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 

With Or Without Paper

This week I received some rather rattling medical news and although the biospy results are not back yet,it is possible a lesion on my arm was a form of skin cancer. Most of my life this sort of information would only have been shared with a few close friends and family... but I am changing. I know that more than ever the painting process is helping me to navigate through deep,strange waters and I want to share this with as many people as possible. I want to share because I know how this process is impacting my life and maybe it could help someone else too.

Lately, it would seem, I have been repeatedly asked to sit with not knowing what something is, where it is going and seriously NOT liking how that feels. How funny (?) that this is EXACTLY what is happening in my current painting. The images coming this time have felt murky and heavy. They are less familiar to me and so there is a feeling of discomfort whenever I disengage from the process. It has been a great challenge just to show up in front of the painting and be with what wants to come. I would much rather tear it off the wall and start something new and familiar. But I don't. I stay. I feel and I paint. The times I am fully engaged in painting and choose to breathe with the moment and the color connecting from brush to paper are what keep me coming back. And these moments are what get me through not knowing what is going to happen next in my life when I'm not painting.

Sitting in the exam room at the doctor's office,I remember the studio and how it feels to be fully present in my painting with the sun shining through the window and the feel of the brush in my hand. I understand again that life can be like a painting. I may not know where it is leading or even what it is. The images may be unfamiliar and scary to me and that's ok. I notice everything in the moment and decide to practice not getting caught up in thoughts about things that haven't even happened yet. I take a deep breath and notice as I exhale.

This process has helped me through the toughest times of my life. Painting has taught me how to stay and remain present through my mother's five year fight with Alzheimer's disease and my father's rapid death from cancer. There were times I would worry about the next step of the disease with my parents wondering if I would be able to make it without crumbling. When I chose to be present with what was unfolding, miracles happened. Laughing with my father as we all sat on his bed the night of my birthday 4 days before he died, I chose to be present. I found true joy in our conversation and realized maybe for the first time how brillant and blue his eyes were.

There is a sweetness that happens when you let go and surrender to what is. I know for a fact without painting in my life I would have missed  some of the most important moments with my parents in their final weeks and years. Painting has given me a tool I can use with or without paper. Painting has taught me courage and peace in present moment awareness.

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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Your Brain on Creativity

Let me start by saying that I'm no neuroscientist. I am an artist and workshop facilitator. I have spent countless hours immersed in the creative process. Still, I am absolutely fascinated by the ways engaging the creative process seeps out to affect other areas of our lives. Specifically how painting-for-process--as a mindfulness practice--can bring integration and clarity into our day-to-day routines, relationships, jobs and lives.

What is unique about this practice--as compared to "art" in general--is that we are creating not for product or a desired outcome, but for the discovery itself and self-awareness it brings. And no matter how difficult it is to still our minds or quiet our inner critics, the place we often arrive at after a process painting session is an integrated state. A coherence of body, mind, emotions, thoughts, etc, that brings a peaceful clarity and sense of unity of self.

What are some of the qualities we develop from process painting that can benefit our lives?

• An Open, Receptive Mind
  The practice of painting for process helps us soften our mental labels and develop a sense of curiosity toward life and whatever is unfolding before us. The Zen Buddhists refer to this as "beginner's mind"--or having an attitude of openness, eagerness and a lack of preconceptions when studying a subject. We open ourselves to unlimited possibilities when we learn to let go of our judgements. This is an invaluable skill when it comes to thinking "outside the box" to solve problems in daily life.
  
  
• Living "In the Zone"
  When we paint mindfully, we are painting with our whole being. This means surrendering to the process wholly and allowing it to move through us, rather than allowing our brains to command tasks of our hands and bodies. At the same time, when we are engaged in an activity wholeheartedly while immersed in a focused concentration, we set up the conditions to live "in the zone" or "flow", as described by flow psychology. This is the timeless and blissful state of total efficiency and integration, and can be experienced in any area of our lives (whether we are painting, playing a sport, completing a task at work, doing the dishes, etc...)
  
  
• Reduced Stress/Increased Joy
  These are natural by-products of the process when we discover that there are no mistakes, that we can trust our own process, and that we can accept ourselves and others just as we've shown up. An inner joy arises when we make the shift from black & white judgments to "full-spectrum" thinking, and when our inner creative child--unconditioned by our culture's biases and limitations-- can come out and play.

I invite you to give process painting a try if you are looking for ways to dissolve blocks, expand your awareness and create from the inside out. And you just might find that possibilities open in other, seemingly "non-related" areas of your life.

