Artist Residency 2024
Quinta Mazatlan- World Birding Center
may
March and April flowers make way for fruit and seeds this month. The sunflowers are tall and bright and I see several juvenile birds, fledged but still fed by a parent. Though it’s still bearable outdoors, the heavy hot air looms promising miserable Summer days ahead.
I had two goals for this artist residency. The first was to take note of the changing landscape. The other was to figure out how to best share my process of meditation painting with others. In the five months since starting, I see change and growth in both. |
My initial challenge with teaching meditation painting is that it’s not like teaching a technique or skill. It’s not straightforward or easy to explain. It’s a practice where I challenge myself to let go of expectations and instead respond to the world around me, as it speaks to and inspires me. So, how do I share this amorphous perspective shift with enough structure and freedom that people can experience this practice for themselves? I’ve experimented with different structuring, but the main thing I’ve learned is to talk a lot less and listen more. |
These are some of the other general themes I’ve found: 1) Community sharing is very important 2). The freedom to disappear and get quiet is very important. 3). Knowing the materials aren’t precious is important. 4). Some people find metaphor in their surroundings 5). Some people aren’t ready to let go of control 6). Art supplies can be nostalgic 7). The process is therapeutic and people generally express feeling peaceful and “loosening up” I’m honestly amazed and gratified to see the positive impact these painting sessions have had on myself and others. We’re going to skip over the hottest of months, but will return again in September!
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