For around two years, I drew repeating patterns. I drew dots. I drew lines. I drew shapes that slotted into each other. Over and over. It gave me so much satisfaction in a really hard moment. It gave me something to do, when I didn't know what to do. Everyone told me that looking at these drawings gave them a moment of mental calm, that I could make something in their brains just click. I found that so interesting, as they born of a messy brain that wasn't experiencing that sense of calm at all.
It led to a very unexpected first exhibition, when I didn't even consider myself an artist. I'm so grateful to @Kathryn Vercillo for reminding me of this, as I totally gave up doing this kind of meditative drawing over a year ago. Why on earth? Time to revisit, for sure! https://www.instagram.com/p/B8t3s-wJZyS/ (Many more can still be found on my website)
I love how ritual is almost bringing something sacred to our habits of repetition. For me, it elevates it almost. It invites a force greater than us to the table for collaboration.
Sometimes I think we have this idea of artists as just flowy and ethereal, channeling inspiration on a whim but as much as I resist it, I find so much freedom in structure and discipline. It acts as a container, not a cage, a distinction I’ve just been able to make recently.
That's so true. I honestly wouldn't create anything at all if I didn't put some structure and discipline of myself. Of course, changing routine and jumping into the unknown provides inspiration, but if I want to do anything with that inspiration then I need to get back to some routine and nurture that container. Thanks so much for these thoughts, Mariah!
I live in a motorhome traveling the world and I write a diary, and a few days ago I realized that I was tired of complaining about not having my studio and all my materials with me. So I decided to work with what I had and be happy with it. Julia Cameron is my heroine
Love the reframe! I imagine if you were at home with your studio/materials, you would be dreaming of travelling in a motorhome. Always good to focus on what we have, find the gems in the experience. (And a little ranting/complaining from time to time is OK too!)
I used to complain about this. I'd look back on the things I wrote over the years and wonder why I keep writing the same things. Death, emptiness, etc. But now reading this, it comforts me to know it's not just me, and that there is definitely a deeper reason for this that we can examine. Thank you for your work, Tamzin and Kathryn. I feel like I can just be vulnerable here.
I always hope to create a space where people feel like they can be honest, themselves, and vulnerable, so thank you for this. Absolutely, the patterns and repetitions are not a bad thing. We can search for the clues, the meaning underneath it, or we can simply repeat to sooth ourselves.
Tamzin, I love that you help your clients get under the skin of their energy. That’s a brilliant way to peel away the layers.
Kathryn, the way you describe the meditative effect of crochet makes me think you had the prescribed 10,000 hours of crochet practice in order be able to melt into it! You make it sound so blissful and easy which I love! When I eventually start learning I’ll be thinking about you.
Thank you ladies for this lovely reminder about the importance of ritual.
Hi Donna! Thank you so much for your comment! Yes, most of my work comes back to energy. The energy we carry, the energy we want to tap into more of, the blocks and drains on our energy and how that's holding us back, and how to let our energy flow more towards what we actually DO want for ourselves and for our lives. I love working with energy this way, it can make so many changes!
Have you engaged in any rituals this week since reading the email? Any repetition that has unlocked something for you, or simply been a pleasurable way to spend some time?
Most of my work comes back to energy as well but from a slightly different slant. I often explore our physiological markers of energy to elevate our own personal energetic field. I've found in my own life that when I am depleted physically all the rest (creativity, mindfulness, spiritual connection) suffers so if I work to elevate that I can engage better with the rest.
This week I worked to return to my ritual of cold showers in the morning as that shakes up my energy like nothing else can!
Oh I haven't tried hard enough with the cold showers! I can do cold plunge pools, but I struggle with cold showers. Must try again! Thanks Donna for this reminder.
