Up: [[Expressive Art Ideas - A Long List]] Course: The Down Deep with Fonda Clarke Haight for Art is Magic Created: 2022-01-10 ### Signing Up for the Course I signed up for this course during the holidays because I liked the freshness of the images that the instructor shared, and there was a testimonial video by students claiming that the instructor, a woman named Fonda, taught some processes that had really allowed them to paint more naturally, more true to themselves, than ever before. This was particularly appealing to me because I’d chosen ‘Open’ as my word for 2022 and I was/am looking for ways to use my art as a means of opening more and more. ### The Process What Fonda teaches is consistent with Shaun McNiff’s urging to ***Keep it simple. The simpler, the deeper.*** 1. Paint a background, the uglier and more careless the better. 2. Look for and bring out images from that background. It’s akin to seeing shapes in clouds and has, so far, been both fun and surprising. If you can’t see images, try making a black and white photocopy of the page or turning the page around. You’ll soon spot an image. 3. Reduce the background if necessary to highlight the images you bring forth. 4. Title the painting or give it a statement title. ### Reflection Paintings poured out of me during this course, plus I’ve used the process many times since. It has been incredibly profound and impactful. ### A Couple of Examples ![[DD - Retreat Symbol.webp]] ![[Down Deep 2 Dec 2 2022.webp]]