-
Self-figure
and Tree Angel
Find a quiet, private place to set up your clay and connect with your breath: Eyes open or closed, notice your inhales and exhales. Maybe it’s your chest rising and falling, the feeling of the air in and out of your nose or mouth…whatever is easiest for you to notice; stay with this simple breathing practice for about 5 minutes.
- Open your eyes, and begin to sculpt something that reminds you of you: nothing fancy, no detail required: it is more important that the object you make feels like you than looks like you.
- Make anything else that feels important: a tree, another object; something spiritual; whatever you are moved to make.
- Bake your sculptures according to the directions on the box.
- Imagine you are a child playing with dolls, and begin to dialogue with them: ask your Self-Figure questions and let the answers drop into your head, without judgement. This answers that come are only for you.
- Journal the answers and journal more questions.
- Repeat often.
Active imagination can be an extremely powerful, lifelong practice. It can provide deep insight into challenges from your past and present – it can also support you in creating a happier future.
Elizabeth
Elizabeth Bryan-Jacobs is a nationally known artist, creativity facilitator and bestselling author, currently pursuing a master’s degree in art therapy. Through her own recipe of art-making, mindfulness and nature, she supports individuals in awakening their inborn creativity. Her combination of practices opens a path inward to inner wisdom and insight that helps transform challenge to change. The result is a greater sense of presence, connection and empowerment, as well as the abiding joy that is the core of the creative process.
Elizabeth is also the author of bestselling Chicken Soup for the Soul: Count Your Blessings and Soul Models: Transformative Stories of Courage and Compassion.
Elizabeth’s passion to share the benefits of creativity, mindfulness and nature inspired her to pioneer Creative Awakenings: Where Spirit Meets Science, a series of innovative, transformational seminars. She has shared Creative Awakenings for nearly two decades, privately and at exclusive venues like Canyon Ranch in Lenox, MA, The Golden Door Spa in San Marcos, CA, the Ojai Valley Spa and Resort as well as with numerous corporations.
To support wellness during challenging times, Elizabeth now offers Awakenings Circles. These online, mindfulness-based creativity programs and practices help guests dig deeply on their journey in connecting with what matters most.
Elizabeth is a renowned sculptor and artist with works in numerous private and corporate collections, including Dell Children’s Hospital and Healthline Media.
Along with her husband, artist Bobby Jacobs, she is also the co-founder of The Spread Your Wings Project, a non-profit devoted to sharing the benefits of community art-making in response to the challenges faced by our nation today. The couple builds massive pairs of angel wings in community with vulnerable populations for fundraising purposes. For more information, visit TheSpreadYourWingsProject.org.
Leave A Comment