So lovely to read this. Art is healing. Whst reading this brought up for me is that art can create beauty. Not all art is beautiful (art is epxression, after all). But I think why I am so attracted to the ideas of art and beauty is because I think beauty is what gives meaning to the world, and by proxy, art gives the world meaning.
This is so beautiful, Erin! I love how you connect art to processing our past. I was thinking about my own experience throughout this piece. Writing has always been my art form of choice (by process of elimination), and it's been so therapeutic in helping me make sense of the events of my life.
Thank you Chris, I’m so glad we connected today! When I was in 5th grade I wanted to be a writer, but I didn’t move past journals. This is the first time I’ve really gotten to enjoy the process of unearthing something surprising through writing. Learning a new skill is kind of terrifying, but I’m excited to keep at it.
You're already doing great! I think you'll love the Michael Dean session on story structures. He uses a lot of diagrams which helped me see writing in a more visual way.
Omg “at my own pace” is so real 🥲 The breakout rooms are absolutely wild in the best ways. I so appreciate your encouragement and love that you enjoyed it.
This is a really great piece of writing ! It’s given me so much to think about, and has me thinking about my own life, and wanting to write. Thank you :)
I’m so happy we stumbled into that breakout room together! When you asked me what I wanted to write about, and I finally admitted it was “art as healing” it was a big unlock. Thank you!
“Through art, you take what’s invisible—the heavy emotions in your head, the burns and aches and tingles in your body—and externalize it, turning it into an artifact for examination. That artifact lets you retire an old, broken perception that no longer serves you for a new one.”
Yes! The power of making the intangible tangible! I’m enamored with the way you shared your personal story and relationship to shame. Your body scan art resonates with me because my throat is where I carry so much anxiety.
& I like how you described journaling as an expressive release valve. My relationship to it has been like what you described about art artifacts. It reminded me of this piece I wrote:
Erin, I love it. I really do. Feels like you are finding your voice. The honesty and insight was really inspiring. I feel I know so much more about you having read it. Thank you for sharing this story. Well done!!!!
Beautiful piece Erin, I thoroughly enjoyed it, thank you.
Wow: "Art is a tool for facilitating metamorphosis. Consider your senses as you experience creating it: what does it feel like to watch colors blend to make new ones, or to knead clay from old and stiff to warm and soft? Now you have made something with your vitals. It’s evidence of your humanity. What would you like to transform?"
Thank you Hugo—I absolutely love how both of our pieces have a bit of their own intangible dialog going on between each other. It’s like I can feel them talking together while we aren’t around 🥹
Beautiful to read Erin. You somehow managed to let words have the same healing effect that art has for you. Thank you for pouring pieces of yourself into this essay so others can have a window into this magic.
Ahhh I so appreciate your encouragement in the breakout room Adam. The process of evolving the writing had just as much effect as the art itself. It was a reminder of lessons forgotten to time.
This piece turned out SO stellar. And I am really excited to see where you take your Substack. I also love the visuals in the piece — they anchor it so well — I particularly like how I can almost feel the texture of your body scan piece. Here's to more healing with art!
> I used different colored gel pens and handwriting styles depending on my mood. Gold, tiny perfect print was reserved for days when I really needed someone to tell me things would be ok. Graphite pencil and loopy letters for the days I dreamed about crushes.
In our chats I was impressed by your ability to articulate how your moods changed how you chose to express yourself, and you've carried that over beautifully into this piece. Bravo.
Justin! I knew I needed to keep going when your eyes lit up about the phrase “I know what mood I’m in by the weight of the line I’m using.” Your sensitivity to the nature of the textures is a gift, not everyone notices that kind of detail. ❤️ I so appreciate your ear, your encouragement, and your unique way of pushing through resistance.
What a beautiful piece, Erin. It gives me a lot to think about in reflecting on my own Core Idea essay. How writing it was one form of healing, but how creating something different–art–would heal in a different way. I never identified as a writer before Write of Passage, and I still have pause in conceiving of myself as an artist, but now at least the thought lingers. Thank you for writing this :)
Oh I am so happy to hear that art as healing is making its way to you!! I wholeheartedly believe we are all artists, no matter how distanced we are from the last act of creation. One of the greatest joys in my life is experiencing the little vignettes of other people’s art. Any form of expression is art, be that writing, painting, dancing, music making, movie making, a doodle on the side of the page and everything in between.
So lovely to read this. Art is healing. Whst reading this brought up for me is that art can create beauty. Not all art is beautiful (art is epxression, after all). But I think why I am so attracted to the ideas of art and beauty is because I think beauty is what gives meaning to the world, and by proxy, art gives the world meaning.
Thank you for the encouragement to post! To create beauty where there was once pain is the ultimate act of creativity. Meaning indeed ❤️
This is so beautiful, Erin! I love how you connect art to processing our past. I was thinking about my own experience throughout this piece. Writing has always been my art form of choice (by process of elimination), and it's been so therapeutic in helping me make sense of the events of my life.
Looking forward to keeping in touch!
Thank you Chris, I’m so glad we connected today! When I was in 5th grade I wanted to be a writer, but I didn’t move past journals. This is the first time I’ve really gotten to enjoy the process of unearthing something surprising through writing. Learning a new skill is kind of terrifying, but I’m excited to keep at it.
Likewise 🙌🙌
You're already doing great! I think you'll love the Michael Dean session on story structures. He uses a lot of diagrams which helped me see writing in a more visual way.
It’s uppp! Ugh. It’s so beautiful. Loved reading it at my own pace. Thank you for sharing your art with us too.
Omg “at my own pace” is so real 🥲 The breakout rooms are absolutely wild in the best ways. I so appreciate your encouragement and love that you enjoyed it.
This is a really great piece of writing ! It’s given me so much to think about, and has me thinking about my own life, and wanting to write. Thank you :)
I’m so happy we stumbled into that breakout room together! When you asked me what I wanted to write about, and I finally admitted it was “art as healing” it was a big unlock. Thank you!
It was all you! Congratulations on a great piece. I'm looking forward to reading more of your writing :)
Hi, I love this:
“Through art, you take what’s invisible—the heavy emotions in your head, the burns and aches and tingles in your body—and externalize it, turning it into an artifact for examination. That artifact lets you retire an old, broken perception that no longer serves you for a new one.”
Yes! The power of making the intangible tangible! I’m enamored with the way you shared your personal story and relationship to shame. Your body scan art resonates with me because my throat is where I carry so much anxiety.
& I like how you described journaling as an expressive release valve. My relationship to it has been like what you described about art artifacts. It reminded me of this piece I wrote:
https://sundaycandy.substack.com/p/conduit-for-my-consciousness
Really enjoyed reading this :)
Sandra thank you for sharing your post on journaling, I found myself nodding my head throughout the entire piece. We are definitely kindred spirits 🥹
😌💙
This is soooo good! I really want to take Painting for life workshop from you! Erin's way!
I loved watching this essay become. It was such a privilege, Erin. I hope many read and in so doing, reframe.
Wouldn't have happened without your kindness <3
Erin, I love it. I really do. Feels like you are finding your voice. The honesty and insight was really inspiring. I feel I know so much more about you having read it. Thank you for sharing this story. Well done!!!!
Thank you for reading!!! 🥹💗
Erin, this moves me deeply. At last, I understand how making art moves us in the ways in which we need to be moved. Thank you.
🌊🎨
Beautiful piece Erin, I thoroughly enjoyed it, thank you.
Wow: "Art is a tool for facilitating metamorphosis. Consider your senses as you experience creating it: what does it feel like to watch colors blend to make new ones, or to knead clay from old and stiff to warm and soft? Now you have made something with your vitals. It’s evidence of your humanity. What would you like to transform?"
Resonates deeply!
Thank you Hugo—I absolutely love how both of our pieces have a bit of their own intangible dialog going on between each other. It’s like I can feel them talking together while we aren’t around 🥹
https://open.substack.com/pub/hugolebarrois/p/feel-then-create
Beautiful to read Erin. You somehow managed to let words have the same healing effect that art has for you. Thank you for pouring pieces of yourself into this essay so others can have a window into this magic.
Ahhh I so appreciate your encouragement in the breakout room Adam. The process of evolving the writing had just as much effect as the art itself. It was a reminder of lessons forgotten to time.
This piece turned out SO stellar. And I am really excited to see where you take your Substack. I also love the visuals in the piece — they anchor it so well — I particularly like how I can almost feel the texture of your body scan piece. Here's to more healing with art!
> I used different colored gel pens and handwriting styles depending on my mood. Gold, tiny perfect print was reserved for days when I really needed someone to tell me things would be ok. Graphite pencil and loopy letters for the days I dreamed about crushes.
In our chats I was impressed by your ability to articulate how your moods changed how you chose to express yourself, and you've carried that over beautifully into this piece. Bravo.
Justin! I knew I needed to keep going when your eyes lit up about the phrase “I know what mood I’m in by the weight of the line I’m using.” Your sensitivity to the nature of the textures is a gift, not everyone notices that kind of detail. ❤️ I so appreciate your ear, your encouragement, and your unique way of pushing through resistance.
What a beautiful piece, Erin. It gives me a lot to think about in reflecting on my own Core Idea essay. How writing it was one form of healing, but how creating something different–art–would heal in a different way. I never identified as a writer before Write of Passage, and I still have pause in conceiving of myself as an artist, but now at least the thought lingers. Thank you for writing this :)
Oh I am so happy to hear that art as healing is making its way to you!! I wholeheartedly believe we are all artists, no matter how distanced we are from the last act of creation. One of the greatest joys in my life is experiencing the little vignettes of other people’s art. Any form of expression is art, be that writing, painting, dancing, music making, movie making, a doodle on the side of the page and everything in between.