‘Archetypal Dreaming : Process, Portals & Portraits’ ~ SOLO EXHIBITION

‘Sacred Messengers Whispering’ © 2017 Tanya Cole (Mystic Archetype)

The following is an exploration of these paintings and a description of what the Archetypes mean to me and are known to symbolise…

* Be sure to read all the way to the bottom to mine the gold out of this!

‘Housing Our Inner Rebel’ Original Acrylic on Canvas ~ 16″ x 20″ © 2017 Tanya Cole

The Rebel Archetype

This pieces explores and represents the Archetype of the Rebel ~ we may or may not have this archetype operating (consciously or subconsciously). Sometimes, in teenagehood, our inner rebel can be pushed underground into the shadows because we have intuited or out right been told, that to be rebellious is not acceptable in our society, community, hood, family, relationship etc. Which to a large degree is understandable & valid. However, not all aspects of the ‘rebel’ are ‘bad’…there are some incredibly redeeming qualities to the rebel, that is needed and indeed can ‘move mountains’ or make societal shifts and much needed changes. There are many, many positive examples of the Rebel Archetype. If we can harness the energy of our own ‘inner rebel’…that unrealised and unexpressed raw energy of the rebel and can direct him/her we can accomplish amazing things! Fear not, your inner rebel. Do not banish it into the shadows. Explore it and express it in a fully conscious and evolved way for more success & joy in your life and relationships. (And…yes, this painting is my attempt to capture Amy Winehouse in her early days when she was full of hope and inspiration and her rebel was working for her and not the shadow aspect of the rebel which dominated in her last years of her life).

‘Protectors of Peace & Beauty’ Original Acrylic & Ink on Canvas ~ 20″ x 20″ © 2017 Tanya Cole

The Weaver ~ Warrior Archetype

The Weaver creates & the Warrior destroys & protects. When these are in balance, we experience balance and harmony. A couple of examples of how this archetype expresses itself or leaves a vacuum from it’s absence… The Weaver ~ Warrior Archetype is often lying dormant within us in some way or being expressed in maladaptive ways. In relation to the World we live in…when there are not enough weavers, warriors start to dominate ie wars occur. When there are only weavers in a community, people lack the motivation and focus to become their highest, most courageous selves. And there is no one to protect our rights to weave. We might have pushed down any warrior powers in us believing they are not feminine or acceptable. When we tap into and allow our warrior strength to make an appearance, we can protect the down trodden and mistreated, as well as achieve great heights for ourselves and our communities. When we listen to our soul and meet the creativity that is in us all, we bring practical magic and mystery, possibility and joy into our world and balance those who would dominate and possess. Funnily enough, as we nurture our Weaver/Creator, our Warrior also gets to surface because we develop a sensitivity and compassion for all living things and a fierce protectiveness for all that is good and true.

‘She Who Has Been Before’ Original Acrylic & Ink on Canvas ~ 16″ x 20″ © 2017 Tanya Cole

The Shaman Archetype (a subcategory of the Healer Archetype)

I have had both personal experience of journeying into the shadow side; brought on by deep grief that I thought would crack me open, as well as observing the process in patients and others in the past. Whilst the cause of going into the shadow side is not a joyful prospect, the resultant joy, clarity, insight and shifts in your life, can be extraordinary. Most people are starting to relate and create understanding around why they have had to endure a particularly painful situation. Many times, once they have healed themselves, they will venture into the field of what harmed them, so that they can help others heal too. I believe at some level, that this is the Shaman Archetype at work in our communities.

I no longer fear the underworld, spirits, totem animals and the like…to me they are valued guides and allies, taking me deeper into a spiritual exploration I could never have foreseen nor anticipated. For a few years now, I have wondered why Native American Indian faces were intuitively appearing out of the marks and shapes in my paintings. Now, I understand the connection to indigenous cultures and spirit guides and the  universal subconscious that is tapped into during immersement in creative acts such as painting. It is profound and entirely worthwhile. There is a deeper wisdom tantalizingly close on the outskirts of the veil. Painting gets me closer to the veil so I can hear the whispers beyond. It will get me back there again and again, as long as there is more understanding for me to obtain. Archetypes is just a structure or form of language that helps us to make and sense and connection with what we intuit or have a feeling about. When we can apply meaning to what we intuit, we can then observe it in our behaviour (or others); then we are gifted the ability to make choices and gain more clarity about our place in the world and we can effect great changes for ourselves and others.

“The mission of the shaman is to heal—both individually and collectively—the state of possession by unconscious psychic forces of the members of their community, as well as the community as a whole.” Paul Levy  ~ paraphrase of Paul Levy…”…curing the soul of individuals and collective states of possession is really the principal task of the Shaman.”