Live your creativity,

Jenny

Painting is My Greatest Teacher

*This is an eleven year old journal entry about painting and expectations. Unfortunately, those pesky expectations still follow me around on a daily basis. The good news is I don't hang on to them as long as I did back then. Painting really is teaching me how to live.

"Painting is teaching me how to live." I can still remember hearing those words from a fellow painter over a year ago and now I was writing them in my journal feeling, as she must have felt, grateful and in awe of the process. As I write I realize painting is the only work I can do that transitions naturally from the page out into my daily life.I've read tons of books. I've meditated and chanted and gone to a lecture here and there. But painting allows me to face myself and my choices each time I put paint to paper.

The other night as I began to work on a painting that had been unfolding for several months, a beautiful woman began to emerge effortlessly from a pink and powerful flower. She was silver and fuchsia with black outlines. I was there for her with every paint stroke, providing the muscle and love needed to create her.It was a smooth and pleasurable experience. The genuine joy I experienced that night was unmatched and I was genuinely sad to leave her.

I didn't paint for a few days and began to miss the warm connection the fuchsia woman and i had shared.I was excited to see her again! When I was able to paint again I got right to it knowing she must have been missing me as much as I missed her. As I began to paint I could tell immediately something wasn't right. Things felt awkward and forced. I was expecting a repeat performance of the other night and she wasn't cooperating. Where was my joyful bliss-filled connection? It would seem my joy had been replaced by an ugly cold shoulder, a blatant refusal to bend to my direction and do as I expected. All I wanted was to give her a beautiful face and it wasn't working. In fact, the harder I pushed the more contorted her features became. I simply could not accept the fact that her face wasn't going to look the way I wanted and it hurt me to look at her misshapen features.

Why was it so important to me that she appear beautiful? Was it easier for me to deal with a beautiful face? I had expected our time together to mirror our last meeting and when that didn't happen I clung to the idea that I could change her and the moment to give me what I wanted. I pushed and pulled against the current that night, trying to make the situation feel good.It never occurred to me that I could accept what was happening and just go with it... maybe even get a little curious about what the situation had to offer. That night, instead of being present for what wanted to show up, I made the choice to try to fix things and focus on all that I perceived to be "wrong" with my painting.

Later I realized this was how I was choosing to live my life. I was constantly attaching certain expectations to everything and everyone. It was starting to dawn on me that by creating these expectations I was setting myself up for all sorts of disappointments. Admittedly this was not a foreign concept to me. Reading all my books and going to my various lectures and workshops had allowed me to visit and revisit the idea of living without expectations. But that night, nose to nose with my painting, I felt it. For the first time I truly took it in and understood that I was the one who was making it so hard. I was choosing to struggle when I could just let go.

New Year/New You

January marks the begining of a new year and the chance to start fresh. When we sit down with pen and paper to come up with a list of resolutions for the coming year, often the plans include losing weight or "getting into shape", making more money or starting a new relationship. But how often do we include "self care" as a resolution? So many of us are too busy helping others--or trying to lose those extra pounds--that we forget an important truth: Getting to know our true self and finding our center (if only for a few hours a month) will help all else fall into place.

This month and all year long we invite you to take some time for you.
Peace and love in the new year!
Jen and Steph

The Art of Getting Curious

It's a bird ... it's a plane ... it's a make-up-wearing volcano carrying a handbag! Seriously, this is what process painting can be like when you're present to the flow. We have ideas of what we want to paint, or what the desired outcome should look like. But when we just start making marks and follow our energy and curiosity--without being too quick to label--well, look out!

The problem is we often censor what wants to come out. What? Abraham Lincoln goes there? A baby on a candy cane in the middle of my masterpiece? No way. What will the others think of me? But when we say "no" to what our creative spark wants, we often find we get bored. Or tired. Or we just don't want to paint anymore. And suddenly the thrill is gone. We're creatively blocked.

Can you simply remain curious as a child and just play--remaining open enough to explore this new thing before you? That means not taking your painting (or yourself) too seriously. It means listening closely enough to hear the needs of the moment, and allowing them to unfold organically without having the answers.

It requires having enough trust in ourselves and in the process that we can stand back and receive. We do not have to be in control. In fact, we're not! (Much to our dismay.)

"What is this?" With fresh eyes and a beginner's mind, "Where does this want to go?" Let it go. It might not make any sense. It might be more fantastic than your mind can conceive. When you're following the thread of your authentic creative spark, the universe is the limit.

Paying it Forward

It's December ... that magical month that ushers in the holidays, family tradition and the feeling of gratitude and goodwill for all. We too are feeling grateful for the opportunity to share our passion for creativity and the healing it can bring.

