How People Visualize Imagery:

You might be wondering what it takes to “visualize imagery” and worry that you won’t be able to “see” anything to draw.  Don’t worry – the process is actually more simple than you might imagine!

It’s important to understand that people experience inner imagery in different ways.  Some see a very clear picture, other people merely sense an image with no clear picture, and still others have a shape or color flash through their mind as a thought or impression.  Try this activity to get an idea of how you experience your own inner imagery:

·      Gather your visual journaling materials and, with marker/crayon/pastel in hand, close your eyes and take several deep breaths.  Now, imagine a sailboat.  Finally, open your eyes and draw that sailboat.

Remember that your image is YOUR image, so there’s no “right” or “wrong” way to draw the sailboat.  For every thought of “Can I draw it like…”, the answer is “YES!”  and for every thought of “Does it have to be…”, the answer is “NO!”

When you have finished your sailboat drawing, answer these questions:

1.     Did the sailboat present itself to your inner eye as a kind of flash image or picture?

2.     Did you only sense what it looked like?

3.     Did you just begin to draw, having no idea what the final drawing would look like?

The most important part of expressing your inner imagery is to learn to trust your own way of accessing it.  If you close your eyes and nothing happens, don’t give up!  Just start making marks on the paper and eventually an image will appear.

The more you practice this “art”, the stronger your connection to your inner imagery will become! 

Feel free to post a picture of your first expression of visual imagery!  (And remember, judging or comparing yourself to others is not allowed!)

·       Adapted from Visual Journaling : Going Deeper than Words, by Ganim & Fox