‘Freedoms Ladder of the Soul’ Original Acrylic on Canvas ~ 20″ x 16″ © 2017 Tanya Cole

The Visionary Archetype

“…Visionaries are those rare and inspired individuals who see great promise and imminent potentials for human consciousness and culture that most of us haven’t even begun to imagine yet. They are no longer merely living to get and to have for themselves, or tenaciously trying to preserve and protect what has already been. Visionaries are living for what has not yet occurred because their attention is riveted by the promise of the possible—that future is already radiant and alive in the field of their imagination. Because they experience that future—and feel its promise on a daily basis—they live in a state of perpetual discontent, simultaneously deeply inspired and ever-unsatisfied. How many of us have the courage and the heart to live that way—to live for the future like those great souls who have given rise to the higher values of our shared culture? —Andrew Cohen” Taken from One Heals One

The following are rambled words (some my own, some not) quickly written down in my visual diary as I prepped for my painting to give me the feeling for the essence of what the Visionary Archetype holds. The source of each ‘statement’ were not recorded and therefore I am unable to quote them & their source directly:

‘The Mayan World Tree represents a doorway into other world. The Tree of life offers you vision…understanding. The Acorn Theory postulates that there is a tree growing within all of us and we are called to climb ‘the tree of life’ or climb the ladder of the soul.  That this ancient tree has 7 steps. The chakra’s have also been aligned with the steps of ascension up the tree. That the Visionary is the highest stage of illumination. Native Americans believe in and cast blessing towards the 7 directions of North, West, East, West, above (heaven), below (shadow/underworld) and within.’

‘Sacred Messengers Whispering’ Original Mixed Media on Wood ~ 20″ x 16″ © 2017  Tanya Cole

The Mystic Archetype

“Do you do as you feel? Are you divinely guided? Are you living an intuitive lifestyle, responding to the higher calling of the moment? Can you separate from your ego and self to rise above the business of this earthly plane and see things from a vantage of complete objectivity? When you express yourself, does it seem to resonate with others in some mysterious way? Then, hello, Mystic!…Mystics know things beyond ordinary understanding. They are expert communicators, though they don’t always have a lot to say – they may even have a rather cryptic style of communicating – but what they do say hits home and moves people. Mystics might be singers, songwriters, novelists, filmmakers, artists, business gurus, inventors, or innovators. Whatever their main talent, they have other talents and qualities that are hard to describe because they are not apparent to the senses or obvious to the intellect.” source

“The new meaning of Soul is creativity with mysticism. These will become the foundation of the new psychological type & with him or her, will come the new civilisation.” Otto Rank

Magpies have featured in my life since a child. Living in Australia, most children will have experienced being swooped by one. I used to not entirely fear them as a child…rather they made the mundane daily walk to school more interesting and adventurous. Someone once said that magpies swoop down to take hair from your head to their nest and someone else said that they are attracted to the light reflecting off your eyeballs. Later in life, I learn’t that as spirit animals, magpies look for ‘treasures’, glinty objects such as glass stones, or jewellery. Perhaps they think our eyes are jewels and they want to take them and gift them to someone else. We have a magpie that regularly visits us here at our home. He lets us hand feed him. He looks at us with his head cocked with an intelligence beyond our comprehension. He comes back and leaves me wondering about the mysteries and the messages he offers…

Again, the following are rambled words (some my own, some not) quickly written down in my visual diary as I prepped for my painting to give me the feeling for the essence of what the Mystic Archetype holds. The source of each ‘statement’ were not recorded and therefore I am unable to quote them & their source directly:

‘Lose yourself in the mysteries, live in the wonder, your centre will hold. The seeker. Violet ~ the most mystical colour of all. The colour of bliss & enlightenment. Inner eye turned upward. How are you spending your days?’

‘Look For The Helpers’ Original Acrylic on Canvas ~ 20″ x 24″ © 2017 Tanya Cole
(* Inspired by an in-person, live portrait painting session and hearing her beautiful message and passion)

The Healer Archetype

“Of the 12 archetypes Carl Jung identified, the “wounded healer” is perhaps one of the best known. It is the idea that those who seek to help others are doing so because they are, in turn, helping themselves. It does not matter whether you are a teacher, a writer, a physician or an accountant: if you have a desire to help others because of a difficult past, this could very well be you.” source

I related well to the stories my live sitter/model told as she sat whilst I painted her. We can see archetypes operating in those around us and we can glimpse ourselves. Once we recognise an archetype in ourself and providing it sits well with us (ie not part of our shadow self that we would rather push away or deny) we can feel happy about celebrating it in our world, embracing and developing it further so it can have more of an active role and influence in our lives and those around us.

