Of all that I’ve learned in recent years, what I was most afraid of also gave me the most reward. One of those experiences was going to Dove Mountain, Arizona. A magical place, it’s dry and secretly teeming with life. Every part of the ecosystem has it’s role and works inter-dependently, from the desert blooms to the sharpest thorn. Prickly plants and gnarly trees, the Sonoran Desert reminded me of how I sometimes feel! The adaptations – strategies to survive – we have them too.
We are each an ecosystem. And often there are aspects of ourselves we don’t like; that are not welcome. As an example, I was teased about my eyebrows well before Frida Kahlo and Brooke Shields made sturdy eyebrows popular. I disliked them and was not allowed pluck them. During targeted chemotherapy, half my eyebrows fell out. I remembered how my teen-self suffered and felt very grateful as they grew back!
Sure, that’s a simple physical example, and I write about it because ALL OF US is needed for our true style – our true Self-expression.
My study and experience of guided self-enquiry – training from 2007 to 2019 – has been incredibly valuable, offering my students the opportunity to drop old labels, reclaim what they may have rejected and remember who they really are. From that foundation, we’re safer to express ourselves authentically, without bending out of shape to meet the expectations of others, and even ourselves.
That’s true ‘style.’
My the end of my Bachelor of Visual Arts in 2003, I was a better painter, but I’d not found ‘it.’ This was perplexing, because of being awarded a bunch of prizes that I didn’t believe I fully deserved. The inner conflict was a gift, since I felt compelled to find my way. Floundering led to enrolment in my doctorate by two-thirds visual and one-third written research, then mentoring and teaching, which I love and may not be doing now if I’d not listened.
The first year of my doctoral research (2006-7) was a return to the elements of visual language. Very experimental, at the end of that first year, I said to my supervisor ‘I’ve made a truck-load of s***. ’Kindly, thoughtfully, she said If you’d not done what you did, you’d not be where you’re at now. Obvious to you and me now, at the time this was quite a revelation. I’d found my way from highly figurative painting to geometric abstraction.
Through the process, I discovered much about visual language, and who I am.
Finding one’s true way in any form of creative expression is a kind of hero’s/heroine’s journey, or pilgrimage. And the world pulls us this way and that, demanding our attention. We can get caught up in shiny, new, interesting things, the ‘shoulds,’ and criticisms and forget what really matters. Years may pass, like being in the desert, wandering.
The CN Method can help you get back to feeling aligned and creatively on track. Many of you whom I’ve worked with over the years know it, and I’d love to hear if you’re still using it and gaining benefits.
One of my students wrote recently:
“I have a printed sheet in every space that I create – in my art room as well as at my job/work space; because I believe in honoring everything that I do with this wonderful ritual which I love so much.”
The pilgrimage of becoming and being a painter is to come home to your Self; for your creative expression to feel natural.
There’s an outward journey where one gains skills and uses them to create, and perhaps share the outcome. And there’s a parallel inner process the mind cannot grasp, but surrenders and is responsive to. As far as I know, inner experience and outer expression merge and stuff happens. You might have heard this called ‘creative process’ but what is that exactly?!
We don’t know. And isn’t that wonderful?
For most of my life I’ve been fascinated about what can be created from a few simple ingredients. Many times I’ve experienced the making become more than the sum of parts; creativity that carried me from being incredibly stressed to the sweetness of profound calm; from the mechanical to the magical. I’d taken my creative life for granted, until the epiphany in 2011. (I’ll talk more about that on retreat)
The epiphany re-ignited my art practice, and research also. I began to see a pattern in conventional books on creativity and creative thinking and what they were missing. I implemented and refined alternative steps in my private workshops, and finally nailed my creativity-nurturing method during a Bill Baren Coach training in San Francisco.
Using the Method, my private programs have facilitated creative flow ever since the first in-studio workshop with Jeanne mid-2012. In the feature photo, you’ll see Jeanne at the conclusion of ‘Paint from your Heart’ private retreat 2020 where colour & composition came together in her beautiful painting. I acknowledge and celebrate Jeanne (above) and express gratitude to her and all my students over the years. How wonderful it’s been and continues to be, to witness the beauty and innocence of true creative expression – so very precious!
