A Prayer Painting video + note {Something from the Studio}
Pausing and unplugging from the news, noise and updates about COVD19 for a few hours, I let myself paint. With a little nudge from my guy, who knows me well.
And that’s when I really let myself feel. Not just the worry about how we will make ends meet now that he’s out of work indefinitely, or about our high-risk loved ones. And not just the mustering of strength, positivity and efforts to keep some sense of normalcy in this unforeseen newness, or even to reach out to my people. I let myself just feel the truth of what I was feeling, the full spectrum of this, in the bigger picture and in my own body, and for all who are and will suffer through it and as a result of it.
All the words I had written that day before painting, were sprinkled with sharpness. I was starting to feel raw, edgy, nerves all frayed. In painting, though, I softened more. Into the unnameable, deeper realms of experience. The place where I naturally let go of the fear creeping in, and choose to instead hold my faith, come what may.
I also hit record, because the process and practice is really what the art-making is all about for me. Not the thing, or what comes of it visually in the end necessarily (though sometimes that works out nice), but the shifting of energy and transformation that happens within the making, and within me, when I come to the medicine of creative expression authentically, in all my human imperfection.
The video is endearing to me somehow - more like ones I made years ago when I first shared prayer paintings with a clunky old video camera… simple, cheesy music (mute, if you prefer, I don’t talk in this one)… but an honest process peek and offering.
I hope it brings a small dose of inspiration or encouragement for coming to your creative practice and letting it hold whatever you may be feeling - or need to feel - right now. It’s important that we keep the energy moving, and not all stored up in our bodies or clustered in our minds. This is the healing work. This presence and attentiveness.
We are not all having the same experience through this - it’s not a stay-cation for everyone y’all.
But as everyone seems to be repeating to one another, an incantation of Love - and hope, if we let it be - we are in this together.
And if you need permission to unplug for a few hours, or for a day or two, too: consider it granted. Getting really present, without the news and taking in the non-stop information+updates, can be just the way.
Pauses are beautiful medicine. So is the work and play of your hands and creative heart and soul.
Be a wise warrior for your wellness and people.
Thank you for being in my sphere or stopping by.
I love you.
~h
Some STAY-AT-HOME Creative Practice Explorations available now:
MAKE A MESS MAGIC Art Journaling Workshop (access for $12 on Patreon, includes access to more explorations, too, including IMAGINE YOU)
PAINTING inSpirit 2020 (ongoing, parts 1-3 with immediate access, 1 Creative RHYTHMS, 2 VALUES Matter, 3 HEALING Spaces) (access for $24 on my Patreon, incl access to more explorations, too, like Make A Mess Magic)
IN THE STARS (Stay-At-Home Special rate Revival: $99 (reg $248))
Book a Birth Chart Reading with me (special rates, limited spots now open)
