The Love Gift series: My day to create is an act of love gifted to myself

It’s funny, I’ve thought a lot about what creativity provides me – excitement, curiosity, play, discovery, connection, and clarification of feelings, thoughts, and ideas.   Then Margot asked me to write about the role Love plays in my artistic life and I realize I’ve never considered what constitutes the foundation of my creativity.

How amazingly simple and profound an idea! 

Art is the filter through which I come to know and understand my Self and my life.  Making art is the way I engage with myself and with my world.  It never occurred to me until now, but it is obvious that Love is the impetus and outcome of all that I do.

You see, I am coming to understand that first and foremost I need to love and accept myself. Simply stated: My task is to become my own best friend.   Just today I read this statement by yoga teacher Richard Miller which halted me coffee cup in mid-sip: “Most people are trying to change themselves.  Yoga nidra [a practice of guided relaxation/meditation] asks them to welcome themselves.  That moment of true welcome is where profound transformation takes place.”

It struck me that making art is my way of coming to know all parts of myself and through the creative process, integrate and welcome all that I feel, believe, experience and know.  In a sense, making art is my way of befriending myself and acknowledging what I see and what I feel have validity and is worthy of being expressed and shared. 

I may come to my paints frustrated, depressed, angry or sad but in the act of honoring my feelings, I am transformed. By the end of my painting session what I feel is great love: love for the details of my life; love for the people and animals I blessed to know; love for the gifts Nature that inspire me; love for the people who have bravely shared themselves through their work; and yes, I realize each time I create I move closer to loving and welcoming myself.

I also know that carving out time in my day to create is an act of love gifted to myself.

Today my girl and I will paint together.  We will create stories, share dreams, and revel in color, line and form.  But underneath all that play and joy will be Love - opening wide her arms and welcoming us both in an embrace of acceptance and celebration as we each lay down our truths in watercolor pigment.

About Lisa Hoffmann: 

I am a recovering perfectionist, a creative explorer and Joy Warrior.  My mission is to share with all the truth that creativity is not something we possess, but rather a state of being which flows through each and everyone of us.  Every day I seek to open myself to creativity’s gifts and magic and to share that experience with my family and friends. I celebrate my life and my love through photography, painting, art journaling, writing and teaching yoga.  My teachers and my  muses are my 7 year old daughter, my dog boy, and the multicolored animals of my dreams.  My life and my art can be found on my blog: http://DandelionSeedsandDreams.blogspot.com