Healing is creative. Creativity is healing.
There are some changes in store on Heal Now. And I am excited about them. The first is that I am getting a beautiful new header for my blog soon from Flora Bowley. Yippee!
I love, love, love her paintings and her life mission. The gifts she shares with the world is pure creative love. I want to dream in her beautiful paintings.
Nest Inside Flora Bowley 2011
Something not many people know about me is that I used to draw and paint. And if I still painted, I would hope my paintings had the vitality and deep joy these do. Looking through her galleries make me fall in love with life.
My “canvases” comes in other forms these days. But I would be lost without some expression of my creativity. Being creative is connecting with our inner feminine. Being creative is how we heal since it helps us be flexible and trust ourselves to handle life’s ups and downs. Creativity helps us find purpose and create beautiful meaning where it is not so obvious. Creativity provides distraction, appreciation, growth, and self confidence. We live to create.
Introducing Flora Bowley
Flora travels around, teaching painting and yoga, and creating some of the most stunning canvases I’ve seen. Her workshop Brave Intuitive You in her beautiful studio in Portland looks so fun. (Workshop photos.) For people who cannot make it out there, Flora has an e-course called Bloom True! The Bloom True e-course will run for five weeks from January 28, 2013, during which time participants will have daily lessons, work on three large original paintings, and have access to videos and interviews of Flora demonstrating techniques, movement, and connection to nature. The e-course is pulling at my heartstrings.
“The e-course will provide encouraging step-by-step guidance for painting as only YOU can, as you bravely let go of fear, embrace intuition, find your own style and open up to a new world of creative possibilities.”
Doesn’t that sound divine? I have some blank canvases that I’ve been storing in my basement for about 20 years. And some blank wall space. Maybe it is time to shake the dust off.
Creativity is Healing
Light Trio Flora Bowley 2011
I love the white branches against the darkness. Love this quote, too:
“Ultimately I consider my work to be a celebration of the present moment: chaotic, subtle, mystical, and ever changing.” Flora
Yep. That sums it up. Creativity helps us be in the present moment. She is beauty. You are beauty.
What does creativity mean to you? What does beauty mean to you?
Disclosure: This is a deep heart felt thank you to Flora for letting me use an image on my blog. I cannot wait to show you all which one I have picked out!
My sister is an artist, but I have no artistic ability. I write instead, which I realize is an art form, too. I paint with words.
Kelly Hashway recently posted..Monday Mishmash 11/19/12
A lovely way to paint! I think of everything as a canvas. Designing workshops, designing meditations, decorating, sewing, singing, dancing, cooking! The list goes on!
I know how important is creativity, but I have never been creative, not at all. I know that creativity can be in anything and everything. It’s not only to have an artistic talent. One can be creative in his way of cooking or the way he gets dressed or even his way of living, but the first rule for that is not to be afraid of judgement. I know that the day I will stop being afraid of what others would think or say, i will find a way to be creative.
Nikky44 recently posted..Suicide? Why?
You are a superb cook! and a outstanding problem solver. This takes creativity. Also being a flexible parent takes creativity! The day you stop being afraid of what others think is the day you decide to stop. You are getting closer. Just chose it!
My creative expression often comes out through my paintings Jodi. When I worked at the homeless shelter I started an art program — what a gift to watch people dig into their creative core and find themselves. It was truly inspiring — and healing.
Louise Gallagher recently posted..Living Who I Am Makes a Difference
Art therapy is so great because it gets through to someone non verbally. This often is a good path to the heart, as it navigates around the mind. (Our mind can talk us out of healing.) The heart knows what it wants.
Her pintings are lovely. Also complex, which is perfect for your blog. I don’t paint – but I can do some damage with a coloring book and crayons!
Bridget recently posted..Monday Listicles
LOL! Love you Bridget!
Jodi, it’s easy to see why you’re in love with Flora’s work! Oh my goodness,what talent! I cannot wait to see your new header! Both of the pieces you featured in this post took my breath away. The bursts of color had me smiling!
Bella recently posted..Why are claustrophobia and an MRI such good friends?
You had the same reaction as me. I love my header, but I keep seeing more and more that I love. You can just google image “flora bowley” and its amazing! More than on her website! If you are ever in a bad mode, try it!
Wonderful indeed!
