Monica Bennett

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Prostitute Judge Monica Bennett

Pender Island BC Canada

Nature has always been my refuge, so I know I have a Nature Child. It was the easiest archetype to select. Many others required a tussle but not this one. I live on a small island, surrounded by beaches, the ocean, forests, and wildlife. This spring, I thought about creating a beach art installation that others could enjoy, photograph, and even add to. I had a plan. There would be an art statement to read, a book to write in, a hashtag to collect photos from others. Then, I second guessed the whole thing and it never came to be. Life got in the way.

Until, I just did it. No plan, no statement, no desire for others to interact or document it, no Committee, no interference. I think my Nature Child got bored with the waiting and decided to just GO FOR IT. What a joy, what a release, what an exciting experience to be creating freely. My Nature Child was giggling away, in love with being unrestricted and spontaneous. Just remembering that day makes me smile. I felt alive, rejuvenated, happy and joyfilled. Joy is my word for 2021. That day, I found it again. Thank you, Nature Child.

When this show’s deadline started to loom, I could not come up with an idea. The more I tried, the more the thought of creating something for this exhibit felt rushed, false, and forced. Finally, I decided that it wasn’t coming because I was not ready to bring any new work into being. I had to be OK with not participating.

Then, a friend said, “Didn’t you take pictures of your time at the beach when you were playing? Wasn’t that your Nature Child coming out?” She was right. I thought “What a super idea!”. I could submit my Art Installation. I had had such a fun time making it. It would be a bit rebellious but what the heck. My Highest Potential is to be a Rebel.

But the Committee stepped in and starting talking. That’s ridiculous, don’t even bother – on and on. And I believed it.

Have I not learned anything in this course? I certainly have, but it took some Third Chakra gut instinct work for me to just do it. So I entered it, out of respect for my Nature Child and her joy. I hope it gives you a moment of joy, too.

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Playing with Nature 2021 52" x 8" x 66" Art Installation NFS info@monicabennett.ca monicabennett.ca