By the dawning of 2015, I’d already decided to devote my year to my art. And that’s exactly what I did. With great focus, determination, trust and growing patience, I put my whole heart into my art, bringing it, my Self, and our partnership to a whole new level.
My art was my baby, my lover, my teacher, my seed and my tree. It was my whole world. I even went into hermit mode for part of the year to accomplish my goals.
As with all relationships, developing and nurturing this one required unconditional love, forgiveness, and faith.
I learned a lot in 2015 and wanted to share its celebration with you.
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Fourteen new paintings were birthed this year in addition to my mandalas.
Ten of these provided me with a chance to channel the energy I needed at the time, evolving through layers of meaning, reflection, connection, creation, and celebration.
All but one of these originals are still available in my online shop, where you can also order reproductions on canvas, HD metal plaques (only available for some sizes), and fine art or metallic paper.
One was a donation to a project that paired artists with local nursing home residents.
The other three Energy Painting Commissions. What an amazing experience to support others on their transformational journeys through these intensive experiences. This connected me to three women across North America in ways that further opened my heart and soul on my own journey. What an honour and blessing! My intention is to be of service to many more in this way in 2016.
“Tania’s Magnific-Essence” (12″x 12″)
“Carolyn’s Magnific-Essence” (11″ x 14″)
“Jen’s Magnific-Essence” (11″ x 14″)
B-School and the Business of Art (or the Art of Business)
I’d set the intention to get my business online in 2015. So in February, when a friend reminded me of Marie Forleo’s B-School, an intensive online business program for big-hearted entrepreneurs, I jumped on board.
This was quite the investment in time and money, but it felt guided and aligned, so I didn’t hesitate. And no regrets.
I now have a professional website that I designed myself and the marketing materials to get the word out. For the first time, you can now purchase my art online, even ordering prints of your favourite paintings and photographs in various sizes and mediums. That was my goal!
That’s not all B-School gave me. Through the course of several months, I gained even greater courage and confidence. I’m no longer camouflaging my intuitive gifts. I was able to build a business platform that cohesively offered my intuitive art & inspiration, including my unique style of intuitive reading, which comes with bonus visual gifts.
I also learned from pushing myself to the brink of burn-out, with months of 12-16 hour workdays, 7 days a week. I know the stress and pressure I was feeling was entirely of my making. My self-imposed deadlines came from a scarcity mentality. My technophobia came from overreacting to things outside of my comfort zone or control. There’s a lot I needed to learn about the futility of trying to force things to happen.
With the pre & post modules, B-School was my all-consuming full-time job and personal growth program for about 5 months. I’ll be going through the it again in 2016. We have lifetime access. Plus my business and I aren’t the same as when we did it the first time. So I trust it’ll take us to the next level – more gently this round.
Enter the Mandala Project – Inspired Action
While I was with family in Ottawa a year ago, I received intuitive guidance to create a dozen mandala paintings. So when I got back to St. John’s, I submitted a grant application to help fund the project. I also ordered 12 – 30″ x 30″ canvases, which ended up taking a few months to arrive. Looking back, I’m so glad I followed my inspiration with action.
I then got so busy with B-School that I stopped connecting and listening for guidance. But on March 25th, I had a 30-minute Skype consultation with a coach for intuitives I met through B-School. Without knowing about my intention to create a dozen mandalas, she said my Guides wanted me to create a series on the Universal Laws… and there happened to be 12.
In April, I received news of a $1000 grant by the City of St. John’s, covering part of the materials for my project. My canvases arrived at about the same time. I needed the grant implementation deadline to force me away from the computer and into the studio. I’m so grateful as this was essential to my well-being this year.
Had I not followed through on my initial guidance with inspired action, there’s no way I would have completed the Enter the Mandala paintings by now or hosted the Winter Solstice Event. Both parts of the Enter the Mandala project brought me in alignment with my life purpose. Here’s what one participant wrote to me about the event:
” I want to express my thanks and gratitude for the wonderful day you in-visioned and brought to fruition … It was so powerful to be part of the group and to share all the heart-based energies that bathed us for the entire day. Until now, my only real energetic “community” has been online and I held fear around being seen fully in my life, all the while desiring to connect with like-minded and like-hearted individuals and groups. I feel as though the Solstice event illuminated a new path forward for me, while uplifting and transforming the heaviness of past patterns and obsolete beliefs about myself. The powerful energy of your artwork, of your soul expressing itself through your visionary co-creative process and story-telling, combined with the energetic offerings of Leslie, Regina, Katie and Tina was phenomenal to experience!” M.L.G.
This powerful collection (which now has 13 mandalas) has taken me deeper spiritually and artistically than any other painting project before it. The Universal Laws have taught me much, and I’ll continue to practice them as a key to my happiness.
My goal is to find a permanent home for them in 2016 and to keep on teaching what I’ve learned.
I’ve had many opportunities to share my work in St. John’s this past year. For this I am truly grateful.
These included:
- a month-long solo exhibition at The Sprout
- participation in juried and open group exhibitions at Eastern Edge Gallery, the Craft Council Gallery, MUN Botanical Garden, First Space Gallery, Le Festival du Vent, and Earth & Sky Healing Centre and Gallery.
- displaying my work in the offices of Dr. Laura Nurse, Tina O’Brien (Reiki/Facial practitioner), and National PR (juried pop-up gallery),
- live painting for 2 days at the NL Folk Festival
- booths at The Wellness Expo and The Healthy Living Show
- the Enter the Mandala Winter Solstice Event & Exhibition
These helped me reconnect to the the purpose of my art and of my life. They also helped me practice patience and trust in divine timing, especially when it comes to income.
I love sharing the energy that I channel in the studio. But I have to learn to keep on giving to this relationship with my art and its fans without becoming needy or over-dependent. That only stifles the relationship.
Re-Connecting with the Community
I value my alone time. First, I know I’m never really alone. Second, I enjoy my company (most of the time). Being in hermit mode was great and very productive. But I knew I could get too comfortable and disconnected if I stayed there too long.
Sure, I’d talk to you through my blog twice a week, but that’s not the same. I had to get back into the community and the opportunities came when I was ready.
- I taught a fulfilling English Second Language Program at the university for 5 weeks in the summer
- I met new circles of like-minded souls
- I joined the Newfoundland & Labrador Organization of Women Entrepreneurs for its business coaching & mastermind group opportunities
- I taught a few painting workshops though the Art Association of Newfoundland and Labrador and the Association culturelle francophone de Saint-Jean
- I participated in community initiatives like the Massonic Art Project
- I spent time some time with friends
- I joined with community during the Enter the Mandala Winter Solstice Event that I organized with 4 friends.
I’m so grateful for the foundation I was able to build for my business in 2015. After 26 years of being a part-time professional artist, I’ve made the leap to full-time (or almost). In 2016, I’d like to continue that, but with a better work-life balance.
Apart from a trip to Ottawa to visit family, I didn’t even leave town this year. I’m now open to a lot more leisure time alone and with friends – in nature and new surroundings.
I’d also like to socialize outside of my current circles of women. If it’s meant to be and in my Highest Good, I’m open to meeting a man who’s similarly dedicated to growing in unconditional love.
I want to nourish my soul through more than just my art.
To do that, I’ll take the time to ask and listen for guidance as I continue to explore and express my love of beauty and the beauty of love.
2015 was a huge year for me and my art. 2016 is a mystery. I’m open to it. I welcome it. And I look forward to sharing it with you.
New Painting: “True Colours – Dancing the Dancer”
/in Paintings“True Colours – Dancing the Dancer” (16″ x 20″) – SOLD
Here it is – my second collaborative piece this year with friend and fellow artist Lori Reddy – “True Colours – Dancing the Dancer” .
Follow your bliss, letting your true colours shine.
This painting is an invitation to move to your own rhythm. It’s also a celebration of life as you listen to your inner music and let it move through your ways of being and doing.
We are uniquely colourful spirits with layers of life experience, gifts, feelings, and modes of being and expressing. This is reflected in the many many layers of paint on this canvas.
Lori and I spent 3 full days of painting together in my studio, switching back and forth between this one and “Vibrations Arising” (see earlier post). I then worked on this painting for few extra days on my own. It kept calling me as I danced on my mini-trampoline, so I followed the movement onto the canvas.
“True Colours – Dancing the Dancer” (16″ x 20″)
Acrylics and oil-based markers on gallery-wrapped canvas. No framing required.
SOLD
An Unconditional Love Guided Meditation
/in Guided Meditations, Life By DesignHere’s my gift of an Unconditional Love Guided Meditation. May it fill you to overflowing.
This is the Spirit Calling Card spread I pulled before starting the recording. It couldn’t have been more appropriate!
After recording the meditation, I took another 48 minutes to actually do it. These are quite different experiences.
But when I listen, I connect to different levels of seeing, feeling, healing, and being for my Self. I receive different messages and connect to different Guides each time. Try it. It’s amazing!
Truth be told, it’s as entertaining and a lot more nourishing than some of the Netflix movies I sometimes choose to watch.
So I’m committing to 49 minutes several times a week this Valentine’s month to connect with unconditional love in this way.
Your Unconditional Love Guided Meditation
You’re welcome to come back as often as you like. Please use the buttons below to share it with friends.
Get comfortable and enjoy the ride.
P.S. Contact me if you’d like me to lead a customized guided meditation for your group.
Or click here if you’d like more information about getting your own custom guided meditation.
Namaste.
Are You Playing Enough?
/in Life By DesignAs you read this, pay attention to what comes to mind for you. What kinds of play did you love when you were younger and haven’t done in years? Bringing some of those back into your life can do wonders!
We’d had a huge snowfall overnight. It got me so excited. Sure, I had work to do. But I’d promised myself to play more this year.
I didn’t play much last year as I was “too busy” building my website and doing B-School. I had a lot of studio time, which is always fun, but that’s still work-related.
So when I created my 2016 intuitive vision board, it was filled with soul promptings like “Embrace the Canadian Winter”, “Skate the Loop This Winter”, and “Be a Tourist in Your Own Town” (click here to learn how to make yours).
Vision boards work. Right before New Years, I went to a movie with my friend Leslie. She had a pile of stuff in her car to drop off at a thrift store, including a pair of snowshoes and poles. So I took those home!
I used to love snowshoeing. I mean really love it! My old-fashioned wood & sinew pair didn’t make the move to Newfoundland in 2011, when I’d reduced my belongings to just a few boxes.
Now I have new ones – the modern kind. Two days before this snowfall, I’d tried them out in the backyard. There wasn’t much snow, but enough to test the toe grips and poles that had never been a part of my snowshoeing history.
After circling outside the backdoor for a while, I stood at the top of my neighbour’s hill for a good 5 minutes before having the guts to head down. Poles are great! So are toe grips!
I’ve only been down to the river a few times since I moved in 1.5 years ago. I’d originally thought I’d start my days there with water ceremonies and nature contemplation. But I came back from my first trek through the tall weeds with a rash that burned for days. So I’ve been enjoying the river from the house instead.
With the snow, however, I could make it all the way down the hill and along the river for 11 houses to an intersecting creek. I felt like an explorer! I stopped and had a lovely chat with a neighbour across the river who came to see what his dog was barking at. Then I marvelled at all the birds and ice-laced rivulets. I was in total bliss.
I made it back up to my yard and sat there to enjoy my high. I thought the only thing that could make it better was playing with my neighbours’ dogs. So I went to get them and play we did. I rolled around on the ground like a kid and threw sticks for them to fetch. I felt so happy! This was my first winter play session in a couple of years!
So after our huge snowfall, it only took a glance at my vision board to get me out the door again. My work could wait.
I’m so glad I’d explored the territory before though. The light fluffy snow was up to my knees in most places. But when I’d inadvertently walk over hidden bushes or boulders, I’d slide down or cave in to my waist. I tell ya – poles are great! The grips didn’t do much in these conditions though.
