June 11-13 , 2004
As young children, we paint naturally in a powerful intuitive way, simply for the joy of expression. This freedom can be regained. As you face the empty paper, you choose rich vibrant colors and move your hand on the paper.
You may hesitate. Emotions may surface. We may resist pleasure as much as pain, but our “body intelligence” knows what our whole being needs to create. It knows the most simple, eloquent, sometimes humorous, sometimes terrifying way to self-expression. In a warm, supportive atmosphere, and with Aviva’s expert midwifery, you can begin painting not from the intellect, but from the everpresent, bottomless, creative well of personal and universal images. You will enter an altered state of consciousness. After awhile, the movement of the colors is hypnotizing, yet you’re allowing whatever needs to happen, to happen.
Authentic art that touches the soul comes from a divine place deep within us. Touching and satisfying images emerge out of these depths. You don’t have to be trained in the arts to experience this ecstasy: it’s your birthright. It is easy to see this in children, who paint in a magical way. Feel the physical, sensuous process of painting — just let yourself play, move through whatever blocks you, go wild. Something deep in us longs for this freedom. Creating art is a natural way to stay balanced, healthy, and vital; it’s a spiritual practice that connects you to the source of your inner wisdom.
We will use the vibrant colors and smooth paintlike flow of oil pastels on white paper. Our hands will be our tools in this retreat as we mix, blend, and layer our oil pastels. If you’ve considered painting, but never thought you could, or if you’re trained in the arts but would like to explore the source of creativity, this retreat is for you. There’s a $20 materials charge for this workshop.
Aviva Gold has been teaching inspired art for almost 30 years and leads Painting From The Source workshops in her home and in many locations around the world. Painting From the Source is also the name of her book. She’s a practicing psychotherapist and an active artist who believes the process by which art is made is similar to the evolutionary process of creation in the universe. She believes the capacity to create is part of the divinity of being human. Find out more at her website: http://www.paintingfromthesource.org