Choose the Creative Life

By Phoenix Helm Simpson

Do you ever find yourself confounded by the world and your place within it? When you look around does it look as if everyone else understands things that you do not? Or does it appear like no one has a sense of where they are going? At times like these, I find my best answers through the experience of art.

Art picks up where words leave off. We are undergoing a time of great transformation on the planet: a time where image and word will merge and coexist rather than compete in importance. Brain research indicates that our immediate experience of anything is emotion based and first processed through the body for a response and before being sent to the frontal cortex where it is assigned meaning and value.

With this information there is a new respect for emotional intelligence and, perhaps, a deeper respect for the intuitive knowing that happens before words and speech. In my own world, it is this knowing that has guided my art. When I fail to honor this knowing and act based only on expectation and rational mind, I inevitably cause myself greater challenge and strife. While I don't embrace and unconditionally accept all of what I see happening in the world today, I do try to understand the fear, pain and ignorance that motivates any unspeakable action.

Life can be magnificent, challenging and confusing. By accessing our creative centers and expressing our own experience, we may transcend our fears and our limited views and move into an expansive future.

My art is the art of transformation; the transformation that happens on a deep emotional level. I am moved by a flower, a piece of music or the intense experience of being human and I am compelled to express my reaction to the object or event through color, line and movement.

I do not begin a painting knowing where it will lead me. I may be feeling down or exhausted or confused. I may be joyous or calm or uncertain. I move to my palette and select the color to which I am drawn and begin. I am transformed by music. I will put on a favorite piece and paint to the music, letting my colors express the notes and the lines sing the melody. Perhaps, I am in desperate need of a break, I can create a tropical paradise. Although I am sitting within my mountainous environment, I pull my forth memory of snorkeling in the South Pacific; I breathe in the scents of plumeria, hibiscus and ginger and from this kinesthetic and emotional place I paint

When you allow yourself to engage in the creative process, there is a direct experience of source or spirit. You become a co creator with life. You begin to explore the mysteries of your own Innerlandscape The next time that you are feeling challenged or stuck, disillusioned or bored, try letting go of the need to figure it out to make it better. Remove yourself from purposeful activity and let yourself gently flow into the next step without knowing where you are going or what will happen once you arrive. Live a creative life.

An exercise with the Tao of Watercolor

 Choosing Materials. You have many choices when working with watercolors. Good paper and good paint do make a difference in the quality of your work. Good paints have more vibrancy and pigment. Good paper will hold more water and give you more control. My favorite paints include Holbein or Windsor Newton in the tubes. Tubes allow you to work with intense color. The more water you add the more pastel the color. If you do not have a palette, an ice cube tray will do. Choose a watercolor paper that is at least 14 0#. I like Arches, but there are a variety of choices available to you. If you just want to play around, the Liquid Watercolors from Discount School Supply will allow lots of experimentation and fun with far less cost than professional grade materials. Coffee filters ( basket type) can be used for paper.

Arrange your colors on the palette. Use all of your colors and leave spaces to blend colors together and dilute different shades. Plastic ice cube tray can work well.

Tape down several pieces of paper because once you get started, you may want to continue without having to stop. Use painters tape of masking tape to define the edges of your paper. You can spray the paper and let it dry to size it. I use 300# paper and get it very wet to work directly in a wet on wet approach.

Let the colors choose you. Put on a piece of music and allow your colors to move to its rhythms.

Let your colors flow Drop colors by paint brush, sponge or eyedroppers. If they start to get muddy, move to another sheet of paper. Enjoy the movement and blending of the colors.

Engage in the creative process of life, breathe and enjoy the flow of color.

rest. Time for assimilation is crucial to the processes of creativity, transformation and healing.

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