This is the letter I wrote to the college late 2011 when I was to begin my course. I was going through my computer to find a file and came across this letter. I was blown away at the insight of what I already knew what art therapy could offer, way before I even began the course
Our inner beings DO KNOW what we love to do and what sings to our soul
I wanted to share this intimate letter, ruff as its written, as I generally do stumble with grammar and putting words down on the page ...and jet I took a huge leap doing each assignment during the course, but also found it easy. I was right out of my comfort zone and enjoying the adventure of learning on so many levels.
For me being a Transpersonal Art Therapist is creating that sacred space for any one to come and feel safe enough to find their inner knowing their inner guidance and voice. Being the witness is such an blessing and an honor for me.
Thank you everyone for the privilege to do this work :-)
For the past 12 years I have been delving into many spiritual practices, yet everything I do seems to bring me back to the same things, colour and art.
I undertook the 12 week practice early 2000 of The Artists Way, and found it to be what opened me up to the dormant artist that lay hidden for many years. Both confronting and challenging, I also found it exciting and somewhat a very natural process, a journey that I loved to take with myself which took me to my first Exhibition in 2002 ‘OBella Diva seeing through Eyes of Joy.’
My journey as an artist had begun and from that came a desire to teach though colour and emotions, yet I felt some components missing and as much as I have put together a program to teach, whether it be confidence in me or the material I’ve gathered I feel the need to take this next step and embrace the title of Art Therapist.
It may be the ego needing the identity to stand in or just what society expects us to have, even though I know deep down inside the knowledge is there as it was through the journey of so may self help programs I’ve taken, it may be that what I need is the right environment to practice and be guided in what comes so natural to me, the language of art and colour.
I have been in a very uncomfortable place for the past 5 years resisting this next step, yet I know even the resistance has its place at times, and through this time where most of my past has been stripped away I know now that has been part of the lessons to take and help others make peace with life, learning compassion and a higher meaning for what happens in our life, as well as the understanding that we have the ability and power to change the situation.
Others may use kinesiology, massage, or other ways to help heal, but for me I feel more comfortable through the arts, whether it be through painting, dance, singing, colour, the medicine is inside us.
When I did my Visual Art course at the Rocks at the School of Colour and Design I found the book (not through the course but the book jumped out to me at a book store) ‘Art Heals’ how creativity cures the soul by Shaun McNiff. It gave me an understanding of art as a more grounding practice, an insight of how misunderstood art has been.
What a gift we all possess if we are allowed to, in a safe environment, bring out that master within.
As I write this I feel a warmth inside; to one day be a witness of what I feel when I allow myself to surrender to my creativity, my innocence, my inner medicine and see others find their messages and Guidance Thought Art as I do .
So I’m hoping at the end of the course I will be confident to guide others to “re-connect to their soul”, either through my love of colour and the chakra system or what I will learn on this new adventure I am about to undertake.
I am looking forward to the experience of what I feel to be my life’s mission, now that my children are young adults and on their own journeys; I can dive into the next chapter in my life without feeling guilty of my duty as a mother and totally embrace stepping into my new role in life.
Stephanie Gregory
Our inner beings DO KNOW what we love to do and what sings to our soul
I wanted to share this intimate letter, ruff as its written, as I generally do stumble with grammar and putting words down on the page ...and jet I took a huge leap doing each assignment during the course, but also found it easy. I was right out of my comfort zone and enjoying the adventure of learning on so many levels.
For me being a Transpersonal Art Therapist is creating that sacred space for any one to come and feel safe enough to find their inner knowing their inner guidance and voice. Being the witness is such an blessing and an honor for me.
Thank you everyone for the privilege to do this work :-)
For the past 12 years I have been delving into many spiritual practices, yet everything I do seems to bring me back to the same things, colour and art.
I undertook the 12 week practice early 2000 of The Artists Way, and found it to be what opened me up to the dormant artist that lay hidden for many years. Both confronting and challenging, I also found it exciting and somewhat a very natural process, a journey that I loved to take with myself which took me to my first Exhibition in 2002 ‘OBella Diva seeing through Eyes of Joy.’
My journey as an artist had begun and from that came a desire to teach though colour and emotions, yet I felt some components missing and as much as I have put together a program to teach, whether it be confidence in me or the material I’ve gathered I feel the need to take this next step and embrace the title of Art Therapist.
It may be the ego needing the identity to stand in or just what society expects us to have, even though I know deep down inside the knowledge is there as it was through the journey of so may self help programs I’ve taken, it may be that what I need is the right environment to practice and be guided in what comes so natural to me, the language of art and colour.
I have been in a very uncomfortable place for the past 5 years resisting this next step, yet I know even the resistance has its place at times, and through this time where most of my past has been stripped away I know now that has been part of the lessons to take and help others make peace with life, learning compassion and a higher meaning for what happens in our life, as well as the understanding that we have the ability and power to change the situation.
Others may use kinesiology, massage, or other ways to help heal, but for me I feel more comfortable through the arts, whether it be through painting, dance, singing, colour, the medicine is inside us.
When I did my Visual Art course at the Rocks at the School of Colour and Design I found the book (not through the course but the book jumped out to me at a book store) ‘Art Heals’ how creativity cures the soul by Shaun McNiff. It gave me an understanding of art as a more grounding practice, an insight of how misunderstood art has been.
What a gift we all possess if we are allowed to, in a safe environment, bring out that master within.
As I write this I feel a warmth inside; to one day be a witness of what I feel when I allow myself to surrender to my creativity, my innocence, my inner medicine and see others find their messages and Guidance Thought Art as I do .
So I’m hoping at the end of the course I will be confident to guide others to “re-connect to their soul”, either through my love of colour and the chakra system or what I will learn on this new adventure I am about to undertake.
I am looking forward to the experience of what I feel to be my life’s mission, now that my children are young adults and on their own journeys; I can dive into the next chapter in my life without feeling guilty of my duty as a mother and totally embrace stepping into my new role in life.
Stephanie Gregory