Self-Awakening Journey Through Creativity: Blog Post: Week 1 - The Hidden Language of Art: Why We Need More Than Just Words to Heal

The Hidden Language of Art: Unlocking Emotions When Words Fall Short

Have you ever found yourself grappling with a feeling so profound, so nuanced, that words seemed utterly inadequate to capture its essence?  In our daily lives, we often rely heavily on verbal communication to express ourselves and understand the world around us.  But what happens when our inner landscape is too complex, too deeply rooted, or even pre-verbal to be fully articulated?

At Graceful Art Inc., we believe that art offers a vital and often overlooked pathway to understanding and processing these unspoken emotions.  As we begin our "Self-Awakening Journey Through Creativity" series, this week we delve into the fundamental question:  Why Art?  Why do we need this hidden language of creativity to truly heal and connect with ourselves?

The Limitations of Our Verbal Vocabulary

While language is a powerful tool, it has its limitations, especially when it comes to the intricate world of human emotions.  Feelings can be abstract, fluid and deeply personal.  Sometimes, societal norms or fear of judgement (what will they think if...) can prevent us from fully expressing what we feel.  Moreover, certain experiences, particularly those from early childhood or moments of trauma, may be stored in our bodies and minds in way that bypass verbal processing altogether, even without us knowing.  Trying to force these complex or ineffable feeling into neat linguistic boxes can sometimes feel restrictive, leading to frustration and a sense of being misunderstood, even by ourselves.

⏸️ I want to pause for just a moment and ask you, when was the last time that you hesitated to quit a great paying job, to take one with less pay but in a field that made you light up when you thought about it, just because you were worried what your loved ones, especially family, might say or think? — Has there been other times, that you have been caught up in strong emotions...", not knowing why, what caused them, or where they came from, they were just there?  

For me it was taking the plunge into therapeutic art & self-healing teaching/coaching.  I was already nerves about getting back into my art full time.  I was always told that art doesn't bring in the money, it doesn't put a roof over your head.  But it has always been my passion, I have always felt free, still, like there was nothing else around, just me and the creation I am working on.  

From a young age I always knew I want to help others and make them smile.  But I never knew what I actually could do to help people.  Really think about it... yea you help people by holding the door, picking up something they dropped, paying the extra money they didn't have so they can get all their groceries.  But I have always said, I can do more, there is something more than just help like that, yes, those are important and no small task for everyone, but deep down, everyone is struggling with something.  Most struggle in silence, put on a big smile, dress decent, and do what they need to do to get things done, with no one being the wiser to their struggle, their pain.  So even though art itself can bring people joy, I dove deeper into the therapeutic side of art, at first by accident, how, I will tell that story another day!  Any who, when it finally dawned on me that creating art had helped me in so many ways, including facing, connecting with and working through trauma I thought I "got over," "delt with," I had to find the why, the how then I finally came to the "HOLY CRAP THIS IS EXACTLY ME" moment. Now here we are.  Now back to where we were. ▶️ 😁

Art: Speaking the Unspoken

This is where the transformative power of art comes in.  Through colors, lines, shapes, textures and movement, we can bypass the constraints of language and communicate directly with our inner selves.  Art becomes a non-verbal vocabulary, allowing us to externalize emotions that might be too overwhelming or elusive for words. 

Consider this:

• A splash of vibrant, energetic colors might express a joy that feels too expansive for simple words.
• Dark, heavy lines scrawled across a page could represent a weight of sadness or anger that is difficult to articulate. 
• The gentle, repetitive motion of knitting or sculpting can provide a sense of calm and grounding that spoken affirmations might not achieve.

The beauty of this artistic language is that it's deeply personal.  There is no right or wrong way to express yourself.  The meaning lies in the feeling evoked within your creation.  

✨ Here is an example of first "Scream Painting" paintings.  It was created through a process of releasing, and connecting to deep, raw emotions, that lead me to figure out that I wasn't mad (P.O. ed) at what I originally went outside to "Scream" about.  Through the process of releasing the negative and creating something, beautiful and positive from it. 

The Dappling by Crystal 2024

Accessing Deeper Layers of Understanding

Engaging in creative expression can also help us access subconscious thoughts and feelings that we might not even be consciously aware of.  The act of creating can quit the analytical mind, allowing emotions and insights to surface organically.  It's like opening a window to the deeper recesses of our inner world, offering a visual or sensory representation of what lies beneath the surface. 

Your First Invitation to Explore:

This week, as we begin our "Self-Awakening Journey Through Creativity," we incite you to experience the hidden language of art for yourself. 

• For Adults: Take a few moments to simply doodle freely on a piece of paper.  Don't try to create anything specific.  Just let your hand move and notice the lines, shapes and any feelings that arise as you do so. 
• For Adults & Kids: Encourage your children to explore colors and textures without any pressure to create a recognizable image.  Observe their engagement and perhaps join them in your own free exploration of marks and colors. 

Ready to Learn More?

This is just the beginning of our exploration into the power of creativity for self-awakening.  Subscribe to our weekly newsletter to receive ongoing insights, practical prompts and inspiration for your own journey.

Click Here to continue your Self-Awakening Journey Through Creativity! 

We look forward to exploring the hidden language of your own creative expression with you. 

Warmly,

The Team at Graceful Art Inc.

Be Creative!  Create Magic!