Holding your flow.

A friend told me about a dream she had…….In the dream she saw me holding a diamond shape between my hands, really focusing on that act. The shape was glowing with a red light. There was a lot going on around me, but all my focus was on me holding that diamond shape. 

I was laughing, because it is exactly where I’am at. I see it as me holding my flow. Because it’s all I’am doing. The only thing that matters to me is holding that flow. It’s to substain that feeling of aliveness.

 How do yo substain the flow. ? Hold your flow.

If your only aim is to hold that flow, your energies will get higher and higher, more and more aligned with all that you are. You will begin to operate from within.  You will act from your inner knowledge and guidance. So hold your flow. Your flow is the feeling of being alive. It’s the feeling of being vibrantly alive. It’s the feeling of endless possibilities, and no fear.

What actions makes you feel alive? What do you really want? Ask yourself these questions. Because your flow is not mine flow……..What makes me feel alive, is proberly not the same for you. Find your own path. Without looking for outer validation. Without caring about what other people does, or thinks. Don’t do your actions to please others. Do what makes you feel alive. Go for that feeling. It’s not being fine or okay. It’s being ruthlessly honest about what you want, and what really matters for you.

 Then you will start glowing from within. Nothing can stop you, when you don’t operate from fear.

Marie J.Engelsvold. Process. Diamond shape. Hexagon. 2020

For me there is no choice. It’s about being alive or death. I choose to be alive.  For many years I was in between, half death half alive. In between. Just living, doing what I thought I had to do, trying to get by as an artist.  Buying into all the rules about being an artist. Giving my power away. Not really daring to stand up, to step out of the shadows.

I thought I would be happy if I had success as an artist, if I could sell my works. Being in the right galleries or museums. I didn’t really realize what success was for me….what made my heart beat stronger. What made me feel empowered and free. 

A lot of outer circumstances…shaked med alive. I was in a kind of roller coaster of events…..that forced me to reinvent everything in my life. I had a spiritual awakening

Now it’s all about  being alive. All about love. All about being me. I can’t just be satisfied with being okay, and getting by. Nothing can tempt me, if the feeling is not right. I have been there, long enough….and so have you….maybe?

My art praxis has totally changed. I’am not so interested in just get my works to be exhibited….I’am not so interested in the right places, the art places. Nothing wrong with galleries, and museums…but I just don’t get so excited about these places.

I’am not interested in struggling, and making it so hard. Struggling to get recognition. No, that energy is too hard, too forced, it doesn’t feel right. It doesn’t feel good.

The flow energy is strong, but very gentle and light. It’s easy going, and full of fun, play and adventures. It’s loving and free. You do what is easy, and fels right. You don’t plan everything, every little detail.  

Marie J.Engelsvold. Process. Diamond shape. Hexagon. Drawings. 2020

No, you let things be open…open so you can be fully present to play…..and go with the flow….you have to make room for the flow to expand. 

 I really get into my flow, when I’am building, playing and experimenting with a lot of different materials, just playing with all the possibilities. Creating and decreating. Lately  I have moved my art praxis out of my studio….taking my materials outdoor. I go to the forrest , or the city. Making art in public. It’s fun to do art in other places than in the studio or in exhibition places. It’s fun to play outside, speaking with bypasses. Feeling alive. Because it’s so new and fresh. You don’t know what will happen. How people will react. How you can create in the new surroundings. You are out of your comfort zone. It’s an adventure.

 It really makes me feel alive.  Sometimes other people or artists  are joining me. I like to play and build with others…..to see what happens…how can we interact?

 It’s fun to be spontanuous, to not have everything planned. It’s all about the energy, the feeling. You know when you get there, nothing else matters really.

Marie J.Engelsvold. Process. Building in public. Roskilde Cathedral. 2020.

So how do you hold that flow. That aliveness? To hold it, you have to let go of everything that is keeping you small and limited. 

You have to let go of fear and doubt. You have to let go of not being good enough. You have to let go of what you thought you can or cannot do. You can’t be in flow, or feeling alive if you have fear.

In my experience what happens in the flow, is that everything in you, not alligned with that conciousness will come up. I regulary go through purging. I don’t resist when emotions are getting triggered, I just accept them, or express them…through rage or crying. I know I just have to embrace the feelings so that I can go back in the flow. 

Marie J.Engelsvold. Process.Building in studio. 2019

Go even higher. But the purging of emotions is also part of being alive.

I mean you are truely not half dead in that state. You expand. In the acceptance of all your feeelings, in the acceptance of all of yourself. You are not afraid of any feeling or emotion. 

When you are in fear, when you go around half dead, thinking everything is okay…you resist feeling your emotions. You close yourself from feeling anything. You numb yourself. Then you are operating from the mindstate….where everything is about control.

You can’t be in flow operating from the mind state. That’s not possible.

If you numb yourself from feeling, how can you feel alive?  You can think how it feels to be alive. You can think how you think it feels to be alive. And you can act acording to what you think will make you feel alive. But it doesn’t make you feel alive. You can’t really feel, when you want to control what to feel. 

Marie J.Engelsvold. “Trophy of self love”. 100 x 70 cm. Acrylic paint on paper. 2019.

So coming back to holding the flow. It’s to feeling alive. It’s to connect with your feelings. What do you really want. Not what you think you want, or what other people wants…but what you want. Go within. What actions, what situations makes you feel alive. Really glowing. Really vibrating.

It’s to stop struggling, and instead go for fun. It’s where you feel light, and free.

It’s to love yourself, so much that you don’t do anything that makes you feel just okay. That makes you settle for less than what makes you glow. What you really deserve. Don’t settle for less. 

Hope you enjoyed this post. Have a very nice day. :-)

I’am sharing this information to you freely, from my own experiences. Hope you can use it in your own process. Any donation, is deeply appreciated. :-)

Donate

• Turtorials and tips
  • May 15, 2019 How to take your drawings, to the next level.
  • Apr 30, 2019 Be bold, let your light out.
  • Apr 6, 2019 How to start your drawing praxis.
  • Mar 8, 2019 What to do when you are stucked in the creative process??
  • Feb 13, 2018 How do you work with composition?
  • Jan 8, 2018 Make a kickstart.
  • Nov 20, 2017 Go bigger.
  • Nov 8, 2017 What is your drawings all about?
  • Oct 31, 2017 Wait!! Before you throw that drawing in the bin!!!!!
  • Oct 12, 2017 Find inspiration everywhere.
  • Oct 12, 2017 Experiment with shapes and lines.
  • Oct 12, 2017 Want to find your own visual language ?
• psycological aspects
  • May 26, 2020 Holding your flow.
  • May 6, 2020 The world is yours.
  • Apr 22, 2020 Let your heart decide.
  • Apr 18, 2020 Create from your self.
  • Apr 4, 2020 Expand your own signature.
  • Oct 9, 2019 How to shift out of the 3d perspective.
  • Sep 20, 2019 What is it, to be grounded?
  • Sep 10, 2019 How to follow your own flow.
  • Jul 28, 2019 Releasing your resistance to the moment.
  • Jul 15, 2019 Don't wait for life to be perfect, let go of control.
  • Jun 1, 2019 How to raise your vibration, through the creative process.
  • Apr 1, 2019 How embracing all parts of you, will help you in your art making.
  • Feb 20, 2019 Don’t resist the moment. Live your dream.
  • Feb 10, 2019 Why are we so hard on ourselves?
  • Feb 1, 2019 It's okay to say NO.
  • Jan 2, 2019 Let yourself shine in 2019 :-)
  • Nov 22, 2018 Look at your obstacles as adventures.
  • Feb 2, 2018 How to stay in the process?
  • Dec 20, 2017 Slow down
  • Dec 12, 2017 There is no "right" way.
  • Dec 5, 2017 Why it's important to unlearn.
  • Oct 12, 2017 Let your feelings be your guide.
  • Sep 5, 2017 Don't be afraid of change:-)
  • Sep 5, 2017 Express your feelings
  • Sep 5, 2017 Can drawing be a kind of meditation?
• turtorials
  • Apr 6, 2019 How to start your drawing praxis.
• video
  • May 15, 2019 How to take your drawings, to the next level.
  • Apr 30, 2019 Be bold, let your light out.
  • Apr 1, 2019 How embracing all parts of you, will help you in your art making.
  • Mar 8, 2019 What to do when you are stucked in the creative process??
  • Feb 20, 2019 Don’t resist the moment. Live your dream.
  • Feb 10, 2019 Why are we so hard on ourselves?
  • Feb 1, 2019 It's okay to say NO.

The world is yours.

Today I didn’t plan to make any podcast, or blog post. I didn’t plan anything, actually.

This day is mine. I can do what ever I want. I really like that. But I remember for some years ago, It made me uncomfortable, I didn't like not to have a plan. I always knew what to do. I made a to do list, the night before, or even the week before. So I knew exactly what I needed to do, to reach my goal. What I wanted.

