Art is a deeply personal journey, a reflection of our ever-evolving selves. It's a canvas where our experiences, emotions, and growth are vividly portrayed. The essence of mindful art, at its core, is choice - the freedom to play, experiment, and adapt. In this blog post, we'll delve into the art of choice and how it shapes our creative paths.
EMBRACING THE FREEDOM TO PLAY WITH MINDFUL ART
From the earliest days of our artistic endeavors, we have always had the agency to say yes or no to any creative experience. Our artistic tastes, much like the seasons, ebb and flow. As a child, I oscillated from drawing Disney characters to experimenting with faceless portraits, collecting rocks, and belting out karaoke tunes.
My artistic journey has been a kaleidoscope of experiences. I've painted happy trees with Bob Ross, delved into the intricacies of 2-D media, explored mixed media, dabbled in black-and-white street photography, and transformed expired Polaroid film into vibrant abstract paintings. From mural-sized graffiti paintings to 3-D sculptural canvases, my creative expression has taken various forms.
I've documented beauty and decay through site-specific installations, delved into community-based projects on home and migration, ventured into documentary projects in the slums and villages of India, embraced the healing power of art journaling, collage, and sad drawing during my battle with cancer, and dived deeper into mindful art journaling and slow drawing for self-care.
EVOLVING ART FOR AN EVOLVING SELF
Art, like life, is in a constant state of evolution. Just as I've evolved through these diverse artistic phases, so have you in your unique creative journey. The beauty lies in having a buffet of art media and methods at our disposal, like a palette of colors to choose from based on our cravings in the moment.
However, creative abundance can sometimes lead to feeling overwhelmed or stuck. Analysis Paralysis can rear its head. To counter this, I often work with a handful of limited supplies, diving deep into them, knowing that I can explore different media or intentions another time. Simplicity and creative limitations can be liberating.
“Morning Pages are a lifeline to the inner world. They are a pathway to deeper creativity and self-discovery. They are an indispensable tool for anyone looking to lead a more creative and fulfilling life.”
The Power of Mindful Musings
Inspired by the morning pages advocated by Julia Cameron, I created a mindful art practice years ago that has greatly enriched my creative journey, “Morning Musings” I also lovingly refer to them as “Mindful Musings” (because sometimes I - and maybe you - don’t create first thing in the morning). Mindful Musings is a daily practice of "brain dumping" and clearing the mental palette through mindful creative art journaling and writing. This process allows me to access deeper parts of myself, my emotions, and my unconscious during my art-making practice.
Mindful Musings varies from day to day, much like our artistic tastes. Ideally, practice mindful musings for 20-30 minutes daily. They can be done any time of the day that fits your schedule. Mindful Musings incorporates art-making, mindfulness, meditation, and writing. On days when there's more time, breath work and movement become part of the equation. I encourage you to create your version of mindful musings, even if it's just 5 minutes a day. Mindful Musings are intentional mindful art time for your self-care. If you're wondering where to begin, here are two options to help you kickstart your Mindful Musings practice:
Download a Free Mindful Art Workbook: I've created a free Mindful Art Workbook with mindful art prompts to assist you in getting started. It's a great resource to jumpstart your creative practice. Download the Mindful Art Workbook here.
For a more guided and immersive experience, enroll in one of my Mindful Art Online Courses as you’re walked through various, unique exercises to harness the power of mindful art. Explore Mindful Art Online Courses here.
The Muse's Affection for Daily Attention
Much like the practice of Mindful Art, there is no right or wrong way to approach your mindful musings. What I've discovered is that the Muse likes attention, daily, even if it's only in small doses. In this dance of creativity, the choices are limitless, and the journey is yours to craft.
As we navigate the canvas of our lives, remember that art is a reflection of our choices. We have the permission to play, to adapt, and to evolve. Embrace the ever-changing landscape of your creative journey, and you'll find that the art of choice is a powerful companion.
The art of choice is the compass that guides us through the vast landscape of creativity. It's the freedom to choose, adapt, and evolve that makes our artistic journeys meaningful and fulfilling. So, go ahead, explore, and paint your masterpiece of mindful art.
