Tag Archive for: energism art
Sunset in the Dreamtime – painting your happy place
Where is your happy place?
If you asked me, I just might tell you about my sunset kayak on the Mobile canal on the Irish Loop of Newfoundland with my friends Tina White & Kerri Best (featured in the video above).
I rarely paint what I see with my eyes open. I do, however, paint what I feel. And my experience there was multi-dimensional!
The painting “Sunset in the Dreamtime” is the colour, texture, and enhanced crystal energy of a moment in time – a happy place. Can you feel its energy?
The space between the canvases represent that time between waking moments when you re-emerge into Spirit – your daily reset button. It also acts as an altar to keep / energize the stones you sleep with. This past year, an amethyst and rose quartz crystal have been my bedmates.
According to Abraham Hicks, when you fall asleep after a day of feeling good, in alignment with your Higher Self, you’ll glide easily into pleasant dreamtime before re-emerging into non-Physical. Your dreams are your transition there.
“All dreams are your conscious interpretation of the vibrational contenance that you’ve been practicing lately.”
So spend time in appreciation, beauty, and love, every day to manifest more of the same in your dreams – your daily gateway to re-connecting with Spirit.
Once there, we all get to hit the reset button. Isn’t that comforting?!
The trick is to then carry that alignment found when our consciousness is focused on the non-physical back into waking life. Abraham Hicks talks of the importance of those first 17 seconds upon waking – the time it takes to set a vibration.
Visual cues such as a painting of your happy place can remind you to end and start your day with appreciation, creating high vibrational momentum for the journey forward.
So yes, enjoy your reset time in that sacred space of sleep. But also focus your attention on what raises your vibration during the day to ensure a smoother transition into sleep and a happier, healthier waking life.
As Abraham Hicks says,
“You are Source Energy in a physical body…. You’re born with a guidance system that lets you know whether or not you’re allowing the energy that creates worlds to flow through you unfettered in full blown fashion, or if you’re pinching it off. So it’s important right now that you start to care about how you feel … in thoughts and actions.“
My sunset kayak represented in “Sunset in the Dreamtime” was truly a feel-good blessing in my life. Painting my happy place and seeing it every time I walk by it in my studio helps to keep me in my inner happy place.
The labradorite that mimics the logo on the kayak energizes the piece. Labradorite is a powerful protector against negativity, raises consciousness and enhances intuition. The rose quartz is a stone of deep inner healing, harmony, peace and universal love.
Do you have something on your walls that reminds you to go to your happy place – both inwardly and outwardly?
If not, go ahead and create it or purchase an artist’s rendition that speaks to your heart & soul.
See if any of my paintings resonate with your inner callings. You can see all my available originals here or order prints of your favourites in your choice of size and medium here.
Title: “Sunset in the dreamtime”Year: © 2020
Size: 9″ x 12″ + 12″ x 24 = 12″ x 36″ (91.5cm x 30.5cm)
Artist: Dominique Hurley
Materials: Professional acrylics & channeled energy work, labradorite, rose quarts & clear quartz on gallery-wrapped canvas with painted edges. No framing required.
Genre: intuitive painting, visionary art, energism art, spiritual art, inspirational art
Price: CAD $1,277
P.S. I painted this last Fall for an art competition so had to keep it top secret until now. It didn’t win, but it’s still a winner in my heart.
From the Beginning – a New Painting
Doesn’t it feel great to get back to something you love doing but haven’t done in a while? What is that for you?
Although I’m a professional artist, I don’t always paint as much as I’d like. I hadn’t painted since May!
When July rolled around, I started work on a Soul Energy Portrait Experience for a client.
As is my custom, I used any leftover paint from each step of that process to begin a new painting on the side.
Then, about 4 layers in, this painting started taking on a life of its own.
It called to me through visions and extensions of the energy work I was doing for my client.
And that’s how “From the Beginning” came into being – inspired by the energy flowing through me in the service of someone else.
Then, the hours and hours of dot therapy – a form of meditative prayer – infused this painting with extra layers of high vibrational goodness. Can you feel it through the heart-warming and lower chakra nourishing colours?
From the Beginning
SOLD
As the mighty oak tree is already present in the acorn, so is unconditional love already present in our hearts and souls.
