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MAPPING FOR TREASURES

By Patrisha Aherne O'Farrell, Ireland

So – someone says to you  “all you have to do is be true to yourself”… and I think, yes, I’m willing, but I’m not sure who my true self is!  Even if I did, I doubt if my true self is static – I guess we are all changing all the time. One of the ways I periodically check in with myself, in order to get a glimpse of who I am at this present time, is with the exercise of Treasure Mapping.

Here’s how:

Take any support you choose.  In art terms ‘support’ means whatever an image is placed upon, e.g., paper or sand for a drawing, canvas or wood for painting in oils, a tile or an armature for working in clay. In this case, anything suitable for gluing down paper cut-outs upon.

Next, gather colour magazines, newspapers, travel brochures, and leaflets etc. around you which you’ve been gathering in preparation for this adventure into yourself which you are about to begin. Also to hand you’ll have a scissors and glue-stick or paste.
Now, take the phone off the hook, turn off your mobile, close the door with a sign saying ‘gone fishing’ - get comfortable, close your eyes, and relax.  When the furrow has left your brow, your thighs have let go of their tension and you’ve taken three slow deep breaths, then open your eyes.

Let your hands and eyes roam over the material gathered around you and quickly, without giving yourself time to think, begin to tear out images that wave to you or come to your notice in any way.  Some appeal to you, others don’t – extract it if your eyes light upon it for any reason at all.  Do this until you want to stop.  Then spread the pics you’ve amassed out before you, so that all can be seen. Pick out the ones that still wave to you and discard the rest.  Do it one more time, until you are pretty certain these are the images you want to work with.

Now cut each one with the scissors (or, if you prefer, tear away the dross to nearer the image) and place on the support.  Move them around until you find a balanced pleasing arrangement.  Take time out at this stage to stand back and view your efforts and make any adjustments you fancy.  Now glue the images down.  Place under a board, or some such, to press and flatten.  Attach to a wall or to the back of a door. Contemplate what you have chosen. 

Ask yourself: 

If you have allowed sufficient time, why not take a nap at this stage?.  Before you lie down ask your Self “what can I learn from this ‘mapping for treasures’ I’ve created?” You may be surprised at the revelations when you reopen your eyes. 
Over the next days, weeks, months even, you may continue to discover thoughts, ideas, and ‘aha’ moments that may excite and inspire you.  One thing surely - you’ll be kinder in your view of yourself from now on and next time someone suggests that you be ‘true to yourself’ it may prompt you to go digging for treasure again !… 

Good mapping!

Patrisha Aherne O'Farrel ATC, PTA
Graduate of the National College of Art & Design ( NCAD ) Patricia is an experienced artist and art teacher of many years. She has exhibited extensively in Ireland, including the Royal Hibernian Academy (RHA) Annual Exhibition and abroad. After having worked in St. Kilian's Community School as an art teacher and Director of adult & community education, Patricia traveled throughout Europe, Canada and India. Patricia ran her own school of art in Co. Wicklow. In 2003, Patricia launched Dial-A-Portrait. Since then her work has become widely known in Ireland and abroad through local commissions and through the Internet. www.dial-a-portrait.com

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