So last time I was talking about energy and how digging into the physical energy of lifting weights shared similarities with tapping into the energy needed for painting in a way that really gets to the core of me (core - core strength - gut feelings - gut reaction…etc…) I had the opportunity to show some of those freer works on paper at an arts trail a couple of weeks ago and people responded really positively to them - I even sold a couple. In a way it didn’t surprise me (that people connected with them) because they were unfettered and authentic and - yes - energetic.
Sometimes it’s easier than others to access that energy - sometimes it just takes one movement or action to feel that flare. Sometimes it’s necessary to jolt yourself by singing really loudly or doing a mad dance or launching yourself at a painting with wild strokes. I know those moments when I’ve been painting in a kind of trance and then I suddenly snap to and start frantically smearing paint on the canvas with my hand. Wake up! Get the energy going! I see it in people who come to my workshops - one minute they’re timidly painting away with a little brush, the next they’re slapping at their paper with a squeegee or going bonkers with a roller. I love these moments! They’re magic. And in fact nowadays I don’t give people small brushes to use (I’ve actually think I might phase out brushes altogether) because it’s easier to be free and expressive when you’re using the ‘wrong’ tools for the job.
Lack of opportunity, resources, space and time are usually the things stopping us from being able to have these creative energy experiences. I feel frustrated by my lack of space and resources sometimes - my instinct is to work large so I can paint with whole body energy, but I’m limited at the moment. What I can offer others though is the opportunity to express themselves freely - with the space and resources taken care of, all you need to do is gift yourself two hours of time. You can find out more about the painting workshops I offer here. Now, time to do some mad painting….
