Infidelity

Cultivate infidelity... to yourself. We have many beliefs, and even some certainties about ourselves: I like this color, that one doesn't suit me, I'm not the type to draw hearts, and black scares me, it's too negative. Not to mention our environment, family and culture: there are things that are acceptable and things that aren't. Or aren't allowed to be expressed. White is the color of mourning in Japan, the snake a symbol of vital energy or perversity... Cemeteries are joyful in Mexico on All Saints' Day, much sadder in our culture... Death, blood, nudity, violence, sex... so many realities very much framed culturally, and differently from one culture to another...

In our dreams, when we accept to remember them, we cros s some of these boundaries of "political correctness." We also encounter them when we paint intuitively. Because they are subjects of life.

These beliefs—personal, familial, or cultural—limit our freedom of expression: it's time to be unfaithful to them, unfaithful to the somewhat narrow-minded image my self has of itself. To be unfaithful is to embrace all that is alive... and that happens with a paintbrush in hand. Quietly, at my own pace, I explore new, very private territories of my imagination.

He's a child. He is between 3 and 6 years old, he comes to show you his drawing, and we go “Oh! It’s very beautiful my darling! ". Said in an enthusiastic tone, or a bit routine (he produces a lot!), the effect is the same: he discovers that it might not have been beautiful, that he too could have displeased you, or disappointed you (yes, he identifies himself with the sheet of paper). Then the surenchere begins, unconsciously of course: always more beautiful to be sure to always please... therefore loved.

The child has lost his freedom of expression, his drawings become a form of money to buy a bit of love or attention.

So? There are other ways to encourage your child to express himself freely. As to be interested in him, in the pleasure he had, in the color he perhaps lacks, rather than in the result.

Would you like to know more about this topic? Watch this video by Michele Cassou: Kids Play.

There are several kinds of routine. Today, I am going to talk to you about creative routines, those that allow you to enrich or develop your creativity. First of all, let’s come back to the word routine: it is something that is repeated with regularity. And in this particular case: routines which have no immediate result at stake.

In creative routines, there are several kinds: first, inactive routines. For example, dreaming in front of a landscape, in your bathtub or on a deckchair.

Then, active routines, like the Time Outs established by Julia Cameron & Mark Bryan. Directions: devote one hour per week to an exploration or experiment. For example, take a tango class, experiment with a new form of massage, visit a zoo or a high-tech store, etc., with no other goal than to watch, listen, and let yourself be immersed. It's called feeding your imaginary world.

And then, there are people who not only want to nurture their imagination, which is already very beneficial when you practice brainstorming regularly, but who also want to gain freedom in the expression of their creativity. For that, they are ready to dare to question their beliefs and their limitations, with the benefit of discovering new inner territories of freedom.

These people are ready for more radical creative routines. In this category, I would put improvisation, certain forms of dance, the famous Morning Pages and, of course, intuitive painting. The latter is particularly suitable for people whose hearts beat with greedy and reflex excitement, as soon as they see colors, brushes, papers.

So routine: whatever your creative routine, the secret to its effectiveness lies in two words: regular practice. Every week, at least 😊.