Why Painting Made Me a Better Parent
- Mariah Lander
- Dec 16, 2023
- 2 min read
Five years before my first son, Jonah (pictured above), was born, I strated intuitive process painting. I painted:
8-hours a day
10-days in a row
4 times a year
4 years in a row
I was part of the first process painting training offered by The Painting Experience, a studio run by Michele Cassou and Stewart Cubley located at that time in San Francisco.
In process painting:
I found a place where all of me could live- in color, in form, in flow, in the mystery
I developed the discipline to tolerate necessary discomfort for the sake of growth
I watched in awe as images appeared much to my surprise
I began to understand that things unfold organically if you don't force them
I saw that we all have direct access to this enormous source of life force inside us
I felt the conditioning I was given, that kept that life force blocked and caused pain
I learned that even if I didn't like something, it didn't mean I had to move away from it
I remembered the joyful freedom of expression I once knew as a child
And, I learned to trust, trust deeply all that was given to me in the painting process, that it was all there for my growth.
Little did I know that all of that would be my saving grace as a parent. It's hard to raise children, we don't know what we are doing while we are doing it. We learn on our feet. We live in the unknown everyday, doing the best we can. We meet all the conditioning we have been given-the good, the bad and the ugly - and we pray we only pass the good on to our children.
And our children, they are living in the unknown, everyday they are on the epic journey of learning hundreds of new things as they build their brains, their knowledge database, and all along the way, they want to smell the flowers, play in the sand, their eyes and hearts open to the world in awe. They still remember the deep mystery under everything.
Have you forgotten? Awe? The mystery? Trusting the unknown and you in it?
Letting the brush move you in color and form is an amazing way to get back to something your children already know - to be present, to listen, to sense and experience every moment with curiosity, a hunger for life, and a willingness to grow.
Painting reminded me to BE with my children and when I did, when I noticed what they noticed, listened to their words, followed their wanderings I found pure joy, just like in painting.
If you are curious about the path of painting visit The Center for Creative Exploration. to see a short film about intuitive painting and a list of classes and workshops being offered. Come join me, I will be offering a 3-week and a 9-week painting class starting next Tuesday evening.
3-week series:
Tuesdays, 6-8:30pm
March 16, 23, 30
$110-$160
9-week series:
Tuesdays, 6-8:30pm
March 16th-May 11th
$320-$450
We all need to step back and get perspective, see the big picture, especially when parenting. I hope to see you "in color" soon.
Warm-heartedly,
Maria
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