But I don’t work like that anymore. I can’t do it, I have to go with my energies. Go with the flow. So I need to become aware of what is the right action. How can I use my energies in the best possible way? In a way that I feel really empowered. Instead of feeling that I have to do this..I have this on my “to do list”, so I have to go check, check, check.

I call it the hard way, the struggle way. If I do this, it drains me. I can’t do that anymore. I go for the easy way.

Today, I was sitting in the sun enjoying a coffee on my balcony. Enjoying the moment. But to be honest, I wasn’t quite enjoying it. I was a little worried , a little doubtful…it was very subtle…like a quiet nagging feeeling. I felt I had to go to the studio. I have an upcoming exhibition, but I haven’t really been diving into the process. It’s very open still. It’s have been very open for a long time. So I thought I had to go to my studio, the whole day, and really get it going. But I felt a little resistant, not so inspired.

Actually I felt fearful and doubtful because I have this open day, and I didn’t know what to do. Eventhough I’am quite used to go with my feelings, to tap into my body, and go with my energies and what I want….Today I was just not so grounded in that. But instead of going with my fears, and what I thought I had to do…I pulled my energies within.

I go within. Collect myself. Being present in my body. Because when you are in your fear mode, you are only centered in your mind. If you take action from that place, it will be full of fear. When you are in your mind, you are always in the future or in the past, trying to fix things from that perspective. But you can’t really fix anything which is rooted in this mind based fear. So I center myself. Pull my energies inside. Filling myself up, with my own energies. Sometimes if you give yourselve away to projects, ideas, other people, and situations. You will feel totally drained, because you are not rooted in your own reality. In your body.

Marie J.Engelsvold. “Alignment of energies” 70 x 100 cm. Naked heart. Swim Gallery. 2018. San Francisco. U.S.A. For purchase. Contact: Marie J.Engelsvold.

So I go within, just feeling my body. Sometimes it helps to go to my feets…when I go to my feets with my consciousness , with my thoughts….I go deep deep within. It’s grounding. I begin to relax, being still. My thoughts stops racing. In this relaxed state I start to pull my energies in.

But how do I do it? If there is a situation…for example I thought I had to go to the studio, but I didn’t felt like going. So I have given this situation a lot of energy, by thinking about it. I then take the energy back, by seeing the situation before my inner eye, taking my energies out….I always see my energy as a color. So I pull this energy out, by seeing this color leaving the situation, and taking it back within. I take it back. My energy.

It will feel very good, because it’s your energy, so it’s okay to take it back. When you are focusing on all these things outside of you, all these things you think you have to do, worrying about money, other people and their opinions, social media, projects.

Take your energy back from all this, and you will really feel how you recharge. You will feel so empowered by your own energies. When I do this little exercise, I feel really good. I’am coming back to myself. From that place I can take some action, that is rooted inside of me. From what I want, and not from worry or fear.

Marie J.Engelsvold. “My energy” 54 x 42 cm. Acrylics and paper cuts on paper. 2018. For purchase. Contact: Marie J.Engelsvold.

So I was sitting on my balcony, doing this little exercise, because I felt this doubt. Then I felt so much better, but I still didn’t know what to do today. I have a lot of options, cause I have always a lot of things going…

I went inside the apartment, and I noticed a magazine on a table. On it’s front cover it was saying “The world is yours”, with big bold letters. Wow, so strong. The world is yours, this sentence just got my energies in motion. Because it just reflected what I was at. So I grab a piece of paper, and started writing down some ideas. This sentence, and this episode/blog today I have named “The world is yours”

It’s so important, the world is not outside yourself. (It’s within. It’s my experience, you can disagree, of course.)

But I think the world is inside of you. Your world is inside of you. Everything you are experiencing in the outer world, is actually you.Your perception of the world. So, if the world is really yours…you don’t have to go out and do anything out there, that is not rooted inside of you. Because you create your outer wold inside of you. The world is yours inside of you.The world is inside of you. So start the action inside yourself, and you will see how everything will fall into place, with you taking the right action. You will feel really good.

You don’t have to worry, because you come from another place. You don’t come from fear, or doubt. You will not give all your energies away, to something outside of you. You are taking your energies back, so you can create your world from inside of you.

I noticed this sentence, and I got the spark, the energy the idea for this podcast/blog. It came from within.

Marie J.Engelsvold. From studio. 2018.

I have just started this podcast, I’am usually writing here on my blog. But one day I just wanted to do something else, to shake the energies out of repeating mode. I have made 5 episodes, so far, every time reading aloud from a manuscript. Actually I wanted to speak more freely, but it was a little hard for me to keep the track. But the original idea with the podcast, was to be more direct, to be more alive. But today coming from my grounded vibrant energy, I just wrote down some notes…and spoke without the usual manuscript.

It was so freeing.( If you are only reading, try to lisen’t for a change, it will make you perceive differently. )

So to come back to the sentence “The world is yours”. You have to go within. To be centered inside. Feeling your energies. Take your energies back from the outside world. Instead of separating you and the world, you become one with the world. You are the world. The world is not separated from you. it’s in you. You have total control, because the world is inside of you. It’s you. it’s the only thing you can control, it’s you. So when the world is inside you, it’s actually very easy to be in control.

Marie J.Engelsvold. "Release" 29,7 x 21 cm. Acrylic markers on paper. 2017. For purchase. Contact: Marie J.Engelsvold.

So don’t freak out, if you don’t know what to do, or what project to work on today. Try to go within, instead of following your “to do” list. We all have all these things, we think we have to do. If you have this feeling of obligation, I have to do this, I should do that, even though you don’t really feel like it. Just try this experiment. Instead of going with this energy of fear and doubt, go within. Feel your body, feel your feets. When relaxed, take back your energy from all the things you think you have to do. From all the people you think you have to please. Take it back, and fill yourself up.

Then you will feel energized. You will feel boosted, and centered. From this place you can ask yourself. “What do I want to do”? What do I really want to do today?” Not “What do I have to do today"? It’s your world. you decide. Allow yourself to go with that energy.

Hope you enjoyed this post. Have a very nice day. :-)

I’am sharing this information to you freely, from my own experiences. Hope you can use it in your own process. Any donation, is deeply appreciated. :-)

Donate

• Turtorials and tips
  • May 15, 2019 How to take your drawings, to the next level.
  • Apr 30, 2019 Be bold, let your light out.
  • Apr 6, 2019 How to start your drawing praxis.
  • Mar 8, 2019 What to do when you are stucked in the creative process??
  • Feb 13, 2018 How do you work with composition?
  • Jan 8, 2018 Make a kickstart.
  • Nov 20, 2017 Go bigger.
  • Nov 8, 2017 What is your drawings all about?
  • Oct 31, 2017 Wait!! Before you throw that drawing in the bin!!!!!
  • Oct 12, 2017 Find inspiration everywhere.
  • Oct 12, 2017 Experiment with shapes and lines.
  • Oct 12, 2017 Want to find your own visual language ?
• psycological aspects
  • May 26, 2020 Holding your flow.
  • May 6, 2020 The world is yours.
  • Apr 22, 2020 Let your heart decide.
  • Apr 18, 2020 Create from your self.
  • Apr 4, 2020 Expand your own signature.
  • Oct 9, 2019 How to shift out of the 3d perspective.
  • Sep 20, 2019 What is it, to be grounded?
  • Sep 10, 2019 How to follow your own flow.
  • Jul 28, 2019 Releasing your resistance to the moment.
  • Jul 15, 2019 Don't wait for life to be perfect, let go of control.
  • Jun 1, 2019 How to raise your vibration, through the creative process.
  • Apr 1, 2019 How embracing all parts of you, will help you in your art making.
  • Feb 20, 2019 Don’t resist the moment. Live your dream.
  • Feb 10, 2019 Why are we so hard on ourselves?
  • Feb 1, 2019 It's okay to say NO.
  • Jan 2, 2019 Let yourself shine in 2019 :-)
  • Nov 22, 2018 Look at your obstacles as adventures.
  • Feb 2, 2018 How to stay in the process?
  • Dec 20, 2017 Slow down
  • Dec 12, 2017 There is no "right" way.
  • Dec 5, 2017 Why it's important to unlearn.
  • Oct 12, 2017 Let your feelings be your guide.
  • Sep 5, 2017 Don't be afraid of change:-)
  • Sep 5, 2017 Express your feelings
  • Sep 5, 2017 Can drawing be a kind of meditation?
• turtorials
  • Apr 6, 2019 How to start your drawing praxis.
• video
  • May 15, 2019 How to take your drawings, to the next level.
  • Apr 30, 2019 Be bold, let your light out.
  • Apr 1, 2019 How embracing all parts of you, will help you in your art making.
  • Mar 8, 2019 What to do when you are stucked in the creative process??
  • Feb 20, 2019 Don’t resist the moment. Live your dream.
  • Feb 10, 2019 Why are we so hard on ourselves?
  • Feb 1, 2019 It's okay to say NO.

Let your heart decide.

How can you use your mind more constructively? And why is it sometimes sabotaging your creative process? Your joy and playfulness?

