Painting...Silencing the Inner Critic

I don't mind a little constructive criticism, a friendly suggestion here and there, or a helpful hint along the way.  But if you are like me a harsh word from a hovering critic can be frustrating and intimidating.  Not surprisingly some of the most discouraging criticism I've received has been from my own inner critic. 

Negative inner dialogue can be especially destructive to the creative process.  Today, as I set about to work in the painting studio I wanted to try a slightly different painting style.  I knew that before long I'd hear the familiar voice of my inner critic negatively commenting on my work. 

To counter her acidic observations and questions I simply proclaimed today's studio time as a play day  and not a work day.  "I'm just having some fun.", "Yes it's silly but today its about the process and not the product."  "I am creating these painting for my own pleasure, no one else has to approve of them."

Finally she gave up and let me have my fun.  Here are the results of today's play day:

"Dream" 16"x20" Mixed Media



Detail of "Dream"

"Happy" 16" x 20" Mixed Media

Detail of "Happy"

What would you dare to try if you could silence your inner critic for a while?  Try giving yourself permission to just goof around a little, have some fun, even look silly.  That might send your critic packing, at least for a little while.

Thanks for visiting My Turquoise Kettle Life today.

Wishing you time to have a little fun today,

Sandra

Respecting the Seasons of our Lives

How I love a misty, drizzly morning like this one.  Each pine needle, leaf and petal balance crystal droplets that absorb dull light and reflect it into shimmering globes.  A brief traipse through the garden this morning left me feeling quiet and appreciative, humbled by the beauty that I so often rush past.





Forget-me-nots with raindrops



Solomon's Slipper with droplets

Sprouts pushing up through last year's dead foliage reminded me of nature's constant desire to renew and grow, to transform and to reach deep inside the hidden places to create something new.  Interestingly growth comes after a season of rest and retreat.



new hostas sprouts

I sometimes resist hibernating, I want to be productive to have something to show for my efforts NOW.  Ah, how much wiser to remain in tune with the seasons of life and to allow for times of retreat.  Sometimes it means a day apart or a week.  Sometimes those seasons may need to be longer.  Growth will come again perhaps slowly or in a beautiful burst of colour.

Forget-me-not

Honour your seasons of rest and of growth.

Thank you for visiting My Turquoise Kettle Life.

Savour today,

Sandra

Summer Workshop 2012

This is going to be the briefest of posts.  I simply wanted to direct your attention to the upper right hand corner of the screen where the heading "Workshop 2012" is listed. All relevant details are listed there.

This workshop entitled, "The Women's Creativity and Painting Summer Studio", will run from Friday, June 1 until Friday, August 3, 2012. 

Join me in my studio this summer.

Please contact me by e-mail at sandra.myturquoisekettlelife@gmail.com if you have questions or would like to schedule a time to join us in the studio.

Wishing you a wonderful day,

Sandra

Painting Transformations:Turning a Bird into a Vase with Flowers

Looking through some old paintings this week I happened upon one of a bird that never really thrilled me.  Placing the painting upside down on the easel allowed me to forget about the existing subject matter and I proceeded to play a little with the idea of a very traditional still life subject, a vase with flowers. 

Not having a vase brimming with flowers as a guide, I ran into all the usual creative problems that arise when I try to work out of my imagination; things look stiff and lack a certain punch. 

Undaunted I continued to paint, reminding myself that it is the process and not necessarily the final product that matters. I brought it along to my Tuesday painting group and was inspired to make some changes. 

In the end, a fellow painter suggested that I put it away for a while and that it would probably end up on the easel, upside down....ready to become the base for another painting.


Well, yeah that is probably true, but this morning I still wanted to have another go at it. Taking another suggestion (from one of my most reliable sources) I painted the background yellow ochre.  Hmmm..

Detail of Vase with Flowers

Maybe that works, maybe it doesn't and quite possibly this one will end up buried underneath another few layers of paint one day. What I find useful is learning to take risks, being willing to push (and maybe destroy) a painting rather than playing it safe and saving a mediocre work. 

Learning to take risks in painting may even push me to take risks outside the walls of the studio.  What might I create if I was willing to turn life upside down, change my perspective and boldly grab hold of what lies beyond my comfort zone?

Thank you for visiting My Turquoise Kettle Life.

Wishing you a day of bold ideas,

Sandra

Transformation - A Gentle Approach

In my last post on personal transformation, I touched on the need to be able to dream and to imagine our best versions of ourselves.
 
When I allow myself to imagine living my best life and being the best version of myself it is useful to begin with what I already have. What are some of my good qualities? What characteristics do others say that they appreciate about me? What have I accomplished that makes me feel thankful, encouraged, inspired?
 
All too often we focus on what we are lacking. We take our own strengths for granted or fail to see them as strengths. We look at those qualities that we wish we had rather than developing more fully those that we already possess.
 
