, but you sometimes really need that alone time as an artist or creative; it is your time to refuel the essence of the very unique you.  But then again, we function best when our relationships are thriving too, so share novel and exciting experiences also. 

How does it work?  When you are doing rewarding or exciting activities, your brain operates with the same chemistry as when a new love relationship is just beginning.  That part of the brain stimulated in new lovers and those engaged in exciting, rewarding activities is the same, fueled by the neurotransmitter, dopamine. Interesting - which may help explain why artists are never happier than when they're creating and practicing their art.