Behind the Scenes Since My Disappearance in August

Where Have I Been as an Artist Since I Last Posted?

Artist Mary Rae Rush (Mary Gravelle)

It's a been awhile since I've written a post here on Blogger. I shifted my focus from writing about my art and art business to blogging only on my art website. Now, I'm thinking it'll be good to post both places. Any thoughts on this subject?

So, where have I been since posting last August? I committed to completing my book on my creative process. I created an online course to match the book. And, I've been painting. My progress seems slow, but now that I read this, I've come along way. Below are snippets of updates on each of those.

Book

My proposed book cover for the forthcoming book on Kindle: INTENTivity

I'm at the end of that completion cycle finally. The title changed from Ignition to INTENTivity. It's been one of the longest, largest creative projects I've undertaken thus far in my life.

I decided to self-publish after receiving one rejection letter from an agent. In hindsight, I might have been better off sending out 100's of book proposals until I received a YES. But, I didn't, so I've been learning the ropes of self-publishing. There is so much to learn and know. As I work to complete uploading to Kindle on Amazon, I see that I've learned a lot. There is still so much more to learn. Perhaps I'll write another blog post of advice to others who want to write a book. The featured photo is where the book cover stands at this point. You would not believe how many book covers I have designed for this book over the past 7 months!

See links below to follow me on social media for updates.

Online Self-Discovery Course for Creative Confidence

Coming soon, online course for self-discovery and transformation.

The book is a "workshop in a book" that outlines a 6-week program. New material had been added since working with clients on this work. I enlisted the help of beta-testers to read over my book and take the course as they read. Much to my delight and surprise, it went very well!

Although during the process, I hardly had time to come up for air in this time period from September through November. I'm deeply ingratiated to the five beta testers who were still standing at the end of this procedure. It was intense for all of us. They were taking a deep dive into the self-discovery process, Igniting Your Intentions, and giving me feedback on the book and the work at the same time. I was recording video and audio and preparing PDF's of the work, building my online course as I went. All through this, I was daily checking in with my student beta testers helping them out with their process.

What Paintings Have I Been Working on and Completed?

Cross Pollination of the Cosmic Bee.
11 x 19 inches.
Tempera on paper.

I think this will be the subject of a separate blog post. But, I painted nothing in September and October of 2017 while I was heavily focused and working on the book and online course.

Then, because I sincerely have to paint for my sanity, I came back to it with a lighthearted approach in November, following prompts from a Facebook painting group. In January I did two paintings, two paintings were completed in February, and in March I did none. I picked up again in April working on a redo of a painting that didn't work from many years ago. That's where I am right now in my oil painting adventures. I've discovered that I need to take a more balanced approach to my goals.

Until Next Time

• Buy Art
• Appreciate Art
• Make Art

Show me the Love

Please comment below with your thoughts after reading my musings. Do you find value in reading it? Your comments and likes inspire me onward...

About the Author, Artist and Writer, Mary Rae Rush

Mary Rae lives in Camp Verde, Arizona with her loyal assistant, Sir Kitty. Visit her websites for more information.

Websites

• Igniting Your Intentions (INTENTivity)
• Art website

To follow my work, catch me on social media:

• Instagram-my art
• Instagram-INTENTivity
• Facebook: My Art Biz page
• Facebook: INTENTivity Biz page
• Facebook: INTENTivity Intro Group

Self Discovery and the Artist

Crystalline Energy and the Blooming Century Plants,
Acrylic on Birch Panel, 12 x 24 inches,
Copyright 2016 Mary Gravelle

Painting is self-discovery. Every good artist paints what he is.

–Jackson Pollock

Art teaches nothing, except the significance of life.
–Michael Korda

I have heard and read of many artists who came to make art because they wanted to discover more about themselves and the world around them. Or, they may have come to the process of making art or other creative outlets such as music or dance for the much needed emotional outlet that it delivers.