No wonder transformation may seem elusive. It is as though we are naturally an apple tree and are disappointed not to be producing bananas!

Develop what comes naturally to you

A more gentle loving way is to recognize your "natural fruit" and begin to be the best version of yourself, rather than a mediocre version of another. When you work from your area of giftedness life has a sweeter flow to it. Development of your talents and strengths is less of an uphill battle.
 

When I was about five years old I began ballet and tap dance lessons. I probably danced every Saturday until I was ten or eleven years old. I loved the idea of being a dancer but I have very little natural ability. When it comes to dance I am slow to learn and quick to forget. When I tried a Zumba class at my gym it was a humbling reminder of my lack of coordination, grace and rhythm. Thankfully my parents gave me lots of opportunities to explore my abilities and I discovered areas that I excelled in.

In your efforts be gentle on yourself. Think baby steps and small victories. Over time a series of small achievements will result in significant growth that will allow you to constantly evolve into the very best version of yourself.

Thank you for visiting My Turquoise Kettle Life today,

Have a fruitful day,

Sandra

Personal Transformation

The concept of transformation and especially personal transformation is one that permeates much of my life.  In my artist bio I explain how transformation is the catalyst for much of my painting.  My journal is bulging with ideas and thoughts related to this subject. 

I have known the self-loathing of running frightened from change and transformation.  Because of those moments I have also known what it is to live someone else's version of my life, to forfeit my dreams and to suffocate my talents and gifts so as not to shine too brightly, and not to threaten those who worship the status quo. 

Do you have any idea what the long term effects of living a false life are? 

When I stifled my true self, when I ran like a little mouse from the prospect of taking responsibility for myself and actually doing the work of transforming (because it is work) I chose coping mechanisms that distracted me from the true issues.  I developed  eating and anxiety disorders that kept me imprisoned for a very long time.  It was painful and I felt ashamed and powerless.

Thankfully shame and fear do not have to be the end of any of our stories.  This world, this universe is always about renewal.  Yet we must choose this renewal, healing and transformation.

Jesus was wise to ask the blind and the lame, "What is it that you want?".  While what is needed may be obvious to an observer, the blind need to identify what they want.  It seems incredible that the lame would choose not to be restored and yet....  

And yet, we may choose to remain captive to old habits, ideas and ways of being that do not serve us or allow us to enjoy or share our beauty and potential with those around us.  Have you ever caught a glimpse of your potential and had the brilliance of it frighten you?  Maybe you too have run like a frightened mouse from the universe's invitation to shine.


If you have, forgive yourself and begin to dream.  Dream and disregard the negative self-editing voice that recites all your past fears and failures.  Dream and don't be discouraged by your current circumstances.  Instead be still and envision in great detail what it is that you have to share with the world and who it is that you were always meant to be.  

Ah, then you will have found the key to receive all that you were meant to have, to be and to share.

Thank you for visiting My Turquoise Kettle Life today.




Wishing you a fearless day,

Sandra

How to Keep a Promise

At the end of 2011 as I was preparing to lay out my goals and plans for 2012, I came across Robin Sharma's list of 35 fast tips for your best year yet. I printed the list and keep it at my meditation corner.


The second item on the list is, "Keep the promises you make to others - and to yourself." I love that! How would my days and weeks be impacted if I kept all the promises that I made, all those intentions to live more purposefully, creatively and simply?


I really wanted to embrace that practice and knew that I would have to find a way, a technique to make it "stick". While I still fall short of the goal, I have found that using my weekly to-do list is a great way to help me to keep my promises. On Sunday evening or Monday morning I write a list of all the things that I want to accomplish. The list includes mundane things such as ironing, as well as things that I do daily, such as prayer, journaling and going to the gym. For example, beside "gym" I make five little boxes and check them off once I have worked out Monday to Friday. I include tasks that I have promised to others, phone calls I need to make, appointments to be booked and creative time that needs to be spent in the studio.

The list also includes "acts of kindness" that I want to accomplish but that sometimes get lost in the shuffle of daily life. I write the names of people that I want to connect with. Too often someone comes to mind and I think, "I really would like to let them know that I'm thinking of them.”,  including that on the list keeps me intentional about those important ideas that are not urgent, and that sometimes get overlooked.


Another result of this habit is that I have become more selective about the promises that I make. I don't like the feeling of disappointing people or myself, I so I try to consider my promise and imagine actually doing it and decide.... Is that what you really want? Is that something you will actually do? It isn't easy to say "no" but it feels more honest and authentic than saying "maybe" and not meaning it, or "yes" and not doing it.


Keeping promises matters. In a world where we have become jaded by poor quality, poor service and broken commitments, keeping our promises can help us to stand out and stand tall.

Thank you for stopping by My Turquoise Kettle Life.

Wishing you a day full of promise,

Sandra