For the past 3-weeks and the next 3-weeks a small group of students and I have been studying how we can become increasingly inventive in our practice of art in my Creative Sparks course. I have outlined below some of what we have discussed thus far and the prompts that we have used. This is an INTERACTIVE course where participation is emphasized. These live in real-time (EST) classes are held on ZOOM. During the sessions we have enriched discussion beyond the blog and we share art. If you would like to JOIN our next session see below:
Explore the techniques and development
of your narrative in writing/storytelling and the visual arts.
This course is now full. If you would like to participate in our next Creative Sparks course, send me an email. gray1carolyn@yahoo.com
Our prompt from the previous class was to draw yourself in pictures and in words depicting how you want to be as opposed to how you currently are. We also talked about critical mass. Think of the practice of cross-writing (see example above). How can you fill your page using the idea of critical mass and the self-portrait. For those attending the course, we will now look at your work and discuss.
New Prompt: How can you fill your life with critical mass?
Let’s cultivate our imaginations. How can we do that?
We have more than one side including the shadow side. How do you balance both sides? How can you integrate both sides into your work? How can you do that?
How to Get to Know and Integrate Your Dark Side
Psychologist Carl Jung stated that integrating your shadow can lead to a more fulfilling life.
But what is the shadow self?
How do we delve deeper into our ourselves to find the facets that make us who we are? Relabel this chart using tags that describe you.
How do we identify our shadow side? What do we do with it when we find it?
Let’s take a look. (discussion)
During our sessions student artists bring forth ideas and concepts in a spontaneous manner.
Thank you to the student artist who brought this Jungian theory to the discussion.
Neurosis of the Shadow
“If we understand anything of the unconscious, we know that it cannot be swallowed. We also know that it is dangerous to suppress it, because the unconscious is life and this life turns against us if suppressed, as happens in neurosis.”
Carl Jung
How to Make Peace with the Shadow
“The shadow is a living part of the personality and therefore wants to live with it in some form. It cannot be argued out of existence or rationalized into harmlessness.”
Carl Jung
https://buffaloakg.org/person/eug%C3%A8ne-leroy
Eugene LeRoy
Prompt: Make an abstract drawing while you are thinking of “self” in charcoal on a large sheet of paper. Keep working until you are satisfied with the drawing. Fill the paper with marks. Next - give yourself permission and gather your courage. Using both hands obliterate the drawing to the point where it is a shadow of itself.
Now, go back into the drawing and find areas that are interesting where you can add, enhance, or erase.
Ask yourself: What does the finished drawing reveal? What came forth from your subconscious mind.
Ask someone else to look at your work and give you feedback.
Video link: Confronting your shadow side link.
