Meeting Our Judge

Why is it that sometimes painting for process feels less flowing and more like a difficult task? Often fueling those less-pleasant experiences is a pesky little voice hiding out in the back of our heads. You may know the voice ... It says things like "That looks terrible. You're not an artist--What do you think you're doing?!?" It tears us apart with hateful words that we would probably never unleash on another person, and yet the voice incessantly fills our minds. And what's worse--we sometimes BELIEVE it.

One of the seeming-miracles process painting is that we get to glimpse an insight that can forever change our lives. Like practicing meditation, we can gain awareness of the subtle voices we carry around with us, and with attention we notice them, label them, and then do something extraordinary ... we let them be. In other words, we don't buy into what they're saying. We don't let the voice of limitation win anymore.

Sometimes it's helpful to imagine what this judging voice would looks like if it took a physical form, and then invite it into your painting. It may look like a monster, or a strict parent, or a religious figure, or it may even look like a ridiculous frog trying so hard to taunt you! Often times when we bring it visually into the painting, the voice subsides or disappears altogether.

Where does this judging mind come from? It's helpful to remember that we develop internal voices as survival mechanisms. These voices, as nasty as they may be, are actually trying to protect us. Rather than meeting outer harm and criticism, we attempt to judge ourselves first. It probably developed as a strategy from a very early age. But the question is: Is it still serving us now?

We invite you to notice the next time your inner commentary is rattling off and to ask yourself with curiosity "Who is this speaking?" What does it look like? Is it a clown, or a frog, or maybe a parent? See what happens when you bring compassion to that voice, and at the same time respectfully decline to buy into its story. You might find yourself surprised by the outcome.

Letting Go To Make Space For The New

Something about Spring enlivens us with a feeling of unlimited potential and a sense of expansiveness. Each year this expansiveness encourages us to ready our garden by breaking up soil and planting seeds that will produce the bounty of Autumn's harvest. We've been mulling things over all Winter long, deciding what to plant in this Springs bed. We've had many months indoors to figure out what didn't work last year and what new things to try this time around.

Just as we are led to prepare our garden's soil each year, so too is the subtle urge deep inside us to make room for what wants to be born from within. Our interior garden's earth must be tilled in order for new ideas and dreams to emerge. Sometimes the old needs to be shaken up a bit in order for the new and fertile ground waiting below to have its chance.

Spring arrives in a few short weeks and the studio will be throwing her own garden party. The second Saturday in March will be dedicated to tilling our inner garden with a day-long workshop of process painting, writing and healing sounds geared toward letting go of what no longer nourishes us, in order to make way for the new.

Are you ready to let go of that which holds you back so that you can receive even more? Perhaps the invitation to "play in the dirt" resonates with you. When you clear the way for the new, unlimited possibilities exist. Let's paint!

Letting Go: A Daylong Workshop for Release
Saturday March 10th
10am - 4:30pm
$80 Includes all materials

We will use painting for process - a tool for expression without technique or judgement - along with journaling to explore and reconnect with our truest nature. Special guest Karen Folgarelli will treat us during the afternoon session with vibrational sound therapy using zither harps which cleanse, uplift and de-stress with the frequencies of restoration. You will feel expansively renewed in this warm and welcoming space!

Say "yes" to you! Space is limited to 10 participants. Sign up is required before March 8th
To reserve your spot call :816-550-6728  or email creativenectar@hotmail.com 

Falling in Love With Yourself

As we approach the Valentine's season, some questions we'd like to ask you are: Do you remember what brings you joy? Do you know what wholeness feels like?

The Valentine's holiday has become so commercialized and can also feel so yucky if you're not involved in a romantic relationship. But there's another kind of "love" that does not involve buying things or seeking a special someone who fills the missing pieces of our lives. We're referring to the Love that is true and eternal, that we experience when we return to ourselves and discover our true nature. That Love is not dependent on other people or outer circumstances; it is the natural joy that arises when we are fully present to ourselves and our present-moment experiences.

We invite you to say "yes" to you and carve out a little time this month to give back to yourself. In fact, we've planned a daylong retreat Saturday, Feb. 11, 2012 to help you feel pampered as you nurture, restore and unlock your creativity.

We will use process painting along with journaling to explore and reconnect with our essence. And special guest Karen Folgarelli will treat us during the afternoon with vibrational sound therapy using zither harps, which cleanse, uplift and de-stress with the frequencies of restoration. You will feel renewed and inspired in this warm and welcoming space.

Whatever your plans involve in the coming weeks, we hope they include something that nourishes your heart and soul and brings you the joy that lasts. When you fall in love with yourself, you fall in love with the world!

Namasté,

Jen & Steph

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Falling in Love With Yourself

A Day-long Retreat at Creative Nectar Studio

Saturday, February 11, 2012

10 am-4:30 pm

$80
More information at our Facebook event page.

Email us at creativenectar@hotmail.com to reserve your spot (Sign-up required by Feb 9th. Limited to 10 participants.)

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Returning to Wholeness

Healing happens in us and through us the moment we surrender to a power greater than our egos. Have you ever felt that "ahhhh..." that happens when you realize that whatever was tormenting you only existed in the moment in your MIND, and that it has no ultimate power over you?

Woah, really? What about my "story"? My "issue"? (You know what I'm talking about: The great obstacle you've spent your life overcoming.) It's almost like now it has a life all its own...

Who would you be if, in this moment, you had no history? No baggage. No illness. No failed relationships. No debt. No "story". Not even an individual personality! Just simply this BREATH. Who would you be? What would you feel? What would arise naturally from this state of pure being? What would want to express?

You ARE an expression of pure being. You are this breath. You are whole and complete. Whatever stories flood your mind are just the commentary swimming on the surface. At the depths of your being, there is stillness and peace. There is wholeness.

May you return to wholeness, your natural state...
Peace,
Jenny

PS: Our process painting day-long workshop this Saturday Nov. 12th will include a special treat: the healing/harmonizing vibrations of zither harps with guest Karen Folgarelli. Join us for a day of balance, renewal, and color! $80* suggested fee (*No one will be turned away due to financial concerns) Email us to reserve your spot.

Dreaming Out Loud.....

I am feeling so grateful today....sort of feel like it's Christmas Eve or something. Tomorrow night we start our first process painting workshop at Creative Nectar Studio. Sarah O. arrives tonight and set-up begins tomorrow.The process means so much to me.....it has truly changed my life. My one huge dream is to share it with as many people as possible. Creativity in any form is so powerful...I want to provide a space for absolutely ANYONE to come and feel comfortable reconnecting with their creative self.

THANK YOU Sarah, Jenny and Penny for helping to make this happen.