Again, the following are rambled words (some my own, some not) quickly written down in my visual diary as I prepped for my painting to give me the feeling for the essence of what the Healer Archetype holds. The source of each ‘statement’ were not recorded and therefore I am unable to quote them & their source directly:

‘Serve, Help, lift someone, patience, growth, rejuvenation, harmony, forgiveness, Wellness comes when you acknowledge all your opposite aspects ~ light/dark, day/night, heat/cold, female/male, youth/age. Gift health via inner harmony, to self from self.’

More: The Wounded Healer

Archetypal Energies of the Healer

‘Let Open Minds & Open Hearts Fly’ Original Acrylic on Canvas ~ 18″ x 36″ © 2016 Tanya Cole

The Liberator Archetype

“We tend to think of Liberators as great military and political leaders who free an entire country or people from servitude, such as Mahatma Gandhi, Abraham Lincoln, Simon Bolivar of Venezuela, Nelson Mandela, and, depending on your politics, Lenin, Castro, and Che Guevara. But in everyday life, any number of people can play a similar role on a smaller scale, helping to liberate us from the tyranny of self-inflicted negative thought patterns and beliefs, spiritual sluggishness, poor nutrition, destructive relationships, or addictive behavior. This archetype can be an invaluable ally in helping to free us from old, entrenched beliefs and attitudes that have been inculcated from without, much like colonial occupying armies. Jesus, Muhammad, and the Buddha were Liberators in this sense, offering options to the violence, suffering, and spiritual stagnation of their respective times and places. You do not have to be a charismatic leader to have this archetype, however. Thousands of people have taken part in long campaigns to win freedom from various kinds of oppression, from the Freedom Riders of the Civil Rights movement in this country to the Freedom Fighters of the Hungarian Revolution. The shadow Liberator manifests in those who would liberate us from one tyrant only to impose their own tyranny over our lives–corporate, political, religious, and spiritual leaders who speak of freedom as a way to their individual aggrandizement. In evaluating whether this archetype belongs in your circle of twelve, ask whether you have shown a life-long pattern of helping to free others from injustices, from adverse economic or social conditions, or simply from their misconceptions.” source

Freedom, here, is represented by the flight of the bird. It sits freely on her shoulder. Not tethered or coerced. It can fly off whenever it feels the urge to. It won’t be held back.

‘Find Your Keys to Freedom’ Original Acrylic on Wood ~ 8″ x 30″ © 2017 Tanya Cole

The Child Archetype

“The child archetype is a Jungian archetype, first suggested by psychologist Carl Jung. In more recent years, author Caroline Myss has suggested that the child, out of the four survival archetypes (victim, prostitute, and saboteur), is present in all humans.^{[clarification needed]} According to Myss, its presence ranges from “childish to childlike longing for the innocent, regardless of age” and comprises sub-archetypes: “wounded child”, “abandoned or orphan child”, “dependent child”, “magical/innocent child”, “nature child”, “divine child”, and “eternal child”.” source

“The child archetype is one of the most common archetypes experienced by individuals.  Jung’s child archetype is often represented in mythology and art by children, infants most especially, as well as other small creatures.  The mature personality of the child archetype nurtures that part of ourselves that longs to be lighthearted, innocent and expectant of the wonders of tomorrow, regardless of our age.  This part of our nature contributes greatly to our ability to sense a playfulness in our lives, balancing the seriousness of adult life.  The balanced child is a delight to be around because the energy flow from this part of our personality is positively infectious and brings out the best in others, as well as in ourselves. The child archetype is a pattern related to the hope and promise for new beginning.  It promises that paradise can be regained.  Images recalling the “paradise state of the innocent connect is to a complex of psychic energy that is released into consciousness as a profound sense of hope for the future.  The type of image promises the forgiveness of sins, a wiping of the slate, a fresh new beginning.  The New Year’s Babe, Moses in his basket and the Christ Child are examples of Child Archetype images that are frequently encountered in our culture.  These images connect us to mysterious sources of creative energy.  Once we have lost our innocence, images which channel the energy of the Child Archetype into our lives fill us with hope for the future and give us strength to grow.” source

This impish child with wings to fly, represents how important it is to reconnect with our child self. The part of us that remembers the joyful spontaneity of immersing ourselves in fun, getting lost in the timelessness of exploration and being in the moment. Having a commitment to ourselves to find that which is lost but we have memories of how we spent our time that ended up giving us the most joy…drawing, singing, dancing, making, performing etc. The butterfly coming out of her crown of flowers represents our ability at any time to metamorphosize into a new us…a more joy~filled and playful us! Because, lets face it…life really shouldn’t be so serious.

