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Painting from the Source: Awakening the Artist's Soul in Everyone
Imagine yourself painting with no hesitations, no conflicts. Your brush dips into pots of vibrantly colored paint; inner inspiration guides your hand into lines and shapes that find their perfect places on the paper . . . Welcome! I'm Aviva Gold, your guide to the magic source. As children, all of us lived and painted intuitively. And as adults we can re-create the boundless joy of unselfconscious art by setting aside intellectual critique and self-doubt and reconnecting with the source. Remember standing at an easel as a child and painting in a trancelike state of wonder? Somewhere along the line this freedom gets trained out of us, and we are either categorized as artists or not. Paint and remember! Return to the easel with the same childlike sense of play. My program is not about regimentation. Learn to let go of inhibitions, relinquish control, and embrace the source. Using simple materials--tempera paints, newsprint--paint without worrying about the end product. Just let go, and begin! Every human being is an artist. In Bali, one word means both "human" and "artist." Just show up and face a blank piece of paper. Tap into the source. Revitalize! Transform! Now, imagine yourself painting . . .
- GenresArt
222 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1998
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
July 5, 2011
I am of two minds about this book.
On the one hand, a willingness to break through and completely submerge into the source is a very valid approach for fostering creativity, especially in those who are getting started and those who are blocked in the creative arts. And I like that this book focuses on painting alone, and stresses simple to use and inexpensive materials so that there is no psychology of fear of ruining. Although I am concerned that somebody might continue to use such materials and at some point find that their masterpiece disintegrates, she does give responsible transitional advice about archival media.
There is something touchy-feely or new age about her approach that may trigger an allergy in some readers. There is an aspect of such thinking that involves surrender to the subconscious mind or transrational self, and in that sense I am in pretty wholehearted agreement. But there is a tendency to dive for Jungian archetypes and images in a literary way that seems a little forced, and I sense that in her painting from the source workshops there would be a subtle or not so subtle pressure to dig out these images any time somebody came up with essentially nonrepresentational imagery, however vivid and intense.
On the one hand, a willingness to break through and completely submerge into the source is a very valid approach for fostering creativity, especially in those who are getting started and those who are blocked in the creative arts. And I like that this book focuses on painting alone, and stresses simple to use and inexpensive materials so that there is no psychology of fear of ruining. Although I am concerned that somebody might continue to use such materials and at some point find that their masterpiece disintegrates, she does give responsible transitional advice about archival media.
There is something touchy-feely or new age about her approach that may trigger an allergy in some readers. There is an aspect of such thinking that involves surrender to the subconscious mind or transrational self, and in that sense I am in pretty wholehearted agreement. But there is a tendency to dive for Jungian archetypes and images in a literary way that seems a little forced, and I sense that in her painting from the source workshops there would be a subtle or not so subtle pressure to dig out these images any time somebody came up with essentially nonrepresentational imagery, however vivid and intense.
February 9, 2020
I read this in one sitting. Now I am in the process of going back through more slowly. I already practice intuitive, spontaneous art, but I haven't been painting large scale lately. This book was recommended by a trusted Expressive Arts facilitator. I will try to write a proper review once I go through more of her process. This feels like the right timing for this juicy inspiration. The book seems to hold up well even for being 20+ years old.
November 17, 2017
I read this book in one suiting and have been clearing out a workspace in the sunroom to serve as my studio while I wait for the tempera paints and paper to arrive from Amazon.
May 13, 2011
I was just thinking about this book today. A few years ago, I picked it from the library on a whim. And I loved it! It really inspired me. The author talks about how as children, we paint and draw for joy. But then we grow up and learn how to critique things and learn to label ourselves as either being good or bad at something. So this book is all about reconnecting to that child like place that paints and creates as a pure expression of joy. She describes painting as a meditation, a spiritual practice of sorts, where you push aside that inner critic and unleash yourself. You don't ask for feedback from others, you just create. She makes it clear that you don't need expensive paints or fancy brushes in order to paint. The book tells you to remove all those mental blocks that would otherwise keep you from just enjoying the experience of creating.
It was a refreshing and fun book. After I read it, I went through a phase when I did a lot of paintings that are really interesting to look at now. I used cheap tempera paints and just let myself have fun.
The principles espoused in the book could be applied to any artistic medium, so I really would recommend it to anyone who loves to be creative.
It was a refreshing and fun book. After I read it, I went through a phase when I did a lot of paintings that are really interesting to look at now. I used cheap tempera paints and just let myself have fun.
The principles espoused in the book could be applied to any artistic medium, so I really would recommend it to anyone who loves to be creative.
May 8, 2011
Love this! I'm about halfway through it and can't wait to get started on the actual painting. It was recommended by Gillian, who is a massage therapist/EFT practitioner/sensitive who got very excited about me doing this, and I can see why. Very excited about this one!
May 15, 2016
As I venture into my new creative pursuits, this is JUST the book I needed to let go and let myself paint. Inspiring and also great useful tips to keep myself motivated and protective of my creativity.
February 9, 2013
Outstanding....I can't wait to start...so yogic
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews