What’s The Big Deal About Painting?
Hi there,
You know how many artists say they’ve always known they would an artist? They were that kid who spent their free time drawing and painting and making things with their hands. They were the kid whose artwork was held up for the whole class to see. They just knew what to make and how to get the details to come together in a beautiful finished piece.
I was not that kid. The details that stood out in my work were the dropped stitches and glue-stick smudges. No art teacher ever held up my art as an example to the class. So I learned to hide my work. And it was a relief to put away my art supplies when art was no longer a subject in school. No big deal. Art just wasn’t my thing.
Then three years ago I discovered painting. I wasn’t trying to do art. I was just exploring with colors and shapes as a way to bypass my thinking brain and access the midbrain, where feelings and old stuck memories are housed. (Yes, that’s my level of nerdiness.)
And something clicked. I finally understood what the big deal was. Painting is fun! It’s downright joyful!
And, what everyone always says but no one believes, I found that what makes painting so joyful is not the final product. It’s… you guessed it, the process, and how it spills over into all other areas of my life.
Of course it’s fun to end up with a painting you like, but I remind myself over and over that the outcome is not the point. The way to enter the joy for me is to keep things low-stakes at all times. My main aim is to play and explore. Why? Just because.
Because life is too full of obligations and expectations and pressures and rules. And in the process of letting go of all of these constraints, we learn to trust our gut. Win-win.
Here’s what else:
Painting brings me to the present moment. As soon as I put on my apron and step in front of a canvas or sketchbook I am in my body and the world falls away.
I get to go with whatever comes up, for no other reason than that it occurred to me.
Nothing is off limits. Random is great.
No planning needed. One mark informs the next. All I ever have to know is the next mark.
No rules. No right or wrong. A mess-up just informs my next move. No big deal.
Perfection pershmection.
I am in charge. What lights me up stays; what turns me off goes.
I get to be BOLD. It doesn’t have to be pretty. All it has to be is me.
I don’t need to hide any part of me. Even the not-good-enough part is invited to the party. Heck, it gets to call the shots.
I get to show up as all of me.
I get to be rigid and obsessive and ridiculous and reckless.
I get to be honest and real. It’s a challenge and a privilege.
I share my work. If I succeeded in making it feel like me, it’s worthy of showing, no matter what others think of it.
Painting is freeing and exhilarating. It is healing and affirming. It is inviting and welcoming. It is understanding and forgiving. Painting gives me what I didn’t know was missing.
Painting helped me notice how not just me, but so many of us spend way too much of our time and energy trying to be “good” and getting things “right.” Much of our suffering is related to pushing ourselves to be who we “should” be.
When we allow ourselves to be who we are, an enormous amount of energy becomes available to do the things we were born to do, the things that give our life meaning and purpose.
It’s time to invite our hidden parts to come out and play!
What would this look like for you?
Drop me a line to let me know. I’ve really enjoyed hearing back and connecting with some of you. Also, if you know anyone who could benefit from receiving these messages, please forward this email on to them. I want to inspire more people to live a more joyful, creative life.
Warmly,
Mary B.
P.S. If you want to work with me, you can get on the waitlist for The Art of Joy here: www.marybrutsaert.com/services or simply reply to this email. This is a small group experience. Spots are limited.
