Relief at last...

Temperas on Paper

22" x 30"

I hadn't done one of those in a long time... This painting is not about beauty, it is not about a result, even if I put it here. It is about the pure process of playing with colors without judgement. Without trying to control what the mind thinks will look good or bad. Instead, it is about pure creative self-expression - in the innocent way we approached it as children. It is about freeing our inner-child.

-- And "what does that do?" you may ask...

With practice, it helps us release, as we get in touch with the present moment. It ultimately brings relief to our energy field, emotions, stress... and it often reignites the creative flow in us - it has a very similar effect and process as the "Morning Pages" (See "The Artist's Way" by Julia Cameron) only with paints and colors instead of words, which is even more direct, less mental. But the 2 are not interchangeable. They each play a role, fulfilling specific "needs" for the physical, emotional, and mental bodies.

These 2 processes - "Morning Pages" and "Process Painting" do wonder for the Creative Life!

It may take a while to get used to this form of self-expression. Because a lot of judgments come up at first. And for me, and for many, this is the first step to a deep healing process. If you have never done this, be warned: It will very likely bring up frustration in you if you are used - like I was/am - to wanting to control everything. LOL!

On another level, it had a big and freeing impact on my way of approaching Painting - the "other" paintings I mean. It was like finally receiving my own approval and allowance to explore and play without fear. It eventually created a fresher and richer body of work. Something more uniquely "me".

To learn more I recommend reading "Life, Paint and Passion" by Michele Cassou and Stewart Cubley.
Michele is the pioneer of this method of what is often referred to as "Process Painting" ; and she is also the author of the perhaps more famous "Pt Zero". I personally preferred "Life, Paint and Passion". But both are excellent (available on Amazon). Pt Zero is very practical in that it teaches us how to ask ourselves simple questions in order to let go of the inner-judge who creates blocks - so we are able to continue to express, paint... and allow the freedom and feel exhilaration of playing with colors - or other forms of expression.

A lot of my entries in this blog have quotes from Michele Cassou. They can be applied to many creative processes and forms of expression - not just painting.