‘When Alone, Time Flies’ Original Acrylic & Ink on Canvas ~ 30″ x 30″ © 2016 Tanya Cole

The Hermit Archetype

“The Hermit is sometimes depicted as an old man or old woman and is known also as the wise one or sage.  The Hermit typically lives in a mountain cave, sometimes deep in a forest glen in a hut or tree. He/she lives alone and is usually on the outskirts of a town or village. Seen as a guru or teacher the Hermit is often sought out for advice and counsel. The Hermit is associated with wisdom, introspection, creativity, connection to nature, silence, self-knowledge, and guidance. The shadow includes, isolation, retreat, (giving up) unwilling to face external challenges, seduced by the pleasures of the cave.  The hermit retreats to the cave to turn his/her awareness to the non-material world. In nature, winter is an aspect of the Hermit archetype as nature withdraws and enters the deep underground, all activity is under the surface, unseen and unknown as the world falls asleep in the cold.” source

Again, the following are rambled words (some my own, some not) quickly written down in my visual diary as I prepped for my painting to give me the feeling for the essence of what the Hermit Archetype holds. The source of each ‘statement’ were not recorded and therefore I am unable to quote them & their source directly:

‘Old crone, searching for truth, wisdom, wise sage, giving guidance, Introspection is vital to the emotional & spiritual life of a hermit. There are few people who enjoy the study of inner life more than a hermit’

The White Owl sits quiet and alone in the treetop, full of wisdom and sacred knowings.

‘Weaving Our Divine Creations’ Original Mixed Media on Canvas ~ 24″ x 30″ © 2017 Tanya Cole

The Artist Archetype

“Full of ideas? Are ordinary methods of communication too limiting for all that you want to express? Do colors speak to you in a language all their own? Does making something from nothing give you a thrill? Well, hello, Artist! The world of art is ever-expanding with new artists born every day. The Artist type encompasses painters, videographers, illustrators, performance artists, graphics specialists, sculptors, street artists, multi-media artists, cartoonists, photographers, computer animators, architects, designers of all kinds, and more. What they all have in common is a driving need to put something new into the world, to see their vision realized and to express a feeling about their life and times. The Artist can be a moody type and is often engrossed in work. Intense powers of focus and a burning passion for art is a must for the Artist because, plain and simple, art isn’t easy. It’s long hours alone, constant trial and error, frustration, rejection from critics and the marketplace, and financial challenge. But the Artist finds greater reward in process than in results, so he or she will soldier on even when doing so might seem pointless to an outsider who doesn’t understand art.

Artist Superpowers

• A keen eye for beauty, even where others would never see it
• Intensely focused (can do detailed work for hours on end)
• Internally motivated
• Master of perspective (can see things from many points of view)
• Curious and opinionated about the world” source

Again, the following are rambled words (some my own, some not) quickly written down in my visual diary as I prepped for my painting to give me the feeling for the essence of what the Hermit Archetype holds. The source of each ‘statement’ were not recorded and therefore I am unable to quote them & their source directly:

‘Artists bring what is inside out. They put divinity into things. They employ both left and right hemispheres of their brain. They are full of possibility and wonder. Creator ~ spider. Changing woman. Weave.

I love this Archetype for obvious reasons. And I love Frida ~ so she had to be the one who embodies and represents the Archetype of the artist; for, to this day…her life, her story, her art; continue to inspire artists everywhere!

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Given there were only 11 wall hangings in the exhibition space, I have finished here. However, I have another couple of Archetypes that I wish to paint, that may go into the exhibition as other one’s sell. I will keep you guessing which one’s they are! 🙂

There is so much you can learn from Archetypes. The shadow side of each has much to teach us. We often project onto others an archetype we deny or can’t recognise and embrace in ourselves. Often because as children we developed fixed beliefs and assumptions about that archetype not being socially acceptable to embody or express. But that archetype remains with us throughout our lives, desiring to be set free and a part of our expression. When someone else around us acts out of that archetype, we can often clash with that person or have a ‘reaction’ to them or a feeling that we just don’t like them or feel irritated by them. Dig deeper and identify what behaviour they are showing that is triggering you. See if you can match it and identify the behavior with a corresponding archetype. Then look that archetype up and see if it has anything to teach you…any messages for you. Then do the work to integrate the positive aspects of that archetype and see the power behind the shadow aspects, if harnessed ‘correctly’.

Ultimately, what struck me and continues to inspires me by exploring Archetypes in my work; is that by allowing myself to become uncomfortable as things come up whilst mining the shadow side of an archetype…amazing insight and possibilities can come through on the other side of understanding behaviour and archetypal influences.

* There are many more Archetypal representations.

You can find out more at carolynmyss.com or google Archetypes.

There are quizzes available online so you can find out what are your personal archetypes are…conscious and perhaps subconsciously operating in your life ~ fascinating stuff!

More links ~

Determine your archetypes

The Archetypal Wheel

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Goanna Gallery Solo Exhibition by Tanya Cole (March/April 2017