We all go through cycles and seasons-of-change that necessitate a higher-than-usual level of intellectual or emotional energy. The holidays can do that. Whatever the root cause(s), things can get charged until you’re ready to blow.
It happens.
In those moments when life puts you too outside the norm, when your emotional bottle is getting too full...and when you are meanwhile trying to present to the world that all-is-normal-and-good...I suggest that you do an Emotional Vomit artwork. It's a time to be real, but also to be playful and to be YOU..
Emotional Vomit (Detail) | Jodi Rose Gonzales
Here, I created some doodles on paper, cut them out, then gooped paint right onto a large sheet of paper...and then smushed the paint around with plastic bags. I topped it all off with old pieces of chewing gum.
The emotional release of the piece felt, for me, VERY good.
Trigger alert: the topic of emotional vomit may be triggering to some individuals, particularly those in recovery from eating disorder or with other diagnosable mental health conditions. In fact, the prompt surfaced memories from my own recovery, and my work with women in residential treatment.
This is not a prompt for everyone. This blog is intended to offer a playful intervention to prevent toxic buildup and is in no way intended to poke fun at any individual’s suffering. If you feel that this intervention could be unmanageable or triggering, please seek support.
Materials and Methods for this artwork
The specific art prompt is to create a piece that represents emotional vomit—”getting it out” in an appropriate, non-harmful way (as a prevention tool) so that you DON’T spew on yourself or others.
Here, think carefully about your materials and methods. Pardon the bluntness, but what represents “puke”?
Think goopy, smearing, tearing, crumpling, etc.
You might wish to work mixed media, incorporating objects that feel relevant to the emotions that are bottled.
Tip: If you're prone to strong or uncontrollable emotions, try to work smaller and more contained on the page. Keep your working time short. Use materials that are less goopy, and easier to control such as pencil or marker.
In my piece, I used a 2x3 piece of brown paper, and I poured tempera right onto the page. I smushed the tempera around the paper, adding in doodles and words representing the various emotions that I could no longer “stomach.” Lastly, I added a few wads of chewing gum to represent that I could no longer “chew on” some of the various challenges.
As you work, notice any physical and emotional sensations. Does your stomach growl? Do new emotions start to surface? Do you feel lighter? What is your experience of release?
The Answers Lie Within You
Once you’ve completed this piece—and I don’t recommend that you make it’s creation a lengthy one—take some time to consider:
What are you stomaching too much of?
What are you REALLY hungry for?
In what way are you biting off more than you can chew?
Are you feeding yourself lies?
What do you need to START doing or STOP doing?
What else do you observe?
Take some time to journal about the image. Try to write from the perspective of the artwork. What wisdom does it have to share?
Onward
When you’re done with the piece, let it go. Put it aside. The content is not something to hold onto. That said, do follow through on any insights gained as you reflect on your work. Is there a boundary to be made? A conversation with an important “other” to be had? A change in priority to reestablish work-life balance?
Listen to your creative voice and take action on it’s healing offerings. After all, it is not the artwork talking: it is the deep-seated wisdom and voice of YOU.
I hope that you find encouragement, entertainment and uplift in this resource....don’t hesitate to reach out for help if needed. You probably go to the doctor when you have a bug or flu. It’s ok to get help for your emotional buildup/toxicity, too.
Need an emotional outlet? You’ll love the 8 Keys mini-course. Inside the 8 Keys you’ll find audio meditations, fourteen art prompts, a practice guide, and additional resources to help you acknowledge how you’re feeling. The 8 Keys is FREE and housed inside my app, True Natured Creatives. Available in your Apple or Google Play stores, or explore it online here.
Jodi Rose Gonzales ATR, NCC, ERYT, YACEP is an artist, art therapist, author and yoga teacher who helps creative people unlock their full potential. Get her free mini-course called Creative Freedom: Eight Essential Keys to Inspiration, HERE.