Unlocking the Messages in Your Art: A Journey of Sending and Receiving

The Early Days: Sending Without Listening

Have you ever stopped to wonder what your art might be trying to tell you? It’s a curious thought, isn’t it? I used to think of my creative process as purely one-way — a way to release thoughts, emotions, and energy that I couldn’t quite articulate otherwise. But over time, I’ve discovered that art is far more than just an outlet; it’s also a mirror, reflecting back parts of ourselves we might not immediately recognise.

When I first started making art, it was all about send. I didn’t stop to analyse or reflect on what my creations might mean. At the time, I was grappling with a recent diagnosis of dyslexia and ADHD, as well as struggling with mental health. Art became my refuge, a space where I could just pour everything out without judgement or expectation.

Discovering the Balance: Send and Receive

It wasn’t until I went to art school that I started to truly engage in send and receive with my work. For the first time, I began to look back at what I’d created — not just to critique its technical aspects, but to listen to what it was saying about me. Patterns emerged: organic, rough mark-making full of energy and urgency. Pieces I once dismissed as “not working” began to reveal layers of meaning I hadn’t seen before.

A Story of Resilience: The Leaf Motifs

One of the most poignant examples of this journey involves a series of leaf motifs I painted during a particularly difficult time. Back then, I saw them as symbols of pain and struggled to like them as finished pieces. Years later, revisiting those works, I realised they spoke of resilience and strength. What once felt like a reflection of my despair had transformed into a reminder of my ability to endure and grow. Today, those leaves have found a new life as bookmarks, simple yet meaningful tokens of a moment in time.

Listening to Your Art: A Practice of Reflection

This process of reflection — of listening to your art as much as creating it — is a powerful tool for self-discovery. It’s not about forcing meaning or over-analysing; it’s about giving yourself the space to see what emerges naturally. Perhaps you’ll uncover insights into who you were when you created the piece, or find new interpretations that resonate with the person you’ve become.

If you’d like to explore this practice yourself, I encourage you to revisit an older piece of your work. Ask yourself:

  • What was I feeling when I created this?
  • What does it say to me now?
  • Does it carry a message I hadn’t noticed before?

You might be surprised by the answers. And if nothing comes to mind, that’s perfectly fine too. Sometimes, art is just about the act of creating, and that’s beautiful in itself.

Looking Ahead: Plans for 2025

Behind the scenes, I’ve been reflecting a lot on my creative journey as I plan for the future. With 2025 in sight, I’m mapping out our next big steps for United Art Space, including our annual January planning event — an opportunity to design your life and set intentions for your best year yet. It’s one of my favourite events, and I can’t wait to share it with you.

Take a Moment to Listen

So, as we move into a season of planning and reflection, why not take a moment to pause and listen to your art? It might just have something profound to say.

 

You can watch or listen here

YOUR ART MATTERS BOOK

I go into more depth in the Your Art Matters book, where I give you access to tasks to help with this process.  If you haven’t seen the book yet, you can learn more here:

yourartmatters.com

If you have read the book, I would love to hear how you have found it by leaving a review on Amazon or posting on social media with the hashtag #yambook

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Have a great week & take care,

Michelle xo