At one point, a duck came and landed a few feet from me, disappearing in the snow. Then her head poked up to look at me. When she realized I hadn’t brought any seed, she waddled her way a bit below eyesight before taking flight again.
This backyard adventure was just as great as the first one!
At one point, I lay down and made a snow angel, closing my eyes and letting the snowflakes melt on my face. I was filled with gratitude – for nature in the backyard, my flexible entrepreneur schedule, the home I share with my housemate, my new snowshoes, my body, and so much more.
I’m so glad my intuitive vision board reminded me of how important it is to play and do things I love. My whole being vibrated with joy.
Follow your bliss – that’s the key to the Law of Attraction.
What do you love to do that you haven’t done in years? Add your answer to the comments below. You just might inspire someone.
Ireland, I hear you calling…
/in Life By DesignI got another intuitive hit while I was in Ottawa visiting family this holiday season – this time it has something to do with Ireland.
I’ve learned to pay attention and nourish those intuitive seeds. Following inspired action leads to great things.
If you remember, during the 2014/15 holiday season, a seed was planted in my heart/gut that led to the creation of the Enter the Mandala Project. I’m glad I acted on that one! I wonder where this one will lead…
The timing was the same. Maybe it’s because my routine is different, and I manage to slow down in Ottawa.
By the time I landed back in St. John’s, I’d started my research and followed-up on a few leads.
On my way home from the airport, I stopped by the public library to pick up a couple of books I’d reserved online. Celtic knots, spirals, symbolism, and illuminated texts… why are they calling me? They’re like an ancient mix of symbolism, zentangles, sacred geometry, and more. All the math and precision involved in learning to draw these knots on grids doesn’t appeal to me right now, but who knows what it will lead to. I’m just following my flow.
I’ve also spent hours online looking at artist retreats, spiritual tours of Ireland, and artist workshops. I’ve made some initial contacts and have a 3-month dream-itinerary shaping up.
Was it because “Roam Around Ireland” chose to be on my vision board? It’s the second year in a row that Ireland shows up for me in that way.
Or is it my Irish ancestry pulling me across the seas? I’ve been to France and Germany – both flowing inside my veins. But I’ve never been to Ireland … even with a name like Hurley.
Flying there costs the same as flying to Ottawa – thanks to Westjet’s direct seasonal flights from Newfoundland. But spending several months there (or even a week at these retreats/tours I’m looking at) is expensive, especially with the state of the Canadian dollar.
Finding a permanent home for the Enter the Mandala Collection would finance the trip. But I’m not attached to specifics right now. If I’m meant to go, the funds will manifest through art sales or some other means. Who knows!? I may even be hired to bring my art there.
Our job is to tell the Universe what – it figures out the how. All we need to do is listen and act on our intuitive guidance. Take inspired action.
Right now, I’m in the listening, dreaming, following inspired action, and paying attention to signs mode of manifestation. So I have nothing else but an intuitive nudge to report.
The Law of Action
But I’m sharing this with you now in case it inspires you to pay more attention to what’s calling you.
What guided actions can you take right now to aim you in that direction, even if you can’t see the whole picture yet?
One inspired step at a time, the doors will open and the resources will be given you. That’s the Law of Action.
New Piece – Collaborative Painting with Lori Reddy
/in Paintings“Vibrations Arising” ( 12″ x 12″) – acrylics & oil markers on canvas – $447
Have you ever been in a situation that repeated itself, only to realize how much better you handled it the next time around?
This little jewel of a painting came out of just such an experience.
My friend and fellow artist Lori Reddy came over in late December for a couple of days of collaborative painting. We finished one and are still working on the second.
This is Vibrations Arising (12″ x 12″ – SOLD)
We’d paint on one canvas for a while, then switch back and forth throughout the day.
Our two days were blissful, peaceful, creative, and fun.
Collaborative painting is a beautiful exercise in letting go, trust, embracing the mystery, surprise, cooperation, learning, and coming up with something completely different than one person could on their own.