It's about knowing who is in charge. Very often we let our minds control it all. But in reality, it just needs to be used to back up your own creative power, that is centered in your heart.  You must let your heart decide. And this is where we often stumble. Our brains and control mechanisme are so trained to step in, sabotaging our process, making us doubt, making us feel we are not good enough. 

In your creative process, the brain should not be allowed to control. Here it can only be used for practical purposes. And to set the framework for the process.  

Marie J.Engelsvold. “My heart, my soul” Yarn, photo, wood. 2020.

The most important thing is to allow yourself. You have to take the lead, and tell your mind to let go as long as the creative process is in progress. When you have told the mind what to do, it calms down. Show it that you are in control. It’s you. You are acting from your core. Supported by your heart and feelings. You decide. Only you. You have to be very clear about that. If you want to express yourself from that inner wholeness and excitement. That feeling of aliveness. You can’t play any mindgames. There are no room for fear. You can’t allow any kind of fear.  

Marie J.Engelsvold. Sculpture play in local park. 2020

When you listen to your heart and your body you are grounded.

You could also say that when you operate from the heart, you are grounded in yourself and your emotions. You take your own feelings seriously, you take your own inner experiences more seriously than your external world. You believe in yourself. 

 When I am grounded, I am present with myself. I listen to my body, my heart, my inner child, my higher mind. Not fear, not worry. Not the things that everyone else tells me is the right way. It is only me who knows what makes me present, and at peace.  It's about trust. It is about trusting oneself. Then I'm grounded. It has nothing to do with how busy I am with the materialistic world. It has nothing to do with how big an income I have. 

 It has to do with how willing I am to be my own leader. Be my own guide. To take ownership of my life, and listen to my own needs and what I really need.  Taking care of myself. Defend myself. Being whole and honoring all my aspects. That is, dare to change direction.

 It's not like standing in the same place all your life, like a rock. I'm not a rock. It is to be open and to dare taking risks. To play with life. Life can be an adventure if you trust it. When we have no confidence, when we worry, we tend not taking risks. We do not go out of our own comfort zone. We remain limited, because the slightest movement from what we are used to is making us afraid.

You must be rooted in your own reality.

It is the only reality you are meant to be in. There is no reality outside of yourself, everything is a mirror of you. Because you can only experience reality through you.

We all have our own unique way of interpreting our reality.  We can be in the same place, we can maybe do the same things, meet the same people. But our experiences is completely different, or more accurately, our emotions are different. What we notice is different.  Our inner experience is completely different. We may agree that the grass is green, but the emotions around the grass are different. We have different memories when we see grass. When we smell grass. 

When I’m not grounded, I tend to live in a limited version of myself. I'm not really in touch with everything I am. With my wholeness. My core. I tend to live only on what I accept in myself. Because of this, I become very vulnerable. I become very unstable. I'm not really comfortable with my own diversity.  Sometimes it feels like I'm afraid of myself. Because I don't feel safe, I don't feel like I can trust who I am. 

 When you're only in the mental, it's a way to keep track of yourself. You control yourself. It's not a nice place to be. Constant concern. Comparison. Self-criticism. Selvsabortage. You are not supportive of yourself because you are not listening to yourself. You do not feel your feelings. You are only focused on the outside world. Of what you should be. Who you should be. You live in a mental picture. The key is to listen to your feelings. Thrust in yourself.  Listen to your body, what does your body want? What do you really want? When you honor your feelings, you are grounded.

 When I feel at peace, I can feel this grounded feeling in myself. It's like my roots are very stable. At the same time, I am moving. Constant movement. Constant in deep, intimate contact with my emotions, in every moment.  It makes me more curious, more spontaneous and more alive. When I am alive, I am very alert and very grounded.  

Marie J.Engelsvold. “Heart home” 78 x 44 x 3 cm. Wood, foam, textile, yarn. 2019. For purchase. Contact: Marie J.Engelsvold.

It's about finding and keeping your own flow.

I have experienced that you get so much more done if you go with the energy. It may look chaotic at the moment, and for some time. But you expand yourself in ways that are not possible if you limit yourself. Or stick to a fixed defintion, and go into automatic pilot. You can actually get stuck for years this way. 

 Instead, follow your feelings and sensations, even if you do not know where they are leading you. If you just do things because you have planned it and feel obligated to maintain your intention, you will experience being very heavy.  It will be boring, and will drain you, instead of lifting you up.

 Why spend your time that way? Why not ask yourself what you want to do instead?  Maybe you need a break.? Maybe a walk in the park will make you more inspired. Maybe it's your surroundings? Or you need to talk to someone? Sleep? You may be tired? Maybe the whole project is wrong? Maybe your relationship is draining, and negatively affecting you? Maybe your whole project, or your work, is not what you really dream of? 

Marie J.Engelsvold. “New pattern” 15 x 10,5 cm. Yarn, paper cuts, acrylic marker and pencil on paper. 2017. For purchase. Contact: Marie J.Engelsvold.

 Only you know it. No one but you.

 How easy can it be? Why fight and make it tough? If you follow your desire, the place where you feel lifted, go in that direction. If you feel heavy and drawn down by something, or someone, leave it. Go in a different direction, and most importantly, nourish the feeling of excitement and play.  

 Perform the activities that make you happy. Don't think about the result, just absorb yourself into the activity. What makes you happy and excited? You will attract more happiness into your life the more you allow yourself to go with your energy. Why go against your own energy?

 It all depends on your willingness to listen to your heart. To listen to your own truth, your own voice. Because you have to follow your flow, you don't have to follow other people's definition of flow, or your own definition. When you try to make a definition, it is your mental control that tries to settle. It loves recipes, so we can say "Then we do this"

 That's what we're up against. Our need to make recipes and then keep repeating the same acts. And why do we need the repetition? because we feel fear.  

Marie J.Engelsvold. “Nature nurture” Photo. 2019.

You cannot stop the power, from your deepest desire in your heart. Sometimes we ignore this heavy feeling, we go against our own power, our own life force. Because we get scared to go with the flow. You need to float. But most of us don't like to float, letting go of our beliefs. 

 We get so scared of this force because it is actually a huge force. So we fight it. But the power of our deepest desires from our hearts cannot be ignored. At some point it will force you down the river. But this is only if you have completely ignored your own inner guidance, your inner voice. Because if you're used to shutting down the energy and putting it in a box, making it into a fixed recipe, you can't feel your flow. You cannot feel your heart. You've shut your heart down. 

 To follow your flow, you have to be open to all possibilities. It can be hard work to begin with, because we are so used to holding on to energy all the time.

 Very often we lie to ourselves, we say, "Oh, I'm so happy about what I'm doing," even if we're not. Or we say, "Of course there are a lot of boring things, but that's life." Frankly speaking? When something is boring, it is actually a sign that we are not in our flow. We are moving against our own flow. 

The heart is not interested in settling down.

I am coming to the conclusion that it has something to do with the heart. The heart is not interested in settling down, sticking to one thing being so bored. The heart is not interested in hard work. The heart is not serious. The heart is not interested in being wise and skilled. The heart is only interested in love. To love and be happy. The feeling of being light or heavy comes from the heart. It is a kind of heart language.  It is not interested in having status in the community. It is not interested in putting things in boxes and categorizing things. It's only interested in how it feels. And wow! Isn't that so? You can make all the right choices from the outside, but if it doesn't feel right, it doesn't matter.

 So listening to your emotions is the key to getting into your flow. Not other people's definition of happiness and success, but your own.  So maybe that's why we're having a hard time being in flow? Very often the heart wants something completely different from our ego. It does not accept that you are lying to yourself. It does not accept pride, or status. It is not afraid of other people's opinions. 

 So if you are someone who has never really fit into a category. If you've done most things just because you wanted to. Could it be you have an open heart?

But it is not easy. Other people may not like your way of life. Why? Because it goes against the norm. You make other people uncomfortable.  We have learned to shut our hearts down, not to listen to our feelings. We live in a society that loves hardworking skilled people who are bored to death. Fear is the weapon.

 Maybe because of that, we think it is bad to change direction. Being open to all possibilities. To listen to one's own feelings, and follow one's own guidance.  To live life the way we want. Be happy and feel alive. To be blown away by energy, excitement and love. Can you tame such people?  No. You can't scare free people. You can only be in the flow if you listen to your own feelings and act on what you feel is right.  

Marie J.Engelsvold. “Inner knowing” Paper cuts, acrylic marker and pencil on paper. 2019. For purchase. Contact: Marie J.Engelsvold.

You have to follow your emotions without seeing the whole picture. Yes, the emotions can change. Like the wind, like the waves. But it's only on the surface, down in the depths, it's your heart that decides. That's your captain. The ripples on the surface are the captain's messages. The messages from the heart that you can follow. You have to follow your emotions without seeing the whole picture. the direction appears to you little by little.

You might think it has nothing to do with creativity or being an artist. But if you're not free, you can't really create.  That's my experience.  

 Use your mental skills to support your heart and flow.

