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Attuning Through Touch Drawing at the Fairy Congress

Deborah Koff-Chapin
June 2011

Article and drawings from the 2012 Congress can be viewed here.

 

Deborah Koff-ChapinI have been doing Touch Drawing since I came upon it in a moment of revelatory play in 1974. It is a simple yet profound way of drawing through the touch of fingertips on paper that is laid upon an inked board. The pressure of fingertips leaves impressions on the underside of the page. A series images is created in a single session.
 
I have developed many ways of using this dynamic creative process. Sometimes I draw outside as a way to attune to the subtle presences in the natural world. At other times I attend conferences and draw reflections of the content and spirit of the event. The Fairy & Human Relations Congress provided an incredible opportunity to integrate these two modes of Touch Drawing. I had two drawing sessions while I was there.
 
My way of accessing the images is to go within and open to a subtle sense of movement or an initial shape. When I feel the beginnings of a form, I begin the drawing by moving my fingertips on the paper. I pay fine attention as I bring the rest of the image into being. I feel like I am translating subtle presences into the language of human form.
 
On Saturday morning I walked through the valley and found a spot amidst the glowing green grasses. My intention during this session was to attune to the overlighting spirit of the place, the event and to any nature spirits that would make themselves available to my fingertips. Here are the ten drawings I created that morning: (images 1-10)

 

(click on drawing to see larger image)

 

I also drew during the evening ceremony. As everyone gathered in the great circle, I set up my drawing materials under the tent nearby. The first three drawings felt like they were expressions of the human spirits. (images 11-13)

 

I then began to move deeper to welcome the beings who were present with us that evening. It felt like I was at a carnival and beings were lining up to get their faces painted – literally; to try on a human face! I had never quite felt that playful attitude before. (images 14-18)

 

As the evening proceeded and the group moved to the wind circle, I moved my materials out to the field to continue drawing. The presences began to feel like they were coming from a finer vibrational field. (images 19-22)

 

When everyone moved on to the journey of humans greeting the realms of the universe, another quality of human/cosmic came into the drawings. (images 23-26)

 

At this point it was dark. Here I was out in the middle of the field, wrapped in a shawl with my drawing board on my lap. It seemed like I was complete. But I began to sense something else wanting to emerge onto the page. I recall thinking to myself; “ Hmmm, this seems like a fire spirit. Why am I drawing this When I should be ending the series? Within a couple of minutes the great bonfire was lit and I realized why! The final drawing was the human dance with the flames. (27-28)

     

 

It is a blessing to be able to share these drawings with you on the Fairy Congress Website! You can see a demonstration of Touch Drawing and much more at www.touchdrawing.com. I would love to hear any responses you have. You can contact me at center@touchdrawing.com

 

Deborah Koff-Chapin
July 2011

 

Article and drawings from the 2012 Congress can be viewed here.

 

Click to see a slideshow of all the drawings: