Guest Post: Barb Fedun
Why starting a painting is like Rumi’s poem “The Guest House”
“This being human is a guest house.
Every morning a new arrival.
A joy, a depression, a meanness,
some momentary awareness comes
as an unexpected visitor.
Welcome and entertain them all!
Even if they are a crowd of sorrows,
who violently sweep your house
empty of its furniture,
still, treat each guest honorably.
He may be clearing you out
for some new delight.
The dark thought, the shame, the malice.
meet them at the door laughing and invite them in.
Be grateful for whatever comes.
because each has been sent
as a guide from beyond.”
It’s been said that the true nature of the creative process is the ability to step into the unknown. As I start a new painting I do not know what will happen, it is like the poem says, “every morning a new arrival”. Each new brush stroke and each layer brings a new arrival, such as joy in how it looks or perhaps the inner critic bringing a meanness like “that’s no good!”.
Regardless my job as artist is to respond to whatever or whomever shows up. To welcome and entertain them all! The perfectionist and the inner critic can have important things to say and I find it is best to listen to them.
Sometimes my response is; “Thank you for sharing your point of view and I am going to paint over this part anyway”. Other times their message may be something I need to take action on and it makes for a better painting.
I like Rumi’s poem because it helps remind me to make these inner voices conscious instead of relegating them to the unconscious where they can wreak havoc, such as self-sabotage all too easily. If I think of everything that comes up for me as I work on my painting as a guide from beyond, then I am more open to their guidance.