Are you, like me, an avid lifelong learner?

Spiritual / personal transformation courses keep me inspired and definitely spill-over into my art.

This year, I’ve become a member of Mindvalley. It’s an online education platform with an abundance of transformational quests for various aspects of life. I was familiar with many of the excellent teachers and am discovering many more.

During the final meditation of Michael Beckwith’s 35-lesson “Life Visioning Mastery” quest, I received a beautiful vision and message.

I’ve captured these in “Vive la Vida” (“Live Life” in Spanish), a 30″ x 30″ painting that has already had quite an impact on my life. More on that later….

In my vision, the woman grew roots and branches. This isn’t new. My first tree woman painting was back in 2009, and I’ve created many since.

This time, however, the branches and roots linked up together and were overflowing with lusciousness.

I usually like to show the structure of the tree, but this time, I couldn’t get enough of dot-making – flowers, fruit, leaves …. the more the better. Can you spot the 3 different flower designs repeated throughout? More detailed photos below…

Interestingly, this vision reminded me of a Michael Beckwith quote I heard a few years back: “Grow deep roots to harvest rich fruit! When your roots run deep, you cannot help but bear the fruit of the Spirit.”

After finishing the thriving foliage & flora of the tree of my life, I was called to add something that wasn’t in the original vision but naturally evolved from it.

A canopy of iridescent Universal blooms appeared into view at the top, revealing that this individual cell, this single life – an individualized expression of the Divine – is only one of infinitely more in the much Greater Universal Tree of Life.

When you look at the painting again, can you imagine it as only one of a million similar yet different dots that make up a much much bigger bountiful tree? And can you feel the magnetic energy in the space between?

It’s as if emerging as more of our True Selves in our inherent abundance of every kind connects us to the greater picture, to All That Is.

The biggest difference between this woman-tree and my previous ones is that the woman has stepped out of the trunk leaving behind a keyhole in the shape of her body to go out there and live her life.

Here’s a chicken & egg thing. Which came first?

The inner work we do helps us emerge as our True Self, giving us the courage to live our best life.

But living life also pushes us to grow deep roots and rich fruit through conscious experience.

It really doesn’t matter which comes first.

Perhaps it’s a back and forth thing. Perhaps she periodically returns to her keyhole in the trunk of her tree to ground, connect, reset. Then back out again.

The key here (pun intended) is that through that keyhole in the painting, you can see her living her ideal life.

I chose to represent that as a leisurely sunrise/ sunset walk with my life partner & dog – symbols of simple living, unconditional love & joy.

If you got the message “Live life, your name!” from your Team of Divine Helpers, what would emerge from your heart, thoughts, bucket list?

What would your ideal vision be through the keyhole of your personal tree of life?

Ironically, after receiving the message to “Live Life, Dominique!”, I spent several solid days in the studio translating the vision into paint.

It’s true, painting is one aspect of living that thrills me. But I’ll be honest. I haven’t been as active or as playful as usual this summer. So my Team of Divine Helper’s nudge to “Live life, Dominique” wasn’t surprising.

Here’s the fun part.

A couple of days after painting the couple with the dog, my housesister Orinda tells me of someone looking for a puppy-sitter for 5 days for his 4-month old Staffy called Bimber.

I looked at her quizzically, wondering if she meant me…. Orinda loves animals, but usually from the other side of the door/window. So I asked: “Would you be open to having him here?”. “Yes”.

So there you have it! This certified dog trainer & behaviour therapist happily manifested part of her painting: I’ve never had a dog and have only spent 1 week in my life dog-sitting – I never had the lifestyle or location for a dog but took the 8 month course 20 years ago as I’ve been passionate about dogs my whole life).

Bimber went home yesterday after 5 days together – a full-time project before heading to Ottawa for my “Driving Mr. Hurley” road trip adventure with Papa.

It was a good run (pun intended – or should I say test run), Maybe I’m more of a cat lady.

Kudos to all parents of all kinds. I don’t know how you get anything else done at the toddler stage. lol.

As for the other part of that painting, I know my ideal life partner is also already here in my energy field. I just can’t see him yet. And I’m not sure a 5-day mate-sitting trial is in the cards for me – lol! I guess dating would be a test run too!

Whatever the case, I’m continuing to learn to live my best life.

Cheers to you as you live yours. Vive la vida!

Love,

Dominique

Take a moment to contemplate this still image of “Equilibrium”, a 3 x 5-feet intuitive visionary painting created over the span of the summer.

I was Given the name “Equilibrium” before I even started. But it could have as easily been called “Synergy” or “Stabilization”. What feeling does it inspire in you?

Allow the symbolism and transformational energy of the 5 Elements to nourish you before scrolling down to the video that shows you close-ups of the final piece and the layers of its becoming.

The photo will never do this painting justice. The changing nature of the iridescent colours and subtle paint & energy textures can hardly be captured in the video either.

Before I started, I was Guided that this piece would contribute to the planetary shift in our ascending world.

I’ve learned to trust that sharing its messages, process and final manifestation can open new possibilities. 

