What Are You Hiding?
I’ve been painting for a while now, and every time I step to the table I still get that same mix of joy and peace.
The joy of getting to do whatever I want just because it occurred to me. (I’ve talked about this before. Click here if you want to be reminded.)
The peace of knowing there’s no other way for me to be than exactly as I am in each moment. No apologies.
This is what painting gives me. Every time. I don’t know anything else in life that is this free.
Do you?
The way I see it, each painting is like an invitation for the bolder, edgier, more carefree parts of me to come out and play.
And they need it, because Goody Two Shoes pretty much runs the rest of my life. (You know her. She’s nice and all, but wow she can be exhausting.)
Once in a while, a human or animal-like creature will show up in my mostly abstract work. These figures often gaze downward or look back.
They don’t have a face. No eyes. Just a presence.
Sometimes they feel young and innocent. Sometimes ancient and all knowing.
These are the more timid and insecure parts of me. The parts I mostly keep hidden but am more than happy to give center stage on the canvas.
They hold the weight of the world. They don’t understand it. Yet they know it well and they hold it.
Sound familiar? I think we all have parts like these.
They don’t come up in conversation, but that doesn’t mean they don’t want our attention.
Once we find our way in - once we listen to those quieter, deeper parts of ourselves - it’s hard to ignore that they need a voice. And maybe, they’re even ready to be shared.
That’s why I keep showing up as boldly and vulnerably as I can on the canvas. That’s why I keep talking about it.
Because I want to remind you of you. The deeper you. All of you.
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What about you? How do you quiet your inner Goody Two Shoes to hear what else is wanting your attention? How do you experience the relief that comes from this? Do you share it with others? I hope so. In fact, I’d love to hear about it. Drop me a line to tell me about it. It truly makes my day to connect with you.
With love and support,
Mary B.
