Discovering New Shapes + Spiritual Bathing

Another way we can discover inspiration right in own backyard or local area is by taking photos of shapes and colors that call to us and then incorporating them into art. I took these photos near my studio and house. You may also need to walk to a local park to find inspiration. Urban shapes can be equally inspiring too.

Creative Exercise:

Take photos of silhouettes, shapes, colors, and lines that call to you. Share these with the group. Sketch out these shapes and incorporate them into your next painting your wood panel. Another idea is that you can sketch them with pencil first and then fill them in with India ink by using the Aquabrush and other small brushes and add details with your pens on watercolor paper. You can also cut out the shapes from paper and add them to your panel after you have painted layers of ink and/or acrylic for your background. Then you can add details with pen, ink, and/or acrylic as well.

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"There must be quite a few things that a hot bath won't cure, but I don't know many of them."

 -Sylvia Plath

Another love of mine is to take an intentional and spiritual bath. Bathing as a sacred ritual in your life is a way to calm and clear the mind after a long day. Someone once told me to imagine all the stresses and thoughts of the day to be carried down out of the tub as you drain the bathwater. I have since never forgotten that image when I bathe. I see bathing as an opportunity to cleanse and rebirth our spirits after a long day.

To make an herbal tea bath:

Collect some sweet smelling and calming dried herbs from your local heath food store or apothecary. Rose, Rose Hips, Lavender, Chamomile, and/or Rosemary will turn your bath into an aromatic and soothing delight. Place the dried herbs into a drawstring muslin bag or a large tea ball made out of a metal mesh with the hot water running and leave it in your bath the whole time. Before you get in you may want to squeeze the tea bag and swish it around. You can also add your favorite smelling essential oils— a few drops after the bathtub has filled is fine. I would recommend calming oils, such as Neroli, Jasmine, Bergamot, Lavender, Palmarosa, Chamomile, Sandalwood, or Ylang Ylang.  Swish the water around again then as well – then step into pure bliss and let your body soak all that goodness in. You so deserve it.

Light some candles and put on some calming music, get your herbs and oils ready and draw your bath. Say a prayer or intention and give some Reiki to the water as you set those intentions. Allow this to be a sacred ritual for yourself. Dry yourself off and put on your favorite lotion or oil and write in your journal things you are grateful for that day. Then curl up for a night of deep, peaceful sleep. This is another act of self love and care, one where the benefits, sometimes hidden or more obvious, ripple out and influence our lives in many ways.