But you have to approach it with the right attitude.
A Mirror for Growth
This isn’t the first time we collaborate.
Lori and I painted these two yoga studio murals together 3 years ago. That was a rewarding stretch of my comfort zones and such joy!
But the first time Lori suggested we collaborate on a couple of canvases in 2012, it wasn’t so easy or fun.
One painting went super well. I created the coloured background and handed it over. Lori took it home and used black to reveal the phoenix. It blew my mind and opened my heart to collaborative painting.
But the other one was a trial that kept going on and on, layer after layer, week after week.
I remember feeling protective of some of the layers I produced. I was scared she’d change something I liked. I had a hard time letting go of control.
I was also judgmental and self-critical. I was scared of failure. I didn’t think I was making things better and worried about wasting expensive supplies on a futile effort. I simply wasn’t at my best…
I chose fear. I got frustrated. I wanted to quit. I fought the current, which is exhausting. Then I beat myself up for not doing better. Sounds familiar?
I’m sure it wasn’t all negative, but that’s what I remember.
The results reflected my inner reality, which I’m sure affected Lori’s experience too.
It took months and several layers back and forth to salvage it.
At first, I saw it as a reminder of how I didn’t allow myself to play. I didn’t like it.
Now I see its invitation to grow. And grow I did. Yay!
I love our new piece! It’s a mirror of our inner reality that day. It shines of the high vibrations of love, play, bliss, and collaborative creativity.
My heart sings when I look at it. Does yours?
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Intuitive Guidance For 2016
/in Life By DesignNo, I’m not prophesying about the future of the world. I’m showing you another example of how you can find your own intuitive guidance for 2016 by making an intuitive vision board.
First, let’s look at how last year’s board helped me. After that, you’ll see how this brand new one is already showing me how to use the Law of Rhythm to my advantage this year.
There are many kinds of vision boards, but intuitive ones are my favourite. They’re quick and filled with meaning that reveals itself with time. They’re also a great visual tool for decision-making.
To learn how to make your own, click here to get to my “7 Easy Steps To Creating An Intuitive Vision Board“.
My 2015 Vision Board
Here are some examples from last year.
Look below at all the circles. These pieces kept encouraging me to move forward in my Enter the Mandala Project. I had to go deeper into both my passion for painting and intuitive visions to create art for contemplation. I needed to constantly connect with Source to understand and paint the 12 Universal Laws.
My Intuitive Guidance for 2016
So what’s my new board telling me about the year ahead? Looks like the pendulum is swinging the other way.
No more hermit for me. It’s time to get out and get active.
My board is motivating me to play tourist in my own city, go on road trips, and gather with community. I may even go to Ireland this year. It was on my board last year, so I trust that some seed has been planted and may just sprout in 2016. The train means movement – maybe across Canada with my mandalas?
It’s important not to take everything literally with vision boards. Look at possible meanings when you’re in need of guidance. I’ve never been much for crowds or parties. To me, that quote has more to do with some kind of springtime celebration.
These pieces of the puzzle are already motivating me to lighten up. I went deep and intense with work on my website and mandalas this past year. I need a bit more fun and active living in 2016.
I really like all the words in red boxes I found in travel magazines. I know my heart will continue to open and expand as I see the world through new eyes. I understood this year that the more intuitive reading and energy painting commissions I do, the more I connect to people’s Higher Selves and the more loving I become.
As for the “pick up artists” piece, I hesitated using it. I’m so not a “flirt”! But my heart leapt when I saw it as I tore through magazines in the 25-minute gathering phase, so there it is. It could mean collaboration with other artists or the art of de-cluttering. Who knows?! I’ll tell you in a year.
Of course my art is part of the year ahead. I’ll continue to create intuitive energy-based artwork that inspires and adds joy to people’s lives. Don’t you love how the waterfall image on the right is alive ? Nice symbolism. Working with transformative art is going to lead to wonderfully unexpected results – for both my clients and I. It’ll all happen with ease and grace. This fills my heart with comfort and joy!!!
