Alone time is the elixir of the artist

The journey from my last entry to now has been a walk through personal confusion and inner struggle ... For now, I'm resting on a sense of clarity and a bed of smiles.

"If you bring forth what is within you, what you bring forth will save you. If you do not bring forth what is within you, what you do not bring forth will destroy you." ~ Gospel of Thomas

Alone time is the elixir of the artist -- and alone time is what I've had a lot of. Despite the frustrations of sketching, I pushed through to finish the sketch of a walnut (thanks Laura, for giving me a deadline, lol):

Reading excerpts from The Artist Way has helped me, some of which are:

For all shadow artists, life may be a discontented experience, filled with a sense of missed purpose and unfulfilled promise.

Remember, your artist is a child. Judging your early artistic efforts is artist abuse. Mistakes are necessary! Stumbles are normal. These are baby steps. Progress, not perfection, is what we should be asking of ourselves. Too far, too fast, and we can undo ourselves.

The need to produce a great work of art makes it hard to produce any art at all.

Give yourself permission to be a beginner. By being willing to be a bad artist, you have a chance to be an artist, and perhaps, over time, a very good one ... The grace to be a beginner is always the best prayer for an artist. The beginner's humility and openness lead to exploration. Exploration leads to accomplishment. All of it begins at the beginning, with the first small and scary step.

"But do you know how old I will be by the time I learn to play the piano/act/paint/write a decent play?" "Yes ... the same age you will be if you don't." So let's start.

I ♥ Operation Beautiful

In keeping with my Artist's Way contract, my session started early (after Morning Pages and exercise) with a pencil in hand, as I experimented with basic hand positions. It takes some getting used to, but I'm excited about the learning process. I'm not sketching anything in particular right now; I'm just enjoying the sensory, pencil-to-paper experience.

As I get more comfortable with the hand positions, I'll practice increasing the speed of switching back and forth without interruption.

In my book, it says "Pencil is the basis for all other media. It is important, therefore, that every artistic person learn to draw. As you master this medium, other creative fields will open up to you."

The media I'd like to explore as I get more adept at sketching is watercolor. While at Michael's yesterday, I got more supplies to ensure I had most of the tools necessary for that endeavor:

On another note, I found this book called Operation Beautiful written by Caitlin Boyle. It really resonated with me, and I imagine it will for most women.

Here's what the author says:

I began Operation Beautiful by leaving positive messages on the mirrors of public restrooms — at work, at the gym, at the grocery store. I scribble down whatever comes to mind — "You are beautiful!" or "You are amazing just the way you are!" My personal goal is to leave as many Operation Beautiful notes as I can. Maybe some people read them and just smile, but I bet some people are truly touched by the effort of a random stranger.

I so love the idea and will occasionally put a note here, to you ... starting now :)

If beauty is in the eye of the beholder - be the beholder!

I will also start periodically putting a motivating post-it note in public places, like bathroom mirrors -- and if I'm brave, on the windshields of cars (to spread the love :).

Discover ... Rediscover your creative self stroke by artistic stroke

... words taken from author, Julia Cameron's website. She wrote The Artist's™ Way. Which more or less is an aid in overcoming the denial or suppression of your creativity.

THE ARTIST'S WAY CONTRACT

I, Lita, understand that I am undertaking an intensive, guided encounter with my own creativity. I commit myself to the four-week duration of the course.

I, Lita, commit to weekly reading, daily Morning Pages, a weekly Artist's Date, and the fulfillment of each week's tasks.

I, Lita, further understand that this course will raise issues and emotions for me to deal with. I, Lita, commit myself to excellent self-care - adequate sleep, diet, exercise, and pampering - for the duration of the course.

In the course of following the Artist's Way and healing my artist within, I have discovered that I have a number of creative interests. While I hope to develop many of them, my specific commitment for the next four weeks is to allow myself to more fully explore drawing and/or watercolor.

My concrete commitment to a plan of action is a critical part of nurturing to my artist. For the next four weeks, my planned, self-nurturing action plan is:

Read, learn and put into practice what I've learned, less any associated guilt.

Acclimate to and firmly put into place my new schedule of waking as early as 4 every morning to have the fresh mind to accomplish my personal tasks before I undertake employment-based tasks. Which means I must religiously ensure I reach slumber no later than 8 at night.

Two basic tools of the Artist's Way is Morning Pages and and the Artist's Date.

I've read Morning Pages is for brain clearing ... To write about the things bothering you and to recognize the truth about what's working or not in your life.

The purpose of the Artist's Date is to be receptive so as to "fill the well" of your creativity. It's a date with yourself (inner-artist/child) every week. It must be done solo, otherwise, one will act differently, do different things, and not listen to one's inner voice. It's a time to adopt a mindset of mischief more than mastery.

Both actions together can be likened to breathing, a rhythm of in (artist date) and out (morning pages).

Basic spiritual principles for creative recovery and discovery:

It is suggested that these principles be read once a day. Keep a watch for changes in your attitudes or beliefs as you read.

1. Creativity is the natural order of life. Life is energy: pure creative energy.
2. There is an underlying, in-dwelling creative force infusing all of life -- including ourselves.
3. When we open ourselves to our creativity, we open ourselves to the creator's creativity within us and our lives.
4. We are, ourselves, creations. And we,in turn, are meant to continue creativity by being creative ourselves.
5. Creativity is God's gift to us. Using our creativity is our gift back to God.
6. The refusal to be creative is self-will and is counter to our true nature.
7. When we open ourselves to exploring our creativity, we open ourselves to God: good orderly direction.
8. As we open our creative channel to the creator, many gentle but powerful changes are to be expected.
9. It is safe to open ourselves up to greater and greater creativity.
10. Our creative dreams and yearnings come from a divine source. As we move toward our dreams, we move toward our divinity.

I used to have this book at one time, but never took the time to delve into it. I may have to buy it again and will also look for Marry Your Muse: Making a Lasting Committment to Your Creativity by Jan Phillips.