I think it is such a beautiful thing to witness that moment of recognition and connection. When a client arrives at a place in their art where there is utter truth and complete bareness. When the compassion for pureness and innocence fills every corner of the room, and a tilt of the head conveys absolute resonance. “Here I am. I feel it, see it, sense it. “ When we arrive at this place, hanging out here requires tenderness, compassion, and tolerance for all that this experience evokes. So, yes, it is intense vulnerability for both therapist and client.
Sometimes, finding the signposts or the door to vulnerable expression is not that easy. We have sentinels, deflectors, limiting beliefs, etc that mix up the signals and cause disorientation. So, I decided to try and use the art as a treasure map. And, taking one clue at a time, trust that it would guide the work into that place where creativity, change, and innovation happens.
Using an old “Zoom” technique, I invited clients to think about compassion and vulnerability, and then to paint anything that came to mind. Once the first painting was complete, I invited them to do successive paintings that zoomed in on the “most vulnerable place in the painting”. When we finished the session, we had a map that led to a place of great tenderness and vulnerability. There were emotions of great sadness and loss, and experiences of surprise and joy—even bliss. What clients found, when they were able to use their art as a guide and to embrace their creative expressions of vulnerability were treasure troves of connection. Truly beautiful.
Here’s what you need:
- Drawing or painting materials (chalk, tempera paint, oil pastels)
- Large sized paper (24 x 36 is good)
1. Start by talking about vulnerability as a positive thing. It is something that allows connection, creativity and innovation because it sits in the emotional and unknown space. When expressing vulnerability, remember that it is essential that compassion is very present. Vulnerability is not a bad thing that should be judged or criticized. By its very nature, it is tender and thus needs to be treated like a special treasure. Remember that any time we go toward vulnerability there will be doubt and anxiety. This is okay. The unknown and anxiety are both hallmarks of creativity.
2. Draw or paint whatever comes to mind for the first of the series.
3. Identify where on painting/drawing #1 the most vulnerable part lies. Point it out to someone or just out loud to yourself.
4. With the most vulnerable part from #1 in mind, start painting/drawing #2. Imagine that you are zooming in on this part—like a telephoto lens might do. Allow it to form in whatever way it wants.
5. Repeat step 3 and 4 until you feel you have arrived at a point where you can stop and say, “Here I am, I see me, I feel me, I sense me.”
6. Make a bridge between your last painting/drawing and your life experiences. When do you share this vulnerability? How? Who would recognize it? Who would you like to have recognize it and how could your share it?
- See more at: http://www.innercanvas.com/resources/art-invitations/#sthash.U0VQ11WZ.dpuf
Heres what I came up with:
