living in the present moment
‘L’ is for Love
To seek the tangible is a distraction from true gold; You do not need to grasp the gold with both hands nor grip it tightly through fear of losing it, for it cannot linger forever in the present moment. So, allow it to pass through, to shower over you, to permeate your being.
That is what it feels like to be rich.
Create what you imagine
In the artistic sense, as a creative, you might imagine a picture in your mind, and then attempt to bring it into the physical world. This is the creative process. So, what about applying this creative process to thoughts about your own life, such as your desires, your goals, or your aspirations? You might imagine the life you desire, and then look at how to bring that into reality. Although, sometimes bringing an idea from your mind into your lived experience isn't straightforward since we can come across hurdles and obstacles that are sometimes of our own making. So, I was wondering, how can we help to bring our goals to fruition?
There are possibly many things we can do in conjunction to assist us in manifesting our goals and desires into something tangible, but one contributing factor is our environment.
When you focus on a goal or desire ask yourself, the self that is bigger than your physical body, your higher consciousness, your soul self, the self that is love over fear, ask: How is my current environment supporting or aligning with my goals?
For example, if my goal is to complete a collection of large original artworks, exhibit them, and perhaps move towards a bigger studio where I can host studio visits, what does my environment look and feel like in this imagined scenario...? Well, my studio is big, white, airy and bright. I feel a sense of calmness, excitement and satisfaction.
So, then I look around my current studio and ask, does this space match the feeling I get when I imagine these goals and aspirations?
I feel into this question. This is the answer I got: Yes, it's a beautiful space, but it can better match your goals for some things in this studio have been forgotten, or abandoned and gathering dust. Perhaps you gave up for a moment or lost hope? Maybe there is a tinge of self-doubt in the air that is dampening your desired feeling of excitement? But, it's okay, that was yesterday. We can shake things up, move things around, and push a surge of hopeful energy through this space that will better support your new goals.
This is what we can do right now...
We can paint the floor white. We can clear the shelves and decide what to keep and what to let go of. We can clear the pinboard and replace it with images that offer fresh inspiration and invite feelings of excitement. We can re-organise the furniture to make the space feel bigger, brighter and inviting, and we can light the candles, burn some oils and play some music to create a sense of calm.
So I invite you to try this for yourself. You might be surprised at the small steps and tweaks you can make to your environment with immediate effect that can bring you closer to the feeling that matches your dream life. The smallest gesture towards creating a space that is a closer match to your desired feeling will give you a lift and help you to feel more optimistic about your goals and aspirations. They are possible, and your environment is a physical tool that you can use to your advantage.
However, if the gap between what you desire and your current situation is large, for example, if you desire a huge warehouse studio space and you are currently working from your bedroom, that's okay. This is about moving closer to the feeling of your desired goals. So, when you imagine being in this warehouse how does it feel? and what steps can you take in your current environment to bring you closer to that feeling? Maybe you put up pictures of an inspiring warehouse studio. Maybe you paint a wall in a colour you would have. Small gestures can go a long way in igniting the feeling and energy that is a match for your goals and aspirations and will bring you closer to them. Keep the faith. You can create what you imagine.
self-belief and desire
In the context of pursuing a creative career as an artist, sometimes we might feel super inspired, momentum builds, and we just flow. Other times, (I know I can feel this), we might forget where we are going, and feel a little uninspired. But, what is the reason for this? How can motivation exist one minute, and seemingly evaporate the next? I thought I would attempt to consciously observe what happens in my experience...
So, for example, I feel inspired; I've got heaps of visual ideas waiting to become physical artworks, and I feel excited imagining where they'll be exhibited and who might resonate with them. Then, the inspiration dissipates and it feels like I have no control over it. I forget my clear sense of purpose and feel like my head is foggy, and I'm dragging my heels through the mud. But this time, after closer inspection, I noticed that thoughts, filled with self-doubt, were quietly creeping in underneath that inspired feeling. The thing is, self-doubt isn't always a loud domineering voice that you can hear clearly, not for me anyway. It can be muted, almost a whisper that can be easily missed as it is surreptitiously swept under the rug.
So, when I'm in the midst of inspired action, these whispers are quietly, but consistently, whispering things like: "Hmm, large artworks are a nightmare to package, what if they end up stuck in the studio? Remember that gallery that rejected your work? Maybe you should be doing more conceptual pieces if you want to be taken seriously as an artist?...” Suddenly, or perhaps not so suddenly, the inspiration is dampened.
After this observation, I realised how often I don't pay conscious attention to these quiet, fast-moving, somewhat automatic thoughts. Instead, my body subconsciously absorbs them, consequently resulting in physical and mental lethargy and an overall lacklustre feeling devoid of inspiration.
I guess it makes sense; when I feel uninspired, thoughts that are in opposition to my desires permeate my mind. They put the breaks on and warn me that I might fail to fulfil my desires. The music fades and my body is heavy. I can no longer dance. Noticing this process is helpful, but I think it takes practice to watch and observe your thoughts. I guess the goal is not to stop them, but to consciously, and gently, catch them before they sink in deeply, and perhaps challenge them with alternative thoughts that better align with your desires.
