What this is
This could be called “Soul Reflections”. Maxine Sperling has developed this method to see into someone and capture on paper what is going on with them at that time in their life.It has cathartic value from inception through completion and at the end you have a powerful picture that is very meaningful to you.
My experience
Getting started
We started with a meditation to get us into a receptive and meditative state before allowing the Universe to unfold everything in Divine order. I sat facing Maxine as she instructed me to make eye contact with her even as her eyes darted between my face, the drawing paper and the pastels at her elbow. The idea was that I would always be available, through the eyes, whenever she looked there to truly see me. She said I could express any thoughts that came up and we got into a conversation, which totally fit into the perfection of what was happening. After a while Maxine’s guidance told her it was time to reflect upon what had been done so far so together we took a look.Reflection
We looked upon the developing portrait as an entity unto itself. What struck me first was the mouth, which was pretty with its full lips. It seemed to be holding something in. We discussed it a bit and what it might mean. She asked me what was being held in that mouth. Through dialoging, visualization and suggestions from Maxine we came to discover that it was words being held in the mouth and the meaning it held, considering what the words were, was that I want to be safe to speak my truth and have my words be heard and honored.Healing and forgiveness
Maxine guided me through some affirmations and did some energy work on me as we stood there facing each other for the clearing and healing as I forgave myself for feeling this way, which was less than how I wanted to feel. It wasn’t that I felt badly because I want to be able to speak my truth. The issue was that my feelings toward myself for judging others for not “allowing” me to speak my truth were keeping me from my joy. We all know now, through studying the Law of Attraction that we are all responsible for how people treat us so forgiving myself for feeling this way went a long way toward changing how I expect people to treat me when I do speak my truth. That’s where the value lies.
Where we go from here
This was just the beginning. The whole process takes “three to four sessions of two to three hours each to call that piece of work, and the image, complete” to quote Maxine. I’m looking forward to the next session and I’ll tell you about that one afterwards, too.
About Maxine
From her brochure: “Maxine Sperling has been exploring portraiture and self-reflection for over 30 years. She has taught portraiture at various schools in the Philadelphia area including: The Philadelphia College of Art, (now the University of the Arts); The Wayne Art Center; The Chester Springs Studio; and at her own school “The Dance of Drawing”. Her portraits are in many private collections.”
For more information or to schedule a session you may call Maxine at (610) 277-7489