FEARLESS We Paint: Guest Post By Lisa Wilson

3bbfb-image_ropes

We were at a new playground and the rope sculpture loomed before us. It’s toned, taught presence was quite tantalizing.

“What’s THAT for?”, my son asked.

“I dunno”, I replied in my best grammar, “you’re just supposed to play with it.”

A light appeared in his eyes and off he ran.

Suddenly, this maze of ropes was calling out to be explored. Secret places to be discovered. Throwing his legs across a higher rope and letting go as his torso swung back towards the ground, he allowed himself a new perspective on the world. Life was good. (Until it was time to leave the playground, of course.)

He eventually would have figured it out on his own, of course. (That it was on the playground probably helped.) But I also could’ve told him something completely different – thus forever influencing his impressions of this “thing”. I could have told him it was a sculpture just to look at or an observation tower system for resident squirrels.

By giving him permission to play instead of defining it for him, suddenly anything and everything was possible.

When Connie introduced me to Fearless Painting, I had come with the same inquisitive nature. What’s THAT for?

She didn’t say it was to discover my inner ID and Ego or explain that there were 7 ways to use it or that it was a way to produce something pretty to sell on Ebay. She just invited me and the other participants to play.

Of course, as a trained adult I didn’t just get it and start exploring the paints as my son did the ropes. Connie adeptly led us over, explored the colors, guided us into some possibilities, and let us play. So began my journey into fearless painting and a way of living that went far beyond the page.

THIS is what the process of Fearless Painting is about for me:
Playing into Discovery.

I didn’t know how to play until I was given permission. And I didn’t know how much there was to discover until I started playing.

Fearless Painting is so much more than learning how or what to paint, painting big or small, or even painting at all. It is a doorway into a way of living that embraces play, exploration, deep contemplation, and moving with and through obstacles.

Being able to be fearless on the page – painting something even when it seems “wrong”, dancing with the gremlins instead of running away – translates into fascinating thoughts even when the paints are put away.

My son is still afraid of fire alarms. And heavy thunder. I’m still afraid of those icky insects with 20 more legs than they should have and the experience of having a booger in my nose at an important business meeting.

But as we take brave steps on the playground, crossing ropes or applying paint, we learn that sometimes fear is just there to play. If we attempt a smile and extend our hand, we may discover how much fun it is to hang upside-down or wear pink paint on our fingernails.

We may just discover that life itself can be fun….and be able to play so hard and deeply that we won’t feel the need to whine when it’s time to go.

BIO & CONTACT
Lisa is an awareness artist, registered yoga teacher, and full-time mommy. She uses mindfulness and gratitude to guide her through her days. She is seriously addicted to iced chai. Lisa is always looking to connect and share stories with others. She can be found at:
Email: lisa@lifeunity.com

 

Come join the Tribe of FEARLESS Painters!!

BIG is currently on sale HERE! Starts January 9, 2011–ring in the New Year BIG!

Join The Paint Wisdom Newsletter!

My weekly newsletter is filled with studio updates,
announcements,& short musings intended to nourish your Artist Soul.