The Method and that first experimental year of my doctorate continue to be powerful foundations for my programs.
The Painter’s Pilgrimage Retreat intends to be both an intensive and contemplative painting retreat from Wednesday 19 – Monday 24 March 2025. Nestled in the foothills of the Snowy Mountains in regional New South Wales, Australia, you’ll discover more about your way as a painter through creative exploration while being replenished.
For those looking to start, re-start or grow their painting practice in a nurturing and inspirational environment, I guide you through a step-by-step painting journey.
This rare offering is for 6 participants only There are 3 places left.
The stunning Nimbo Fork Lodge has been chosen for its lovely accommodations and restaurant, plus its’ proximity to where the Nimbo Creek & Tumut River meet. Known as Nimbo Fork, this extraordinary place, like a fork in the road, offers an invitation to choose a new direction leaving behind doubt, harsh self-judgement, perfectionism and procrastination, and choose fresh inspiring possibilities instead.
Check out the Painter’s Pilgrimage Retreat Page to see the full package.
I’ve mentored and educated painting students since 2006 in public and private settings. I know the struggles of those wanting to paint; those who are already on the painting journey or those who became disheartened and stopped.
Through this unique art + coaching program, I guide you to build skills and restore creative freedom so you can uncover more of your unique style and make paintings you love!
You’re welcome to share your challenges and what you’d love to experience instead. That way we’ll both know if the The Painter’s Pilgrimage Retreat, or another program is what you’re looking for or not!
Many of my students have experienced the gold of their true creative expression in a matter of days during private programs like this one.
A testimonial:
I spent two days with Suzanne recently here in Wagga Wagga Painting from my Heart, in what I can only describe as a life-changing experience. The content and processes of those two days were profound and moving, helping me access my inner world and natural love of colour.
Suzanne is a gifted, sensitive and intuitive guide and companion. Her life experience has brought together an exceptional balance of skills, knowledge and understanding of colour, composition and inner journeying.
I came to this time with absolutely no previous experience of painting, (other than enjoying what other people have produced). When I first saw the possibility of me “risking” this experience, my critical voice cut in and said “don’t kid yourself” However, I had a deeper knowing and luckily this won out.
I have been gifted with a new set of eyes, which has nothing to do with being an “artist”. I now have an extra means of seeing, feeling, understanding and expressing who I am.
I thank you from the bottom of my heart Suzanne and would encourage any person to follow their yearning and allow Paint from the Heart to empower and fill their life with light, colour and love.
Jan Roberts OAM
Thank you Jan, I am so blessed to work with you!
The bones of The Painters’ Pilgrimage Retreat came from a university elective I was asked to create and present for 2nd year painters in 2014. It became a Colour and Composition small-group course in studio the following year, then a 5-day Abstraction course. Next it evolved into ‘Paint from your Heart’ as a private retreat, an online program during the pandemic, then 6 & 12 month programs. I restructured mid-2024, to reflect the profound nature of becoming a painter and my desire to work with people one-to-one in longer programs with customised Masterclasses and VIP mentoring support, so we see extraordinary results.
The Painters’ Pilgrimage is for you if you –
- long to paint but don’t know where to start or
- want to stop procrastinating and refresh/enrich your painting practice
- love to be immersed in colour and composition
- want to fast-track your learning with mentoring support
- are interested in becoming; the pilgrimage of being a painter
- gain more confidence as you see what you can do
- would love to uncover more of your style
- want to shift from feeling disheartened to heartfelt expression
- have been thinking it’s too late and now choose to bloom again!
Book a complimentary, no-obligation mentoring session with me here.
The free hour session is available until Jan 14.
A Painter’s Pilgrimage … Steps are taken, discoveries revealed, explorations guided and insights realised. Your Painter’s Pilgrimage begins when you decide, and from then on, you’re no longer on your own.
Wishing you a fulfilling 2025; a year where you might go for what you’d love so you can bloom again!
Suzanne
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