Reclaiming Artistic Expression

I rarely make an active effort to look at other people’s art as I do not wish to unintentionally replicate what I have seen and lose an authenticity in my expression.

Nonetheless, when it catches my eye, I cannot help but look.

I recently went to an exhibition put on by the Bethlem Royal Hospital Museum, where they were showing work by an Artist called Mud (I believe the exhibition is on until end of September). This exhibition shows the journey of Mud's experiences of mental health, and using mental health services. I strogly recommend you going, as the pieces and their descriptions felt like firewood had been thrown into my furnace. Mud had pieces that felt prescriptive to a lot of the hurt many of us carry and could connect to.

Art By Mud - Piece called Manifesto

The message behind Mud’s art spoke to me on so many levels. For me the piece above (plus many others, though I will not share all the pieces of Mud's exhibition I loved, as I do feel it is worth the visit) shouted back at all oppressive voices that egoically impose art is to be accessed by a "certain few". It rebels at the idea that art is something one must have to study in order to be an artist, or that art has to “look a certain way” in order for it to have meaning. And I find it sad, but understandable when I draw with someone and they say "I don't know how to draw, I am not very good at art" even for those who have studied art! Mud's exhibition for me, felt like it spoke out against the various "ism's" that try to make people feel insecure and restricted in their creative ability.

For me, artistic expression, be it drawing to dancing is firstly ancestral + intuitive, it is ritualistic, personal and something enjoyed in isolation or with community. So by that nature, we are all artist, for we represent the largest art-form ever known to humankind, Life.

I have not yet had the honour to meet Mud, but should I do, I hope to look them in their eyes and say thank you. Thank you for this soul felt expression, thank you for speaking to all of our inner child’s, thank you for the encouragement and thank you for turning your pains into passion.

Racquel TISFA - Inner Child Encouragement. This drawing was done in session with a client who was working on healing their inner child wounds due to family trauma, and was my depiction on them returning love back to themselves. The voice over is from my beautiful niece, who I hope and trust as she grows remembers the sentiment she organically shared with me when I asked how it felt to draw and what drawing means to her.

One Love, always.

Racquel.

Free Guided Meditations

Just like my drawing practice, I found a deep healing connection for intuitive movement.

Below are two videos, Sun Dance and Body Drumming, to help with emotion regulation, and can be done whenever you feel necessary.

How you choose to follow the videos is entirely up to you. Following it directly may help with guiding you into the movements, however it is not necessary for you to follow it directly as you see me do it.

If you wish to sit down and sway in your chair, instead of being stood up, do it!

If your body is asking you to bend a limb in a certain way that you don’t see me doing, do it!

If your hand wants to body tap other parts of your body, please do it!

Sway With Me - Sun Dance. Music is not owned by me, the owner is Culture Capital, song called Khaya

Body Drumming

I hope these guides helps return some joy and peace back into your body. And most importantly I hope you get lost in the freedoms of moving your body in ways that feel natural, instinctive, enjoybale, respecful and easy to you!

One love, always.

Racquel.

Your First TISFA

Like most of us, I first found drawing at a child and fell out of love with it by the time I hit secondary school. I was often being made to feel that how I was expressing myself didn’t meet the “style” they were trying to teach me.

I then rediscovered drawing in my 3^rd year of university, 9 years ago. At the time I found myself entering a deep connection, realisation and a oneness with all living things, from people, the elements, animals, and plants. Spiritually I was becoming awakened to a sesne of Universal Oneness, and intuitively this brought me to drawing.

The piece I drew that day consisted of several basic, yet essential materials: a few biro pens, an a4 paper that I had folded into quadrants and some background music. Since that day 9 years ago, I have found myself feeling more connected and grounded when I made space to draw/tisfa, especially when spending time with myself vs being in the mix of others. It connected to me to my subconscious, my spirituality and to God. I later formally turned this into a self-regulation tool.

My first ever TISFA, 9 years ago. It represents a journey and the barriers to reaching a place that feels free (both internally and externally). Nonetheless, it is a journey I have chosen to travel, and one that God is guiding me through. The image consists of a bridge over water, the bridge has missing planks, which indicates the skilfulness needed to overcome barriers, both at the beginning and the end of the journey. It started from a place that felt barren and into a place where Life appears more flourishing (this again can be interpreted both internal and external). I will leave the rest of the interpretation to you, and I wonder how this image may relate to where you feel you are in your story/journey.

The demo video below is an example of what the process of drawing felt like for me for a long time, and even now on occasion. I have come to understand that this second guessing of self-expression is a result of negative experiences, and there is so much freedom when you rebel against the old echoes of rejection, isolation, and othering.

TISFA: Drawing Through Self Doubt

To TISFA has felt like a processing of welcoming myself back home. This “home” being the way you hold the image and meaning of yourself, knowing that at the door you may be met with judgement, self-criticism and imagined dismissal. However, patience through this practice teaches that the deeper you walk into the Home of Your Mind, there is a deep love, acceptance, divinity and humility: it is waiting for you to see and waiting for you to hear. All it asks, is that you Trust its love for you is true. You may then discover these are the whispers of the wishes of your own inner child, and if you are spiritually inclined, you may discover an ancestral connection.

As always, I look forward to speaking with you and to one day drawing with you.

One love,

Racquel