Our job as spiritual beings having a human experience is to allow that Love & Light germinating at our core to sprout, grow, flow, and blossom with the dawning of each new day.
Be it in relationship with yourself or with others,
May that love grow
May your love flow
May you be and do love
Rooted in the rich soil of your inner work
Connected to Source and All That Is.
And may you meet, along your path,
The love of one who chooses to grow with you
Learning together the many ways in which
Unconditional Love can manifest in relationship.
This is my prayer for you.
This is my prayer for me.
So be it. So I let it be.
“From the Beginning” (20″ x 24″) – SOLD
Acrylics on gallery-wrapped canvas. No framing required.
Enter the Mandala: The Law of Correspondence
I just heard the musical theme to the Twilight Zone as I was looking up the meaning of one of the symbols I was given for this, the 4th Enter the Mandala Project painting, the Law of Correspondence. I know that tapping into my intuitive process to generate a better understanding of the Twelve Universal Laws is tapping into the mythology of the world through Divine Oneness – but I do enjoy a good confirmation of the new normal. Here’s what happened.
The last symbol I Googled to write this post was the pinecone (that I embarrassingly kept calling an acorn in the recording. Even English teachers make mistakes when verbally translating the array of visions appearing and disappearing inside visual journeys. Trust me though – it was a pinecone).
As I was painting this central element to the Law of Correspondence, the core within, I loved its symbolism as the seed from which all things grow. I saw it as a representation of the mind. I understood that the world as we see and experience it emanates from our thoughts and feelings. I also understood that the community barn-raising spirit that I was shown inside the pinecone meant that the more we nurture and cultivate our inner world, the more our outer world will match our true essence.
“As above, so below, as within, so without…” Hermes Trismegistus
I also got that the light switches that appeared in my vision and that I painted on the wedding band – the union of the inner and outer world – represented our moment-by-moment choice of light or darkness – of love or fear.
Here’s where my jaw dropped. When I looked up the pinecone online, I found a website that described its symbolism and history.
“Our “Pine”al Gland, shaped like (and named after) the Pinecone, is at the geometric center of our brain and is intimately linked to our body’s perception of light. … It is considered by many to be our biological Third Eye, the “Seat of the Soul,” the “Epicenter of Enlightenment” — and its sacred symbol throughout history, in cultures around the world, has been the Pinecone.”
How cool is that! I don’t remember learning this in my Sacred Codes classes at the Vienna Academy of Visionary Art, but I’m sure the pinecone was used as an example of the perfect Fibonacci sequence in our Sacred Geometry class.
All I know is that what I learned on the website above and another on the pinecone in art & architecture affirmed my connection to the Universe, Source, and my team of Divine Helpers in the co-creation of this series.
I’m human… this was comforting!
Once again, I started with a Spirit Calling Card reading to open the intuitive process. At first, it seemed to speak more about the process itself than about the Law of Correspondence.
If you think about it though, it really does relate to the Law of Correspondence. It’s asking us as a community to open to what is happening in our minds as a gateway to transformation. There we have it – as within, so without. As above, so below. This is as true on an individual as on a collective level.
Listen In
As usual, there was a lot of symbolism provided through this visual journey. The feeling, however, was simply matter of fact. That in itself is revealing to me – there was no judgment, just a simple mirror. If there was celebration and growth in the inner ring, it was married with growth and building in the outer ring. If the world was barren in the inside, it was dry and crumbling on the outside. Just a fact – no drama.
As you listen, please remember that when I’m saying acorn, it was actually a pinecone. There are no accidents though…. an acorn would have been just as symbolic.
From the Inside Out
Law of Correspondence Symbolism
This is how I interpreted the symbolism I received. Feel free to add your own in the comments below. This is a community effort!
The Pinecone
Let me add to what I’ve already said in my introduction.
Whatever is growing within our inner being spirals out into the world.
Our current reality, therefore, took roots within our minds.
The Wedding Band
The gold wedding band represents the union of the inner and outer worlds.
How do you like my glorified stick people?… 🙂
I chose to represent the barn-raising spirit, the child with the reflection bowl, and the light switches on the ring instead of in the pinecone, where I originally saw them.