In our society, it is often our brains and mental abilities that get overstimulated. We are generally very good at planning and structuring. But whay about playtime and the deeper meaning ? What about feeling alive? If we have to express ourselves. Our whole self.  We have to be in balance between the heart and the brain. So we must spend extra time and attention on the ability that is under-stimulated, which is typically our ability to play, and follow our heart.

 When you are in the creative process it is an interaction where you use your two abilities alternately. It happens completely automatically, but often the brain begins to interfere in the process and begins to sabotage, control and judge.   Instead, use what your mental abilities in a constructive way. You need its ability to control and discipline, to support your own creative power. To define the space in which you can create. So you decide that now you want to play. You set the time and the framework, which of course must be allowed to be changed along the way.

 But in the beginning you will feel most comfortable with having the framework of the process decided. For you are probably very good at following rules. So here you make your own rules, which you then follow.

Marie J.Engelsvold. “Green portal” in the making. 2019.

Make a plan around the process.

It is a good idea to start with a plan around your process. For example, start by setting a stopwatch for 20 minutes. In the 20 minutes you do exactly what you want. Your brain sets the frame, but in the process itself, it must not interfere. If your thoughts go in and analyze, evaluate or judge, you must shut it down. Show you are in charge. If it is very provocative, then start with 10 minutes, next time 20 minutes. Practice how long you can stay in the process. How long can you be present in the flow?

But how do we create and maintain the flow?

And how do we shut down the comments, sabotage, and self-criticism of our minds?  Very often, our minds /reason thinks it knows best. It will come with rules, and opinions and comparisons.

 We have learned a lot of things about being creative and there are a lot of rules. But being creative is actually about breaking rules. To shift out of the black and white mindset, the notion of something being right and wrong. We have to empty ourselves of all that we have learned, to start from scratch. To create without judging. To be able to step into the present.

To make contact with the deeper layers of ourselves that scream to be expressed. Create a space around you where everything is allowed, and measure your success on how free you felt.

Remember to be kind to yourself. Allow yourself to play. Be curious about the process. When the time is out, you can go back being mental. Look at what you have done.

It doesn't have to be a long process and be careful not to get into self-criticism and start judging your work. Unfortunately, this is often what happens when we are coming from the mind , we are sabortaging ourselves. The brain generally wants a result reasonably quickly. It becomes uncertain in a long process, and does not understand the meaning of surrendering and letting go of control. 

Try to pay attention when you are self-sabortaging. What can you do when that happens? Breathe all the way down to your stomach 3 times. Tell yourself and your brain that it's okay to be insecure. Accept the feelings that come up. Tell yourself that you are in a creative process, and it is normal to get scared. Tell yourself that you are in control.

Marie J.Engelsvold. “green portal ll” 84 x 54 cm. Pencil, textile, foam, paper cuts and acrylic marker on paper. 2019.

For purchase. Contact: Marie J.Engelsvold.

 Once you have reassured yourself, you go on to make your decision on how to move forward.  Sometimes you have more ideas on how to proceed, and may have difficulty choosing. Write down all your suggestions on a piece of paper and select one of them. You may want to use the other suggestions later or in another process.

 Primarily if you have any doubts, use your instinct. The most important thing, is to get past the doubt. When your mind is going in circles, then act. For everything you need happens in the process, you can't figure it out in advance. So embrace the process and don't be afraid because you have no control about the outcome. Trust your knowing in your heart. Trust your feelings and you will be safe.

If you want some more tips on how to silent your mind, and your inner critic read this previous blogpost:

What to do when you are stucked in the creative process??

I’am sharing this information to you freely, from my own experiences. Hope you can use it in your own process. Any donation, is deeply appreciated. :-)

Donate

• Turtorials and tips
  • May 15, 2019 How to take your drawings, to the next level. May 15, 2019
  • Apr 30, 2019 Be bold, let your light out. Apr 30, 2019
  • Apr 6, 2019 How to start your drawing praxis. Apr 6, 2019
  • Mar 8, 2019 What to do when you are stucked in the creative process?? Mar 8, 2019
  • Feb 13, 2018 How do you work with composition? Feb 13, 2018
  • Jan 8, 2018 Make a kickstart. Jan 8, 2018
  • Nov 20, 2017 Go bigger. Nov 20, 2017
  • Nov 8, 2017 What is your drawings all about? Nov 8, 2017
  • Oct 31, 2017 Wait!! Before you throw that drawing in the bin!!!!! Oct 31, 2017
  • Oct 12, 2017 Find inspiration everywhere. Oct 12, 2017
  • Oct 12, 2017 Experiment with shapes and lines. Oct 12, 2017
  • Oct 12, 2017 Want to find your own visual language ? Oct 12, 2017
• psycological aspects
  • May 26, 2020 Holding your flow. May 26, 2020
  • May 6, 2020 The world is yours. May 6, 2020
  • Apr 22, 2020 Let your heart decide. Apr 22, 2020
  • Apr 18, 2020 Create from your self. Apr 18, 2020
  • Apr 4, 2020 Expand your own signature. Apr 4, 2020
  • Oct 9, 2019 How to shift out of the 3d perspective. Oct 9, 2019
  • Sep 20, 2019 What is it, to be grounded? Sep 20, 2019
  • Sep 10, 2019 How to follow your own flow. Sep 10, 2019
  • Jul 28, 2019 Releasing your resistance to the moment. Jul 28, 2019
  • Jul 15, 2019 Don't wait for life to be perfect, let go of control. Jul 15, 2019
  • Jun 1, 2019 How to raise your vibration, through the creative process. Jun 1, 2019
  • Apr 1, 2019 How embracing all parts of you, will help you in your art making. Apr 1, 2019
  • Feb 20, 2019 Don’t resist the moment. Live your dream. Feb 20, 2019
  • Feb 10, 2019 Why are we so hard on ourselves? Feb 10, 2019
  • Feb 1, 2019 It's okay to say NO. Feb 1, 2019
  • Jan 2, 2019 Let yourself shine in 2019 :-) Jan 2, 2019
  • Nov 22, 2018 Look at your obstacles as adventures. Nov 22, 2018
  • Feb 2, 2018 How to stay in the process? Feb 2, 2018
  • Dec 20, 2017 Slow down Dec 20, 2017
  • Dec 12, 2017 There is no "right" way. Dec 12, 2017
  • Dec 5, 2017 Why it's important to unlearn. Dec 5, 2017
  • Oct 12, 2017 Let your feelings be your guide. Oct 12, 2017
  • Sep 5, 2017 Don't be afraid of change:-) Sep 5, 2017
  • Sep 5, 2017 Express your feelings Sep 5, 2017
  • Sep 5, 2017 Can drawing be a kind of meditation? Sep 5, 2017
• turtorials
  • Apr 6, 2019 How to start your drawing praxis. Apr 6, 2019
• video
  • May 15, 2019 How to take your drawings, to the next level. May 15, 2019
  • Apr 30, 2019 Be bold, let your light out. Apr 30, 2019
  • Apr 1, 2019 How embracing all parts of you, will help you in your art making. Apr 1, 2019
  • Mar 8, 2019 What to do when you are stucked in the creative process?? Mar 8, 2019
  • Feb 20, 2019 Don’t resist the moment. Live your dream. Feb 20, 2019
  • Feb 10, 2019 Why are we so hard on ourselves? Feb 10, 2019
  • Feb 1, 2019 It's okay to say NO. Feb 1, 2019

Create from your self. →

Get in touch with your core. (your self, your inner diamond, your being, your soul, your heart ……. find your own word, the word is not important. The feeling of being you is important.)

Do you want to lisen’t to the podcast? Go here.

Don’t give yourself away

When we talk about being creative, being artists, being creators. We talk about self expression. What is this self? How can you express yourself from that place

 Of course you already know that feeling of being you. We all do. Feeling happy, alive, free and excited. In this state or conciousness you don’t fear anything, and you feel you are enough. You feel everything is possible. Why do you feel everything is possible? Because when you are feeling whole, you are infinite. 

In this consciousness you can create everything. Everything you imagine or dream about is possible. We can say that we are God in this consciousness. 

Marie J.Engelsvold. “I catch me, if I fall” Yarn, wood, foam, textile.“Purple heart” Wood, foam, yarn 2018. Swim Gallery. San Francisco. 2018

I know it is kind of difficult to use the word God. Because there is so many assumptions on that word already. It’s so powerful. That is why I use this word, because I want to point to the fact that you are that power. You are not a victim. You are the creater. You don’t have to give your power away to any external God. To anything outside of you. It can be a lover, a parent, your friends, the art world, the government. Don’t give yourself away

 If you don’t like to use the word God. Then don’t. You can also use self, or core. Or find your own word. It could be Inner diamond. You decide. You have the power. 

But sometimes this core, and the awareness of it, is hidden. You can’t find your self. You can’t find that feeling of being whole and complete. But it’s not gone. It’s always there. You are just not in that that state of conciousness.. You can’t see it, it’s hidden because you are coming from your old believes. Your fears, and the feeling that you are constantly missing out on something. This nagging feeling that you constantly have to get a little better, learn some more, practice some more. You are not feeling you are enough. You are not feling good enough.