For example, my desire is to exhibit large pieces of artwork in a well-known gallery. The opposing thought could be ‘I’ll be rejected.’ My gentle challenge could be that there are many places to exhibit, limitless in fact, and even if not immediately, everything sells to the right person at the right time. I have evidence of that. Trust.
So, perhaps I can begin to catch self-doubt as it arises and attempt to offer alternative thoughts that begin to sing a song of self-belief.
Risking It All
I was setting up the studio earlier today ready to start on a painting. I’ve got three on the go at the moment, and they all need final details.
I wasn’t in the mood for any of them today. One thing I’m learning is, if the energy isn’t aligned for a certain painting then something else is calling, save that one for the day that it calls to you.
Admittedly, when you have a deadline that’s not always possible, but when it’s a free studio day it’s always good to work with intuition.
I started working on this painting, the blue portrait.
Enough time has passed where I don’t feel particularly precious about it anymore. That said, it’s looking a bit ruined at the moment, and I’m not sure how I feel about it…
So the picture shown here is before the, shall I say, ‘amendments!’
The positives were: I felt alive doing it. I started pouring paint all over it and it was fun. Just to let go in that moment and not know what will happen…
When every piece is planned and I know what the outcome will be before it is finished it is boring and almost suffocating. I know this.
Being able to take risks keeps one moving forward. If you’re always within your comfort zone, then you can’t grow.
I know I can paint a portrait, but pushing it to the next level is where I want to go. Taking a risk on a painting that I love will be where the magic happens…I know it.
The lesson is not to feel bad if it doesn’t work. The more mistakes made the easier it will be to make them! therefore, exploring new territory. It has to be done!
When it feels like it isn’t working, keep the faith, keep going, push through, and you’ll arrive at something that is working.
THE ART OF ALLOWING - Tips for an artist
I wanted to share a recent realisation I had relating to the idea of 'being ready to receive'
I was listening to Abraham Hicks, an inspirational speaker, who discusses lots of ideas around the law of attraction. She usually discusses these ideas in a conversation with somebody asking a question they have regarding their own situation. One person had said "I want my business to expand and to be really successful" and she replied "yes, but are you ready to receive"
I thought about it for a while and how that comment applied to my own practice.
There is a distinct difference between hoping something will happen, and really knowing something will happen. In some respects 'hoping' can seem a rather passive approach, whereas 'knowing' has so much more power behind it.
I thought to myself If I truly knew what I desired was definitely going to happen, I would have all the necessary tools in place to receive.
For example, I've finished a new series of artwork. I imagined them selling, but, at the same time, focused on the many hurdles (that need not be hurdles, but that's another blog post!) like: Where will I store them? shall I print on demand? I don't drive yet, how will I pick them up? Is this cost effective?
So, if this sort of chatter is going on it's a massive block on the energy that creates excitement and motivation.
They could indeed be valid questions to ask, however, when there is acceptance around these problems without allowing the solutions to take a front seat, the message I'm giving to the universe is 'This is all a bit of a hassle!'
So, If I really believed they were going to sell, felt it, knew it. I would've had a stack of stock ready to go...but I realised, I didn't. Clearly my actions were not in alignment with an energy of being 'ready to receive'
Every time a sale comes in am I feeling excitement and gratitude? Have I got everything in place to make this easy for myself, like, all the necessary packaging equipment, the artwork itself, and most importantly, the belief in the work? It's good to work, and it will sell. This was a bit of a lesson.
Now, if you're an artist wanting to sell your work these are some helpful tips that have helped me.
1. - Get clear on your desire.
What is your goal? Write this down. The act of writing it down can really help fine-tune what you want and give yourself clarity. You might find your desire changes a bit and that's okay. The clearer you are on what you want, the easier it will be to make it happen.
2.- Create work that you love
When you get that impulsive feeling and genuinely want to create the work, it will be your best stuff. The energy you put into it shows in the artwork. You'll have an audience that loves what you do, you just have to find them.
3.- Work out your hurdles
Thrash this out a little. You know when you have your desire, it's a great idea, then your inspiration dwindles. Why is that? The internal chatter that is a bit fearful is talking you out of it and placing a few hurdles in your path.
Again, write this down. Write a list of all your concerns. e.g.
Printing is costly.
I might not make a profit.
What if it doesn't sell....etc
Give yourself free rein to write all these fears down in a list. Then make another column next to it and reach for a solution for everything on the list, or reach for a thought that feels better. e.g
I can invest in myself. The cost is worth it to create good quality work I'm proud of.
I can adjust my prices as I grow, it's all a learning curve.
There is an audience that will love what I do, I will find them in time.
You get the idea. Look at this list every time a new doubt creeps in. It's totally normal to have these fears, it's just a matter of practice to handle that fear in a different and more helpful way. You can add to the list and add new solutions each time. I would recommend sticking this up on a wall in your studio so you can see it.
4.- Make it easy for yourself
Get ready to receive your desire and tackle those hurdles head-on! Change the hoping to knowing. Start making small actions every day that support your desire. So, for me it was to:
Get a plan chest to store my artwork in.
Run regular promotions on social media to let people know what stock I have available.
Invest in a printer and create my own prints
Order packaging in advance and create a system that is efficient and works
Also, Don't give up! Own new energy that shows up every day and matches your desire.
Don't forget to notice your progress. Most importantly, ENJOY THE JOURNEY! It's often more rewarding than the outcome!