Painting With My Inner Child, Whether I Want To Or Not
“When you climb a beautiful mountain, invite your child within to climb with you.”
– Thich Nhat Hanh, in a book called “Reconciliation.”
I saw this quote this week, and smiled in a sort of upside-down recognition.
Before I started painting, I hardly ever thought about my inner child. In fact, I have some healthy (I think) skepticism about phrases like that.
But when I’m painting, I can’t help recognizing that there is an internal place of memory, openness and archetype that we all share, and that it’s showing up in my work. It’s not that I’m leading my inner child up the mountain; instead, that little inner kid is leading me.
From the minute I started painting, I was startled when old memories and old feelings kept showing up as I put layers of paint down. I wasn’t seeking them. I’m not a particularly mystical person, but the only words I could think of to describe the moment they appeared were words like “magical” and “transcendent.” I kept painting because I wanted to keep experiencing that moment. It’s what has led me forward and, I hope, upward on this path.
I’m working on a series now where that feeling is stronger than ever. The two completed so far are “Sand Castle” and “The Magician’s Closet,” both on 12”x12” wood panel. The process for these involves putting a great many different marks down, then covering them over. If I step back once that’s done, I’ll see shapes that are still visible from below, and other places that seem to call for new ones. “Finishing” the piece means helping these appear. The result feels deeply resonant to me. I’m excited to keep going, and grateful to that inner child for helping out.
Come to the lighthouse show! You can see both these works in person at the annual fundraiser art show for North Point Lighthouse in Milwaukee, the Occasional Artists show and sale, on July 8, 2023, from 4:00 - 8:00 p.m. at the lighthouse, 2650 N. Wahl Avenue in Milwaukee. It’s just that one afternoon/evening, and it would be wonderful to see you there!
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This is my first E-mail to supporters, and I’d really like your feedback. Too long? Too woo-woo? Not enough subheadings? I’m hoping to do this right!
Thank you so much for your support and friendship. I am so grateful.
— Anne