The power of dreams for artistic inspiration is not surprising. Many artists have received their creative ideas from their dreams. In this article I take you on a memory of how I helped an artist learn to trust her dream-world.
First, let’s explore some facts about sleep.
According to sleep experts we normally dream for about one fifth of the time that we are asleep. They happen mostly during the REM stage. It generally begins about an hour to 90 minutes after you fall asleep and involves two separate phases: Pphasic REM sleep, during which your eyes will move rapidly in short bursts; and Tonic REM sleep, which doesn’t involve these eye movements.
It is known that probably everyone dreams, although many of us forget most or all of them. In the dream world we may experience surrealistic events, view fantastic images and undergo profound transformations.
Just imagine – there is an abundance of inspirational symbols, messages and references waiting to be revealed to us as soon as we lay our heads on our pillows.
Major Artists Found Inspiration From Dreams
The Italian Surrealist and Metaphysical painter Giorgio de Chirico and the Belgium Surrealist Paul Delvaux were known to capture the dream phases of their lives and combined familiar images in bizarre contexts. The noted Spanish Surrealist Salvador Dali not only aspired to remember the exact details of his dream landscapes but he actually strove to induce them. William Blake reportedly found much inspiration for his visionary epic poems in dreams. It has been told that Mary Shelley dreamed the premise for Frankenstein.
“To become truly immortal a work of art must escape all human limits: logic and common sense will only interfere. But once these barriers are broken it will enter the regions of childhood vision and dream.” ~ Giorgio de Chirico
According to Boyce C. Brauer, author of Dream Symbols Dictionary, “From ancient civilizations to the Renaissance, Romanticism, and the surrealist movement, artists have looked to their dreams for inspiration, allowing their imaginations to be ignited by the surreal landscapes and profound symbols that inhabit the dream realm.”
How I Helped An Artist Expand Her Dream Images
The power of dreams for artistic inspiration is unlimited. As exciting as it may seem many artists may feel uncomfortable about delving into this mysterious world and self-conscious about revealing their subconscious. I discovered this several years ago while helping to coach an artist Barbara, whose portfolio contained fifty paintings. Most of them were fairly ordinary; however, there was one provocative and original painting that contained an extraordinary creature that nearly leapt from the canvas. I asked her what inspired this engaging, surreal life form.
At first she was reluctant to talk about it. When she did, with some embarrassment, she revealed that the creature originated from her dreams. She created many paintings of it, but was afraid to show them and removed them from her portfolio, except for this one painting. She said, “The paintings are weird. People will think I’m crazy. No one will want to buy them.”
We continued to discuss her imaginary creature and I recommended some books on the power of dreams on art and dream interpretation. She agreed to let her creature evolve and in time she translated more of her dream images into a magnificent and prolific body of work that went on to receive awards.
From Embarrassment to Financial Success
The positive responses and sales she started to receive eliminated her embarrassment and timidity. She discovered the tremendous power of dreams, the joyful process of creative freedom, and she came to trust her unique vision. By exploring the unknown and having the courage to risk derision, Barbara also developed more confidence in her personal life. She accepted and honored the creative child within her that had been thwarted by judgment and ridicule.
“The dream is a little hidden door in the innermost and most secret recesses of the soul, opening into that cosmic night… Dreams are the facts from which we must proceed.” ~ Carl Jung
Dreams Hold Mysteries
Are dreams a revelation from some profound creative source within ourselves? Through the ages the meaning of dreams and their significance have intrigued humankind. The most ancient civilizations believed that dreams carried messages from the gods. Although scientists tend to agree that there must be a purpose to dreaming, they disagree over what this purpose might be.
A Suggestion ~ Keep A Dream Journal!
Dream research is one of the areas where the layperson is as competent as the professional. It requires no special equipment beyond a notebook and pencil to begin the exploration and discovery. There are many books on the subject that are written to help us understand and interpret our dreams as well as understand more about ourselves.
Dream Your Art and Create Your Dreams!
As an artist, I encourage you to trust the power of your subconscious. As you venture deeply into the world of dreams there are many discoveries about yourself waiting to be revealed. So, dream your art and create your dreams to share with the world.
Hi, Renée Phillips.
I really like reading your articles because they seem to fit perfectly with my creative flow. I think some artists naturally enter a dream-like state where they discover amazing ideas that reveal our true feelings. I’m one of those artists!
Yes a wonderful article. Thank you for writing such a piece. I indeed dream aplenty but paint from deeper inside—-Quoting Carl Jung – “Your visions will become clear only when you can look into your own heart. Who looks outside, dreams; who looks inside, awakes.”
Thank you Peter, your paintings always awaken me and take me to places serenity and bliss. Apparently you are following Jung’s advice.
Great article. As a therapist who helps creative people, it’s very interesting to learn how effectively you work as an art career coach. In addition to helping artists with their art marketing advice, you also help them overcome psychological barriers that may be preventing them from expressing themselves creatively. The two are inseparable.