Creativity
Artful
On Saturday I ran a slightly unusual Enneagram workshop.
Being heartily fed up with the sound of my own voice (a sentiment I’m sure is shared by those who attend these regular workshops), I also wanted to focus on our gifts, rather than the ‘grot’ of our personalities. So I gave over part of the day to getting each person to represent the giftedness of their personality visually, by way of collage.
I had gone through piles of old magazines I’d been saving, and snipped out a wide variety of images, then gave these out with different coloured card, scraps of coloured paper with different designs, textures and so on.
People started cutting, tearing and gluing to their hearts’ content. They roamed around the tables, stealing images that would fit right in, sharing scissors and glue, and I’m pleased to report that no fights broke out, and no-one had to be sent to sit in the naughty corner!
I’d been a bit nervous, as I’d never led a session like this before. I was really happy with the way it turned out. Almost everyone enjoyed it and several people said they liked being given “permission” to be children again. How sad that we have to be given permission.
For me, the best bit was looking and listening afterwards as everyone shared their collage, explained what the different elements meant to them, how they’d come up with specific ideas. I learned so much and got so many ideas from people mixing abstract and 3-D with more conventional images. And their generosity in sharing of themselves at a deep level was, as it always is, a wonderful experience.
The day reinforced for me that even when we believe we have no ‘artistic’ talent, expressing ourselves visually is buried in our bones and doesn’t need much persuasion to come to the surface.
My own effort? The most important part of my collage was the image below. As an Enneagram Three, I struggle with image and with authenticity. To me, the woman in the photograph radiates uncomplicated, authentic joy, which is the essence of my giftedness when I allow myself to just be.
How would you express your own giftedness visually?
Discussion
6 comments for “Artful”
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I love the idea of just giving a bunch of adults the means by which to become children again! You’re right that it is a little unhappy that we seem to need a dispensation, but brilliant that everyone took to it so well.
Thinking about it, even children aren’t allowed to be children long in our society.
My only real creative talent is in the garden; making three-dimensional collages of colour and form, texture and scent. It’s like the world’s largest and least logical musical instrument.
I’m mildly synaesthetic as well, so the colours have numbers and the smells have a shape. Once I’m done for the day I can sit amongst it all and my senses are totally engaged.
oh tess, this is so delightful!! just my cup of tea
and i love love love the picture…one of my favorite things to wear are my rubber boots with abstract hearts all over them. they almost make me wish rainy season wouldn’t end…actually, i don’t love them quite that much.
i am thrilled you let yourself go and consequently gave this amazing gift to all of those grown up kids! simple, right?
This is wonderful Tess, so glad you stepped out and risked this invitation. Your own photo is delightful, love the blue galoshes. Lucy’s boots are so adorable too, she romped in them out on the beach by the hermitage. I am going to ponder your closing question.
Maybe you’ll want to come participate in our Awakening the Creative Spirit program now?
Sounds like a great workshop. One thing that often seems to come up in such settings is a better appreciation and understanding of the diversity of our gifts.
Off the cuff and as an Enneagram One (I think), I would find a picture of a waddling mama duck followed by groups of ducklings in a row and maybe one other odd baby.
Green Witch: when you say your “only” creative talent is in the garden, that’s a pretty major talent! I’d never heard of synaesthesia before and have enjoyed reading about it, and rather envy you this experience.
Lucy: I just knew you would love this photograph. As I posted her onto the bottom right of my sheet (which is where she wanted to be, kicking right off the page), I thought of you.
Christine: still juggling finances - I do really, really want to come to the workshop.
Paul: Thank you. Yes, it underlines for me just how much we are a community and can learn from each other.
Barbara: The other day when you were writing about unidentified rage and a sense of disconnection I wondered if you were an Enneagram One. What you described are typical for a One, along with a lot of “shoulds”. Your delightful description of your image shows the warmth which comes across in your writing. One tempered by a strong Two wing perhaps? Interestingly, quite a few of the Ones we have had at workshops over the years have been teachers. I think it’s something to do with the One’s passion for social justice. How better to effect change than by opening young minds?