The focus for the second week of The Elements of Art Journaling is the element of earth and our bodies. Being ill, the biggest concept I found in my mind for this was "My body is a betrayer!" followed by phrases such as bones, death, caverns, pain and mud. Every inch of my body seemed to be hurting, so I definitely wasn't in a good place when thinking of my body and its multitude of relationships to the Earth element.
I decided to do a two part journal page. One page to express my initial feelings, which I then covered over to make way for more positive perspectives. This was a technique that I learned last year while taking a workshop on Willowing's site called "Art, Heart & Healing".
The image that kept coming to mind as I worked on the original page was a painting done by Frida Kahlo which showed a multitude of nails being driven into her body. It just seemed a perfect representation of what I was experiencing! After scanning that first page, I journaled about the negativity, the pain, the frustrations of being ill and of dealing with chronic illness and disabilities too.
It took quite a bit of introspection, getting myself centered and grounded, before I could start work on the second half of my project. I love that I felt so supported and encouraged to do that work - simply by watching the videos and following the suggestions given in the workshop materials and by popping into the group on better days to get my 'fix' of positivity, glitter and warm fuzzies! I only had the energy to briefly lurk, but that didn't diminish any of the things that I've so come to love about Wild.Precious.
I can't tell you how much I empathise with your struggle, and your sense of your body being the betrayer! I felt every spike going in as I looked at that first page - but you totally turned it around! What a great technique, and a wonderful affirmation. I'm proud of you for sticking with it. I love the course but it's really challenging, eh? I have done my background for water week but am still stuck about journaling whhat I feel I want to journal, if that makes sense... <3
ReplyDeleteThanks Maisy! It really is a great technique and I've used it several times to help transform feelings, situations, etc.
ReplyDeleteThe course IS challenging, lol - but where would we be without challenges that spread our wings and enlarge our borders?
I saw the background that you did for water week and it's absolutely gorgeous! If it was a fabric, I'd be making curtains and reupholstering my furniture, lol!! It makes total sense that you're temporarily stuck, but I know that you're holding the space for the perfect words to come into being on your page and I'll look forward to seeing it :)
What a great job you did to get out of those bad feelings about your body! *hugs*
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for sharing!
Thanks Rita! My decision to pursue medical care (I'm worth it; my body is worth it)came as I worked on the second part of my page, so transforming those negative feelings has had a solid outcome. Hugs to you too :)
ReplyDeleteI love how you have set aside the first bits and have been able to bring in the second more positive bits. A very meaningful page for Earth/Body.
ReplyDeleteThanks Christy. It seems to be a really powerful technique for me - not being in denial where those negatives are concerned, but still working a positive transformation.
ReplyDeleteHow inspiring to share this experience with you, Cynthia! What a fabulous expression of what you observing and moving through. ♥
ReplyDeleteCynthia....
ReplyDeleteWow...I have been STUCK so many times trying to do the Elements. I have finished Earth...but can't seem to move on. I love the way you have completed the first set...'how you fee' & turned them around to the 'positive'. Perhaps if I can get the negative 'how I feel out first' I can move on.
My pain...physical & emotional are weighing me down so that arting is almost impossible. I hope this really can be a motivator for me.
Thank you so very much !!!!
I too have fibro and no medical insurance and a live in sister who believes it is not real.However, out of the pain is gain,poetry, art and I finally started my book.Distraction helps and any art is truly therapeutic! Thanks for your blog and posts.
ReplyDeleteHi Cynthia, I am so sorry you have this pain. I know it is very debilitating but it is a blessing to have art to use as a therapy to work through it. I love your double piece...how the pain is evident in her back and then then the next piece shows the pain to have lifted, replaced by flowers and a more peaceful verse.
ReplyDeleteI'm a fellow friend on Wild Precious...I hope you continue to get wonderful healing benefits from the gift of art.
Emily