Taking a blind leap..... Natural Painting Activity 1 Thursday July 2, 2009

[Lisa Lipsett]

Welcome everyone,

Shall we start our painting adventure?
For the duration of this course I invite you to think of yourself as an archaeologist of your own experience. I will suggest things for you to try and it is my hope that you will try what resonates and let other less enticing suggestions just float on by.

*Begin by reading the introductory pages- they provide instructions re materials to have handy, and ideas regarding setting up and developing a practice.Art of Engagement NP Program intro.pdf

*When I first began to paint I quickly discovered that closing my eyes to both choose the colours and apply them produced a tremendous sense of freedom and possibility.

For this first encounter set up your painting palette, a piece of paper and a small container of water. Take a moment to jot down a few words on the back of the page that describe your current state of mind. Then with your eyes closed slowly run your fingers across the paints and wait for a colour to choose you. Then slowly apply that colour until it runs out (use your moistened fingertip- no brushes please :), choose again blindly, apply the colour and repeat.... You can occasionally open your eyes to track your progress but endeavour to work slowly and by touch instead of sight. When you are done take a moment to record what this was like. Did you learn anything new about yourself and how you create? Post to this blog if you would like to share any images or experiences. Try and do this activity a couple of times over the next few days as well. ENJOY!

[Lisa Lipsett]

Hi Amarah,
I see you dancing and creating.....
Isn't the surprise of it all delicious? Thanks so much for sharing..
All the best
Lisa

[Amarah Gabriel]

Hi Lisa, Great! it got me painting again. went into studio, with the watercolours which I don't use much but opened up the box and wrote in my book, the ritual, intention, closed my eyes, felt the paints, dipped my fingers in water and began spreading paint on the page...didn't go too long, I don't like dry paint on my hands...(maybe my past life as a Tibetan sand painter? ) but was surprised when I surveyed the painting..it was completely opposite colours than I "thought" I was using.. but more of the colours I have been wanting to paint with. Earth... so then I wrote in the journal...and excited went on to try the technique on a painting of a horse I had let get cold...and on and on I went closing my eyes, opening them , using both hands and enjoying my ritual which has been with me for over 30 years...listening to music and dancing while I paint. Thanks Lisa...looking forward to more, Amarah

[Lisa Lipsett]

Yes, giving colour and form to how we feel actually shows us how we feel. We can better see the fullness of ourselves, others can see and feel us as well....
Lisa

[Teresa Hitch]

Hi Lisa,
The encounter reiminds me of what Ilda Lubane, one of my most important mentors/teachers, used to say, "Draw me a line, and I will tell you how you feel."
Simple, but profound.
Have a glorious day,
Teresa