 You just have to make some more money. Or you wait for the right time. Because you are not quite ready yet. Or you compare yourself to other people, and listen more to their advice than your own.

Marie J.Engelsvold. Work process. 2019

When you are creating your artworks, trying to express yourself and you are not in that energy. You are not in contact with your wholeness, your joy and the knowing that you are enough. You will meet all your limitations. All your different believes, and assumptions. All your rules. What you have learned and decided is good or bad. What you can or cannot do. 

If you are open and aware of what is happening, you can letting that conciousness go. Everything that restricts you and makes you heavy. 

As you are letting go, you reconnect with yourself. You come more and more into contact with your pure creative power, that is wild and free. Full of excitement and love. Full of joy and play. Where everything feels possible. Because you are the creator. 

But how do you let go?  How do you go from being critizicing yourself, being hard on yourself?  To come into that place of wholeness and completeness.? To come into that notion that you can thrust yourself? You simply shift out of that state of conciousness. 

Because how can you be so hard on yourself, if you are actually whole and complete?

Marie J.Engelsvold. “Inner diamond” Pencil on paper. 2020. For purchase. Contact: Marie J.Engelsvold.

 Shifting your energies

I want to give you another picture. Because eventhough you are feeling low, you are feeling fearful, or limited you are still you. You don’t have to find your self. You just have to shift your energies. Or you state of mind. Your consciousness. Your awareness. Yes there are so many words for the same. We can also say, just change your mood. How do we go from being in a bad mood to a better mood.

 We can see ourselves as a radio with different frequencies. When you change frequency or channel, you change awareness. For example, you could be on the channel that says everything is tough. Life is hard. You have to fight for everything. Or you can switch to the channel that says everything is easy. Life is easy. And you have everything you need, everything comes easily to you. But it's still the same radio. You are still you, you are still full of love and joy even if you are on the channel that states that everything is hard. You just changed frequency. 

 But if it’s so easy to change moods.

Why are we often stuck? 

 Yes I know it’s not so simpel at first. Sometimes you just can’t seem to dig yourself out of this shitty state. You think everythink is going wrong, your art works are failing. You have always failed. You will never make anything that will ever be good enough. Your whole life is one big faillure. You are a faillure. 

 Yes. We know this state. How it can grow so quickly  inside you. Going from one failed art work, then accelerating into your whole life being a faillure. Yes I know that. You properly do too. You are not connected to your core. But it’s still there. You are still there. All these thoughts is not you. They are just a state of mind.

You can move to another state. Letting it build in the same way as any other state of mind.

Try to go back to that failed art work. Just accept it. Embrace it. Yes, it didn’t turn out the way you expected it. But it’s okay. You are okay. Then just feel you being okay. Breathe. Then you can go from being okay, to be fine. Relax in that feeling that you are fine. Accelerate the feeling, build on that….in the same way you did when you went from  having failed one art work, to your whole life being a faillure. Now take that feeling of being fine to the next level. Feeling complete. Feeling whole. Feeling enough.

Marie J.Engelsvold. Work process. 2019.

Now you can stay in this peaceful mood, or you can go even futher. You can go to the state of being joyful, excited, feeling alive. Now you are you. Now you are connected to your aliveness. To your beingness. Can you feel it?? 

 You decide. You can also choose to stay limited. To criticise yourself. Beat yourself up.

 Don’t pretend to be okay

 As I have talked about before, it’s not always possible to move out of a low mood so easy.

In my experience. When I feel this knot in my throut and stomach, I can’t just shift out like I just explained. I can try, but no. It doesn’t feel right.

In these cases, I just go deep into these feelings. I don’t just pretend to be okay. No, don’t do that. Because you can’t move them. They are coming up, for you to recognize them. For you to embrace them. For you to say it’s okay. Then the feelings will be released. But don’t be mad at yourself for having these feelings. Be gentle. Be kind. You need this love from yourself. You deserve it.

But in many cases, it’s just a habit to get stock in the low moods. You do it so easily, because it’s a mood you know. So practise this shifting. Practise how you can shift out of a low mood. Choosing another mood. Choosing to see everything in a new perspective.

Because when you move to another state, another mood, another way to see life. We see everything acording to that mood. Your artwork which was a faillure in your previous mood, might be a complete art work in your mood of completeness and love. Or it might give you a wonderful idea, to how you can make something new and radical

Energy is constantly moving, that is its nature. We are pure energy in our consciousness, so it should be very natural and easy for us to move our consciousness.? To move out of a bad mood.? Yes it is . And most of us actually do it all the time, too. But we just tend to stay in the moods we know. The moods that is most natural to you. What is your most frequent mood? That’s your home. So if you in a period of your life is in a depressed state, that mood is most naturel.  So you have to practise being in other moods, untill that mood becomes the most naturel.

So often we go against our own nature. We try to fix things. We try to force the energies. We are not so gentle with ourselves. We decide for an action, for a project. We make a to do list, and we stick to this list, eventhough we feel our energies are getting low. Eventhough we are not passionate about the project

Marie J.Engelsvold. Work process. 2019.

Do you want to be alive?

You may have decided on a project. You start and you are full of energy, but at some point you run out of fuel. There is something wrong. But instead of listening, you keep going. You probably know it. I do. I've done it a lot. Forced myself to do a project I didn't feel passionate about.

In this way we go against our own energy. That's when we force the energy in a certain direction, instead of letting it flow. Instead of going with your energy. Going with yourself.

 You are not in allignment with your feelings of joy and aliveness. The project doesn’t make you feel excited. Actually it is draining you, because it’s not coming from you. It’s coming from something else. You might do it because you think it’s easy to sell. Then you act out of fear. Or you do it because it will give you some status. Or maybe you do a project with some other artists, or people, and you feel that you have comitted yourself to participate. You feel shity if you let the others down. But in the end of the day, the price you are paying, is too much. Don’t let yourself down. Don’t give your power away.

 You decide. Do you want to be alive? Really feling alive? Move to that place in yourself.

See the world from that place. Everything is possible.

Try it. :-)

Hope you enjoyed this post. Have a very nice day.

I’am sharing this information to you freely, from my own experiences. Hope you can use it in your own process. Any donation, is deeply appreciated. :-)

Donate

• Turtorials and tips
  • May 15, 2019 How to take your drawings, to the next level. May 15, 2019
  • Apr 30, 2019 Be bold, let your light out. Apr 30, 2019
  • Apr 6, 2019 How to start your drawing praxis. Apr 6, 2019
  • Mar 8, 2019 What to do when you are stucked in the creative process?? Mar 8, 2019
  • Feb 13, 2018 How do you work with composition? Feb 13, 2018
  • Jan 8, 2018 Make a kickstart. Jan 8, 2018
  • Nov 20, 2017 Go bigger. Nov 20, 2017
  • Nov 8, 2017 What is your drawings all about? Nov 8, 2017
  • Oct 31, 2017 Wait!! Before you throw that drawing in the bin!!!!! Oct 31, 2017
  • Oct 12, 2017 Find inspiration everywhere. Oct 12, 2017
  • Oct 12, 2017 Experiment with shapes and lines. Oct 12, 2017
  • Oct 12, 2017 Want to find your own visual language ? Oct 12, 2017
• psycological aspects
  • May 26, 2020 Holding your flow. May 26, 2020
  • May 6, 2020 The world is yours. May 6, 2020
  • Apr 22, 2020 Let your heart decide. Apr 22, 2020
  • Apr 18, 2020 Create from your self. Apr 18, 2020
  • Apr 4, 2020 Expand your own signature. Apr 4, 2020
  • Oct 9, 2019 How to shift out of the 3d perspective. Oct 9, 2019
  • Sep 20, 2019 What is it, to be grounded? Sep 20, 2019
  • Sep 10, 2019 How to follow your own flow. Sep 10, 2019
  • Jul 28, 2019 Releasing your resistance to the moment. Jul 28, 2019
  • Jul 15, 2019 Don't wait for life to be perfect, let go of control. Jul 15, 2019
  • Jun 1, 2019 How to raise your vibration, through the creative process. Jun 1, 2019
  • Apr 1, 2019 How embracing all parts of you, will help you in your art making. Apr 1, 2019
  • Feb 20, 2019 Don’t resist the moment. Live your dream. Feb 20, 2019
  • Feb 10, 2019 Why are we so hard on ourselves? Feb 10, 2019
  • Feb 1, 2019 It's okay to say NO. Feb 1, 2019
  • Jan 2, 2019 Let yourself shine in 2019 :-) Jan 2, 2019
  • Nov 22, 2018 Look at your obstacles as adventures. Nov 22, 2018
  • Feb 2, 2018 How to stay in the process? Feb 2, 2018
  • Dec 20, 2017 Slow down Dec 20, 2017
  • Dec 12, 2017 There is no "right" way. Dec 12, 2017
  • Dec 5, 2017 Why it's important to unlearn. Dec 5, 2017
  • Oct 12, 2017 Let your feelings be your guide. Oct 12, 2017
  • Sep 5, 2017 Don't be afraid of change:-) Sep 5, 2017
  • Sep 5, 2017 Express your feelings Sep 5, 2017
  • Sep 5, 2017 Can drawing be a kind of meditation? Sep 5, 2017
• turtorials
  • Apr 6, 2019 How to start your drawing praxis. Apr 6, 2019
• video
  • May 15, 2019 How to take your drawings, to the next level. May 15, 2019
  • Apr 30, 2019 Be bold, let your light out. Apr 30, 2019
  • Apr 1, 2019 How embracing all parts of you, will help you in your art making. Apr 1, 2019
  • Mar 8, 2019 What to do when you are stucked in the creative process?? Mar 8, 2019
  • Feb 20, 2019 Don’t resist the moment. Live your dream. Feb 20, 2019
  • Feb 10, 2019 Why are we so hard on ourselves? Feb 10, 2019
  • Feb 1, 2019 It's okay to say NO. Feb 1, 2019

What is it, to be grounded?

