A Spiritual Process
I have begun reading one of my required books for my research graduate class this semester, called Roads to Junction: Making Art, Teaching Art - by Ed Check and Future Akins. This book is of special interest to me because it is about the graduate art program that I am currently working through at Texas Tech University for a Masters of Art in Art Education. The book is about when the program was held in Junction, Texas and also includes excerpts written by some of those students who have traveled this path before me. The book is newly published, and so I feel lucky to be a current student that can benefit from the knowledge of others who have gone before
This past summer part of my graduate program was held in Fredericksburg, Texas, and so I have experienced one summer studio course so far. The program has gone through some physical transitions location wise - but basically is the same program with very similar curriculum and concepts.
As I was reading the introductions to the book written by Future and Ed, I very much identified with what both wrote about when talking about the preparation stage of going to Junction. Both wrote about this preparation stage as being part of a spiritual process for them, and truly - as a beginning part of the creative process. I remembered my own list of packing for Fredericksburg this last summer. The new supplies that I needed for printmaking, and the things that I didn't think I could live without for three weeks. My son Michael went with me last summer - so it was an adventure for both of us, and more things were considered and added to the list of our needs. Or taken off the list completely - as I have a small car and could only fit so much in!
As I was thinking about this preparation stage, it dawned upon me, that I was really in the same kind of process in creating my studio in the backyard. That this whole process of deciding what that studio space would be, how it would look, and how it is organized is all a part of the creative process, and is also very much a spiritual process. I feel a bit impatient to have it as I want, and to already be creating in this space, and to have it be the comfortable and practical space that I need it to be. However, I realize that I need to also celebrate where I am in this process, and not allow myself to be overwhelmed by it.
It is part of that thing of living one day at a time, and my life is very full indeed. I teach at a very economically challenged high school, with everything that phrase brings to mind. It takes a lot of energy daily to give to disadvantaged, at risk students. We work hard at trying to level the playing field of life a bit for them, and it is very much a privilege to do so. I wouldn't want to be anywhere else. And yet I realize that I am giving more of myself and I am challenged as a teacher to help meet their learning needs. As a Junior Sponsor, I will also be chaperoning their Prom tonight, and as I am on the clean up committee, I probably won't get back home until around 2 a.m. But I look forward to seeing these students enjoying themselves in one of the growing up rituals that we have in our culture.
We have also had a cold front come through, with a thunderstorm last night - so I am staying inside and staying warm today! Until it is time to go to the Prom, that is. I have decided that the best thing that I can do for myself today is to read, do some visual journaling and take a nap or two in preparation for this evening's marathon event.
Hopefully before the weekend is out, I will be able to head out to the studio and get a little something accomplished. But I also am feeling the need to embrace this process. As the process and moment that I am in creatively. Yes, it will be wonderful when the studio is at a place that I am able to work more in there and be comfortable doing it. But I am also realizing that I am creating now. I am creating an art studio. A space where I can create and be and grow and heal. And that is not only spiritual - I believe that it is sacred. I am in a process of creating a "sacred space" for myself. To sustain myself as a person, and as an artist, and as a human being upon this earth.
So, I embrace this spiritual process that I am currently in. And I choose to give myself grace in the process. For I still need time to "be" and "rest" and "breathe". And yes, of course, to create.
This past summer part of my graduate program was held in Fredericksburg, Texas, and so I have experienced one summer studio course so far. The program has gone through some physical transitions location wise - but basically is the same program with very similar curriculum and concepts.
As I was reading the introductions to the book written by Future and Ed, I very much identified with what both wrote about when talking about the preparation stage of going to Junction. Both wrote about this preparation stage as being part of a spiritual process for them, and truly - as a beginning part of the creative process. I remembered my own list of packing for Fredericksburg this last summer. The new supplies that I needed for printmaking, and the things that I didn't think I could live without for three weeks. My son Michael went with me last summer - so it was an adventure for both of us, and more things were considered and added to the list of our needs. Or taken off the list completely - as I have a small car and could only fit so much in!
As I was thinking about this preparation stage, it dawned upon me, that I was really in the same kind of process in creating my studio in the backyard. That this whole process of deciding what that studio space would be, how it would look, and how it is organized is all a part of the creative process, and is also very much a spiritual process. I feel a bit impatient to have it as I want, and to already be creating in this space, and to have it be the comfortable and practical space that I need it to be. However, I realize that I need to also celebrate where I am in this process, and not allow myself to be overwhelmed by it.
It is part of that thing of living one day at a time, and my life is very full indeed. I teach at a very economically challenged high school, with everything that phrase brings to mind. It takes a lot of energy daily to give to disadvantaged, at risk students. We work hard at trying to level the playing field of life a bit for them, and it is very much a privilege to do so. I wouldn't want to be anywhere else. And yet I realize that I am giving more of myself and I am challenged as a teacher to help meet their learning needs. As a Junior Sponsor, I will also be chaperoning their Prom tonight, and as I am on the clean up committee, I probably won't get back home until around 2 a.m. But I look forward to seeing these students enjoying themselves in one of the growing up rituals that we have in our culture.
We have also had a cold front come through, with a thunderstorm last night - so I am staying inside and staying warm today! Until it is time to go to the Prom, that is. I have decided that the best thing that I can do for myself today is to read, do some visual journaling and take a nap or two in preparation for this evening's marathon event.
Hopefully before the weekend is out, I will be able to head out to the studio and get a little something accomplished. But I also am feeling the need to embrace this process. As the process and moment that I am in creatively. Yes, it will be wonderful when the studio is at a place that I am able to work more in there and be comfortable doing it. But I am also realizing that I am creating now. I am creating an art studio. A space where I can create and be and grow and heal. And that is not only spiritual - I believe that it is sacred. I am in a process of creating a "sacred space" for myself. To sustain myself as a person, and as an artist, and as a human being upon this earth.
So, I embrace this spiritual process that I am currently in. And I choose to give myself grace in the process. For I still need time to "be" and "rest" and "breathe". And yes, of course, to create.
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