Viktor Frankl’s Powerful Choice

Detail of a recent painting in progress/2018

“When we are no longer able to change a situation, we are challenged to change ourselves.” Viktor Frankl

Viktor Frankl survived the brutality of the Holocaust by remaining present within his own mind and heart, by not giving away his attitude. “One’s attitude in any given set of circumstances,” can be that one element that allows a human being, even in the most dire of situations, to survive on his/her own terms.

Most of us don’t know what a bad day really, really is, but Frankl and millions more endured the unthinkable. Frankl’s living example demonstrates the power of choice; we do not have to think of ourselves as surrendering, but more so empowering ourselves to inwardly, fiercely keep our strength, to “choose our own way.”

Spirit Painting Meditations

This is a recent Spirit Painting I was commissioned to create. These are very different from my other work (abstract and other figurative work) because I meditate while creating it for the person who commissioned it (or for their loved one). I paint what comes. It is a very surprising process for me as the painter but for the recipient, too. These are done for a mitzvah (read that as a “good deed”) and I charge next to nothing for them, but I feel strongly that I should make them available for anyone who might want one, which means the commission fee is very low. Check out others here on my site, under the Spirit Painting heading at the banner. And of course contact me via this site if you’d like one!

Epic Spring II: Our Choices and Destiny

Earth Changes Series/Pole Shift: Epic Spring II

This new painting in the series is currently at Art/Place Gallery in Fairfield, CT. In the meditative state I entered painting it, I felt that swell of momentum reminding me of great ocean waves. Even stepping just a few feet into the breaking waves, there is a power so tremendous, so epic. And when we are subjected to the tide, we succumb to it. We may play with it, but it is with the understanding that the force within each crashing arc of salt water, there is incomprehensible power. We in your physical form are but a moment of time upon a shore that raged thousands of years before we were present, and this same rising and falling, according to its attraction to the moon and the sun, will breathe in and breathe out long after we are all gone in our current form. White horses run toward us, crashing at our feet, as we stand in “the tide of time and light” as it says in the Siddur. Our time is upon us with each wave, our choices and destiny.

Time and Thought Are One

Detail of a painting in progress/Earth Changes Series

Listening to an Ekhart Tolle meditation, he spoke of the way we allow our thoughts to define our sense of self, which usually involves incompleteness: “I will be happy when…” etc. The future seems to hold everything we think would somehow make us okay, yet the future never arrives.

For a meditation, imagine your thoughts as one with time. Close your eyes and “be there”–be in and with whatever you love, whatever you like–in your thoughts. Don’t imagine yourself withheld from that which you desire or idealize. Embody it to bring the energy of it unto yourself now. We don’t have to give the illusion of future all our power.

Intuitive Stream Drawing Sessions

Detail of a recent intuitive stream drawing done on behalf of a client

The reason why I do intuitive stream drawing sessions is because this creative stream-of-consciousness method supports an inner dialogue, not the loop of endless worries or pain-filled memories, but an awareness of why we do what we do, and in becoming more conscious, we are more likely to strike out doing what is best for us, what our “soul purpose” is. In other words, to live abundantly and fully the life we would most like to live. In this detail of a recent stream drawing I did for a client, I saw the infinity symbol (#8 on its side) and when I see that, for me that drawn line configuration is the symbol of soul purpose. I saw a large central #8 and then (to the right) a smaller one zooming in as if to say, “Time to start that NEW purpose” and I communicated this to the client. Over and over in this drawing there were similar messages with the theme: “It is time to start doing what you’d most love to do. Seek it, find it, create it! What you’ve done so far you’ve done well and it taught you well, but it is now time for that NEW thing that allows you to actually express the creative you that you are.” I urged her to start looking on line for corporations more open to her artistic background and essential creative streak which had suffered somewhat amongst people who could not and never would appreciate her unique expressions. (We often choose jobs that mirror a lack of acceptance we felt at home in early life, unconsciously trying to heal that old wound). She left saying she’d start looking. She called the next day to say she’d had a shock–her job was terminated. She did not need to be reminded that her spiritual knowing already had that insight, the new new was upon her and she didn’t really need me to tell her, life was telling her. But the fact that she came to me for help with it, for me, is a sacred privilege. (see MAKING MARKS: Discover the Art of Intuitive Drawing)

