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Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Cityscape: Around Intown
BYLINE: Laura Raines
For The Journal-Constitution, 08-15-2002 Lessons in how to 'Paint Your
Guts Out'
After five years as a corporate change-management consultant, Montine
Blank discovered that she had climbed to the top and landed in a cubicle. It was not where she wanted to be.
What
she wanted was to teach people how to heal themselves and find
meaningful connection in their lives and relationships, using
creativity as a tool. She trained for two years with Aviva Gold, author
of "Painting From the Source," to [become certified in]
Transformational Process Painting. She learned that "getting immersed in creativity is healthy and balancing."
Today,
in her Paint Your Guts Out! Studio in Inman Park, Blank puts people in
touch with the creative and healing power of art --- not the
product, the process.
"We're all artists. We're the only creatures on the planet who can create for creativity's sake. We should use it," said Blank.
"Don't
worry if you're not a Michelangelo. What? You shouldn't bike because
you're not Lance Armstrong?" she asked. Think 5 years old with a
paintbrush in your hand, unlimited paper, no time limits and no
"adults" telling you what to paint or what it means.
That's the kind of freedom Blank gives people who attend her Paint Your Guts Out! sessions.
Blank
helps people move past their conscious thoughts into the realm of the
unconscious and intuition. "People find wisdom they didn't know they
had. They find forgiveness, clarity in their relationships, direction
in their work, balance in their life. Most of all they rekindle their
sense of spontaneity and aliveness," said Blank.
What
makes transformational art so powerful? "Around age one, we learn to
speak and we begin to censor our language to get what we want. By 30
we're very good at censoring what we say, but we're not good about
censoring what we paint," she said.
All ages have come to her studio. Some are experienced artists, but most are not.
"Many
have an initial resistance to exploring their creativity. They'll call
and cancel three times before they finally show up. I tell them it's
OK; they'll come when they're ready," said Blank.
Besides
the Paint Your Guts Out sessions, Blank uses art to lead team
development workshops for corporations and organizations, group bonding
and party events.
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Paint Your Guts Out!
by Jill Hall, Writer
Each
time I go, something else in me loosens, negative notions I have about
myself crumble a bit. Once blocked paths, if not completely clear, are
beginning to look a bit less impassible. I see positive, incremental
changes happening in my life and others with whom I've painted and
shared in these workshops have expressed similar experiences of growth
and renewal.
We,
as a culture, spend a lot of time running around chasing our tails,
chasing our jobs, chasing each other and rarely do we find time for
ourselves so that we may actually chase our dreams. The few hours I
spend painting each week or every other week provide a type of quiet
and time for reflection rare to find these days.
For
me, this experience had come at great time. I was ready to explore
parts of myself dusty and dark from years of neglect and had become
aware that I needed to take a more active role in my own life. The
least of what I get each time I go is a fun evening playing with
paints, and the best, I look forward to discovering.
Team Bonding
by JoNell A. Usher, Asst. Dean, Emory University
The
Mirrors of Strength and Inspiration activity allowed each member of our
office "team" to explore her/his unique qualities in a safe
environment. The early time together brought our shy-ness to the
forefront. Then came the playful involvement...suddenly we were lost in
our visions, working with paper and glue, discovering beads and
ribbons, activating our curiousity. By the close of the day, each
person willingly shared a creation with the group. We saw new
possibilities in each other, for the workplace and beyond.
As
the senior leader of this 20-person group, I benefited in two
significant ways from this experience. First, I learned more about the
strengths and goals of each team member. Second was the capacity to
show myself as open to looking into the unknown.
Many of our mirrors now adorn the office conference room giving rise to new conversations within a larger community.
Mirrors that Love You Back
by Shannon Caprio
Montine
Montine Montine!!! I just had to write you and tell you that I am still
"high" from class today...and it wasn't from the paint and mod podge
fumes.
I have so
desperately needed an outlet for my creativity. I need to be creating!
Today I decided that while 9 to 5 I may belong to the job that is
sustaining me financially...the other 16 hours of the day are MINE and
I can begin making those hours work for me. I don't know if anyone else
has had such a powerful experience but I rushed home (doing the speed
limit of course!) and immediately started journaling my experience.
I
hope you realize how much you are touching lives. I felt alive. I felt
refreshed. I felt energized. I felt happy. I felt inspired. I felt I
was in a good place and I want to keep creating that place for myself.
Thank you for opening a whole new world of discovery for me. I haven't
been able to stop staring at my mirror!!! I do love it!
Gosh,
I could go on and on but I think I will just save the rest for when we
meet again. I can not wait for my next studio visit. Please feel free
to share this email, I'm sure there are more people out there feeling
the way I do.
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