I’ve been lucky to have explored this through 2 significant relationships in my life. It’s been years though.
I don’t need a man. I’m happy on my own. But I’m definitely open to sharing my life in relationship when I meet the next right guy for me. And there’s that word “unexpected” again. It’s on my board twice.
He’s been on my board before, so I know he’s out there. We just haven’t found each other on the physical plane yet. I trust in divine timing and am grateful for him no matter where he is.
Your Turn
Wow! I’m going to have a great year! Through this new vision board, my heart’s given me a glimpse at what’s in my Highest Good for the year ahead.
Now it’s your turn to get intuitive guidance for 2016? Get together with friends or do it on your own. Just follow my “7 Easy Steps to Creating Intuitive Vision Boards“.
Please come back and comment on any insights you’ve had for your 2016. I’d love to hear.
Intention Setting in Times of Transition – a Guided Meditation
/in Guided Meditations, Life By DesignI channeled this guided visual journey to support both of us in times of transition. It’s 41-minutes long. Take at least an hour in case you feel moved to journal afterwards. You’re worth it. You deserve it.
When I channel a guided meditation, the mini-movies I receive in my mind’s eye sometimes freeze-frame to give you an opportunity to explore the different intuitive messages you’ll receive, depending on what serves your Highest Good on that day. It’s an ever-changing process, rich in opportunities for empowerment and transformation. May it serve you as I already trust it’ll serve me.
Let it be what it is – there’s no right or wrong way of experiencing it.
Enjoy the journey!
P.S. If you enjoyed this experience, you can download a different guided meditation by signing up to my monthly art & inspiration newsletter. Click here to download yours.
P.P.S. You can also order a custom channeled guided meditation on a theme of your choosing. Click here for more information.
2015 – A Year In Focus
/in Life By DesignBy the dawning of 2015, I’d already decided to devote my year to my art. And that’s exactly what I did. With great focus, determination, trust and growing patience, I put my whole heart into my art, bringing it, my Self, and our partnership to a whole new level.
My art was my baby, my lover, my teacher, my seed and my tree. It was my whole world. I even went into hermit mode for part of the year to accomplish my goals.
As with all relationships, developing and nurturing this one required unconditional love, forgiveness, and faith.
I learned a lot in 2015 and wanted to share its celebration with you.
New Creations
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Fourteen new paintings were birthed this year in addition to my mandalas.
Ten of these provided me with a chance to channel the energy I needed at the time, evolving through layers of meaning, reflection, connection, creation, and celebration.
All but one of these originals are still available in my online shop, where you can also order reproductions on canvas, HD metal plaques (only available for some sizes), and fine art or metallic paper.
One was a donation to a project that paired artists with local nursing home residents.
The other three Energy Painting Commissions. What an amazing experience to support others on their transformational journeys through these intensive experiences. This connected me to three women across North America in ways that further opened my heart and soul on my own journey. What an honour and blessing! My intention is to be of service to many more in this way in 2016.
B-School and the Business of Art (or the Art of Business)
I’d set the intention to get my business online in 2015. So in February, when a friend reminded me of Marie Forleo’s B-School, an intensive online business program for big-hearted entrepreneurs, I jumped on board.
This was quite the investment in time and money, but it felt guided and aligned, so I didn’t hesitate. And no regrets.
I now have a professional website that I designed myself and the marketing materials to get the word out. For the first time, you can now purchase my art online, even ordering prints of your favourite paintings and photographs in various sizes and mediums. That was my goal!
That’s not all B-School gave me. Through the course of several months, I gained even greater courage and confidence. I’m no longer camouflaging my intuitive gifts. I was able to build a business platform that cohesively offered my intuitive art & inspiration, including my unique style of intuitive reading, which comes with bonus visual gifts.
I also learned from pushing myself to the brink of burn-out, with months of 12-16 hour workdays, 7 days a week. I know the stress and pressure I was feeling was entirely of my making. My self-imposed deadlines came from a scarcity mentality. My technophobia came from overreacting to things outside of my comfort zone or control. There’s a lot I needed to learn about the futility of trying to force things to happen.