I came to painting from a place of emotional outlet. I didn't realize this until after I completed my first painting. It was that first experience that felt so exhilarating and freeing that sent me on a path of helping others do the same through painting. The workshop went through various stages and names. Now, it is called Wisdom Painting.

A Self-Discovery Reflection Back to the Artist

The practice of making art, reflects back to the artist, who they are. The choices they make along the journey of the process of creation is revealed in the final product. This process, however, is personal to the artist who created it. Layers upon layers of work went into the piece. Some layers are buried underneath and hidden from the viewer. Only the artist knows exactly what transpired during the process.

If a viewer is intuitive, they may be able to feel the vibe of the piece, the energy of the artist who made it. In this, then, that viewer may be able to discern the hidden layers. The art then becomes a process of self-discovery for the viewer as well. The viewer gazes over the piece and might try to imagine how the artist created it. This becomes a personal journey for the viewer.

Self-Discovery and the Artist

Are you an artist? What is your favorite medium? Do you find that you discover things about yourself through the process of making art? Are these discoveries made through your decisions and choices you make along the way of creating each piece? Do you discover different things or ideas in every piece that you create? Do you make art as a way of self-discovery? Or is self-discovery evident while you are creating or afterwards?

Ways to Use Your Art Making for Self-Discovery

Subject matter

What subject matter are your drawn to? What subject matter are your curious about? Are you creating from a sense of wanting to discover something about yourself or about your subject matter? Perhaps the subject matter is your entry to self-discovery.

If you paint flowers, for instance, what about the flower intrigues you enough to paint it? Is this a reflection of your interior, the flowering within you? Is your life flowering in ways that you are aware of or could become more aware of now that you are painting flowers? Is it the beauty, the color, the unfolding growth? In answering some of these questions, you might be able to discover something about yourself consciously.

I also think that we don't have to dissect everything little thing for meaning. Sometimes the discovery is unconscious and yet, changes us somehow for the better.

Choices

Tune into your painting process and the choices that you make along the way. What are your choices of color, brush, materials, and painting substrate. What do each reveal to you about yourself and why you made those choices?

Process

I have heard that the way we do one thing is the way we do all things. How do you approach your art making? Does this tell you anything about the way you live your life and how you approach life?

Immersive painting for self-discovery. 

Let it flow.

Paint for Flow and Creativity

Allow yourself to express creatively without judgement or planning ahead. Just show up to the paper or canvas. Quiet your mind and let go of all preconceived notions about what to paint. Just paint. Dip a brush into paint and let it do its thing. Just keep going at it. Don't stop when you think you are complete. This could simply be resistance to what wants to be revealed to you. Keep painting. You might want to continue this painting for a week, painting everyday on this same painting and allowing its discoveries to come to you. Keep a journal to write your learnings, observations, and epiphanies down.

Other
Researching for this article, I happened up this interesting website on art and self-discovery. I don't think I used any of the material, but it's worth a visit.

Ways to View Visual Art for Self-Discovery

So, you are not an artist, but rather, an art patron, appreciator, or collector. You stand before a work of art in your home, a gallery, museum, or the artist's studio. Let yourself become curious about the painting.

You could imagine yourself being taken into the painting and becoming part of it. What is happening to your thoughts? What is happening in your body? Are certain areas of your body, such as your gut, or head, uneasy or tingling? Or maybe parts of your body feel joyous and delighted. Are certain emotions arising? These are clues about self-discovery.

What is this piece revealing to you? It's all about you at this point. The art is here for you. Allow it to take you on your very own personal journey of self-discovery.

Beneath the Surface, Acrylic on Canvas,
24 x 36 inches,
copyright 2016 Mary Gravelle.

What Do You Think?

Does any of this make sense to you? How do you use art making as a tool for self-discovery? What are your ideas on self-discovery through the art making process?

Are You Ready to Buy Art?

