Sometimes intuitive process painting is simply about having fun, putting color on a page; sometimes it is more about healing, self expression, or perhaps  an experience of jump-starting creativity.  It’s amazing at how many different experiences we can have when we invite our selves to a blank canvas. It is almost always a process of reclaiming our soul.

Sometimes when we paint, what shows up is a deep emotional experience.

During our collective check in on Wednesday morning, a participant shared that she had been developing  her “voice” and had been for a while— including her singing voice. She shared how her painting from last week– which had a lot to do with singing– was with her all week and how opportunities to “sing” showed up repeatedly during the week.  Her life was on fire. She radiated a sense of emergence when she spoke.

She also shared that she  had no idea what was going to show up today in her painting time but that she was looking forward  to  standing in the unknown, in front of a blank page.  This was only her second Wednesday of intuitive process painting. She was truly in beginner’s mind.

When she started painting, she felt a strong wave of gratitude and began painting words like “thank you” and “yes”…and lines/color…After a little while she felt an energy building in her throat, and she soon realized she was experiencing terror in her throat area, a terror she was feeling fully in the moment, but one that she knows has been with her for  many many years—decades. She allowed herself to feel it, to let the tears come through as she stood in front of her painting.  She let it be, allowing the energy to show itself.

When the tears were done and she was regrouping to paint again she shared with me her experience and how thrilled she was that she could experience that throat energy .that she was able to let it pass through her…that she could “be” with it….that she could be a witness in that way to such emotion and not get stopped or stuck in it.  She continued to paint and to feel joy as she painted.

She finished the painting session by painting into the bottom of the painting, where she saw a yellow creature, full of fun and spirit and adventure.  With a smile on her face and joy shining into the room, she shared with group what had happened and shared the freedom she was experiencing.

I never know what is going to show up  for any individual when we go to paint.  But I see that by showing up we will receive what we are calling in, if we find the ears to listen….

(This experience, as always,  shared with painter’s permission.)

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