Philosophy

Expressing your soul through art

Like meditation and prayer, creating is a spiritual practice. This course is a practice that uses paint and play to intentionally connect us with the creative spirit within us all. It is a sacred doorway and an expression of our personal relationship with creation.

In Painting as a Spiritual Practice, the sacred is uniquely expressed through colour, metaphor and imagination. As we create sacred art in a safe space, we also receive opportunities to notice our fears, our blocks, and our vision in real time. We are called to surrender, open, and see ourselves through new eyes, again and again.

As much yours as mine

Any wisdom or insight that expands our creative and spiritual awareness and capacity can become part of our guiding philosophy. We learn as we go, continuing to develop our individual beliefs about spiritual creativity along the way.

Following my own path, I have discovered a few key insights that have been particularly expanding. I am happy to share them with you:

Painting as a Spiritual Practice can be a metaphor for our relationship with creation
As we follow our creativity, we are led to our creator
Everything we create comes from Spirit. There is therefore no such thing as a bad or wrong creation
Being an artist is simply a recognition that we consciously revel in the act of creation
We are all artists, creating our lives, relationships and, collectively, the world
Love lends our creative and spiritual process power in its unfolding
Non-identification with our work frees us from ego-based like or dis-like entrapments
Painting is a meditative process, revealing deeper and deeper layers of insight through image & colour
The images we create are ultimately the vision of Spirit gifted to us through our very own hands
Our paintings are a visual healing, vibrating with the energies of our own healing experience. They continue to be a blessing to all who view them
Spiritual painting is a continued practice of surrender. Frustration may be an indication there is an attachment to outcome. Take a time out to soften, come back and begin again
Suffering experienced as we create is the ego in distress as it is being healed... stay with it
There can be no mistakes, only layers of understanding which bring us closer to truth
Painting as a spiritual practice is about the process, not the product.... although we may very well love our creations in the end
Dis-satisfaction can be reinterpreted to be an indicator that our work is not yet complete. This sensation is meant to urge us forward and offer opportunities to take creative risks, not create self-doubt or judgement.... this is the interpretation of ego
Spirit is not challenged by our artistic limitations or otherwise
We are all channels for Spirit to manifest heaven on earth
We create what is already within us.... our creativity reminds us this is truly infinite

3 mantras for success

1. It is only a little bit about the painting

2. Painting brings us into mindful awareness of ourselves

3. Breathe

A few more things to consider…

Non-attachment will be key for this process. Many layers will come and go as we paint. Non-attachment makes it easier to trust what is meant to stay and what is meant to be released to make space for the new.
Showing up to our canvas without an agenda allows us to be more spontaneously guided in the creation of our painting. The more we cling to a rigid plan, the less energy and wisdom can find its way to us.
Everyone receives exactly what they need from the experience. We can let go of comparison and instead focus on our own path. There is no one 'right' way.
Our tools and supplies should be treated like the sacred items they are.
Journalling can be a powerful practice to support this painting journey. Write when you are inspired, stuck, curious, anxious, blissful.... and then write some more.
It is impossible to ‘ruin’ your painting. After all, it’s just paint and can be infinitely changed until you are satisfied.
Take pictures at each stage to document the unfolding of your creation. You will appreciate being able to review its progression. If you share images of your painting (or other parts of your journey) on social media, consider using the hashtag #paintingasaspiritualpractice to see yourself as part of our Painting as a Spiritual Practice community!