It has been seven days since this project was started. It has not been an easy ride to open up and share these deeply personal emotions and thoughts. It must be said, however, that it has given me a focus for each day and pushed me beyond my creative barriers.
Going through the process of being in the moment, open, connected to the raw, exposed depths of me, has taken me on a discovery, that I am not shirking from. In fact, when it feels overbearing, fraught, I am sitting with it, in silence, letting it settle before going with it and creating that depth. I do this because I recognise that's exactly what I need to do, for that's exactly where I am at and anything else would not be, raw, exposed or unapologetic.
What has come from this project so far, is something far beyond its original intention of helping me. It has touched the depths of many others and opened them up to conversations around the photographs and art work produced.
Some have shared their own depths with me and what my art and photographs have evoked in them. Most have also been raw and exposing for them. For me that is the essence of art - an evoking of emotions, a connection for the artist and the viewer of the art work/photograph.
It has opened up an opportunity for others to have a voice about their life in that moment and to recognise what they feel needs to happen for them. This has touched me beyond words. It has been humbling to know that what I have shared is awakening, stirring others to share and not feel isolated.
Yes, we recognise there is always someone worse off than you. I know I am truly blessed in many ways. Knowing this, however, does not mean you ignore your own depths. To do that would be to deny self, to reject self, the opportunity to change, to heal, to accept all of you, warts and all.
In recognising these depths and becoming creative is a cathartic way of pushing through the brutal acceptance of life's conditioning of self - to remain silent with such taboos as depression and struggles. Art teaches us to break the cycle of conditioning. It allows us to express a little heard voice, the voice of you, independent, passionate, unique and unapologetic.
To be raw, exposed and unapologetic through the creative process, lays new foundations, new neural, cognitive pathways and in turn giving you new tools to express the core of you in the moment. You do not have to share your creativity, however, to be open and vulnerable to that exposé of who you are in that moment gives authenticity to the creative process. It asks you to truly reveal the depths of you in the moment. You cannot hide true authenticity - it simply shines through.
Being authentic and vulnerable in turn pushes through the change and removes the stains and shackles of life's conditioning. You become alive, breathing, returning to the whole of your pure soul.
Yes, it is true today, I felt the need to hide, to dis-co-nnect. Yet, simultaneously this is also recognising where I am at in the moment. The tide will turn. I look forward to moving on with this project and seeing where it takes me.
I am grateful to those who are coming on this voyage of discovery with me. To those who have made their voices heard to me. For all the love and support, I have had. For the opportunity and the skills to create positive change in this raw, exposed and unapologetic way.
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