Day 71 - Intro & Ch 1 - Art is a Spiritual Path

Art making is a spiritual path in which we all are able to explore.  Three ways these appear in our lives - through inquiry, engagement, and celebration.  Pat B. Allen’s book, “Art is a Spiritual Path” outlines these three in Part One of her book.  In Part Two she devotes the rest of her book toward the studio by where building a group awareness to the Witnessing of Creating.  As the creative energy is in constant flow at all times, Allen shares her belief that all of us are being called to “midwife” the creations through our own art making.  And at this time our world culture is changing, and we are given the opportunity to explore in more meaningful ways to make contributions in caring for our planet.  When one takes a concern or difficulty into a creative process, there one begins to see possibility of different solutions rather than reacting repeatedly with unsuccessful methods.  She sees this as the greatest strength of a creative discipline to structure one’s tolerance toward building resilience.  Her overall focus for Part's One and Two are Intention - our intention depends upon what we are envisioning.  These come from our fears, our hopes and direction, our vision for our future.  From these one may be able to gain awareness of the obstacles one may be oblivious to, as well as the jewels of wisdom when they appear.   In art making there is no right or wrong.  It’s play.  In each creative experiences, moves one through inquiry, engagement and celebration.  With inquiry, Allen offers guidance in developing a practice of intention within a creative process.  It is always a co-creative process.  This involves others to be in conversation with others for the idea to take shape.  Intentions that ask for change are only for one’s self, not others.  When one begins to create, their intentions also take new shape, especially with the image, as it becomes a teacher, alerting the artist to new ways of expression.   Allen leads the reader with a question in what they are willing to “stretch toward.”  Her cautions begin around old thoughts and beliefs one has that may be limiting their potential.  To take a daily review of one’s intentions, looking for insight as they release their imagination into the world. 

I encourage you to buy a copy of Art is a Spiritual Path for a better understanding of your own creative process.  Whether you're a master artist or beginning artist, this is an excellent book. 

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