This past Saturday I had the pleasure of guiding a group of muses in my Painting With Your Muse intuitive painting workshop. Each time I do this workshop I am in awe of the amazing muses who join me. If you don’t already know the muses I’m talking about are the inner muses of each participant at the workshop. I believe strongly that we all have what we need inside and it follows that rather than have a muse outside yourself that inspires you, that creative wisdom and inspiration comes from within.

After warming up with some drumming and setting intentions to follow their own internal rhythm, came the task of facing a blank sheet of paper. Inner critics were busy trying to argue and scare the muses away from using their true voice. Luckily the muses were prepared!

It was with pleasure that I watched the creative voices in the room be expressed through the painting. For some it was a constant battle, but they persisted to follow the process rather than self-imposed expectations. “Mistakes” were welcomed, “Shoulds” were ignored. Inner patterns observed and reflected on to make room for stifled parts of self to express. Risks were taken.

It was hard work for those muses as the incessant inner critics kept trying to come back into the room and douse the creative fires inside. But the room kept glowing with creative determination.

There is something about being given permission to notice and let go of the scripts which no longer serve us that allows one’s creative spirit to shine. There is something about coming into your body and out of your head that opens the doors to one’s inner muse. And the watching of this as it unfolds before my eyes- stunningly beautiful. Their courage and persistence to create despite all the roadblocks reminds me of the power of creativity.