What kind of activity is happening within your mind today? Are you flicking that switch on or off?
The Roots
The roots pass beneath the wedding band, underlying the union of the inner and outer worlds.
They spread into the world like a web, extending beyond the limits of our perceived reality into the fabric of all that is – the invisible – the Universe.
As I was painting them, remembering the vision of the eyeball, they also felt like veins. These are a symbol of Life Force – the roads by which we feed ourselves and our vision.
Now, as I look at it, I sense a 2-way direction to the movement in this mandala – from the inside out, but also from the outside in. What does this mean for you?
The Trees
The Pine Trees in the Ring:
In my vision, I saw the minerals from the wedding band leaching into the world, nourishing it with its goodness. In addition to the larger roots, I chose to represent this by painting pine trees, their roots firmly planted inside the ring and their branches extend into the outer ring.
What we sow in our inner world takes root and spreads into our outer reality.
Pine trees are always fully present in the pinecone. Similarly our full potential in this world already lies within us. By tapping into our true essence and nurturing our growth, we too can evolve as we were meant to do / be.
The Tree of Life:
The tree of life often represents life, hope, truth, and healing. It’s a mystical tree, symbolic of the connection between our human and spiritual being-ness -inspiration (in spirit).
As a mandala, these paintings can be contemplated from any direction. Depending how you look at it, the fruits of this tree are hanging off the roots. What could this mean to you?
The Pine Trees in the Corners:
These two pine trees are barely visible, outside the perceived limits of our reality.
Yet they grow and bear fruit, fed by and feeding the roots or veins that circulate through our full and mysterious existence.
I’d love to hear your interpretations on these.
The Cranes
Since my time living in South Korea, I’ve accepted cranes as symbols of longevity. They have a very long lifespan.
They’re also associated with a successful marriage, very appropriate here.
I wasn’t aware that cranes were also symbolic of the family tree. This adds a further element of time to the root system of this mandala.
In terms of divinatory meaning, one website says:
“If you see a crane flying, it may be drawing your eyes to the heavens, lifting your spirits, and inspiring you to trust in the universe.”
Beautiful message!
Ordering & Receiving
Those active little people inside the pinecone were seen sending out paper airplanes into the world. They’d written down their orders and instructions based on what was happening in the inner world. I liked the lighthearted playful energy of the mind / inner world I witnessed in this vision.
Then came the delivery trucks and construction machinery, answering to the guidance from the inner world.
We’re constantly placing orders and receiving – on a conscious and subconscious level. That’s definitely something to think about…
The Eye
The Law of Correspondence
The entire mandala can been seen as a giant eye, but I also chose to paint an actual eyeball, looking straight up, as I saw it in my visual journey.
The eye is often seen as a window to the soul. It’s also a symbol of focus, vision, awareness, presence and intelligence.
For me, this eye is a reminder that we live in a dream, an illusion. Nothing has meaning but the meaning we give it. How we perceive the world is based on our inner reality. The eye here represents a passageway from consciousness to enlightenment.
What does it mean for you?
The Cycles
Circling the extremities of our perceived world are the cycles of the natural world.
First, I was shown the tides and waves, moved by the gravitational pull of the sun and moon on the earth.
Then I was shown sunsets turning into sunrises, a continuous cycle of death and rebirth. Their colours are reflected around the 4 main elements within the mandala.
Everything is in motion. The momentum we create at our core sets the pace for what we experience here in this lifetime. Yet, with every new day, we are given another opportunity to re-create a world more aligned with that golden essence that lies within us – the one that may have been covered with the dust of time.
Your Turn
What other messages have you received as you’ve entered this Law of Correspondence mandala?
How do you dust off the cobwebs of your mind and shine your golden light into this world?
I’d love for you to share in the comments below.
Journey Into the Law of Action – Enter the Mandala
This is it! The 3rd of the Enter the Mandala Project paintings – The Law of Action.
When fuelled by the fires of purpose and passion, each inspired step towards your dreams will lead you to the doors and tools you need to achieve them.
The Law of Action is not about aimless busy-ness. It’s about the continuous process of tuning in, communicating to the Universe, staying open and receptive, and following through on guidance. It’s this kind of action that creates the necessary momentum to manifest your vision.
