Busy Work

I've continued in my quietude, for a month, now. Its been kind of wonderful. I haven't picked up a paint brush, once. Instead, I've been busying myself with a variety of tasks of self discovery and domestic bliss that I've found truly pleasurable. That is not to say that I've dropped my brush. Quite the contrary, I just felt the need to rest, to rejuvenate, and to feel DESPERATE to paint, again.

I'm swiftly getting to that point. In fact, my fingers are literally beginning to ITCH to have the brushes back, to feel the spring of the canvas, to smell the fresh scent of acrylic swirling about. I've been thinking about what I'll paint when I get the chance.....I've got a few nudes in mind. I've also been thinking of dancing, resting, the female form in all its glory.

But, let me lay that aside for the moment. I've been continuing to work my way through The Artist's Way program based on the book by Julia Cameron. It is challenging me and has caused me to look at my creativity in a way that I've never considered before....as a way of life, rather than crafty pursuits. Living creatively opens the door to so many opportunities that I'm boggled by them. What I lack is not ideas, nor skill, but motivation. So, I am learning to unblock myself by feeding my soul with beautiful things, those that speak to my spirit, that enliven my imagination, that give rise to my feet.

I've been making soap, working herbs and florals into infusions that become the base for a variety of salves and compounds and balms for various uses, eating raw food that is real, and feeling alive. My first batch of soap is cured, today, so that I can begin another for when this one is gone. I've got comfrey root salve, chamomile-calendula ointment, and rose lip balm made up; along with some new moisturizer for my body, face, and hair; and, an invigorating eucalyptus body scrub.

My life is blessed.

Quiet

I've been fairly quiet lately. I haven't painted in a month. Instead, I've been working through the Artist's Way program, based on a book by Julia Cameron. In the pursuit of unblocking my creativity and creative self, I've taken a sabbatical from creating paintings and begun exclusively exploring me.

In the pursuit of the process, I've done lots of creative things, other than paint -- baking, kitchen witchery, cooking, participation in a wide variety of events that capture my attention and expand my soul. I spend time, every day, transferring the clutter from my head onto notebook pages. Surprisingly, it does a miraculous job at emptying out the nonsense so that I needn't focus on it, or become scattered by it. I've found the process to be cleansing, but also cathartic. It spurns me to do more, think more, explore more.

I also do what Julia Cameron calls weekly "Artist Dates." In other words, I experience things that fill my mind with images. I visit antique stores, go to the movies, walk in the woods, participate in spiritual activities and meaningful rituals that touch my soul. I spend time with people who challenge and support me. In short, I become connected to the world in an expanded way.

Naturally, I do other things as well -- exercises as prescribed by the author, attend workshops and classes on the chapters in the book, complete weekly check-ins where I evaluate progress and commitment. The class is spread over the duration of one year.

Only in my second month, I've never felt more alive. I've never felt more connected. I've never felt more excited about second-by-second living.

I've got several paintings in the planning stages. But, in the end, any planning I've done will fly out the window when my muse comes to call. She has the final say. And, I'm learning to abide her wishes; because (when I do) the work is powerful and meaningful and important.