What is it really to be grounded? This is my experience.

I have always been told, I’am very airy, very detached, and like living in another world. I was not grounded.

You need to be more realistic, more grounded, I was told. People who seemed like doing well in this materialistic world, was more grounded. (Of course you can be totally grounded being very materialistic orientated, it’s not wrong. Nothing is wrong. It’s just about what you really feel like doing, what makes you alive. Doing it from a place of being fully conscious.)

So I thought it was wrong not to be so occupied with this 3d world. That’s a notion I have incorporated in me. Marie you need to be more grounded. You need to do what everybody else is doing. Being very concerned about education, status, where you are living. Life was a picture.

I tried to do that, but it wasn’t what made me really happy. It only made me comparing myself to others, made me anxious to make the wrong choices, to do something wrong. I was actually very afraid to do things the wrong way. I was in conflict with what my heart told me, and what my mind told me. My heart wasn’t concerned so much, it was my mind based thinking that made me worry.

Marie J. Engelsvold. “My nature in nature” Image from video. 2019.

When I’am grounded, I’am present with myself. I’am listening to my body, my heart, my higher mind. Not the fear, not the worry, not the things everybody else told me was the right way. It’s only me who knows what makes me present and at peace.

It’s about trust. It’s about trusting myself and my own notions. Then I’am grounded.

It has nothing to do with how occupied I’am with the materialistic world. It has nothing to do with how big income I have. It’s has to do with how willing I’am, to be my own leader. My own guide. To take ownership of my life, and to lisen’t to what I really need. Taking care of myself. Standing up for myself. Being whole, honoring all my aspects. It’s to dare to change direction. It’s not to stand in the same place all life like a rock. I’am not a rock.

It’s to be open, and to dare taking risks. To play with life. Life can be an adventure, if we trust it. Actually sometimes when we don’t trust, when we worry, we don’t tend to take risks. We don’t tend to go out of our own comfort zone. We stay limited. Because the slightest movement out of what we are used to, is making us afraid.

You need to be grounded in your own reality. That’s the only reality you are meant to be in. There is no reality outside yourself, everything is a mirror of you. Because you can only experience the reality through you. We all have our own uniq way to interpret our reality.

We can be at the same place, we might do the same things, meet with the same people. But our experience is totally different, or more correctly, our feelings is different. What we notice is different. Our internal experience is totally different. We might agree on that the grass is green, but the feelings regarding the grass is different. We have different memories when we see grass. When we smell grass.

Marie J. Engelsvold. “My nature in nature” Image from video. 2019.

When I’am not grounded , I tend to live in only smal part of myself. I’am not really in contact with all I’am. With my wholeness. I tend to only live from what I accept in myself. Because of that, I becomes very vulenable, I becomes very unstable. I don’t really want to get to know myself. I’am not really intimate, with the diversity of myself. Sometimes it feels like I’am afraid of myself. Because I don’t feel safe, I don’t feel I can trust who I’am.

So to be in the mind, it’s a way to stay in control. Control of yourself. It’s not a nice place to be in. Have been there. Constant worry, comparing, self critic, self sabortage. You are not nice to yourself, because you don’t lisen’t to yourself. You don’t lisen’t to your feelings. You are only focused on the external world.

The key is to lisen’t to your feelings, start to take yourself serious. Lisen’t to your body, what does your body wants?

What do you really want?

When you honor that, you will be grounded.

When I feel at peace, I can feel this grounded feeling inside myself. It’s like my roots are very stabel.

At the same time I ‘am in movement. Constant movement, constant in deep intimate contact with my feelings, at every given moment. It makes me more curious, more spontaneous, more alive. When I’am alive, I’am very aware and very grounded.

Marie J. Engelsvold. “My nature in nature” Image from video. 2019.

In my creative process, it’s just about the same thing.

I felt limited to be inside my studio, so I went out in the woods, because I liked to be more outside. I wanted to play more. I just really enjoy not being so serious. I brought my sculpture parts with me, and I started to play. Building up tree trunks, rebuilding. Creating and decreating. Feeling myself being free.

So if you don’t feel grounded, maybe start to lisen’t to yourself. Lisen’t to what YOU really want. Read theese previous blog posts for more about this topic.

Follow your own flow

Releasing your resistants to the moment.

How to raise your vibration, through the creative process.

Hope you enjoyed this post. Have a very nice day.

I’am sharing this information to you freely, from my own experiences. Hope you can use it in your own process. Any donation, is deeply appreciated. :-)

Donate

• Turtorials and tips
  • May 15, 2019 How to take your drawings, to the next level. May 15, 2019
  • Apr 30, 2019 Be bold, let your light out. Apr 30, 2019
  • Apr 6, 2019 How to start your drawing praxis. Apr 6, 2019
  • Mar 8, 2019 What to do when you are stucked in the creative process?? Mar 8, 2019
  • Feb 13, 2018 How do you work with composition? Feb 13, 2018
  • Jan 8, 2018 Make a kickstart. Jan 8, 2018
  • Nov 20, 2017 Go bigger. Nov 20, 2017
  • Nov 8, 2017 What is your drawings all about? Nov 8, 2017
  • Oct 31, 2017 Wait!! Before you throw that drawing in the bin!!!!! Oct 31, 2017
  • Oct 12, 2017 Find inspiration everywhere. Oct 12, 2017
  • Oct 12, 2017 Experiment with shapes and lines. Oct 12, 2017
  • Oct 12, 2017 Want to find your own visual language ? Oct 12, 2017
• psycological aspects
  • May 26, 2020 Holding your flow. May 26, 2020
  • May 6, 2020 The world is yours. May 6, 2020
  • Apr 22, 2020 Let your heart decide. Apr 22, 2020
  • Apr 18, 2020 Create from your self. Apr 18, 2020
  • Apr 4, 2020 Expand your own signature. Apr 4, 2020
  • Oct 9, 2019 How to shift out of the 3d perspective. Oct 9, 2019
  • Sep 20, 2019 What is it, to be grounded? Sep 20, 2019
  • Sep 10, 2019 How to follow your own flow. Sep 10, 2019
  • Jul 28, 2019 Releasing your resistance to the moment. Jul 28, 2019
  • Jul 15, 2019 Don't wait for life to be perfect, let go of control. Jul 15, 2019
  • Jun 1, 2019 How to raise your vibration, through the creative process. Jun 1, 2019
  • Apr 1, 2019 How embracing all parts of you, will help you in your art making. Apr 1, 2019
  • Feb 20, 2019 Don’t resist the moment. Live your dream. Feb 20, 2019
  • Feb 10, 2019 Why are we so hard on ourselves? Feb 10, 2019
  • Feb 1, 2019 It's okay to say NO. Feb 1, 2019
  • Jan 2, 2019 Let yourself shine in 2019 :-) Jan 2, 2019
  • Nov 22, 2018 Look at your obstacles as adventures. Nov 22, 2018
  • Feb 2, 2018 How to stay in the process? Feb 2, 2018
  • Dec 20, 2017 Slow down Dec 20, 2017
  • Dec 12, 2017 There is no "right" way. Dec 12, 2017
  • Dec 5, 2017 Why it's important to unlearn. Dec 5, 2017
  • Oct 12, 2017 Let your feelings be your guide. Oct 12, 2017
  • Sep 5, 2017 Don't be afraid of change:-) Sep 5, 2017
  • Sep 5, 2017 Express your feelings Sep 5, 2017
  • Sep 5, 2017 Can drawing be a kind of meditation? Sep 5, 2017
• turtorials
  • Apr 6, 2019 How to start your drawing praxis. Apr 6, 2019
• video
  • May 15, 2019 How to take your drawings, to the next level. May 15, 2019
  • Apr 30, 2019 Be bold, let your light out. Apr 30, 2019
  • Apr 1, 2019 How embracing all parts of you, will help you in your art making. Apr 1, 2019
  • Mar 8, 2019 What to do when you are stucked in the creative process?? Mar 8, 2019
  • Feb 20, 2019 Don’t resist the moment. Live your dream. Feb 20, 2019
  • Feb 10, 2019 Why are we so hard on ourselves? Feb 10, 2019
  • Feb 1, 2019 It's okay to say NO. Feb 1, 2019

What to do when you are stucked in the creative process??