So take the steps, open the doors, collect the right tools, navigate the brainstorm web, send your smoke signals to the Universe, allow, receive, and create the reality you wish to see in the world. It’s all possible through the Law of Action.
Read on to find out more about how I tapped into the symbology for this painting.
First, I used my Spirit Calling Cards to invite my Divine Helpers into the intuitive painting process.
You’ll hear me chat about these cards at the beginning of the recording below.
What a great reminder that “reflecting on the fruit of our purpose”, or visualizing our desired results and focusing on the WHY we do things, is a crucial part of the Law of Action. It’s also the initial step in changing how we see, feel, and experience the world – our truth.
It was also a reminder that action which isn’t sourced from within won’t lead to an inner or outer reality that is aligned with our true essence.
What does this mean to you? I invite you to ponder on this message and share your insights in the comments.
Listen In
These readings, especially the Divine Storytelling Times, raise my vibration to such delightful levels. This one was so much fun!
The symbology was so rich that my mind wanted to jump ahead and start interpreting as the story was evolving. Active listening skills apply to intuition as well… best not interrupt Source, my Guiding Spirits and Angels while they’re speaking 🙂 ….
Although these visual journeys aren’t new to me, tapping into them as part of my painting process is! I’m so grateful I was guided to create this series – for both artistic and spiritual growth.
Go ahead, listen in (17 min). The mini-movie description starts after the Spirit Calling Card Reading.
Reflecting on the Journey:
When I think of volcanoes, I’m reminded of what a medical intuitive once told me. She commented that my eczema (skin condition) was like a volcano. The internal pressure of not listening to my inner guidance was causing stress on the system. If I only took care of the symptom on my hands, it would simply erupt elsewhere on my body. I needed to recognize and honour its core message. I needed to listen before the pressure of holding my purpose, passion, and emotions deep inside created irreparable damage.
The volcano in this reading felt like our purpose calling us upwards into the Light. It’s the creative fire that lurks beneath the surface, brewing and bubbling. It’s inspiration percolating. It’s the source of own powerful brilliance. It feeds our dreams, which then feed our actions.
In this vision, the spinning merry-go-round (think of the symbolism of that word!) sent celebratory sparks that ignited the volcano, creating a glass tower that reached upwards towards that Light, leading us to the bigger picture with every step. Both the tower and staircase were manifested from the pressures of this same inner world. By tapping within and taking each step, our actions then manifested the doorways and tools necessary to create our landscapes.
You’re advised to stay grounded while connecting to your Higher Vision. Let the smoke signals rise up from the platform of your goals. Don’t block the mouth of the volcano and don’t wait until the pressure mounts to an insupportable level. The price of ignoring our Spirit Calls can be high indeed. Eczema is but a minor reminder when I am off my path … Luckily, I eventually listen, heeding that warning.
What are your warning signals? Are you listening?
The Layers
As with many of my intuitive paintings, this one evolved in layers. Each new one inspired the next. There was little planning involved. I simply took action, trusting that the next step would reveal itself.
1. The Inner Fires of Creativity and Passion:
Fire and water mixed to include the earth and air elements all present in volcanoes.
2. Guided Action – Collecting the tools:
You may not know how all of your guided actions fit in the big picture, but trust that layer upon layer, this will reveal itself to you.
See the slideshow above to witness the evolution of these many layers.
3. Momentum:
I used ground up pumice (volcanic glass) to create the raised surface of the merry-go-round/tower and the rim of the volcano. Pumice energetically helps us rise above our challenges by giving us the insights necessary to move forward. Perfect!
I represented the inspiration / action cycle through the brainstorm web I saw in my intuitive journey as well as in the arrows pointing inwards towards our dreams/goals.
4. Allowing:
Allow Dominique! Allow! This is the area where I’ve repeatedly been told I need to practice more.
Coming from a military family and with decades of professional education and experience in recreation and teaching, I have become very good in the left brain areas of planning and implementing. The more anxious I get, however, the more controlling I become, wanting to force things into being. Then I start spiralling into fear, losing my inner peace. That’s when I become so goal focussed that I forget to enjoy the journey. Sounds familiar?
