Sacred Life Sunday

This is the last remotely artistic thing I have completed. Other than finishing up the art classes I was teaching at the homeschool co-op and just a few rough sketch journal pieces, this is it. It was my redeeming piece after taking Paulette Insall’s Organic Background class and hating my finished product. No fault Paulette and her class which was wonderful; it was just me. In fact, I used the techniques she taught in the journal page below.

I have been pondering what is holding me back from pursuing art with all that I have. Lots of excuses keep me from devoting the time but they are just that — excuses. If I really want something, why am I not pursuing it.

There are a couple of things I have identified. Fear. Fear that I am not going to be good enough. But I have a core belief that this elusive “good enough” really doesn’t matter. What matters is being creative, exercising that God given ability to create, to be imaginative, to express ourselves. I came to the conclusion that it really wasn’t fear keeping me from my art.

I think it is purpose. I couldn’t really identify the purpose of doing this. There is not much of a desire in me to sell art. Not saying that I would refuse if anyone offered and not saying that one day I may not open up an online shop but that’s really not enough to motivate me. It just seemed so senseless to be filling journal pages and canvasses with art to just sit on the shelf or stacked against a wall. What difference would that really make in the world.

Then there is this friend of mine She totally inspire me. She is attending college again … while still homeschooling four of her five children. I remember when she first talked about going back to school and I was so excited for her. Then she sort of talked herself out of it. But only for a little while. I love the conversations we have about the classes she is taking and I began to feel a flicker of desire in my own heart.

I want that for myself. My life is at a point where I want something more. The years of raising my children will be over soon and I want something after that and I want to start now. In so many ways, I think college may be wasted on the young. It is now when I know myself so much better that I want that education.

The thing that stumbled me though was that I didn’t know specifically what I wanted to do. I knew it would have something to do with art but again, I was hung up on to what purpose. My husband and I talked through this a bit on one of our walks this past week and discussed local college options. That day, while distracting myself from cleaning up my studio, I explored several of college websites.

And I found this:

Art Therapy

Art Therapy is an established profession that integrates the fields of visual art, human development and psychotherapy to form a field rich in academic and professional opportunities. Art Therapists use the creative process of art making to help people to express feelings, resolve problems, develop interpersonal skills, manage behavior, increase self-esteem and self-awareness, and achieve insight.

The Converse College Art Therapy program, guided by the educational standards of the American Art Therapy Association, informs students of the tools and knowledge that are essential to becoming a skilled art therapist. Converse art therapy students are able to take advantage of a solid studio art base, core courses in psychology, and courses that specialize in art therapy.

A Registered Art Therapist teaches the art therapy courses and supervises the art therapy internships, which are an integral part of the program. A strong internship program provides essential hands-on experience for the student. Internship opportunities are available in a variety of settings in Spartanburg, Greenville and other areas in the region.

This program is designed to provide a strong preparatory base for graduate study in the area of art therapy. It is designed to prepare a student for career opportunities in hospitals, clinics, educational institutions, community agencies, wellness centers and private practices.

As soon as I read the description, I began to literally shake and cry. I knew that I had found it! This is what I want to do. THIS would give purpose to my art. It combines me love of art with helping people. My artistic journey started with the thought that all people are creative but just aren’t aware of it. To have the opportunity to help people discover that inner creativity and to deal with life through creative expression would be my dream come true.

Converse College is close and they offer a wonderful program for adults returning to college or attending college for the first time. I couldn’t ask for anything more. I am so excited to see this in my future.

Today I am committing to holding my art sacred. I need to give time and energy and resources to this sacred part of my life. Today I am releasing this dream and putting it in a sacred place as well.

~ by Cynthia on May 26, 2008.