Do you sometimes feel stuck in your creative process?? In this video I will give you some practical tips on how you can work through this feeling of being unable to progress.

1) How working on several pieces of work can release the expectations.

2) How we need to learn to let go, in order to create.

3) Why do we meet fear in the process?

4) How to recognize your inner critic, and start a dialog.

1) How working on several pieces of work can release the expectations.

In this video, I will show my own creative process working on 4 pieces, and shifting between them.

So make a little experiment. Take 4 pieces of paper. Start as normally. When you are stock in your process, put the piece you are working on aside, and start with a fresh new paper. Now you continue on the new paper until you feel stock again. You do this at least 4 times.

As soon as you feel a little resist full, a little nervous on how to continue, you change paper.

Now you got 4 works in progress. Can you feel it? It feels freeing to not have so much pressure and expectations of the one artwork. Now go back to the first one, and continue with that, for as long time as you are inspired. Then shift again. It doesn’t have to be in order, you just continue on one of the drawings you feel most compelled to work on.

You can do this every time you feel stock in a process.

The next thing I will talk about is

My four pieces of work, which I worked on simultaneously.

2) How we need to let go, in order to create.

We have to let go of something to hold space for new things to come in. But this is one of the most difficult things. To let go or actually destroy part of our work, which we might like but doesn’t fit. Or which is very nice, but it doesn’t ressonate, it doesn’t feel right.

Sometimes this niceness is more of a barrier than the ugliness. Most of us have a tendency to making it too nice. But when we hide ourselves behind this nice work, we are not real. Many times this feeling of stockiness comes because your work is so nice, that you don’t dare to destroy it….you don’t dare to put another line on that work in case you will destroy it all. It’s this kind of feeling that it’s okay, everything is there, but it’s a little boring. But it’s when you are showing all sides of you, not hiding whats raw and what you don’t understand, that your work gets unique and real. So just do it, let it go, don’t be afraid to change your work, to make mistakes. Experiment, play, make it funny. Use the exercise I just showed you, to work more quickly and to release this anxiousness. This resistance, which is nothing but fear.

Marie J.Engelsvold. “It’s inside” 21 x 29,7 cm. Acrylic marker and paper cuts on paper. 2019

3) Why do we meet fear in the process?

Fear is a factor we meet all the time. Especially when we are expressing ourselves through art.

What you are creating is a reflection of you. You express yourself through your work. Why are we artists and creators always so vulnable around our work?? Because we are sharing from the depth of our souls. Because we have to go deep, to get to the exciting stuff. If you only express the nice things, the work will get boring. Because art is a really good channel to release some of the things inside of you, which are very difficult to put into words. In the creative process we are connecting with our deep wounds and our shadow side.

Thats why it sometimes can be so provoking to use a certain color, or material because it is triggering something inside of you.

Maybee some part of you don’t like pink, or think it’s not a proper color for your work. But another part of you, feel this urge to use this color. You know it takes much more energy to say no I am not allowed to use pink, I can’t stand that color. Do it eventhough you are afraid. I know it sounds kind of stupid, to be afraid of using a color. But I think all artists and creators know what I’am talking about. It’s only you who sets the limits of what is possible. It’s you who are putting yourself in a box, and it’s only you who can open the lid.

But sometimes everything is easier when things are “black and white”, we set up some rules for ourselves, and then we think we are safe and “know” what we are doing. But suddenly it seems impossible to do anything else. Because now we have boxed ourselves into a category, and we have put on this nice label. It’s like we sometimes feel more safe to tend to a certain believe system or organisation and we adopt everything they stand for. It can feel very safe at first, because now everything is in the right order. Now we have someone or something outside of us, to tell us what is right and what is wrong. But in reality we are actually afraid of chaos, we are afraid of the dualities in ourselves, the diversity. The things we don’t want to face in ourselves? The many shades and facets of our selves.

Marie J.Engelsvold. “no fear” 29,7 x 21 cm. Acrylic marker, pencil and paper cuts on paper. 2019

The same goes for our art. Don’t be afraid to show all the shades inside of you. I have a funny example from my own process. Sometimes I go for a long time and want to use a certain technic, a new material or a color. But I can’t do it eventhough I want to, I feel this resistant in my body. For as long as I have been working with art, I didn’t use purple.I just didn’t like it. But last year suddenly I just was ready for purple, and it just poured out of me. It’s a very strong color, I see that, and it has a history of both being very royal, a color for the elite for the aristocrats for the church. But on the other hand it’s also associated with being some kind of a hippie, very laid back and all about new age and being very alternative. So the color is not for the weak, you have to say something with purple. Thats just my own interpretation.

Marie J.Engelsvold. “Trophy of self love” & “Revealing my new self”. 100 x 70 cm. Acrylic paint on paper. 2018.

But this resistant is nothing but fear, fear of showing a certain part of yourself, fear that nobody will recognize your “style” anymore. But you can’t run from yourself. You can change style as you like it, but you can’t change that you did it. I have changed my expression so many times, and sometimes I think nobody will think I did this. But very often people who knows your art can recognizing your signature. And you think you made an enormous shift when you shifted from using a acrylic marker to a brush with paint. For most of us it’s hard to change, and when we change something we think everybody will notice. So just do it, it’s not dangerous and it’s still you who did it.

Experiment. “The garbage bin”

1) Try to let the things you are afraid of out. Afterwards it’s easier. Do it on another paper. Take a paper and let everything out on that. Use it as a kind of garbage bin. Every time you are afraid of doing something on the piece you are working on, do it on the “bin paper” It’s actually freeing, and sometimes the bin works turns out really powerfull

Marie J.Engelsvold. “Covered in a kind of me” 29,7 x 21 cm. Acrylic marker and paper cuts on paper. 2019

4) How to recognize your inner critic.

It’s interesting to dig a little deeper into our own fear pattern. We can call it the inner critic. When you have more clarity on what triggers you, it’s so much easier to look that fear in the eyes, and work through it. When you let the fear out on the paper, or in other creations it will not be so mean.

Have a notebook at your side, while you are creating. Write down every time you hear that inner critic whisper something in your ear. What does the fear say to you? It’s a really good idea to talk with the inner critic in words, because it tends to be mental. Many times the inner critic comes from our parents and our teachers from school, all the thing we have learned about right and wrong and good and bad. Eventually it turns inward, and we think it is our own thoughts. Another funny thing is if we believe in what the inner critic has to say, we tend to meet persons in the outer world who reflects these things about us, back to us. But most of all it hold us back, and the inner critic is not you.

Here are some examples from my experience:

1) You don’t master that technic.

2) It’s not good enough.

3) It’s not interesting enough.

4) It’s a waste of time

5) No one needs your art

6) You didn’t attend the right art school

7) You are not a real artist

8) You are a failure

9) People don’t like your art.

Now try to give an answer to that fear, to that critic voice inside of you.

1) No, maybe I don’t do it the “right” way after some official rules. But I do it my way, I’am a creator and everyway I decide on is the right way. Do you get nervous when I don’t follow other peoples rules?? You don’t have to be afraid, I know what I’am doing.

(If you feel that the critic voice are right, because sometimes we might be benefitting in taking a course in a certain technic, because it will help us to express ourself in a better way. Of course don’t hesitate on learning something new. Just be aware that you don’t do it out of fear, but out of a feeling of expansion, and curiosity and positivity.)

2) Well, it is actually good enough for me. I accept this artwork, it’s just perfect the way it is. I felt so much joy and excitement doing this. I discovered so much in this process.If you don’t find it good enough, it’s okay with me, I don’t have to please other people with my art.

3) Okay. And what is interesting?? Something you read in a book?? Do I have to write 2 pieces of paper abothis artwork?? I think it’s interesting because I have put myself into it. I think actually I’am interesting enough.

4) This is the best way I know to waste my time. Totally absorbed in my work. Using all of me to create in the moment.

Is it because you are afraid I don’t earn enough money on it?? You know what, I’am making space in my life for what is most important for me. I’am not waiting to live my life until I go on pension. I don’t have a boring daytime job, dreaming about making art. I do it now. This is my life.

5) Well, I have many good examples of people who has been very positive around my work, that they actually felt the same playfulness and joy as I felt while creating it. They can feel the vulnerability and the sadness too. I have had many good and deep talks with people about my work. Also the fact that how it is to live like an artist, to do what you feel compelled to do. To show up with yourself and your work in all it’s aspects. I think we need art as a reminder of all the things that are not material or practical, but is essential. We need to feel interconnected and share feelings to feel alive. Thats important.

6) No, I didn’t study at an art academy. I went to Graphic design school. But I knew all along I wanted to make art, but I didn’t dare to go to that art school. But now years later, I can see that it’s easier to remain free when you have not learned all the right codes in the art world. Because you don’t become an artist just because you go to the right school. You become an artist because you do art as a praxis.Because you are committed.For me to make art is most of all about unlearning, to get to the core of whats me. To free myself of all the right ways. Because I’am good enough.

