Painting with Intention

Intentional Creativity® offers an approach to painting (and other creative projects) where we set our intention at the beginning, and follow our curiosity, using inquiries and letting the brush lead. It is a way to activate Breakthrough, without Breakdown, to attune to  inner guidance and own images. It can also be a powerful mindfulness process. As we paint dots, dashes and other repetitive patterns, we move into a flow state. 
Changes occur in the electromagnetic field around us, when receive from the unmanifest, and bring that information through the portal, into our painting. 

We begin with a theme, often choosing an archetype to provide a framework and images for our painting.

• How do we connect with our Muse of Creativity, or lead a more Legendary Life? 
• What are our Super powers? 
• What gifts sand talents are in our medicine baskets?

While the themes, and archetypes are limitless, we are encouraged to choose one that lights us up, or has us "shaking in our boots!"

Siren Song 

Whether working on our own, or teaching a class, I use a step-by step method designed to foster insights and inner access. Founder Shiloh Sophia writes, "There's something sacred about the container, about the formula holding you, that allows for freedom to emerge. You are going to create an intuitive painting, from the heart of your own self. You'll learn to use your visionary lens for Active Imagination to connect with the light and spaciousness of your own sovereignty."

We usually begin with a visioning, a guided Meditation focused around the archetype it theme of the painting. Everyone has their own paths of access, so while some may receive visual images, another will "hear" something, and yet another may have a more tactile experience, including the hint of a scent. 
There's no "right or wrong" way! Even if you feel you didn't "get" anything, as we spend time with our Journal and canvas, images and symbols emerge. The painting become our visionary Portal.

Juju Journal · One of the keys to the intuitive painting process is moving back and forth between the canvas and our Journal. Using image and inquiry, we follow the thread of the story we are weaving, and access information we didn't know we knew. This practice of asking for information and allowing images to emerge helps is transform old stories, and gives us more bandwidth for good juju.

As we move through the steps, we build upon previous layers. Something you loved may later get lost, to, perhaps, re-emerge later, like a dear friend, well-met after years apart! So we remind ourselves, don't get attached! (And take photos!) 
With our inquiries, we note where something similar happens in daily life, hmm... and may ask, 'how does our guide receive information?' 'What symbols does she have?' 'What are some of the trials and dangers faced?' 'How does she overcome them?' 'What weakness is she ready to transform?'

Student painting - in progress

Partway through, we send our lady into the mist with a risky glaze, spraying the canvas with water, and using a big brush and diluted transparent color to unify the painting, and send her into the Fog! I wrote about glaze options in my last post, and additional glazes adds depth and luminosity. This is a great time for journaling, exploring what is going behind the glaze and getting lost, what is coming through? How does she want to re-emerge?

Step by step, we journey to the heart and soul of our lady, to our own heart and soul! Sometimes we get discouraged - have I lost her?? ... Ah, no, there she is! Lose her, find her, lose her! ... This dance may occur several times, as we move towards completion. Confused about what's next?
Ask her.
Listen. Record ...
Bring in more light, illuminate - we're *cooling sacks of stardust* - the light beams from within! 

At some point - during the Workshop or later, as we feel compete,  we sit back at least 6' and hand her the pen. This is a time of inviting information, her statement, perhaps a poem. There may be a message about the next mission, insight into an old story, a recurring roadblock, codes, secret language, a lexicon of symbols...

And even after we'd done this "final step," ... We may get called back to the canvas (often years later!!) Because she wants something else! ... 
And if we're listening, we come!  

Featured Artist

About a year ago, during our annual Art Harvest Studio Tour, I was introduced to the owners of the Gallery at Ten Oaks, by one of the artists they represent. I asked if they were accepting art from New artists, and they said, "Yes! We'd love to see your work!" 

My friend Sepha and I went together a couple of months later, with 5 pieces each, and they were delighted to show our intuitive, mindful art! They spotlight one artists work each month and already had a full schedule; so asked if we would have a combined show, as their Featured Artists in September! 

5 of My ladies on the left

We were in the path of totality for the eclipse, and a couple of the pieces for the show include the moon and Sun's corona. I revisited my Queen of Your own Heart, "She Sees By Starlight" and had to paint a little Dragon! I think my Red Madonna Dragon will hold the eclipsed sun as well.

It was fun to look back, and see paintings I had for my first Featured Artist show, Musings, back in 2014 at Walnut City Wineworks, shortly before entering the CoW teacher training! 

Eclipse from Central Oregon, © Ken Strode

My painting Sekhmet hung at the Wineworks for the next year, and is in this show as well. 
I have several classes on the schedule for September, Red Thread Reiki 1, and a Musé Day offering, Musé of Equilibrium, exploring themes of harvest, compost, and cycles.

* are you too far away to visit the Gallery? Enjoy this 1/2 hour YouTube clip where I share my harp and art on our local cable channel, with host Howie Harkema!! 

Blessings as you move into fall, and happy Paint Party Friday! (Head over to the blog roll, and add your post to the list!