Thursday, April 15, 2010

What Should I Be Doing?

Hi All!

I just started reading the book Creative Awakenings by Sheri Gaynor.

My art journal page below is based on one of the exercises in the book...the "Envision Art of Intention." In the first step, you go to a relaxing/meditative place - Sheri explains it as "a time for going within, listening to your intuition and creating space for your life dreams." During this "Dream Time" you listen for any questions that are going through your head. One question that kept speaking to me was..."What should I be doing right now?"

In the second step, Sheri outlines instructions to create a journal page based on your question and your "Dream Time". Step three is writing or reflecting on the art you created. Here is the journal page that emerged from my question...


I had fun looking through my old stamp collection and picking out images that called to me. The big smile on Walt Disney's face representing the joy I want in my life....the Daniel Boone stamp to represent the adventurer within me. I also enjoyed finding magazine pictures that felt like they "belonged" on the page.

In addition to the images, I used gesso and some oil pastels. I'm not a big fan of the messiness of pastels. I've had them for years, and every time I use them, I think about giving them away! Next time I'll use my Neocolor Artist Crayons!! No mess...AND you can soften the colors by adding water as well. I also cut up some pieces of decorative paper, and used some crayons, markers and charcoal pencils.

So...what should I do right now in my life?

Bloom...Seek comfort...Smile...Travel with friends...Eat healthy
and most of all...
Live the Adventure!

See you next time!

We live in a world that is full of beauty, charm and adventure. There is no end to the adventures we can have if only we seek them with our eyes open.
-Jawaharlal Nehru

2 comments:

Feithline said...

I love this idea as a regular morning practice, even if only in writing. I wake up with a list of things I 'should' be doing the length of my arm. This sounds like a lovely antidote to a list that feels like a burden. Transformative! Thank you for sharing this. :)

DJ said...

Hmmm...Lemme get this straight: an ace ceramicist is worried about messiness...?
Interesting... :-)