Can you see what I’am talking about. Get to know your fear. Discuss a little. Have a dialog. So next time you hear that fearful whisper, stop it. Don’t allow it to sabotage you.

Hope you could use this information. Have a very nice day, in a way so it’s not only nice, but a day where you can feel free to be you.

I’am sharing this information to you freely, from my own experiences. Hope you can use it in your own process. Any donation, is deeply appreciated. :-))

Donate

• psycological aspects 25
  • May 26, 2020 Holding your flow.
  • May 6, 2020 The world is yours.
  • Apr 22, 2020 Let your heart decide.
  • Apr 18, 2020 Create from your self.
  • Apr 4, 2020 Expand your own signature.
  • Oct 9, 2019 How to shift out of the 3d perspective.
  • Sep 20, 2019 What is it, to be grounded?
  • Sep 10, 2019 How to follow your own flow.
  • Jul 28, 2019 Releasing your resistance to the moment.
  • Jul 15, 2019 Don't wait for life to be perfect, let go of control.
  • Jun 1, 2019 How to raise your vibration, through the creative process.
  • Apr 1, 2019 How embracing all parts of you, will help you in your art making.
  • Feb 20, 2019 Don’t resist the moment. Live your dream.
  • Feb 10, 2019 Why are we so hard on ourselves?
  • Feb 1, 2019 It's okay to say NO.
  • Jan 2, 2019 Let yourself shine in 2019 :-)
  • Nov 22, 2018 Look at your obstacles as adventures.
  • Feb 2, 2018 How to stay in the process?
  • Dec 20, 2017 Slow down
  • Dec 12, 2017 There is no "right" way.
  • Dec 5, 2017 Why it's important to unlearn.
  • Oct 12, 2017 Let your feelings be your guide.
  • Sep 5, 2017 Don't be afraid of change:-)
  • Sep 5, 2017 Express your feelings
  • Sep 5, 2017 Can drawing be a kind of meditation?
• Turtorials and tips 12
  • May 15, 2019 How to take your drawings, to the next level.
  • Apr 30, 2019 Be bold, let your light out.
  • Apr 6, 2019 How to start your drawing praxis.
  • Mar 8, 2019 What to do when you are stucked in the creative process??
  • Feb 13, 2018 How do you work with composition?
  • Jan 8, 2018 Make a kickstart.
  • Nov 20, 2017 Go bigger.
  • Nov 8, 2017 What is your drawings all about?
  • Oct 31, 2017 Wait!! Before you throw that drawing in the bin!!!!!
  • Oct 12, 2017 Find inspiration everywhere.
  • Oct 12, 2017 Experiment with shapes and lines.
  • Oct 12, 2017 Want to find your own visual language ?
• video 7
  • May 15, 2019 How to take your drawings, to the next level.
  • Apr 30, 2019 Be bold, let your light out.
  • Apr 1, 2019 How embracing all parts of you, will help you in your art making.
  • Mar 8, 2019 What to do when you are stucked in the creative process??
  • Feb 20, 2019 Don’t resist the moment. Live your dream.
  • Feb 10, 2019 Why are we so hard on ourselves?
  • Feb 1, 2019 It's okay to say NO.
• turtorials 1
  • Apr 6, 2019 How to start your drawing praxis.

Why are we so hard on ourselves?

Why do we keep sabotaging ourselves?? Why is it never good enough?? How do we allow instead of forcing our artwork into a certain direction? Being open to all possibilities?

When I’am in a creative process I’am very aware of how I’am talking to myself, when do I start to judge, compare, being afraid of how it will turn out? Most of us have learned that we have to make a plan, have an idea and know what we are doing. That we have to face certain expectations of ourselves, and what we think others are expecting of us. When we start to criticize ourselves, and our artwork, it all goes down. We feel stuck, and we feel drained. We sometimes keep beating ourselves up, till we maybe drop all our creative projects. If you don’t feel good enough, your artwork will never be good enough. Eventhough your are very skillfull, it will never be good enough. Eventhough other people thinks it’s just amazing, it will never be good enough for you. So why not start to be a little kinder to yourself. ? Start to allow, instead of following a lot of rules and expectations you have been setting up for yourself. You see the creative process is not about following a mental regime, it’s not about going from A to G, in a linear motion. It’s about being open, being vulnerable being raw and honest. It’s about following your own guidance, trusting yourself, allowing yourself to have fun, to be curious, to play. Do it because you think it matters, because you matters. Because you can’t truly express anything which is not felt and experienced.

Marie J.Engelsvold. “Let it flow” Acrylics, pencil and paper cuts on paper. 2019

You are valid, whatever feelings comes up in the process is valid, is okay. It’s not all roses and butterflies, it’s about being real, being you and showing that to the world. To express it all in your work.

So why are we so hard on ourselves? I think most of us have learned through being criticized. And we have learned that to get love, we have to meet certain expectations. We have to be nice and succesfull. Doing what other people expects of us. And as grown ups these expectations have turned inwards, and it’s all about what we expect of ourselves. So it’s also about deprogramming ourselves, about unlearning, about not to follow others rules.

How can you shift from the logic mind to the “mind- heart”? Here are 4 tips.

1: Create an relaxed atmosphere around the work. Make an appointment with yourself, set the time aside. And don’t put a lot of expectations around yourself. This time is for you. This time is not another thing on your to do list. It’s time to have fun. It’s time to investigate, and let all of you out to play.

2: Start with an experiment, for how long can you create without starting to criticize yourself?? Observe your own mind, write it down every time you catch yourself. Reflect on what you can say to yourself instead??

3: Try to center yourself in your body instead of the head. Connect with the body, and use it as a compass. If you are feeling restless, well it’s time to move around. Take a break.

4: Who has told us we have to be active and productive all the time?? To be nicer to yourself you have to honor your need for breaks. Better to work concentrated for a shorter amount of time, than to work and work till you are totally drained. You have to fill yourself up.

Hope this helped you. Have a very nice day.

I’am sharing this information to you freely, from my own experiences. Hope you can use it in your own process. Any donation, is deeply appreciated. :-))

Donate

• Turtorials and tips
  • May 15, 2019 How to take your drawings, to the next level.
  • Apr 30, 2019 Be bold, let your light out.
  • Apr 6, 2019 How to start your drawing praxis.
  • Mar 8, 2019 What to do when you are stucked in the creative process??
  • Feb 13, 2018 How do you work with composition?
  • Jan 8, 2018 Make a kickstart.
  • Nov 20, 2017 Go bigger.
  • Nov 8, 2017 What is your drawings all about?
  • Oct 31, 2017 Wait!! Before you throw that drawing in the bin!!!!!
  • Oct 12, 2017 Find inspiration everywhere.
  • Oct 12, 2017 Experiment with shapes and lines.
  • Oct 12, 2017 Want to find your own visual language ?
• psycological aspects
  • May 26, 2020 Holding your flow.
  • May 6, 2020 The world is yours.
  • Apr 22, 2020 Let your heart decide.
  • Apr 18, 2020 Create from your self.
  • Apr 4, 2020 Expand your own signature.
  • Oct 9, 2019 How to shift out of the 3d perspective.
  • Sep 20, 2019 What is it, to be grounded?
  • Sep 10, 2019 How to follow your own flow.
  • Jul 28, 2019 Releasing your resistance to the moment.
  • Jul 15, 2019 Don't wait for life to be perfect, let go of control.
  • Jun 1, 2019 How to raise your vibration, through the creative process.
  • Apr 1, 2019 How embracing all parts of you, will help you in your art making.
  • Feb 20, 2019 Don’t resist the moment. Live your dream.
  • Feb 10, 2019 Why are we so hard on ourselves?
  • Feb 1, 2019 It's okay to say NO.
  • Jan 2, 2019 Let yourself shine in 2019 :-)
  • Nov 22, 2018 Look at your obstacles as adventures.
  • Feb 2, 2018 How to stay in the process?
  • Dec 20, 2017 Slow down
  • Dec 12, 2017 There is no "right" way.
  • Dec 5, 2017 Why it's important to unlearn.
  • Oct 12, 2017 Let your feelings be your guide.
  • Sep 5, 2017 Don't be afraid of change:-)
  • Sep 5, 2017 Express your feelings
  • Sep 5, 2017 Can drawing be a kind of meditation?
• turtorials
  • Apr 6, 2019 How to start your drawing praxis.
• video
  • May 15, 2019 How to take your drawings, to the next level.
  • Apr 30, 2019 Be bold, let your light out.
  • Apr 1, 2019 How embracing all parts of you, will help you in your art making.
  • Mar 8, 2019 What to do when you are stucked in the creative process??
  • Feb 20, 2019 Don’t resist the moment. Live your dream.
  • Feb 10, 2019 Why are we so hard on ourselves?
  • Feb 1, 2019 It's okay to say NO.