With the pre & post modules, B-School was my all-consuming full-time job and personal growth program for about 5 months. I’ll be going through the it again in 2016. We have lifetime access. Plus my business and I aren’t the same as when we did it the first time. So I trust it’ll take us to the next level – more gently this round.
Enter the Mandala Project – Inspired Action
While I was with family in Ottawa a year ago, I received intuitive guidance to create a dozen mandala paintings. So when I got back to St. John’s, I submitted a grant application to help fund the project. I also ordered 12 – 30″ x 30″ canvases, which ended up taking a few months to arrive. Looking back, I’m so glad I followed my inspiration with action.
I then got so busy with B-School that I stopped connecting and listening for guidance. But on March 25th, I had a 30-minute Skype consultation with a coach for intuitives I met through B-School. Without knowing about my intention to create a dozen mandalas, she said my Guides wanted me to create a series on the Universal Laws… and there happened to be 12.
In April, I received news of a $1000 grant by the City of St. John’s, covering part of the materials for my project. My canvases arrived at about the same time. I needed the grant implementation deadline to force me away from the computer and into the studio. I’m so grateful as this was essential to my well-being this year.
Had I not followed through on my initial guidance with inspired action, there’s no way I would have completed the Enter the Mandala paintings by now or hosted the Winter Solstice Event. Both parts of the Enter the Mandala project brought me in alignment with my life purpose. Here’s what one participant wrote to me about the event:
This powerful collection (which now has 13 mandalas) has taken me deeper spiritually and artistically than any other painting project before it. The Universal Laws have taught me much, and I’ll continue to practice them as a key to my happiness.
My goal is to find a permanent home for them in 2016 and to keep on teaching what I’ve learned.
Exhibitions and Events
I’ve had many opportunities to share my work in St. John’s this past year. For this I am truly grateful.
These included:
These helped me reconnect to the the purpose of my art and of my life. They also helped me practice patience and trust in divine timing, especially when it comes to income.
I love sharing the energy that I channel in the studio. But I have to learn to keep on giving to this relationship with my art and its fans without becoming needy or over-dependent. That only stifles the relationship.
Re-Connecting with the Community
I value my alone time. First, I know I’m never really alone. Second, I enjoy my company (most of the time). Being in hermit mode was great and very productive. But I knew I could get too comfortable and disconnected if I stayed there too long.
Sure, I’d talk to you through my blog twice a week, but that’s not the same. I had to get back into the community and the opportunities came when I was ready.
A Great Year Indeed
I’m so grateful for the foundation I was able to build for my business in 2015. After 26 years of being a part-time professional artist, I’ve made the leap to full-time (or almost). In 2016, I’d like to continue that, but with a better work-life balance.
Apart from a trip to Ottawa to visit family, I didn’t even leave town this year. I’m now open to a lot more leisure time alone and with friends – in nature and new surroundings.
I’d also like to socialize outside of my current circles of women. If it’s meant to be and in my Highest Good, I’m open to meeting a man who’s similarly dedicated to growing in unconditional love.
I want to nourish my soul through more than just my art.
To do that, I’ll take the time to ask and listen for guidance as I continue to explore and express my love of beauty and the beauty of love.
2015 was a huge year for me and my art. 2016 is a mystery. I’m open to it. I welcome it. And I look forward to sharing it with you.
Merry Christmas!
/in Life By Design“Prayer” from my Connection Photography Collection
I grew up Catholic. So Christmas has always meant more than the exchange of gifts and turkey feasts.
It’s true that my spirituality has become more universal in nature. I’ve welcomed many other teachers into my life, such a Buddha, Abraham Hicks, the Universe, and direct connection to Source through my Higher Self. But Jesus was my first teacher and best friend.
He taught unconditional love and forgiveness, setting me on my path of exploring and expressing my love of beauty and the beauty of love.
He also showed me my potential of connecting to the Light within all Beings and within God through the Divine Oneness.
