September 3, 2024 #ITTRWY #Meaning #Nature Connection

Creating Art to Connect: Tips from Mar Estarellas

Meet Mar Estarellas

Mar is currently a Postdoctoral Researcher at the Consciousness and Cognition Lab at the University of Cambridge. She holds certification from the Association of Nature and Forest Therapy (ANFT) as a Forest Therapy Guide and has been leading ‘Intuitive Painting’ workshops for over a year.

Within the lab, her research focuses on exploring the intricate connections between mind, body, and Nature. Her work is driven by a profound commitment to enhancing the synergistic human and more-than-human health and wellbeing.

Mar’s Tips on Creating Art to Connect

Art as a relational and meaning-making practice

We are naturally creative beings, constantly creating stories and meaning to make sense of the world. This creative process is not solitary but a co-creation with one another and our surroundings, where we continuously bring forth our world. As this process is a constant throughout our life, most of the time we remain unaware of it, as a gentle breeze that
is always present but rarely noticed.

Our culture, however, tends to view creativity and in general, the process of creation, as something that we need to attain, a ‘’faculty’’ that we have to exercise, something we have more or less of. But in truth, creativity is our birthright; the process of life itself is creative, the entire field of relations we embody in every second of our existence, just by breathing in the oxygen that the trees gently exhale for us. Creativity is in the in-between bodies and the environment.

One of the ways we can become more aware of this fundamental relational creativity is through expressive, embodied, intuitive practices, where we can deepen our relationship with the more-than-human world, engaging in a conscious dialogue with nature. This practice will also help us reflect on our experiences and emotions, offering novel insights and perspectives on our place within the world.

So, what is an intuitive, embodied expression? Let me break it down:

No art experience necessary!

It’s important to emphasise that these art practices require no previous experience. Whether you’ve never picked up a paintbrush or you are a professional artist, the focus here is on the act of expression itself, not on skill or aesthetics. This liberating approach allows for genuine personal expression and exploration, unbounded by the constraints of “doing art right.” It’s about letting the forest inspire you and using art as a means to capture and reflect on that inspiration, exploring different ways that the forest talks to and through us.

I truly believe that we are all artists, sometimes, we just need a little help to remember.

Intuitive painting

Intuitive painting is a powerful practice that invites your body to lead the way, allowing the mind to quiet and the inner critic to step aside.

It’s a playful exploration of self, free from fear, judgment, or expectations. It’s an opportunity to experience the lightness of not taking yourself too seriously and to rediscover the inherent creativity that resides within all of us. Through this process, we engage in meaning-making, using art to create stories that connect us more deeply with Nature and with ourselves.

Tips for intuitive painting

Let go of judgment

Remember, the importance is in the journey, not the destination. How did you feel during the creative process? If you wish to completely detach from the outcome, consider “destroying” your creation once it’s finished. How does that make you feel?

Curiosity as your guide

Bring your curiosity as it was your best friend is this journey of discovery. Notice how you are feeling, your surroundings, the stories and memories that come to your mind. Approach each moment with a sense of wonder, allowing curiosity to lead the way. This might not always be easy, but let’s remember that this is practice and we are always learning.

PS: no paintbrush is necessary — try painting with your hands, your feet and why not! with your whole body!!

Release expectations

Remember, there are no right or wrong results in intuitive painting. If all you create one day is a single black dot on a sheet of paper, that’s exactly what you needed to do at that moment. Trust in your body’s wisdom: every mark, no matter how small, carries meaning. I invite you to take time to sit with your creation and see what stories or emotions emerge. The most important (and often the most challenging) step is making that first mark on the paper. You did it!

Take this practice outdoors and immerse yourself fully in Nature!

Engage fully with Nature, activating all your senses to immerse yourself in its calming and restorative power. The forest, with its rich tapestry of sights, sounds, and smells, acts as a mirror, reflecting our inner world—our thoughts, emotions, and sensations. This pathway encourages you to explore this connection, where the natural world and your inner self intersect..

Celebrate your connection with Nature

A little reminder: this is not just about creating art; it’s about celebrating your unique connection with the natural world and the stories that emerge from this relationship. What does Nature mean to you? How does it speak to you? Use your art to express these answers. Share your creations as a way of co-creating with others, inviting them into your story and discovering the many ways in which we all interact with and find meaning in the world around us.