Final Major Project | Week Two : Discover

As I began to immerse myself in creative practice I noticed how hard it is to stay in the moment of making and not anticipate the outcome or criticise the work, even when the purpose of the exercise is the process of creating rather than the thing itself.

Theme of week two in the ‘comfort of creativity’ self-coaching program is ~ Gather : Collect inspiration, research and personal work you would like to revisit.

I began by updating both my physical and digital sketchbooks, and listing research sources I’d like to explore further. I’m interested in what makes something ‘art’ as opposed to a simply expressive or therapeutic creative act. I want to learn more about First Nations artists, Shaker Gift painting, Carl Jung’s Red Book, William Blake, Hilda af Klint . . .

My ‘circle of emotions’ (inspired by Iabet ― Consciousness through Art ) did not produce anything as beautiful: I think my inner child definitely had control of the paint brush!

In a week of circles, I also explored Mandalas ― an ancient practice found in both East and West. I find it helpful to guide my practice by beginning with watching an artist at work and learning from their process. This draws my focus and shows me where to begin. Copying basic shapes and patterns taught by Vijayta Shama | How to draw MANDALA ART for beginners gave me a visual vocabulary to draw on as I created my own mandalas and the helpful summary of their history at https://east-asian-cultures.com/mandala-meaning/ both inspired motifs and different creative approaches, and introduced me to Jung’s Mandalas and illustrative practice.

I combined last week’s ‘worry ball’ exercise with the yin-yang mandala (described as a design good for ‘simple healing’). 

I’ve found all of this week’s exercises good for overcoming my creative block; and absorbing in the moment. I’m not sure I have achieved either the zen Buddhist’s or Jungian state of a deeper connection with my inner self, but it is only week two . . .