The world is truly a better place because He was born.
It’s also true that many misguided souls have spread hatred in His name, but that had nothing to do with Him.
So I’m joining with millions around the planet to celebrate the birth of Christ in my own way this week – no matter what season his birth may have actually occurred.
Merry Christmas everyone – no matter what your beliefs. May we all take a moment to be grateful for those who have shown us the path of Love.
Solstice Intentions – De-cluttering and Visioning
/in Enter the Mandala: The Twelve Universal Laws, Life By Design“Lighting the Way” – prints available.
It’s 4:37am here in St. John’s, where a fresh layer of snow transformed the city overnight – the kind that sits prettily on the branches.
It was easy to remember that Solstice was just a few hours ago because my room was still lit up with 15 of the battery-operated flickering tea-light candles I’d purchased to decorate the Enter the Mandala Winter Solstice Event.
I know you want to hear how it went … Hold on. That’s coming at the end.
I’d ceremoniously placed these lights on or near symbolic objects I wanted to energize:
So I’m writing this to candlelight – fake candlelight, but it’s all in the intention. And that’s what this post is about.
I’m focusing on my true intentions because I didn’t like what I’d answered in my dream.
Right before waking, an unseen voice asked me what my intentions were for 2016. I answered that I wanted to return to the Czech Republic to do some post-war photo-reportage.
But then another level of my consciousness piped in with “You said that because you watched a movie about a Second World War love story in Poland right before falling asleep. See how movies influence you? Is that really what you want the Universe to record as your intention?”
So I started composing this in my dream. Then I decided to wake up to write it down instead.
My Plans for Today
The 6 days before and after Solstice are powerful for transformational shifting. I’m using this energy to help set the pace for 2016.
Today, I’m going to continue cleaning up after Sunday’s event, clearing space in both my room and studio. I’ve always been a believer that de-cluttering allows us to let go of what no longer serves us to let in what does. I don’t want to start the new year in a mess.
Then, 2 of my friends are coming over for an intuitive vision board party. Writing down your conscious intentions for the year ahead is one thing. Letting your intuition guide you in them is another. Last year’s board was instrumental in my decision-making. I look forward to seeing what comes up for me today. If you want to do one too, you can learn how in my “7 Easy Steps to Creating An Intuitive Vision Board“.
My Conscious Vision for 2016
So – to cancel my post-movie dream declaration, here’s what I’d like the Universe to hear as my reality for 2016. You’ll notice I use the present tense to avoid keeping my intentions in the perpetual future.
The Enter the Mandala Winter Solstice Event
Sunday’s event was the culmination of my year and of my initial vision for the Enter the Mandala Project. It was exactly as it was meant to be. And for that, I’m so grateful.
Our team of leaders and volunteers created a beautiful and sacred space for the participants. We were about 40 in the circle. The 13 lit mandalas held one side of the room while Regina and Leslie’s altars held the other.
The day flowed through ceremony, meditation, visionary storytelling, a delicious lunch, drumming and chanting, sound healing with crystal bowls, chakra dancing, mandala drawing, and conversation on raising our vibration through self-awareness. It was exactly the kind of Solstice event I wanted to attend. It felt so good to receive my co-leaders gifts. It felt just as good sharing mine. And what a heart-opener to be a witness to the experiences of those who chose to attend.
We stayed open for the public after our closing circle. Very few came despite all the marketing, but I know that everyone who did was touched by their experience.
Our day was about quality, not quantity. We all put so much into it. And it was worth it on levels we cannot begin to understand. I know we helped those in attendance make a difference in their lives. It made a difference in mine. How can that be measured in numbers and dollars?!
Sunday provided me yet another mirror for my Self – showing me my gifts and my growth as well as the thoughts and patterns that still cloud my true vision. It was a gift to my Self and to my community.
And now I need a rest. This was a huge year. I pushed myself hard – harder than was necessary. I do that.
You’ll hear more about that on the 29th (I already wrote that post so I can take time off the computer while in Ottawa with family for the New Year).