#13 – Take an Art Class Complete!
One of the best things that has come out of creating and posting this list is the number of times I’ve been able to cross items off the list with friends. This will be the second time I’ve actually had a friend provide the opportunity itself!
My friend Liz is an artist/painter/giggler/intuitive spirit and old friend. When she moved back to Chicago from Amsterdam I remember clearly her transition into ‘Artist’, when she made the commitment to honor that true side of her self. I don’t get to see her as much as I might like, but (like too many people) I’m able to keep up on small sections of her life over Facebook. Over the last several months I’d noticed a few scant posts she’d made about offering private “Art Sessions” in your home.
One of Liz’s paintings which you can view on her website: www.liztuckwell.com
There are a lot of art classes I’d like to take, but Liz’s Art Sessions are on another level. This past Friday she came to my home for my own private session. She brings everything with her: canvasses, paint, brushes, tarp for the table, muslin to cover the tarp, paper, markers, cups for water. She also brings a playlist she’s put together for the session.
After setting everything up Liz walked me through a meditation. The goals of the sessions are to both connect to spirit and through doing so to discover and release your own creativity. The meditation worked to ground me and slow down my monkey-mind. We next moved into a practice where taking markers we wildly colored a large piece of paper. No thinking, just movement.
She then walked me through a few painting techniques, how to’s and clever tricks. None of which were required to be mastered or even used, but just for me to know and play with. The rest of the afternoon was spent painting together, talking about life and telling stories. I ended the day with a piece of art I’d created and a peaceful inspired spirit.
glimpses of my painting.
Liz left me with a few glops of paint and a few brushes and the encouragement to keep painting. Saturday morning I picked up a few small canvasses at the local craft store and spent the better part of the afternoon playing with paint.
I don’t know even know what I was trying to do with all these, but man it was fun.
If you live in Chicago or the greater Chicagoland area, you should do this for yourself. You should do this for yourself, you should do this for a friend, you should invite a few friends over and do this for one another. Let your inner artist out! S/he needs some fresh air, honey.
Liz’s website again: www.liztuckwell.com
Email: [email protected]
Tell her I sent you!
xo
erin
