Creative Mindfulness and H-Bombing

Two weeks ago yesterday I had surgery to remove a small cancerous tumor which thankfully hadn't spread to the lymph nodes so I won't need chemo but will need radiation treatment for 4-6 weeks in the future. It's been a bit of a stressful journey, one that has shocked me as you hear of stuff happening to others but don't think it'll ever happen to you. So where does that leave me? Thinking about how I'm going to live a more fulfilling and happy future...and be more positive!

Just before going into hospital I made the decision to sign up for the Creative Mindfulness Course through The School of Modern Psychology in Australia. This is an online course and each week there's a prompt with an activity that requires active "mindfulness and creativity"

I am hoping it's alright to do this in conjunction with my TLC programme and think (hope) it will benefit mentally and psychologically, based on what others are saying.

Here's what I've been working on the past couple of days as I've  been recuperating from my surgery. I can sit in bed and relax while, drawing, colouring and cutting which is nice.

 The first exercise was to TIP OUT and get rid of all the negativity and "junk"  that weighs us done and inhibits us from living happy and fulfilling lives. I wish it were that easy to just tip something out of your head! But I guess that's what being "mindful"  is all about. It's about noticing what is in one's head, recognizing it and disposing of anything that's not of use to you.  Of course, after tipping out, you need to FILL UP and replace what's been turfed with positive things. I've used water-colour pencils and a fine black pen.

 This could be a long journey as I tend to "take back"

 all the things that inhibit me without even realising it!

 And the "good" things?

I'm not sure WHY I can't hang on to those.....

Another activity we were asked to do was to ask ourselves how we can be more audacious? Darn..I've spelled AUDACIOUS wrong..... ugh!!!

 Oh well...what's done is done.

How silly of me to not check the spelling before writing it.

I do want to point out that I experimented with water-colour paints for the green background and after several attempts was happy with the results. Shame I couldn't spell though.

Lastly, I have been asked by someone of notoriety to H-Bomb their letterbox. 

They know of my health situation so giving me time to do it but I thought I'd better sharpen up my Hundertwasser skills and did a little doodling. As you can see by the wording I was not having a very positive day that day. But I'll keep on trying..... 

Trying not to get discouraged here...

There's SO MANY amazingly 

talented creative people in this world. 

Because of technology and 

the internet I see it ALL the time.

It's hard not to get discouraged. 

Inasmuch, as I'm struggling to find my niche

I'm also stimulated by others creativity

so I feel I'm between a rock 

and a hard place, most often.

 A bit of assemblage going on here

..and some abstract faces.

Water-colour pencils on paper.

Now to add water!

I been doing more reading too.

Paul Klee intrigues me.

I think it's his keen interest

and connection with nature

that resonates with me. 

I'm also inspired by Munch work too.

I love the way he blends his colours

His freedom of application and his expression 

of emotion with medium on paper.

I so want that....

Some things that have inspired me...

 I think I could enjoy drawing this!

 Love the abstract shapes of the three on the right
They are what inspired my abstract faces drawing.

 Guess what this is???

The porch roof through 
red glass in my back door.
I love "seeing" these things!

Time: 6 hours

Resource 1, 

Painting, Drawing, Reading

Week Four Update: Resource 1

Wednesday night I ended up at White Cross ER. I was in such much pain I just couldn't stop crying. X-Rays show no break so it's a tissue injury that I'm dealing with. Got prescribed some heavy-duty drugs (Voltaren and Panadeine) and went straight to bed after getting back home and taking the new meds. Sleep enveloped me pretty quickly and though I woke periodically during the night in pain, I'm feeling much better the next morning.  Once the drugs wear off..Boy, do I know about it! I feel stupid leaving it so long to get medical help. I don't know why I did that. Suffering for 10 days in pain doesn't make sense at all.... "I" don't make sense at all.

Thursday, had a counselling appointment in the morning. I talked about the pain, my frustrations with myself being in pain. Trying to carry on and ignore the pain..trying to cope with the emotional issues arising between my kids. Trying and failing because of the pain. I need to take care of me so I can heal. I keep telling myself it's OK for me to take care of me. That I'm not being selfish or self-centered....

So, I've been spending a lot of time here..in my bed.
Resting, with a wheatie (like a hot-water bottle)
 
..and when I've been up to it I done a little art.

Some doodling....

..some drawing and colouring..

 ..and some painting.Well, applying
water to the water-colour drawing!
I'm not sure about the background.
I quite like the "textured" look...

 

 Oh...and I love my tree!
 I used Indian ink on water colour paper.
The background, coloured a soft blue.

I've also been reading.

These books my neighbour loaned me about
Paul Klee have been really interesting.

 They are pretty "intense" and "deep"...

 but his explorations and explanations has
opened my eyes to a greater artistic understanding.

 I "get" what he means by looking at form vs lack of form (chaos)

of line and shape and movement.

He explores how art happens based on nature

 ..and life forces. I never thought about that!

 His investigations of primal art forms intrigue me

 as well as his research of and relationship to nature.

 
What is interesting is, until I read about Paul Klee's interpretation, I would have looked at the above picture and my first thought would have been "it's a patchwork quilt!" Now, I'm seeing it though Klee's eyes..a pattern of rotations in colour.

And this is not just a beautifully-decorated cake..

...but an intricate design of line and form in shape.

So I've purchased some art books from FISHPOND 
I've been able to get two of them second-hand
for only $5....How cool is that!
They are...

 

 

I'm very excited about getting them and know they will be very useful and a great source of inspiration and information.

Week 4: 10 hours 
drawing/painting/reading/
researching the principles of art and artists