Like you Jodi, I am also a small time painter! But I haven’t picked up my brushes in ages and am just waiting to take a break and get back into that creative field once again. I used to sketch also, but once I started blogging and took up writing as a career, all that’s taken a back seat.
Thanks for reminder.
Harleena Singh@Freelance Writer recently posted..How Much Water Do You Drink Daily
It good to remember to play!
What a beautiful post, Jodi. Thank you for that! I do paint and draw but haven’t been inspired of late. It comes and goes but definitely is healing. Thanks for the reminder!
lisa thomson recently posted..The Wine Diaries-From Louis Vuitton to No-Name
Lisa,
I’ll be more specific: Remember to draw and paint! NOW!
Love
Jodi
I have never painted, but it’s something I’ve always wanted to do. I do draw and color mandalas with colored pencils. I love doing that, and it’s a different way of being creative than writing, though writing is my first love.
I think you need to dust off those blank canvases and paint!
Tina Barbour recently posted..Giving thanks for good treatments for mental illnesses
Thanks Tina! I needed to hear that! I think I will. And I’ll throw cleaning out the basement into the list! Writing is hard for me, I have to push myself. My real love is counseling and teaching and speaking. That’s what I do it all for.
I really like her course description “painting as only YOU can, as you bravely let go of fear”. A friend of mine who happens to be a bit older and wiser than I am told me this past week that she’s just picked up her paintbrushes after years and years. She said the hardest part is the first step, the courage to transpose her idea into an inaugural stroke. That big sheet of plain white can be intimidating. For me the finished product never looks as good as it did in my imagination, but the process of getting there and allowing my mind to be creative is oh so warm, exciting, grounding, healing…. A good life lesson that I often need reminding of- not to fear or regret trying, it’s not always about the end product.
Megan,
If its about the process then what is there to fear. I hear you that fear is about the end goal usually. For me is the fear of it being a waste of time. How ridiculous is that? If I’m having fun, how can it be a waste. Joy is all that matters!
“”Creativity is Healing”"
NOTHING could be truer except GOD Himself.
Xxxxx
I whole-heartedly agree!
How exciting! I can’t wait to see which one you picked. Flora’s other work is really gorgeous.
I feel very blessed that writing is my creative outlet because I totally suck at most other creative forms of expression!
Laura Zera recently posted..New in Mental Health: Schizophrenia Diagnosed by Eye Test
Your post today made me feel good all day. No matter what your outlet, if your expression can do that, you are golden!
I want to paint – I want to do it all, but there’s this TIME issue…
I think as long as we allow ourselves a couple of outlets for creativity, we’ll be okay. Some people I know express theirs in the kitchen – and bless them for that, but I’m lucky if I can make a box cake, and that’s okay.
Flora’s paintings ARE truly amazing. Looking forward to seeing the new header.
Beverly Diehl recently posted..Desk of a Thousand Scraps
I don’t bake myself–There is no one to eat it! My kids prefer candy when they get a treat and my husband would rather have savory. I allot my time to other things, too! Like my mistress (blogging).
Like Kelly above, my sister is the artist in the family! I have been experimenting with some paper craft, though, that’s fun. But for the most part I stick to words. I would love to have an art or a craft to spend more time with. Maybe you have inspired me. And oh my gosh, Flora’s paintings are gorgeous!
Galen Pearl recently posted..A Shining Moment in the Darkness
I have little time lately, but sometimes I do some things with my daughter. My kids love that I can figure stuff out to do. And I love being able to do this for them. They think I am cool!;) Flora’s paintings don’t get old either! I think I may have to own one someday!
How amazingly beautiful. I love Flora’s work, and how wonderful she’s doing your banner. I can’t wait to see it. Happy Thanksgiving!
Monica recently posted..The Further Misadventures of Henry
Thanks Monica! I can’t wait for you to see it either! I hope you are feeling better!
Hi Jodi,
Great sharing! Thanks! Beautiful art work from Flora
You are so right about art therapy. Allowing ourselves to express our thoughts and feelings via art is liberating!
As you mentioned, gets through to someone non verbally,is ‘a good path to the heart’.
Loving this piece of wisdom: ‘Our mind can talk us out of healing. The heart knows what it wants’.
Viola Tam
Viola Tam recently posted..Brilliant Communicator – Sincere Friendly Facial Expression