Because process painting has personally helped both of us in profound ways, we feel that anyone who has the desire to paint—regardless of their finacial situation—should be able to paint. We do not turn anyone away due to an inability to pay.

Have you been moved by the painting process yourself? Or just want to provide an opportunity for others? Please help us "pay it forward"! We are graciously receiving contributions—no matter how large or small. Please find our "donate" button on this website if you feel so moved.

Thank you for helping Creative Nectar continue to offer what we are most passionate about: Bringing the power of the creative process to as many people as possible.
We wish you peace, joy and abundance this season!

Jen and Steph

Gratitude for the whole shabang

So it's that season ... the time to reflect on those things we are grateful for. My list includes the big stuff--My family & friends, my partner, my health, my art and creativity, Creative Nectar Studio and all participants, our mother Earth, and all the love that surrounds me constantly. All the wonderful things that make life worth living.

At a meditation group I attended earlier this week, one participant commented on how quick we as humans are to label things. Good or bad. Beautiful or ugly. Pleasant or painful. Right or wrong. We live in a world of duality, where "this" appears separate from "that". She came to the conclusion that no matter how we label or judge an experience--even if we call it "icky"--that on a deep level, beyond the world comparison, it has intrinsic beauty simply because it exists. It is, and therefore it is perfect.

Have you ever ended a relationship and felt like you were returning to even more of yourself? Or have you ever had an illness and learned something from it, like how to tune in to your body and listen more? Have you ever lost money, only to find that you were more willing to receive from others and appreciate the things you do have?

Perhaps I can expand my gratitude list to include my divorce, my inner critic, my rejection letters, my physical pains, my fears, and all the years spent trying to please others. Each stepping stone along the way has brought me to this moment right where I am--Wiser and happier.

We make it a point not to comment on one another's paintings in workshops, even with positive feedback. The reason is to not inhibit the creative flow and pre-condition us for the next painting we do. But on another level, it is honoring what is ... what has been given life right in front of us. It trains us to appreciate and honor the full cornucopia of life experiences that come our way without being so quick to judge, label and file away.

So my challenge for you: Are you willing to find the blessing in every experience you've encountered on your life's journey? Can you feel gratitude for even the yucky stuff? The whole shabang?

Terra Firma

terra firma [ˈfɜːmə]

n

the solid earth; firm ground

[from Latin]

Last weekend I went to Boston to visit my brother. On the way back, the plane I was on flew through a thunderstorm. Most of the trip was bumpy but managable. The collective mood of the passengers was light hearted and we all made the best of a
 turbulant situation. About 45 minutes before we were to land the captain came on the intercom to announce that up until that point our flight had been a moderate one. He told us the rest of the flight would be .... well to paraphrase... he told us to go to the bathroom if we had to as fast as we could and then buckle up and prepare for a seriously bumpy ride.

I was a bit freaked...I won't lie. But I thought I would be fine. I had been chanting my preferred Sanskrit mantra in my head and continued to do so. I would just pretend I was on a roller coaster and concentrate on the mantra.Within 15 minutes we were in the thick of it. My mind, chanting away,was surprised to learn that it could multitask. In addition to chanting it was also watching the passengers in the front of the plane bouncing around...up and down...back and forth, all the while gathering the necessary data of recent situations (odd and miraculous forgiveness and leaps of faith with  uncharacteristic happiness ) so that by the time we hit an air pocket that left us free falling and most of us shrieking, my mind's conclusion was inevitable....we were going to die.

Once that was cleared up things really came into focus and I started to realise I had very little left I felt I needed to do. I ... for the first time....felt pretty good about how things were in my life. I certainly had no regrets about leaving my job or wearing the same shirt two days in a row or even how much
money was in my bank account. Also, a lot of things that had for years felt unresolved had just recently been healed and resolved. In the whole of my life I had only two regrets. One of them was that I didn't have the chance to see Creative Nectar really serve her purpose and I didn't get to paint with nearly enough people. It was hard to fully understand that one. I had felt so strongly that starting Creative Nectar Studio with Jen and process painting with as many people as possible was my purpose. It didn't make any sense.

Neeedless to say we landed safely. The next day every muscle in my body hurt from the uncontrollable shaking, but I was alive. I now know even more than ever that I am living my life on purpose and I have more time to paint with as many people as possible. I am grinning from ear to ear and pleased beyond words to be back on terra firma.

"Here is a test to find whether your mission on earth is finished: If you are still alive,it isn't."
 - Richard Bach (Illusions)

In Gratitude,
Steph