JOANNA LYNN
Artist of Self. Creativity Guide. Facilitator of New Perspectives.
Certified Intentional Creativity® Teacher
BIO
For most of my life, I've been creative. I was schooled as a journalist, and since then I've been a communications manager, an English instructor, created adult learning curriculum, a photographer and a website and graphic designer. I love design and decorating, inside and out. Throughout my life I've been keeping journals, writing myself into being and becoming who I really am - and who I choose to be - bit by bit.
All that being said, however, my love is creating true art - the form that holds the essence of a story or a way of being. Whether this was a website, taking a photograph, creating balms and potions or even planting beans! I infused my spirit into whatever I did. I painted and drew here and there, but very little. But as always, I wanted this not to just be a skill or a talent, but a true expression of my muse, my core creative flow.
In 2020, I decided to finally commit art ("commit art" being an expression of Sue Hoya Sellars of IC lineage). I can finally call myself an Artist. This was truly my flowing expression of being the way I have wanted to for years. I became a certified teacher of Color of Woman, the Intentional Creativity® teacher program created by Shiloh Sophia, that has a lineage reaching back to the 1930s. This education in the creation of 'how' I was going to express all the experiences I have gathered in the journey of creating mySelf, and finally share and assist others. I was actually quite surprised in my ability to create what I did with no formal painting training ever and allowing my intuition guide my brush.
It is through my work in the teacher training, that my images are finally here, and continue to emerge, my whole being in form. I'm not sure I would have done all this otherwise if I had not said yes to this experience. I'm deeply thankful that this exists and it was my missing piece to how I wanted to show up in the world. It was only the basic of skills that I needed to take off, presented in the IC method (see below), that made everything work together.
My art is about telling a story of self-love, already healed and the potential of wholeness - not about perfect technique, talent or skill. This is what IC is all about!
ARTIST STATEMENT
I could be perceived as being a visionary artist, and artist of consciousness or an intuitive artist, but I like Artist of Self.
With each brush stroke, I strive to get the clearest vision of a reflection of the potentials and the unique truth within each one of us. I feel it’s imperative to have images of wholeness today, because what our ‘reflections’ are now, and what we see every day is, for the most part, a gross distortion of our true nature - other's ideas of success, beauty, how to be or not be - fill in the blank! This distortion a result of forgetting who and what we really are, and I aim to create reminders and resonators of non-dogmatic truths. It can be difficult to maintain the true inner feelings of we deeply know to be true of love, creativity, possibility, joy - when all around us is this fabricated ‘reality’ so to speak, so often in images designed to make us feel less than; that we need something or someone outside of ourselves to feel whole.
My images of wholeness, while perhaps not always understood, can be felt - and that makes the wholeness of being more available for others - reflecting that a healed, self-accepted, sovereign self is a very real potential if we pay attention. Passion, joy, and richness of colour in life is available to all, despite circumstance or current self-view. But we can't find it if we're continually distracted by 'out there' or 'back then' or 'what if'.
Know thyself - this I believe is the very antidote to what ails us, individually to globally, and I know in my bones creativity is the one of the fastest ways to become. The image of this unification, is essentially the core of all of my artwork, and while each is unique in their expression of this, it contains the essence of the possibility.
I love this spelling: HUEman. Becoming a full-spectrum being of multiple facets, integrated in the One. All systems, mind, heart, body, field and spirit in communication. Each person has this ability, and my art is my expression of what it feels like within me.
INTENTIONAL CREATIVITY®
I love, love, love this process. It's a method for unveiling and recognizing potentials and possibilities of being. This is creativity with intention - an intention for healing, or for unveiling passion, joy and reclaiming a truer creativity and authentic being that spills over into all facets of yourself and your life. It's a way of being in the world, where new ideas and ways of being are uncovered from their hidden places. It's not about learned skill or talent - a right or wrong way - it's an experience of freedom and possibility that occurs in the ACT of creating.
The layers in the writing, drawing activities and paintings represent layers of releasing, being, becoming and creating new. We step into the realm of possibility. We release old stories along the way, as they occur but without excavating. Everything is included without judgement.
This process and method of creating is a profound process that has scientific effects on the body, mind, field and spirit to create a coherency and open lines of communication that have been shut down by trauma, wounds, misguidance or even every day 'have too'. This builds a beautiful foundation for becoming aware of what's already present within, yet hidden, and truly changing perspectives. What is available in the moment to be seen, recognized, released or integrated will actually happen in the act of IC. It is to purposely bring love, attention and awareness to what we create, and because we are involving all systems in creativity, along with Intention, we create a permanent change in perception and an embodied healing that might not occur otherwise. It cannot NOT change, because it is a simultaneous act of awareness and embodiment. We unveil what was hidden and transmute what is no longer necessary.
It is the ultimate empowerment, because with this process, we become our OWN oracles and healers. We inform ourselves of what and who we are. I am not an art therapist or the healer, I am a guide of the process to access your own information. It is truly sacred, but without the need for a belief system in particular, it actually rewires and changes your mind, body and field that which is ready to be received. AND! You are left with an amazing image, a reminder that you have done the work, that Sue Hoya Sellers calls a 'resonator' - your OWN mirror, and undistorted reflections and reminder created by you, for you. Your own essence that continues to speak to you long after the process itself is over. We actually realize our transformations into physical form, in this case, with writing (inquiry & message) and painting or drawing.
*These classes are purely educational and informational for participants. These events are not therapy, nor are they intended to replace any form of therapy. Although there may be therapeutic impacts because we do deep process, it is not intended to replace help from medical professionals of any kind. By participating, you acknowledge that you are well enough, physically and mentally, to participate in this experience, and accept responsibility for your own well being on all levels. If you find, or know, that you need additional support, please seek that out from medical and psychological professionals.
Connect
If you have any questions please contact me below, or I'm happy to chat more about Intentional Creativity®!
WONDERFUL WORDS...
"Thanks so much Joanna for a great art experience with your class. I wasn't sure what would happen before we started but as I was guided and asked to look within to create I really enjoyed the experience and even picked up a few tips for my own art making! I am so grateful to you for starting these classes and highly recommend to anyone that is curious of what they are capable of. Art is special for expression and my lady is very special to me! Thank you for guiding me so well."
- Anne-Marie
"The process of the multiple layers, the bringing together of past, preset and beyond time was enjoyable and grounding. In the I am here command, I felt a bold and enjoyed experiencing the coherence and clean up of my own space, a weave of coming together in this now moment, revealing the unexpected for sure. I felt more joyful and playful throughout the process and loved looking at my lady on the canvas."
- Xanthe
