Everyone is Creative

Number 3: Quintessential Creativity.
24 x 24 inches, Acrylic on RayMar Panel.
Copyright 2009 Mary Gravelle.
Original is Available. Prints are available.

My last post declared that not everyone is an artist. This post I shout out that everyone is creative. Yes, that's right. Everyone is creative!

I discovered my own creativity in the 1980's when I was laid off of a corporate position. I read the book, What Color is Your Parachute. I discovered that I was happiest when creating and working with my hands. That book sent me on a journey inward to discover my own creative tendencies.

In 1992, I read Julia Cameron's classic book, The Artist's Way, which changed my life for the better. Since reading and working that book, I have been on a mission to help others dig deep into their inner well of creativity.

YOU are creative, my friend! Everyone is creative.

I believe that it is Creativity which makes you, YOU. It is what makes you unique and like no other in this entire universe. Doesn't it make sense to find your creativity, to explore your unique expression? It is your unique expression that the world needs. Dig in. Dive deep. If you need it, I can help you. Contact me at Mary@MaryFineArt.com.

Below is a video that talks about everyone being creative and that Wisdom Painting can help you see it. Wisdom Painting was one of the first creativity workshops I developed to help others see their creativity being expressed in full color. Contact me about a Wisdom Painting session today.  This session can be held in person in Sedona or via Skype. Mary@WisdomPainting.com.




I have all kinds of ways to help you ignite the creative genius that resides within you. The video below talks about three ways to work with me to discover your creativity.

Below is the longer version talking about Igniting Your Intentions. This process grew out of Wisdom Painting to include writing and working with intention. It is this process that helped me grow into an artist and painter.

I have completed my book on this process that delves into creativity and helps you break into your own inner well of it. I'm looking for a publisher or literary agent. Can you help me with this quest to get my book published? Contact me at Mary@IgnitingYourIntentions.com.



So, what do you think? Are you creative? How do you think your creativity helps you and makes you, YOU?

Until Next Week

• Create art
• Appreciate art
• Buy art

Braylee Rush (Mary Gravelle)

The handsome, Sir Kitty. Meow.

About the author: Braylee Rush (Mary Gravelle) is an artist and writer who resides in Sedona, Arizona with her beloved assistant, Sir Kitty.

Wisdom Painting

Oh me, oh my! I totally forgot to write and publish this week's blog post.

I have been working diligently recreating my Wisdom Painting website. It feels like it has taken me far, far down the rabbit hole. Since moving to Sedona, that piece of my work / offering / gift to the world has resurrected itself after more than a five-year hiatus.

Hiking on the vortex of Bell Rock here in Sedona, the message was given to me to "bring painters and use our natural resources". This felt so very exciting. Should I really resurrect Wisdom Painting?

Apparently, yes! Only a few days later, a friend and client from Connecticut referred her friends to me who were coming to Sedona. We got together and did a Wisdom Painting session. They told me it was a wonderful experience. And I felt exalted for doing the work. It was like, "really, and I get paid to do this too? I was smiling to myself during the whole experience.

This further tells me that, yes, get back to Wisdom Painting, my roots. It must important right now. So… that's what I've been up to for over a week, building a new website for Wisdom Painting. It's like pulling teeth right now. And, I am driven to do it.

We use many beautiful colors during Wisdom Painting.

What about my own art, you might ask? I wonder about it too. My daily artwork revolves around doing phone art. I also do daily drawings during my personal Igniting Your Intentions™ sessions.

The phone art, along with my other art and selected photography can be seen on my flicker account page and albums. Check out my June 2014 Phone Art album to see this month's phone art creations. I have been receiving great feedback on these images.

Okay… back to work. I must get that Wisdom Painting website finished.

Mary Rush Gravelle

Until Next Week 

• Create art

• Appreciate art

• Buy art

I would love to hear your comments on this article, please leave one if you feel inspired.

About the author: Mary Rush Gravelle is an artist who resides in Sedona, Arizona with her beloved cat, Sir Kitty. 

Find her work and daily comments on her facebook page. Her art can be seen on her website, maryfineart.com. She can be contacted via email at: mary@maryfineart.com.

Movement and Visual Art

Passage, oil on masonite, 20 x 16 inches.
©2006 Mary A. Gravelle. Original is not for sale.
If interested, inquire about a giclee print.

I came across this Video on Moving to Visual Art yesterday and I thought "how cool!” so I thought I would share it with you. Painter, Andrew Purchin, and collage artist, Lisa Hochstein, teamed up in a “day-long artist residency at MAH on Sept 3rd from 11:00AM - 5:00 PM” where they hoped to create a community of dancers to move to their works.[1] Andrew says in his artist statement that his work is about “carving the space” with his paintbrush.[2] He integrates his dance improvisation experience with his painting-in-the-moment experience to provide what he hopes is a moving experience for the viewer.

During my Wisdom Painting sessions, I ask participants to move to their paintings. But, these paintings are purely personal and painted for the spiritual purpose of self-discovery. What about fine art paintings? In the video mentioned in the first paragraph, people are asked to move to fine art paintings and collages in a gallery setting. How very refreshing! People are actually asked to respond to the paintings. What a concept.

With much the same message as the above video, another article I found talks about an exhibit called “MOVE: CHOREOGRAPHING YOU, ART AND DANCE SINCE THE 1960S". During the exhibit, visitors are choreographed inviting them to partake in a more physical experience of the art.[3]

And what about this video: “Art of Moving?” The fluid and sometimes-funky movements of the dancers invoke an abstract painting where the artist utilizes fluid and free brushstrokes. And in another video from Mirabai Ceiba, we see a woman who is moving her body on the landscape to her own song. I class this video along with visual art because the images are beautiful and are fine art themselves. This video is a spiritual and visual treat that any artist could get inspired by. These two videos turn it around on the artist to become inspired by movement in creating their art.

Which is exactly what Hans Moore is doing in his YouTube video. He sets his computer generated art images in motion while a song plays in the background. I found it mesmerizing. At the same time, it was inspiring thought in me of how to integrate movement into my own visual art.[4]

So, the question for you, the dear reader of my blog, is how do you want to move the viewer with your art? Do you want to move them emotionally, intellectually, spiritually, or physically, or any combination of these? How would you need to change your art to meet your desire? Please feel free to share your thoughts by posting a comment here.

442 words

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[1] http://www.andrewpurchin.com/projects/reflections-undoing-artists-residency-mah

[2] http://www.andrewpurchin.com/projects/artist-statement

[3] http://arts.columbia.edu/visual-arts-faculty-janine-antoni-move-choreographing-you-art-and-dance-1960s-49298

[4] http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LaIvFQYs_8E

Newsletter Just Published: 2008 Edition Issue 4: July--Freedom, New Paintings, and More

In this issue: Freedom; New Paintings: Keep it Light, The Guardian, Lush 2, Sweet Energy; Silver City Treasure--Jean Eisenhower & Rattlesnake Fire; LOVE T-shirts; Wisdom Painting Workshop for Self-Discovery July 26.
Link to Newsletter