A New Perspective
A New Perspective
Providing Mindfulness Groups since 1998
15 Minute Phone Consultation
available at no charge
For more information, to set up an appointment or to register:
703-820-6732
Intuitive Painting
Paint like you did as a kindergartner: spontaneously and for the pure enjoyment of it. Follow your intuition or muse and learn to disregard your rational mind. Keep your eye on the tip of the brush, and as you do this over the long term, 10,000 joys and 10,000 sorrows will arise and pass away, and bit by bit, you’ll transcend your past conditioning.
Not a traditional painting class, this self discovery process leads to
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•personal and spiritual insights,
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•deep states of concentration and peace,
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•the ability to more fully experiencing pleasant emotions,
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•increased skill in tolerating uncomfortable emotions and,
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•great fun.
You’ll receive step by step instructions on how to put paint on paper, which will lead you into painting intuitively. You’ll hear prompts and questions throughout the day to help you get out of your rational mind. Opportunities for individual guidance are available. You’ll also participate in Mindfulness Meditations and activities that will help you start painting.
We strive to create a safe and supportive environment by asking people to refrain from commenting on other’s paintings. We’re not interested in what your painting looks like. We're interested in what happens to you as you paint. Absolutely, no art experience or confidence is needed. It’s helpful for people new to painting as well as experienced painters.
Excellent for anyone who wants to relax, dive deeper into their personal experience or sharpen their intuition.
Workshops are also available in your workplace and for groups of colleagues or friends.
10 -1 PM
On Zoom or In person, whichever you prefer:
A hybrid meeting
We usually meet once a month. Next class Sat. 4/15
For more information or to register:
Intuitive Painting Flier, registration, FAQs 2021* 10.pdf
703-820-6732
"The session showed me that it’s okay to just dive in and trust that something good will happen in the experience and the paintings."
1st- time painter
FAQS FOR EVERYONE
What’s the difference between this and a painting class?
People go to a traditional painting class is to produce a product, a painting, or learn how to paint. A traditional class teaches technique and the current preference in the art world. The goal of intuitive painting is to free you; to free you from past conditioning and free you from suffering. The painting is just a vehicle to get there. We’re concerned about the process and what happens to you as you paint. We’re not concerned about what the painting looks like.
What’s the difference between this method and just trying to paint from my intuition.
This method makes it easier for you to paint from your intuition, so you won’t get off track, slip into painting from your rational mind or end up in a spiritual culdesac. We come from a place that throws away traditional rules that paintings should look a certain way. Facilitators ask you questions to help you keep out of your rational mind and guide you away from the stories you’re telling yourself that keep in the same terrain.
Teaching yourself to intuitively paint is a little like teaching yourself to meditate. You can do that, but it’s so much easier to learn from a teacher and you usually go deeper.
What’s the difference between this and art therapy?
Art therapy clients are encouraged to express their emotions, and describe and analyze their paintings. Intuitive painters are very mindful of their emotions, but rather than express them, they are encouraged to simply feel and paint. This teaches you how to deeply feel pleasant emotions and tolerate or transcend challenging ones. Intuitive painters are strongly discouraged from analyzing their paintings because that brings them into their thinking mind and away from their intuition.
Do you come to one session or more than one session?
You can do either. Many people come to multiple sessions because they get deeper into the process, learn more about themselves and feel like the painting impacts their being.
Can you explain how the painting is a “vehicle”?
Rumi, the 13th century Sufi mystic and poet, wrote about two kinds of intelligence. The first kind is “acquired in school from memorizing facts and concepts,” which I see as similar to a traditional painting class.
The other kind of intelligence is “a fountainhead from within you, moving out…A spring overflowing its springbox.” When we intuitively paint, we’re creating from this second kind of intelligence. We’re creating from within to get something much greater than a painting. The painting is just a means to an end. We’re using painting to get something else for us.
I don’t know all of what that something else is, but I do know that it’s about a deep connection with the creative source. It’s about past conditioning melting away from us. And maybe it’s about what Thomas Merton, the revered monk, and mystic referred to as “becoming the ‘true self."
FAQS FOR ZOOM USERS
Where should I paint in my home: It’s best to select a space where you’ll have privacy and won’t be interrupted unless you’re painting with someone else in which case you can paint in the same room. It’s easiest to paint on paper hanging on the wall, but you can also paint on paper on tables. Be cognizant that the paints can drip and you'll need to put paper or a drop cloth below the painting.
What if there’s no space: Try attaching your paper to the side of the refrigerator or a shower door or painting on a table.
What supplies do I need:
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1)Tempera paints are best because they flow easily although you can use any paint, chalk pastels or markers,
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2)18” x 24” mixed media paper or any smooth white, 80# cardstock, vellum, or cover stock or white poster board,
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3)3 different sized natural bristle, squirrel quill or drop shape watercolor brushes
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4) palette or paper plate if you want to mix paints (optional),
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5)bowl of water to get water on your brush and clean your brush,
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6)paper towels,
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7)painter’s blue tape to attach paper to the wall,
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8)larger paper to put under the painting to protect the wall (optional. The painting usually washes off, but you never know.)
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9)an apron or smock.
Where should I get the supplies:
Any art and craft store should have supplies. I get my supplies at dickblick.com, michaels.com or amazon.com.
How much would supplies cost?
The cost varies greatly. Since we are painting for process and not product, we don’t need to buy expensive paints. Art supplies go on sale frequently.
Supply details
Using these supplies will enhance your experience, but feel free to use different materials if you can’t find these, such as other paints, chalk pastels, markers or paintbrushes. The following are examples from amazon.com. Many other items are available at a wide range of prices.
Tempera Paint: Crayola Tempera Paint Set,
2-Ounce, 6 Count;$10https://www.amazon.com/Crayola-Washable-Classic-Painting-Supplies/dp/B00004UBH2/
ref=sr_1_22?dchild=1&keywords=2+oz.+tempera+paint+for+kids&qid=1611016167&sr=8-22
Gauche Paint:$18 Arrtx Gouache Paint Set, 18 Colors x 30ml
Watercolor Brushes
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•https://www.amazon.com/Watercolor-Squirrel-Paintbrush-Painting-Detailing/dp/B07Z4HPKBL/ ref=sr_1_9?dchild=1&keywords=squirrel+watercolor+mop+brushes&qid=1611015349&sr=8-9
would be good to get one larger brush -
•https://www.amazon.com/Fuumuui-Professional-Squirrel-Watercolor-Painting/dp/B07G2641YT/ ref=sr_1_18?
dchild=1&keywords=children%27s+squirrel+mop+watercolor+brush&qid=1610419597&sr=8-18