Sunday, July 15, 2007

Art as Prayer

Muse Serenita is adapted from college self-portrait. The lips are a little puffed, but the eyes are mine. Serenita is contemplative and serene at peace with life at an early age. She calms the ever-frenzied Cre8Tiva. Everyone loves to spend time with her because she makes you feel acknowledged because she really listens to you.

I will admit, up front, that I have been negligent...I have broken a promise to myself to draw one face each day this year...I have broken my life-long sacred habit of journaling each day...I have not, as yet, even begun to unpack my studio...

I understand that most people would gently advise me to take it easy on myself during this overwhelming upheaval and transition period of my life...but I have committed a far greater act of negligence...my art...

Art is prayer for me...I was put on this earth to create...and to neglect that life task, even for one moment...does grievous harm to my sacred self and possibly the universe and my place in it....

It may seem melodramatic...but I have known for most of my life what I was supposed to do...my purpose on this planet...I believe that artists are blessed because most of us understand where our path leads at a young age...and, if in tune enough,we begin the journey early in life...some lose the way because of outside influences or pressures, but most eventually find their way back to their sacred art, whatever form...

To be away from my most connected form of communication...with God, with others, with myself...is too much to bear...no wonder I feel disconnected, unbalanced, alone...

Today I tackle the studio...I will paint even if I only can find one color and no brush...I will recapture the form of prayer that keeps me centered and my life complete... Serenita will listen as I return to my purpose....

I have a secret to share...I am developing a new series of workshops called Art as Prayer...I even have the website here...only the cover page is active...the workshops will focus on creating a visual vocabulary for personal centering prayer...the creation of intuitive art guided by the Holy Spirit...and much more...

I have many other secrets to share in the near future but, for now, they are too fragile to let into the world...I have a long to-do list...

Today's aMUSEment - Sit for a few minutes in prayer to your God...then pick up a brush and paint whatever feels right...let go...don't over think anything...paint intuitively...see what develops...and then share with us...
U Be Creative Today!

9 comments:

Anonymous said...

I have to admit, I am soooo hard on myself. You and I are so alike little ways like that. I am trying to be more patient and kind to myself....And, yes use my art as prayer..... xxooo
(Your other website looks like it is going to be just beautiful, love the angel!!)

Anonymous said...

i think feeling disconnected, unbalanced and alone happens to all of us and strongly believe that this is mainly due to outside influence and pressure as you write. it usualy leads towards detours, making your way complicated and mostly frustrated. the true art is to stay on your path, no mather what. very difficult indeed!

Anonymous said...

I have said my prayers and am now to pick up my bush, which is actually a felt pen for writing.
I will start work tomorrow after three weeks of vacation and my creativity is bursting.
Thanks for the words in your blog today.

Mia said...

Thank you for visiting my blog and for you nice comment. I really appreciate it. Always nice to discover new names and blogs. I have enjoyed my visit here. Thank you!

Anonymous said...

I haven't been spending as much time as I used to on blogs. Not even painting or anything. I've just have other things going on right now. I should find time though, even if it's hard to sqeeze in. Your not the only one who is hard on yourself. I need to loosen up and not be so hard on myself too. The idea for the new site is great. :)
*HUGS*

Anonymous said...

Remember Rebecca, just because you are not actually in your studio with brush in hand does not mean you are not creating and doing the work you were meant to be doing, as well as sharing this with the Universe. The fact that you attend to this blog each and every day, no matter how sick you are, how busy you are, how tired you are... is an amazing feat and gift in itself. Ease up a bit on yourself and congratulate yourself for all you have been able to accomplish these past few months! Your experiences and time outside of the studio only help to enhance and enrich the time you will spend in your studio later!

Naturegirl said...

You paint on canvas or paper and I through the lens of my camera..this is our passion what defines who we are!We are blessed in that we have recognised this. Don't be hard on yourself if you don't draw every day!

You are so right to say outside influences and prssures can distract us but we do find our way back!

It is such a pleasure to meet you! Thank you for introducing yourself to me! Sure wish you were here to fill the walls of my ~flower fairy cottage!~ hugs NG

Darla said...

When you look back on this time you may discover you were more creative than it seems at the moment.

For instance, the new blog. I can't wait to see what you are going to do there.

Darla

Anonymous said...

Really like the womans profile you featured today! Your angel too.

Like you and Vanessa, I can be hard on myself, but I'm getting better at that. Were only human. And many times if we break a routine, God can speak to us or through us in new and different ways.

I love artists. Most I meet are such beautiful souls to include you!