Does the idea of creating a large piece of ART intimidate you?

Several people have now mentioned to me that they want to participate in the project, but say they are NOT ARTISTS. That the thought of creating a large piece of backdrop art is very intimidating. This is a re-occuring theme, not only with those who have been afraid to participate because of the art creation aspect, but with the women who have participated in the project thus far. Many of the project participants thus far have either disowned, or have never fully stepped into loving the creative parts of themselves. Challenging old beliefs about their own creative abilities, by creating the large backdrop art has been very healing. This is not surprising, because many of us deny the parts of us that make us unique, that express who we are at a soul level. In the past the idea of rejection or going against those authority figures who told us who we should be, to many of us, has been more powerful than stepping into our full expression. At some point, we wake up, we no longer want to deny or repress any part of ourselves and know that no one tells us who we should be. At this point, after letting go of some old stories, we make room to connect with spirit and we get back in touch with our innate or God given gifts. We are ready to step into our power, to shine and to share our unique gifts with the world, to be of service. All we really need is reminders! 

I believe this art creation allows each woman to get back in touch with the little girl inside, who loved to color, she was not afraid to pick up a crayon and draw or to finger paint, to sing a song, dress up and put on a play. That was just part of her natural expression! All children create, until someone tells them they can't or that they are not good enough. Everyone has heard the term struggling artist (and I think its an inner struggle, because lack of money is just an outer form of this stereotype manifested). Most of us were told at a young age that being an artist is not a viable source of income or way to spend your time & energy. Its so sad, because even those whose life's work may not include being a famous painter, start to stifle ANY form of creativity and therefore start the process of loosing any unique expression within and therefore themselves. It has been said that we are the closest to our authentic expression around the age of 10, then sadly, we start to loose it, in order to "fit in" or make the adults in our lives proud. When is the last time you remember coloring? Probably around that age, right? Elementary and middle school. So possibly, maybe, this art could put us back in touch with our inner 10 year old and clue us back into ourselves?

Creating the art in the project is about taking old stories, ideas or concepts (of what makes someone a good enough artist or what is an okay form of creative expression) and challenging the old thinking. Taking these mental concepts and moving into a form of expression that is beyond thought, something you can see visually or feel in your body. This then helps to shift your energy to a new place and integrates the changes into your body at a cellular level. Just being willing to open up, helps you to access the parts of you that have been long forgotten. Its not just about art, we are alive, we are human, we are creative beings, we open up so spirit, God, life-force energy (whatever you believe in) can work through you, WITH YOU to bring your gifts to the world. The art therefore is just a tool to help you to open up and access your inner gifts! 

This idea may turn some people off, but from my experience and what I have seen with my own eyes, this art, that has been created by women who say they are NOT artists, my goodness, I have just been in awe. I asked Martha, after creating her backdrop art and opening a canvas she had not taken the plastic off of for a year (because she was afraid to open it up and paint) how she did it? How did she create her stunning large backdrop art and paint her canvas (that also tied into her backdrop art and then became part of her photograph) in the time allotted? Especially since she was so afraid to paint and to step into her creative expression? She said, "I picked up the brush and spirit worked through me".  She was willing to open up that connection and allow her full expression and what she created had such a deep emotional meaning. I can't wait to share each person's story in the iamallthatis book! Every backdrop has been SO unique, so divinely guided. AND the backdrops have not all been painted, poetry, images created through words, body painting, spaces created, there are no limits to the unique expressions and that is part of the fun. You don't have to be an ARTIST, or technically "good" at drawing, just need a willingness to express yourself!


BELOW: a great example of taking the mental concept of art creation (and whatever stories come with it) and then shifting that energy. Melanie is a long time friend and one of the ways that she expresses herself and shares her gifts is through massage and bodywork. She helps people to heal on a level beyond thought. Bodywork works on a physical, emotional and spiritual level, processing through the body. When Melanie and I talked about what kind of backdrop she wanted to create, she told me that she wanted to process through her body. To paint with her body and actually use the painting as another process in itself (which it is, but this took it even a step further). It was not about the painting looking like anything, but a conceptual and abstract piece of art, created through Melanie tapping into how she felt, which was very much about moving through the darkness into the light and embracing her innate power and even animalistic human nature (the jaguar was an image that inspired her). I suggested that she wear all white, so that her outfit could also become part of the work of art. I have included several images to depict the art creation process, and to show how Melanie became ONE with the art and process. The photo session incorporated movement as well and I believe the in process pieces in this series, are just as much a work of art as the "final" image series.

Please check out the iamallthatis project facebook page to view more images from Melanie's session!