Dear Creative Friends,
In Expressive Arts, we facilitate the relationship between the artist and the image.
What does that mean? Well, sometimes it is easier to first describe what we don't do, rather than what we do. We don't (ever) tell you what your image means. We don't ask you what you think it means, or what it represents, or why you chose blue, or a wavy line, or why you put a lion in it. We don't even name the lion that we
imagine we see, as that might be our interpretation, not yours.
No. This expressive arts work is different from that, and this often surprises people at first. The image that you (the artist) creates is new, fresh, ripe with messages, and neither of us (me, the facilitator or you, the artist) knows 'what it
means' and even asking what it means limits it. Instead, we behold it, celebrate its emergence, and witness it with attention and curiosity. This may be where a skilled facilitator or therapist comes in, as it is her/his/their role to assist the artist in engaging with the image and inviting or eliciting its messages.
How do we do that? We do that by attending closely to the image, while letting go of what we think we already know about it. We get curious about what we notice - both in the image, and in ourself. We pay attention to what we see (with our eyes) and feel (in our hearts) when we regard the image. We may use prompts like 'I am' or 'I know' to give the image a voice, or we may respond in another modality - movement, sound,
rhythm. We witness the image, and there are many ways to that, from simply quietly attending to it, to dialoguing with it.
Why do we do that? Because the image is fresh, and has arrived with something new. By attending and witnessing, we open to discovering what the image is bringing to us, rather than trying to figure out its meaning.
Here's one way....
Try this: Find an image that you have made. It doesn't matter if you made it yesterday, or five years ago. You could even make it right now. It can be a quick doodle, a finished painting, or any other image - abstract or realistic.
Set aside a few minutes to just quietly
look at it, with 'fresh eyes'.
Notice what you see (colors, shapes, lines) and what you feel (emotions). Behold your image as an entity separate from you, welcome it and be curious about it.
Now, ask your image 2 questions:
- What are you feeling?
- What do you need?
In the voice of the image, answer these questions, one at a time, either in writing or aloud. Take the time you need.
Then, in your own voice, either write or speak aloud whatever you would like to say to the image.
When you have come to completion or a place to pause, just sit with what has arrived. Let it simmer within you, over time. Allow it to inform you. Receive its messages and taken its wisdom into your life.
I just found this
image tucked inside a folder. I made it well over a year ago, and haven't looked at its since. I don't recall any particular intention; it was simply an creative exploration. Today it caught my eye.
