contact@arkhealing.com
Near York, U.K.
At Ark Healing, we believe art is far more than just aesthetics; it’s a profound path to self-discovery, healing, and deeper knowing.
My personal journey through creative expression, particularly during my training at the Barbara Brennan School of Healing (BBSH), beautifully illustrates how art can unlock inner wisdom and facilitate profound shifts.
Canvas & Consciousness: A Year 1 BBSH Revelation1
Acrylic paint
My early artistic endeavors, limited by a brief and uninspiring art school experience in childhood, primarily centered on acrylic painting.
Despite a lack of formal skills, the canvas became my most comfortable medium for expressing my inner world.
During my first year at BBSH, a program that deeply integrates art as a healing modality, a powerful image began to emerge in my consciousness at the close of the third residential week.
This painting, an angry cobra coiled on a bed of fiery lava, symbolically captured the intense anger and frustration of a deflected Kundalini process I was unconsciously navigating at the time.
Yet, even amidst this visceral expression of internal turmoil, there was a nascent awareness of a profound Divine Feminine presence.
While the full understanding of my Kundalini journey only crystallized after graduating, this artwork stands as a testament to art as a way of knowing, capturing a truth my conscious mind couldn’t yet verbalize.
The Shamanic Drum: Crafting a Power Instrument for Inner Journeys
Shamanic Drum with crystal belt. Designed, made in ceremony with help from an experienced Shaman and painted by Nathalie
My exploration of art as a way of knowing extended into crafting my own shamanic drum during my “Walking the Shaman’s Path” studies.
This was more than just a creative project; it was a deeply ceremonial process, meticulously designed and brought to life with the guidance of an experienced shaman.
My love for crystals, in their myriad shapes and hues, inspired the integration of various colored and ‘shaman stones’ into the drum’s design.
Drawing from Eastern influences, I chose a mandala for the drum’s face, with the sacred ‘Om’ symbol at its center, perfectly aligning with its purpose as a tool for profound inner work.
For me, the leatherwork itself became a powerful act of self-expression, intrinsically linked to the ritual of preparing a sacred instrument. This drum is now a vital tool in my shamanic healing work within group settings, providing a resonant guide for inner exploration.
Reflections and Insights: Art from BBSH Years 2 & 3
Acrylic paint
My artistic journey continued to mirror my personal growth.
In my second year at BBSH, a contemplative stroll along the river in Bad Ischl, Austria (where our residential classes were held), prompted a canvas reflection on my impatience. My inner process felt slow, and painting this tranquil river landscape became a meditative practice. As I observed the water, words gently surfaced from my consciousness, allowing me to patiently engage with these emerging insights. This piece perfectly embodies art as exploration, transforming a personal challenge into a visual dialogue.
The painting of a peaceful pigeon against a serene golden background emerged during my third year. Today, this image profoundly represents the deep stillness and inherent peacefulness of my soul, a state I continue to experience and understand on an ever-deepening level. It’s a visual reminder of enduring inner tranquility discovered through art as a way of knowing.
Sacred Space Design: Mandalas for Healing Environments
Mandala creation with gold paint on wooden floor
My artistic expression also extends to creating sacred spaces. The large mandala, meticulously painted with gold on a wooden floor, was designed to prepare a welcoming and energetically aligned space for a ShamYoga group. Its design echoed that of my shamanic drum, creating a powerful resonance within the group setting. A ‘Flower of Life’ symbol was also painted onto the fireplace wall, further enhancing the sacred geometry of the room.
The intention behind this design was to forge a safe, nurturing environment where individuals could feel empowered to explore their inner landscape and embark on a secure journey to the space of their heart. Here, art becomes a tangible means of facilitating deep self-exploration and knowing.
