One of my intuitive painting rituals is to take a snapshot of my paint palette. Each session, my color choices differ depending on my mood or what simply strikes my fancy while perusing the rainbow of tempera bottles. The intuitive process begins even before paint ever touches paper. It starts by selecting colors and brushes. What size brush is your hand drawn to? What paint is crying out, “Pick me! Pick me!” Do you listen? Or do you ignore these creative urges? What a great reminder that it’s about the process, not the product!
How do you allow your intuition to guide you in selecting the tools, materials and resources for creating what you’re up to in your life?
I’m always amazed at what insights emerge in the creative process. The other week I shared some images and learnings from my intuitive painting process so far and last month, I shared some intuitive painting life lessons in my Artizen Coaching newsletter.
I’m letting my intuition guide me by choosing this very important creative resource… starting in August, I’ll be participating in Chris Zydel’s Expressive Arts Teacher Training Program. If you’re a coach, therapist, artist or creative soul who wants to use expressive arts to facilitate powerful change, then definitely check out this training. It’s an intensive year-long experiential course where we’ll learn how to incorporate Expressive Arts approaches such as intuitive painting, movement, etc. into deep group process work. Chris will also be sharing the nuts and bolts of how to open a studio, run the business side of things and more!
While I’ve learned a ton about leading groups through CTI’s leadership program and I feel pretty good about my business know-how, I know there is always so much more knowledge to soak up and embody. What I love about this program is I’m going to get to blend together many of my loves – personal growth, creativity, expressive arts, leadership, coaching and group work. For a few years now, I’ve been searching for an Expressive Arts program but none of them seemed to fit what I was looking for. Many seemed too clinical or therapy-based or too academic. None of them cried out “Pick me! Pick me!” That is, until I met Chris. Her warm heart and wise spirit invited me to play! I’m really looking forward to continuing my personal and professional development in this way and I’m excited to see what will unfold from this experience.
What creative resource is calling your name today? What would happen if you followed that creative urge?
This sounds like *such* an amazing program!!!
OOh, I agree with Leah – what an amazing program! I remember when you said something about your intuitive painting class on Jamie’s call and it struck a real chord with me then – I obviously need to look more deeply into this –
Hmmmm….
Wow Chris, This sounds so juicy, I would LOVE to attend! I am deep in a forest in Ohio, but someday soon I will be in California:)
I look forward to coming over and playing, building forts, skipping and just being silly. 🙂 Woo Hoo!
Enjoy this sensational adventure. Juicy times are coming in August and beyond….
Thank you so much for talking about this. I’m not sure if I can afford it but I’m going to see if I can.
Hopefully I’ll see you there!
Expressive arts is something that is very new to me but I am finding it creeping into my life on a daily basis. I am hoping to dip my toes into the expressive arts world very soon. I love Silky Hart and her business, Expressive Hart. I can’t wait to participate in one of her upcoming workshops that combines yoga and art.
I love how focused you are Jenn. You keep going on your (clear) path. It is very inspiring to witness!
In speaking about intuition, I love your questions: “Do you listen? Or do you ignore these creative urges?” It is interesting to me because, in doing commissioned work, sometimes I am able to listen to those urges and sometimes I find myself ignoring them in an attempt to please my clients. Of course, ignoring the intuitive pull ALWAYS leaves me with a less powerful painting. This is something that I sometimes struggle with–the attempt to give the client what they want and what we discussed with simply following the magic of the paint.
It is always a learning process, but I love these questions. It also makes me realize just how important it is to allow time to just play and paint for the sake of color and inspiration. Gosh, this post gave me so much to think about! I feel a deep undercurrent of thought from reading this.
And that’s what I love about you. 😉 Thanks for sharing your experience. It really does sound incredible.