Earth Changes Painting Series: Pole Shift/Amplitude

From the Earth Changes painting series, Pole Shift/Amplitude acrylic on canvas 36″x36″

This painting recently sold at Art/Place Gallery in Fairfield, CT. The series of work is based on our changing and turbulent times, as foretold by Native Americans (long before “white man” came to shore) and more recently, Edgar Cayce, known as “The Sleeping Prophet” in the early to mid-20th century. My intention with creating these paintings is to envision our polarized society closer to harmony, even while extreme weather and events in nature suggest the magnetic pole shift is heavily underway. Can humans harmonize, demonstrate compassion and conscious action, even when nature is extreme and dangerous? Do we effect nature just as much as it may impact us? To learn more about pole shift, which Cayce predicted long before the idea of it was taken seriously, go to NASA.

New Work: Girl and Uncles

A new painting, Girl and Uncles, is now at Art/Place Gallery in Fairfield, CT through April 9th 2017

I don’t often directly paint dreams, though I am continually inspired by my dreams. This particular dream was so soothing and wonderful, I wanted to capture its essence at least. In the dream, there was a girl sitting on a velvet chair in a living room with soft off white, feathery carpet. The floor was hilly! And it made perfect sense somehow. Soft, feathery shadows of trees and things danced across the hilly floors. The girl had two uncles, and both were busy making the home lovely for her. It was a magical dream.

Synergy

Detail of a recent painting/ Elaine Clayton 2016

When we come together, something happens. Have you felt that synergy–the feeling of joining with others and a momentum begins? This happens especially when we connect with the intention to create out of a sense of love and goodness for the world.

STREAM DRAWING AND TRUST, MOTHER GOOSE AND THE WOLF

Detail of a recent intuitive stream drawing 2016

Playing with the lines and shapes in a stream drawing is enjoyable, meditative and meaningful. In this one, two themes joined together, that of Mother Goose and The Wolf. There is a figure 8 between that that serves as a scarf tied on the head. For me the figure 8, when present in a stream drawing, is an indicator of soul purpose (prompting questions we may often ask in life like, “what is my purpose, why am I going through this”…etc). Mother Goose signifies learning in early childhood, which includes parenting and all that goes with it. We think of ourselves as complete and ready to raise the child but in fact honestly we get our life lessons through taking care of the child.
The wolf here, from Little Red Riding Hood, symbolizes many things, according to Native American animal wisdom, wolf is “teacher”. Anything we go through in life that is tricky, difficult, hard–anyone we meet who is troublesome for us–these all present as teachers for us. The wolf in Little Red Riding Hood was a real threat, posing as the grandmother. But Little Red was not fooled, although she was still very much in danger.

These two images coming together say a lot to me about the innocence of childhood, the threats we learn to protect our children and ourselves from entering in or harming our children and ourselves.

The Mother Goose here looks to the left, signifying the past. Past lessons seen upon reflection. The wolf faces future. Perhaps this is a reminder that as we move forward we will have many more life lessons to live, we will encounter “wolf” medicine (whatever is difficult) and we will, in the end, have more wisdom after being exposed to that which may seem very threatening, either in practical ways to our sense of security, or in emotional and psychological ways.

Try a stream drawing today and see what imagery and symbolism you may find!

ANNOUNCEMENT: STREAM DRAWING CLASSES

I am offering one-on-one and small group stream drawing workshops for adults and children at my studio. Contact me here on this site to schedule your ultra-fun, relaxing, magical and surprising stream drawing time with me. I look forward to seeing you at Cottage Studio!

Sketching on the Saugutuck: Later in the summer I will return to Westport Public Library for the 6th summer in a row! Sign up for this lovely drawing event by contacting the Westport Public Library.

In the fall, I’ll be teaching workshops at wellness centers and through Westport Continuing Education and will post more info on that soon!

Elaine Clayton

INTUITION, FINE ART, BOOKS

creativity