Quote of the Day: from the song Come to Us, Creative Spirit
Come to us, creative Spirit, in this holy house;
every human talent hallow, hidden skills arouse,
that within your earthly temple, wise and simple may rejoice.
Poet, painter, music-maker, all your treasures bring;
craftsman, actor, graceful dancer, make your offering;
join your hands in celebration: let creation shout and sing!
First, we reminded the women how fluid and free we were as children in our art. We were like the Kindergartners who shout, “Yes, I’m a dancer! Yes, I’m a writer! Yes, I’m an artist!” Then, they begin singing and dancing and letting their creative spirits soar. Somewhere along the journey, most people become crystalized in their art. They might have had “art trauma.” We heard a few stories this weekend of when and where, even what the child-self was wearing on the day, art died. They might suffer from comparison disorder. The “I’m not good enough” disease. Our hope was to help these women release their inner creative spirit.
I started our session by reading The Secret of Saying Thanks by Douglas Wood, a beautiful picture book about all the gifts that God gives us in nature. I held it up the way your favorite teacher did, and I felt people relax into the poetry of the words, the comfort of a story book. We sang, This Little Light of Mine. JeMA and I squirted paint on their papers for fingerpainting. Then, the giggles started. The smiles spread across glowing cheeks and our handiwork became our journal covers – after they dried and we cut them into the shapes we imagined.
I do believe these ladies are exploring the art of “playing off the page!”
So much of who I am comes to life at these retreats. I’m in community with loving and welcoming women. I share the gifts and talents God put in me, and my creative spirit soars. I took many photos and gathered experiences to share. This is just your first glimpse. Come back later this week as we explore a creative path. It may not always be clear, but it is beautiful.
Journaling Prompt: (that I used this weekend): What did you do as a child to express your creativity? What do you do now? And, what would you like to be doing? Is your creativity in the arts, or cooking, gardening, sewing, planning, organizing, decorating?
What a good idea- just squirting paint on the page and finger painting. I might try that.
What a sad thought, to think of art dying in someone’s life. I’m glad you were there to bring it back! I definitely express my creativity with words and photographs and couldn’t imagine stopping. And a garden, too, that grows the very best tomatoes all summer long 🙂
I bet you guys had so much fun.
As a kid: writing and drawing. Those were my expressions.
Get those creative juices flowing! :O)
So glad you are using and sharing your God given talents with others.
Awakening repressed gifts in others is wonderful.
Mary, I’m delighted to see a few visuals of your time at Mt. Carmel. I love how it makes you come alive, and that you are able to share that with others. What a gift, and one that is circular!
Yes, I still remember the “D” I got in 6th grade art, and the teacher who gave it to me because “I couldn’t give everyone an A.” I loved art. That stopped me in my tracks. I’ve never regained my confidence in that area. Sad that I let him take the joy of art away from my life. I consider writing my art now, and that I create word pictures through this art form. 🙂
Looks like a great canvas, Mary! I was always curious about how other people lived. Reading became an escape and allowed my imagaination to soar! Writing soon followed: Diaries, composing love letters for friends…
Thanks for keeping the joy of art alive
Clara
What a fun day you had! There’s something about art, dabbling with the paints at will, that frees the spirit. One’s able to sit and focus and create, all the while at peace in the most amazing stillness. A beautiful post, Mary.