Are you ready to bring one or more of my paintings to your home or office? Email me at Mary@MaryFineArt.com

Tips for Purchasing Fine Art

When it comes to purchasing fine art, buy a piece that you love. If you connect strongly with a work of art, go ahead and consider purchasing it. The joy and happiness that this original work of art will give you will be immeasurable.

Imagine a space in your home or office where it might fit. And ask yourself some questions such as:
 

Why do I like this piece?

What does it remind me of?

How do these colors make me feel?

Overall, how does this piece make me feel?

What location or room would this piece fit into?

Would it make a great gift for someone special?

About the Author

Braylee Rush

Braylee Rush (Mary Gravelle) is an artist, author, and creativity catalyst and consultant. She resides in Sedona, Arizona with her loving and efficient assistant, Sir Kitty. Her other websites and work are: Wisdom Painting for Self-Discovery, Igniting Your Intentions, Sedona Art Hikes, and Silver Graphic Design.

Contact her today with commissions or requests for creative work, consultations, or one on one coaching sessions. She can help you delve into your creativity and come out with your own unique expression.

Inquiries

Inquiries about this en plein air acrylic landscape painting can be made through the contact page.

And, as always, I would love to hear from you. Please leave a comment below.

Sir Kitty

Until Next Week

• Create art
• Appreciate art
• Buy art

Creating Something New - Igniting Your Intentions FREE Video Series

I have been busy creating a new three-part FREE video series introducing folks to the Igniting Your Intentions™ program. This is a creative process that leads to personal growth and a deeper connection with the inner self and inner wise guide.

If this sounds intriguing, there is still time to sign up to hear them. The last day to subscribe is tomorrow. They will no longer be available on October 5. Check it out here. It's a great process to help you focus on some aspect of your life while deepening the connection to your inner self.

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.

The Artist Self-Portrait Continued

http://www.ibiblio.org/wm/paint/auth/gogh/self/

"Self-portrait - A portrait an artist makes using himself or herself as its subject, typically drawn or painted from a reflection in a mirror." 1

While researching the subject of the artist self-portrait to discover more about the subject as I challenge myself to do one, I came across a fascinating website (see citation 2 below). The author of the website is unknown, but goes into more detail on the subject than what I really want to do in this blog article. This article / website is an in depth study of the artist self-portrait and why they do it.

Referring to artists such as Rembrandt, van Gogh, Dürer, Gustave Courbet, Frida Kahlo, among others, it uncovers the artists' possible motivations for painting oneself. Here is a paragraph that sums it up:

"All of these artists gazed into their mirrors and attempted to grasp their identities. They sought to portray their image, whether it showed a clear representation of their features, a walk through their childhood or an outpouring of emotions. Some self-portraits show only what the artist wants us to see, some chronicle the history of the artist, others reveal personal secrets and a sense of isolation. Whichever method is employed each artist took a long literal and figurative look at him/herself. Each portrait is an exploration of the self."

And...

"For all artists, the self-portrait is an exploration, an opportunity to see beyond the image in the mirror and begin to search into the soul."

Self-Portrait with Animal Hat. My first
self-portrait in drawing class.

I love this last statement. I think that is true for me. The self-portraits that we were required to draw in college revealed aspects to myself that were not available on the surface of what I saw myself to be. Rather, they portrayed a deeper sense, a sadness, a more serious aspect, that I never show to people. However, at that particular time, it had only been six weeks since my dear baby brother had died suddenly in a boating accident. I was sad. Possibly, the sadness showed to others as well. I'm not sure. But, the self-portraits I drew at that time made my sadness visible to me.

I wonder what this current self-portrait will show? What will I discover in my innermost being while painting this excursion from looking in the mirror? Will I allow a realistic portrayal? Will I edit parts of self that I don't want to show? Will I do an abstraction? Stay tuned...

Citations:

1. Quote

2. Article/website -- http://userpages.umbc.edu/~ivy/selfportrait/intro.html 3. My first self-portrait -- read more at http://wisdompainting.com/inspirational_images_22_Mary_Gravelle_Self_Portrait.htm

Video on Essence of You Painting