Tree Drawings


This week, I wanted to write a little bit about my art. 
Currently, I am offering a selection of my artwork as prints (see link at bottom of page).  The selection does not include the most "fine art" specimens I have ever created. I chose the selection because they are all genuine pieces of myself.  I created them as a way to ease the pressure of different felt-experiences; allowing the emotions to leak out of my heart and into the paper.  This gave movement to the feelings, allowed light to reach them, and cleared the way for healing.

The pieces I focus on today are my series of tree drawings.

These trees were originally created as an emotional "check-in"; answering the question, "How am I feeling?" in that particular moment.  
I drew many of these trees during graduate school (for Transpersonal Counseling Psychology and Art Therapy), where it was imperative for me to track my own emotional experiences in order to receive the full benefits of the education. 

So... Trees, eh?
Trees are a great metaphor for me: growth, strength, endurance of time/change, protective, wise, silent, offering support, grounding/taking root, and so much more.
I started with the knowledge there would be a tree as a result.  This was a self-chosen prompt. 

My process was one of letting my thinking/calculating mind take the back seat, while intuition navigated the control.
This is my favorite way to create art, and I also integrate this in my Visual Journaling group.

I began with mechanical pencil, went over with Sharpie to give bold, defined structure, then filled in with Prismacolor pencils to give life and personality. 
I let the lines twist and flow...
My hand followed the lines; not stopping to plan ahead...
Feeling where it needed to go; chasing the glimpse of form in my mind
Choosing each color intuitively, as it leapt out at me
Each form concluded in elegance and simplicity. No need for more.

Each drawing encapsulated my feelings at the time. 
The trees became entities, containing spiritual and emotional experiences.
They were a new way of documenting time.  A way that displayed multiple layers of meaning, that are still continuing to unfold for me.

I am absolutely delighted to be able to share my drawings with you in this way.  Hopefully you are able to find your own meanings in the layers.




Location: Long Beach, CA, USA

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Getting Lost

Image
Sometimes I get Lost.  Feeling overwhelmed.  Too much information. All external.  Not sure where to go.  Wandering around in circles. No direction.  Every direction. Time to regroup. Pressure. Idea that "bring in-motion is best", but getting nowhere . Bombarded with others' maps and suggestions. Only I know the way for my Self. How to get centered, and find MY way: A Plan of Internal Action STOP MOVING Do not take in new information REST Breathe.   Let the panic dissipate Then 1.  Take stock:  What do I have right now, in this moment? Resources, skills, connections... 2.  Create a compass:  Where do I want to end up?  What are my passions; what gives me life?  Letting the goal arise from this. It is authentically mine. 3.  Create a map:  How can I create a path to my goal, with what I have?  Are there mini destinations I have to focus on first?...
Read more

Having an Open Heart

Image
Practicing having my heart Open I envision a cage in my chest; opening a door with rusty hinges: A little painful A little freeing  A little empowering A little scary Exposing the soft, vulnerable piece within Thinking about being "ready" to be Open Sometimes, I think it's easy to say , "I'm ready" Ready to be open to connection Connection with other humans, connection with the universe But Open also lets in rejection, disappointment I'm not ready for that Is anyone?  Can't be picky when Open Can't discriminate to keep what I deem as "good" and turn away what I deem as "bad" Open allows all experience All emotions  And, Closed blocks it all I think To be open equals the ultimate practice in bravery
Read more

Grain by Grain...

Image
Feeling pretty bogged down. Aware of the endless layers of things I don't have control over from the macro to the micro. Making steps each day in the direction that feels right, but it feels like trying to move a desert, one grain of sand at a time.  With a metaphor like that, who doesn't feel overwhelmed?! Good to remember that I'm not alone in the task; we don't all have a separate desert to transport. This grain of sand I'm moving is one that you won't have to move, and vice versa. In addition, there are unexpected gifts to be grateful for... like being given a turn to use a shovel (or even a teaspoon) and then being able to offer it to someone else... or a wind that temporarily helps with the task...  And so on with other ideas that pop up with a metaphor that I'm getting super into...  Granted, I'm still viewing life as a burdensome task, which may not be the most healthy/appropriate mindset for everyone, or to use all the tim...
Read more