Over 20 years ago I trained in classical shamanism. I worked alongside a shaman for around 6 years, learning a wide range of nature-and spirit based practices for self-care and also for one's community of human and non-human beings. 

In this paper I will explore how my dreams - according to shamanic teaching the most direct and true way of receiving spiritual instruction - have enriched and enlightened my life and creative practice - and my teaching. 

I will share a few important and influential dreams, and the images which developed from them, and the dreams which then further referred to paintings ( - a loop is created.... ). I will also reference connections in art, literature, psychoanalysis and mythology, mentioning, for example, Agamben, Berger, Cixous, Bourgeois and Beuys. 

Three examples of important dreams which I will discuss, with images: 

Needle. 
I dream of having a needle stuck in my throat. 

I ask a man to help me remove it, but he can’t do it. I find a mirror is in my hand. I am able to remove the needle from my throat by using the mirror. The needle comes out easily and the operation is pain free. 

(Mirror, Medusa, self, reflection, wings, orchid, insect, silver, self-care). 

Yew Tree. 
Dream of growing, buying and cooking carrots. A man I know and I were outside/beside my childhood garden where several large old yew trees grow/grew in my childhood. I was standing beside the man, preparing a large carrot, using a sharp knife to peel the skin off in thin slivers, and throwing the skin into the garden beneath the yew tree. I was peeling it because it wasn’t organic and I was worried about that, and the man was telling me it didn’t matter, he didn't mind how it was. I was saying I couldn't afford organic carrots. The undergrowth where I threw the parings was very dark and I could smell the bitter smell of the yews. I was leaning against the man and feeling completely safe. In a previous dream  I saw trees growing over fountains. In my research I found that yew trees were often found growing over or near springs or wells, they are sacred trees and associated with Yggdrasil and fairies, and the Otherworld. 

I have made a number of drawings and paintings about this recent dream. It precipitated a change in my way of painting, making it freer, more energetic. The tree becomes a woman, a dancer….