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Turning Humdrum Into Humming
Copyright (c) 2007-2023 Celeste Varley
Most people have had to drive to work, at one time or another.
You usually take the same route every day. Even if you change
the route a bit, it still gets you there at the appointed time.
Driving to work is about as predictable and humdrum as it gets.
Sometimes your mind runs over something that happened outside
work, but mostly you think about what's happening at work today.
The goal's the thing. Pretty predictable. Just how you may have been making art - with the goal foremost in mind, and your intellect at the wheel.
Do people still take Sunday drives? It used to be an adventure,
in the days before gas prices skyrocketed. You'd jump in the car, and off you'd go with no destination in mind, other than to discover what's there you've never noticed before. . . a bird's nest, a hidden beach, a shady path that beckons, an old horse leaning on a fence.
When you'd allowed yourself to follow all the prompts of your curiosity, you returned home refreshed, and often with a new lease on life.
How could you could use this model of the Sunday drive with your art?
Don't make art.
That's right, don't make art. Put aside your usual routine.
Get a-hold of some cheap paper or a recycled canvas. Most importantly, forget about any goal or preconceived image. Put the idea of an end product right out of your mind.
Isn't that hard to do?
Here's a secret. . . It is hard to do, but only at first. It's only getting started that's different. But once you're started, you'll be surprised at how much fun it is. Because you're not directing the action with your eyes and mind.
Get Lost.
Let your paintbrush, chalk, pencil, or clay take you on a Sunday drive. Relinquish all control over to your heart. Be a back seat observer. Suspend all judgment. For a l-o-n-g time, and even afterwards. Possibly forever.
This is not you illustrating a Sunday drive! ! !
Instead of focusing on achieving a finished product, keep your mind out of gear. The mind is out of its depth in understanding the unknown. It simply can't do it.
So, give your mind a job, then it won't feel antsy. Like you'd give your kids in the back seat a puzzle while you were driving. Your mind's job is to be a neutral observer. Your hand and heart will direct the show.
Let your mind be willing to be surprised by what colours your heart chooses today. You may stumble into colours that clash, or colours you hate may insist on being there. Who knows they might find new friends alongside colours you prefer.
If you normally work fast, try slowing down to a snail's pace for awhile. If you usually work rather slowly, try speeding up beyond your usual comfort level. Push and pull your pace boundaries.
If you prefer your right hand, let your left hand have a turn.
And, once your non-dominant hand is into the action, dare to let
both hands have a go together! Break all the rules of propriety.
Along the way, you might notice a process which is new for you.
You might find you rather enjoy a new colour palette or texture.
There might be a feel to the overall rhythm which embodies your individuality in a unique way.
When you're all spent, all done, keep judgment suspended, and
make no conclusions. Not yet. Then --
Try holding it up to a mirror, up close and at a distance,
upside down and sideways.
Keep witnessing . . . suspend judgment.
Show it to your dog or cat.
But above all --- DON'T THROW IT AWAY! You're not done with it yet.
If you've managed to keep your ego mind out of the process this far, please congratulate yourself!
The next day or week or month, you could be surprised at what memories come up from your Sunday drive. What connections are there which you didn't know you'd be looking for?
And what you might discover, hidden there, possibly, might be a gentle little sign from deep within your heart. If you decide to discard the whole thing, you'll squash this tender thing flat as a bug. Sheltering a newly emerging facet of yourself is delicate, tender work, like nurturing a newly hatched egg.
The process of pushing boundaries challenges your sense of safety. It opens doors that have been shut on facets of your real self for a long time. It's like pulling off bandaids, or scabs to let the air into old wounds, and let them heal cleanly. Patiently allow yourself to trust your heart, that step by
step you can heal, and become even realer, wiser, deeper as you continue on your path of creative exploration.
Is it art? Could be it is, but chances are it won't be "art". But then remember that wasn't your goal. Could be it's very beautiful too. It is what it is.
SO WHAT IS IT?
A record of a personal journey you undertook, a process you experienced, that one time. Depending on how well you managed to turn over controls to your hands and heart, this could be a precious, one time only record.
You might be tempted to "fix" it later, to change the end result, in the light of your very particular intellect / ego. Or, you might decide to honour your tender, tentative venture. I hope you will honour it, whatever you do.
You can always put away your Sunday car and drive to work on Monday as usual. If you want the comfort of safety, and sameness. And no one needs to know what you did in that stolen hour. No one needs be any the wiser.
Except, you are wiser. You'll have observed some things about your deeper self, and you can't give it back. Instead of judging it, accept it, appreciate it, run with it, enjoy it. It's you in all your perfection. And I'll bet you anything, it isn't humdrum.
All the best to you and your art,
Celeste Varley,
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Hello, I'm Celeste Varley and have been an artist at heart all my life. It is my privilege and passion to help seekers move beyond self-expression, to access the seeds of wholeness within. If you like this article, you may want to see more "Fresh Horses" articles on my website. Check it out and see if it's right for you. http://www.heartsongstudio.com Celeste Varley, Heartsong Studio, Helping the Creative Spirit to Soar.
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work. They all saw the sky, the sea, and the sailboat. But, not
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upside down. Why not? Because we see what we expect to see. Now
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grandmas slowly passing the hours away, but not anymore. Knitting
is a wonderful hobby that can provide anyone with a plethora of
pleasure and relaxation - not to mention adorable blankets,
scarves, hats, clothing and more! You can learn to create
handmade knits for yourself and for all the people you love with
just a little practice and patience.
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Written by: Nicole Maschwitz |
Distributed: 2008-05-06 |
Word Count: 419 |
Page Views: 4187
| Votes: 20 |
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knitting and crocheting. Lets admit it now with the introduction
of computers and X box, the next generation is more interested in
helping Scratch from Ice Age rather than doing embroidery. In
addition, with mass production of goods from China and other
countries, unique is becoming more rare.
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Written by: Celeste Varley |
Distributed: 2007-09-11 |
Word Count: 488 |
Page Views: 4020
| Votes: 25 |
Rating: 2.04
If you are used to taking charge and making things happen, why
does drawing leave you baffled? I feel your frustration in this,
and hope you'll find some relief in this article.
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Written by: Celeste Varley |
Distributed: 2007-12-26 |
Word Count: 799 |
Page Views: 4449
| Votes: 21 |
Rating: 2.00
Do you toil and sweat over artwork, while envying other artists
who seem to just create effortlessly? See if you can find a
breath of renewal in this article.
Wisdom Of The Tribe: Favorite Native American Artists On The Web
Written by: Eagle Vale |
Distributed: 2007-07-05 |
Word Count: 746 |
Page Views: 5435
| Votes: 24 |
Rating: 1.96
Many Native Americans have achieved fame through their art or
through their lives, and some of the greatest artists of this
modern age are descendants of the original American. Here are a
few contemporary Native American artists and a description of
their work:
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