A coach recently helped me see that contemplation is the common foundation to my art practice and educational programs. Of course! (Tricky to see when you’re inside the jar, right?!) The thing we most take for granted, that seems as easy as breathing, is what makes our work unique.
What makes a contemplative approach extraordinary? The short answer is that the processes offer an effortless way to feel calm and centred again.
So, if you’d like to discover more about the benefits and how to get started, do come along to the webinar this Sunday morning 9am in Australia/Saturday evening in the US.
Going away offers fresh perspective, especially when in a professional development situation where everyone present is seeking to bring forward their best in service. Wondering how did I get here? I began joining the dots…
One of my earliest memories was from between the age of 3 and 4, making an entire drawing of home, garden and occupants in my favourite colour. It was an immersive, peaceful experience and I remember emerging from that bubble with a sense of achievement. I was, as the saying goes, in my element.
I discovered ‘The Element’ by Sir Ken Robinson in London at The Tate bookshop. It really spoke to me and aligned with what I’d learned from Lawrence LeShan’s work – Cancer As A Turning Point. Essentially, Robinson was advocating what LeShan had been doing decades earlier – pointing his patients back to ‘their element.’
Ten years ago, this really struck a chord. I devoured Robinson’s book and developed my ‘True Colours’ guided process to help people discern their strengths and what they’d love for their life. When this happens to be painting, it’s very exciting to guide and mentor people through a program customised just for them.
Drawing for me was a personal practice that I just did naturally. Then I saw the drawings of Leonardo da Vinci. I had no language for the impact, but I knew immediately Italy was on my agenda. Ten years later I was at Lorenzo Scuolo de Medici in Florence with an awesome drawing teacher – a bow to Kate deJardin wherever you are – and learning the basics of Italian.
Don’t feel guilty about procrastination, because it took another 11 years before I fulfilled my next dream – to study art full time.
In retrospect, I can see the major influences toward a contemplative art and teaching practice. Here are some that stand out…
… Speaking with Aboriginal elder Uncle Max Dulumunmun Harrison (2005). What Max said to me that day was so good and simple and true: Go to your people; your roots. Start there.
… Secondly, travelling to Florence again, London and New York on a Field Studies Grant (2008, ANU), I was enthralled to see the different kinds of luminosity from Fra Angelico’s frescos to the paintings of JMW Turner, Mark Rothko, Agnes Martin, Mary Heilmann and Giorgio Morandi.
… Serious illness took a while to become a ‘turning point’ for me, since stopping was necessary. In my family, stopping meant you’d died already! While my body was telling me, I’d not listened or realised the conflict of doing what I loved without proper rest and replenishment – until I had no choice.
And when I did stop completely, an epiphany radically altered my mind!
Curious about how gentle creative expression had such an impact on my state of mind, I read every book and article and took the programs I could on creativity. And that was a lot in 2012, as corporations had decided creative thinking was the ‘in thing.’
From over a year of personal research, inspired by the best wisdom and avoidant of the hacks (insulting to the mystery of creativity), I developed, tested and refined my Creativity-nurturing Method over the last 14 years – the corner stone of the Painting Peace Contemplative Art Circle that’s starting soon.
Painting Peace: Contemplative Art Circle is a series of 10 workshops over 11 months starting June 15.
I’m offering a webinar to share the benefits of these gentle, easy visual art practices and how to get started, whether you decide to join the program or not.
Join me for the free webinar this Sunday 9am where I share insights from the last 14 years’ contemplative art practice and answer any questions you may have.
“What is Contemplative Art? 5 Reasons to Make It And What You Need To Get Started.”
Hope to see you soon…
With gratitude, Suzanne
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