The Art of Becoming: Art and Archaeology of the Soul

Courtesy WixMedia

There's a moment in every person's life when they catch a glimpse of themselves in the mirror and wonder: Who is that soul behind the eyes? Sometimes the surface-level of a person feels like a stranger—layered over with expectations, societal masks, and versions of ourselves we thought we needed to be to survive, to belong, to be loved.

The journey back to our true self is perhaps the most profound creative act we'll ever undertake. It's not just soul-deep inner work; it's an artform in itself, requiring the same patience, vulnerability, and trust in the process that any artist brings to their canvas.

The Canvas of Self-Discovery

When we begin the work of reclaiming who we really are, we're essentially approaching ourselves as both artist and canvas. We hold the brush, but we're also the masterpiece waiting to emerge from beneath layers of paint that no longer serve us.

This process often begins with destruction before creation—much like how a painter might scrape away old paint to reveal the original surface underneath. We start recognizing the voices that aren't ours, the dreams we've abandoned for more "practical" paths, the parts of ourselves we've hidden away to make others comfortable.

The courage to scrape away these layers is where the real artistry begins.

Art as Mirror and Medicine

Creative practices become powerful allies in this reclamation work. When we paint, photograph, write, or create, we're not just making something beautiful—we're having a conversation with our deepest self.

Painting and drawing offer direct pathways to the subconscious. The way color flows across paper, the pressure of graphite against canvas, the shapes that emerge without our logical mind directing them—these become breadcrumbs leading us back to forgotten parts of ourselves. Sometimes the most healing art is the messiest, the kind that would never hang in a gallery but holds the raw truth of who we are beneath it all.

Photography teaches us to see beauty in unexpected places, including within ourselves. The practice of capturing light and shadow mirrors our own work of illuminating the hidden corners of our inner landscape. Every photograph is an act of choosing what deserves attention, what story deserves to be told.

Movement and dance reconnect us with the wisdom held in our bodies, the parts of ourselves that remember joy, sensuality, and freedom even when our minds have forgotten.

Writing becomes archaeology of the soul, unearthing memories, dreams, and truths we didn't know we carried.

...stay tuned for the second half of this post coming soon!