You’re here for a reason. Please don’t rush through your exploration of why.

As you spend time with it – here or in person if you get the chance, know that you don’t have to understand its effects on you. Simply invite and allow it to be and do what is meant for you.

Something else my Guides alluded to near its completion were the concepts of

1. a belt buckle, and
2. a shield.

The ornamental plate of belt buckles as far back as the 6th century is sometimes referred to as the shield. These were made popular in 20th century western movies, but existed long before that. They were used for decorative, identity, status, and storytelling purposes.

The word “shield” usually means protection. In this case, however, the feeling I received had nothing to do with protection and more with empowerment.

Perhaps “Equilibrium” is meant as an empowering emblem for this phase of our ascension.

I’m still open to understanding the layers of these messages, more out of curiosity than necessity. If you receive additional guidance, feel free to share it in the comments.

As for many intuitive paintings, I had no awareness of how this piece would evolve and what symbolism would emerge from the process.

It was only after layers of mark-making and guidance for the basic foundational shapes and colours that I understood this would be a piece based on the 5 Elements: Earth, Fire, Water, Air & Aether (Space).

These Elements are present within you as well as your environment.

When they are out of balance, so are you. Yoga, Feng Shui, Chinese Medicine, and many philosophies around the globe recognize the influence of the Elements on health & happiness.

One message received through the co-creation of this painting is that reclaiming your power (in the higher consciousness sense of that word) means achieving equilibrium, or stabilization through the dynamic process of transformation & alignment.

Alignment with your Higher Self comes from embracing and integrating (not rejecting) all that you are: the shadow & the light; the feminine & masculine; your unique blend of experiences, blessings, challenges & gifts.

It also comes from an awareness and letting go of all that doesn’t serve you to be reborn in your emerging power & light. This could be as simple as changing a bad habit … although that isn’t always as simple as it seems…

This constant re-alignment using your inner GPS system – your intuition – is what marries you to Divine Unity within your Self and All that Is.

Trust that your soul & spirit are strong and courageous enough to do this.

Healing and transforming distortions within your mind and old wounds within your held bodily experiences is what helps you navigate more freely  in this energetic Universe.

Parts of you are constantly dying so that you can be reborn into a new and hopefully more aligned and balanced way of being in the world.

This is what I was reminded in the central symbolism of this painting:

1. my first symbolic vision received after the foundational layers was of a phoenix above a compass
2. and my final vision, more than a month later, was of a copper-wired smoky quartz crystal acting like a needle for that compass.

Metaphysically speaking, smoky quartz helps transform dense energies while grounding, leading to feelings of stability, calmness and peace.

Another symbol that I looked into were the 2 koi fish. I had imagined painting a whale in the water element but found myself designing 2 koi fish swimming in opposite directions.

While looking up if this may relate to the astrological sign of Pisces, I found other websites that explained that 2 koi fish swimming upstream and downstream often represent the yin yang balance of opposing forces, acceptance of challenges, perseverance, prosperity.

There’s a lot of symbolism in this painting. I invite you to spend more time reflecting on or researching the ones that draw you in.

Working with the Elements within and all around you can help in in your transformational journey. You may have too much or not enough of certain Elements.

May contemplating this painting and becoming aware of how it impacts you help you achieve Equilibrium in both an energetic way and through practical inspiration.

As you return to the still image above or watch the video below, notice which symbols or Elements move you the most. 

You may feel a subtle or significant rise in your vibration or attention. Or you may feel more of a longing and heaviness.

Spend more time there and ask your Team of Divine Helpers for equilibrium in all levels of your being and your life in a way that is for your Highest Good and the Highest Good of All.

Everyone is different and how you interact with this piece will be just as unique.

You might want to journal to understand what layers are ready to be left in the ashes as you are re-born into more of your True Self on every sacred step of your journey.

Or you may be inspired to consult an expert who works with the Elements like an Ayurvedic doctor or Feng Shui practitioner.

Perhaps you’ll simply be inspired to add more of that element in your life through diet, activities, etc. Stay open to Guidance.

For example, if you need more:

• Earth: ground by walking bare foot on the earth or hug a tree, wear or place rocks & crystals in your environment, garden, play with your pets, wear brown/green, etc.
• Air: use breathing techniques, stand in the wind visualizing it blowing all your troubles away, open a window, become conscious of the air on your skin (temperature, movement), wear white, add wind chimes or air purifying plants to your home, etc.
• Water: drink more water, go for a swim, add a fountain in your yard, take a warm bath, sit by a lake/river/ocean, wear blue, add mirrors to your home, etc.
• Fire: light a candle, have a campfire, sit by the fireplace, ignite more passion in your relationship or your life; eat spicy food, wear red/orange, etc.
• Aether: meditate, focus on your spiritual life, wear purple, use smudge, raise your vibration, pray, etc.

Whatever your need or inspiration, may something here today help you in re-aligning to your True Self. For you too are a unique work of art that contributes to raising the consciousness of the planet.

Now enjoy this 3:49 minute video paying attention to how you relate to it on all levels.

As for all my original paintings, feel free to enquire about payment plans.