“Every child is an artist, the problem is staying an artist when you grow up” – Pablo Picasso

How does creativity and shamanism weave together for me?

I’ve always enjoyed listening to and working with the rhythms of the natural world. Using art techniques has helped me to go inside myself and connect to a natural rhythm and something greater than myself – like the universe around me. Making art when I was younger has eventually led me to shamanism. What I enjoy most is creating special places outside with textiles and natural materials. These places can connect us to the elements and honour our cultural heritage.

In my art practice the materials I use are mainly textiles based; I particularly love using nuno felt. The name is derived from the Japanese word ‘nuno’ meaning cloth. The technique bonds loose wool fibres into an open fabric such as silk gauze, creating a lightweight felt. I love experimenting with painting, felting, journal work, natural dyes and deconstructed textiles, as well as botanical printing with flowers, leaves and seeds.

Regarding creativity, let me make it quite clear that you don’t need to be an ‘artist’ to be creative!. The way we live can be the most profound creative statement that we ever make in our lifetimes. Something as simple as arranging my flowers, or choosing a colour for my walls brings me great satisfaction and contentment.

Have a think for yourself and your life’s journey: how would you like your creative flow to be improved on a daily basis?

What are your creative dreams?

Then ask yourself:

What synchronicity is happening to already help that flow?

Have there been any chance meetings or strange dreams to show me the way forward?

Notice the flow of help already available to you. Ask for guidance from your unseen helpers and thank them in order to move forward.

Also, let’s set our intention not to let any negative experiences making art at school or growing up let us be put off. Above all, it’s important for us not to be too hard on ourselves as we try things out.  Let’s have some fun, the Q’ero have a word “puqllay” which means sacred play.  We can be as playful as a child! It may sound like a cliche to connect with our inner child but it’s so important to keep that connection strong. If I don’t do this the magic in life seems to fade away.

Weaving creativity into your daily life

“You can’t wait for inspiration, you have to go after it with a club” – Jack London

Working with shamanic techniques helps me to be more creative.  The trick is to put time aside regularly for your creative practice and for me, it helps me to do this as I weave in ceremony or ritual during the course of the week. Think of this as a revolutionary act, turn off your phone for half an hour, turn off the wifi and tune into your own needs and rhythms. Journaling, meditating, listening to music or even dreaming out of the window can take it’s place.

“The painter has the universe in his mind and hands.” ― Leonardo da Vinci

I’m planning a 30 day shamanic programme for recovering artists or creative individuals, let me know when you would like to receive it.

I will be talking about shamanic techniques that can help your creativity, as well as ceremony in another blog post, see you soon!

May you walk in beauty,

For all our relations

Ali