How do you respond to your own creations when doing art? Or creating anything in your life? Michelle Cassou is an internationally-known expert in spontaneous painting for children and adults. One of the books she wrote is Kid's Play which is for parents and teachers about supporting children's creativity. In one chapter she makes suggestions on how to change the way we look at children's art, in other words, looking at it from the view of the process rather than the end product.
I've read two of her other books about the same idea, process not product, but when I took these suggestions from her Kid's Play book and switched them to be about my own creativity, something happened for me. Maybe it was the timing, but I felt it was important and wanted to share with you!
I'd like to suggest that you try out this view about your own creations if you haven't already. Here are questions to ask yourself about your own process of creating based on Cassou's suggestions.
~Do I really see what I am going through as I create or is the product the only important aspect?
~Am I aware how I give my heart to my creations?
~Do I listen to my own intuition, my own creative dreamworld when I create?
~Do I recognize my courage and beauty in daring to express what I do, in fully exploring?
~Can I not compare my work with others but instead appreciate myself for who I am?
~Can I support my process and my experience rather than evaluate the final product with good or bad thoughts or comments?
Instead of judging your work when you’ve completed something, try saying:
~I really enjoyed myself. That was fun!
~It was quite an adventure!
~I'm surprised about this!
~I went really deep into my emotions and feelings for that.
~Wow, I went right on painting, despite what my inner critic had to say!
~Wow, that was an incredible experience to feel my inner guidance creating!
...Or something else that is authentic for you, but is not about the "goodness" or "badness" of the product.
It is a different way of operating for most of us, to view what we create from the standpoint of process and not the product. It is something that I continue to learn and find I am improving with practice.
If you like affirmations, you could even turn Cassou's questions into affirmations:
~I watch and appreciate what I go through as I create.
~I am aware of how I give my heart to my creations.
~I listen to my own intuition, my own creative dreamworld when I create.
~I recognize my courage and beauty in daring to express what I do, in fully exploring.
~I appreciate myself for who I am. What others do is not important to my process.
~I support my process and my experience and release attachment to the final product.
I urge you to treat your own creativity as you would a child's. After all it is your inner child that is responsible for creativity. Be gentle, encouraging and appreciative!
With Creative Passion,
Lisa
(c)2010 Lisa Dieken, All Rights Reserved Thanks to Michelle Cassou