For around two years, I drew repeating patterns. I drew dots. I drew lines. I drew shapes that slotted into each other. Over and over. It gave me so much satisfaction in a really hard moment. It gave me something to do, when I didn't know what to do. Everyone told me that looking at these drawings gave them a moment of mental calm, that I could make something in their brains just click. I found that so interesting, as they born of a messy brain that wasn't experiencing that sense of calm at all.
It led to a very unexpected first exhibition, when I didn't even consider myself an artist. I'm so grateful to @Kathryn Vercillo for reminding me of this, as I totally gave up doing this kind of meditative drawing over a year ago. Why on earth? Time to revisit, for sure! https://www.instagram.com/p/B8t3s-wJZyS/ (Many more can still be found on my website)
Wondering if you've seen this:
https://open.substack.com/pub/lifeboat/p/theres-joy-in-repetition?r=yx686&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web
So glad that what I wrote was able to remind you of this <3 <3 <3
I love how ritual is almost bringing something sacred to our habits of repetition. For me, it elevates it almost. It invites a force greater than us to the table for collaboration.
Sometimes I think we have this idea of artists as just flowy and ethereal, channeling inspiration on a whim but as much as I resist it, I find so much freedom in structure and discipline. It acts as a container, not a cage, a distinction I’ve just been able to make recently.
Thanks to you both for sharing these insights!
A container, not a cage ... beautiful phrase!!
That's so true. I honestly wouldn't create anything at all if I didn't put some structure and discipline of myself. Of course, changing routine and jumping into the unknown provides inspiration, but if I want to do anything with that inspiration then I need to get back to some routine and nurture that container. Thanks so much for these thoughts, Mariah!
I live in a motorhome traveling the world and I write a diary, and a few days ago I realized that I was tired of complaining about not having my studio and all my materials with me. So I decided to work with what I had and be happy with it. Julia Cameron is my heroine
Love the reframe! I imagine if you were at home with your studio/materials, you would be dreaming of travelling in a motorhome. Always good to focus on what we have, find the gems in the experience. (And a little ranting/complaining from time to time is OK too!)
I used to complain about this. I'd look back on the things I wrote over the years and wonder why I keep writing the same things. Death, emptiness, etc. But now reading this, it comforts me to know it's not just me, and that there is definitely a deeper reason for this that we can examine. Thank you for your work, Tamzin and Kathryn. I feel like I can just be vulnerable here.
I always hope to create a space where people feel like they can be honest, themselves, and vulnerable, so thank you for this. Absolutely, the patterns and repetitions are not a bad thing. We can search for the clues, the meaning underneath it, or we can simply repeat to sooth ourselves.
Tamzin, I love that you help your clients get under the skin of their energy. That’s a brilliant way to peel away the layers.
Kathryn, the way you describe the meditative effect of crochet makes me think you had the prescribed 10,000 hours of crochet practice in order be able to melt into it! You make it sound so blissful and easy which I love! When I eventually start learning I’ll be thinking about you.
Thank you ladies for this lovely reminder about the importance of ritual.
Hi Donna! Thank you so much for your comment! Yes, most of my work comes back to energy. The energy we carry, the energy we want to tap into more of, the blocks and drains on our energy and how that's holding us back, and how to let our energy flow more towards what we actually DO want for ourselves and for our lives. I love working with energy this way, it can make so many changes!
Have you engaged in any rituals this week since reading the email? Any repetition that has unlocked something for you, or simply been a pleasurable way to spend some time?
Most of my work comes back to energy as well but from a slightly different slant. I often explore our physiological markers of energy to elevate our own personal energetic field. I've found in my own life that when I am depleted physically all the rest (creativity, mindfulness, spiritual connection) suffers so if I work to elevate that I can engage better with the rest.
This week I worked to return to my ritual of cold showers in the morning as that shakes up my energy like nothing else can!
Oh I haven't tried hard enough with the cold showers! I can do cold plunge pools, but I struggle with cold showers. Must try again! Thanks Donna for this reminder.
Thank you so much for sharing this work. It was really good for me to think on this question and notice this for myself. <3