Luckily, life has taught me that the more I trust my intuitive guidance and the power of manifesting, the more my dreams are achieved with ease and grace. This is not about sitting back and passively waiting. It’s about doing things when moved to do so, and paying close attention to what is being called for next. One step at a time.
My six months of fundraising to go study art overseas for a year is a perfect example. I worked intensively, but it was so strongly guided that I not only succeeded in letting go of the fear around my project, but exceeded my fundraising goals.
My time painting in Austria, Bali, and Italy is proof to me of The Law of Action. First, I sent smoke signals to the Universe about wanting to get over psychological blocks to drawing (sometimes unknowingly). This was fuelled by my passion and purpose as an artist. I then received unmistakable guidance about the Vienna Academy of Visionary Art. Once I accepted the call and affirmed my intentions, the action steps revealed themselves through messengers and inner work. I opened a lot of doors and worked with lots of tools. Some stretched my comfort zones and some were criticized by other artists (like auctioning off all my artwork starting at the cost of materials). I went against the social norm, but that didn’t phase me because I was tapped in to something greater. I trusted the inspired process full-heartedly and my dreams became a reality. No regrets!
Can you think of a time when this was true in your life?
Start with baby steps. Listen and trust your intuition. The more you do, the clearer your Spirit Calls will be and the easier it will be to create your dreams.
Your Turn
What would you like to achieve? What first step could you take today towards that dream? Please inspire us with your stories or share your impressions of this painting and process in the discussion below.
Journey Into Divine Oneness – Enter the Mandala
This is the first painting of 12 in the Enter the Mandala Project. I’m so excited to share The Law of Divine Oneness with you!
What a journey! Here’s what I’ve learned through the co-creation of this mandala.
Sourced from Divine Energy, all that is seen and unseen comes from the field of infinite possibilities.
Together, we move as Divine Oneness in a spiralling web of interconnectedness. As to one, so to all.
Visionary artists receive their inspiration in many ways: through dreams, meditation, mind altering substances, etc. I’m one of the rare ones who’s never even tried drugs. That’s not a good or bad thing – it just is.
For this series of paintings, I decided to use my intuitive journeying process (which I call my mini-movies) to dive deeper into the Twelve Universal Laws.
As you’ll hear, I first asked Source and my team of Divine Helpers to guide me.
I then travelled through worlds of imagery to collect messages and symbols related to the Law of Divine Oneness.
Since I asked on behalf everyone, you get to play detective with me as we decipher these messages. Have fun with this. I did!
Listen In:
While listening to this 15-minute audio, take a look at the Spirit Calling Cards below and the Creative Process photos. See if you can find how I incorporated the symbols I was given. I’m not much into realism, so some symbols are, well, symbolic.
There’s no right or wrong way of doing this. If you’d rather just close your eyes and experience the journey that way, go for it.
The Spirit Calling Card Reading
These are the Spirit Calling Cards that acted as a doorway into the intuitive visual journey.
The Creative Process
Click on an image if you want to go through them larger – it shouldn’t stop the audio.
The Spiritual Process
I’m sure you’ve heard that spiritual growth isn’t always smooth.
Have you ever decided to work on an issue only to start having opportunities to do so hit you in the face? This form of “ask and you shall receive” can be challenging for sure! But the rewards are worthwhile.
It’s no surprise, therefore, that having asked to understand the Law of Divine Oneness, I got to do so – not only through my intuitive journey and painting, but in every day life. Immediately!
Right after a very absorbing painting session, I went to the kitchen, where my housemate presented me with a huge mirror (no, not literally). She helped me see that I was not only disconnected from her, but also from the here and now. I was still in my head and in my painting, reflecting on the meaning of Oneness. Wow!
After a few seconds of shock, we both recognized that we were being offered a wonderful opening for connection, unconditional love, and understanding. I suddenly realized on a cellular level (as my entire body was vibrating) how true it is that what we do to one person affects everyone and everything everywhere. At first, I could almost sense the shockwaves traveling around the planet. But then, because we chose to lovingly deal with the situation, I could see this having a much greater effect that reached far beyond the borders of our kitchen and even our world. I was grateful to my Divine Helpers for showing me that.
There have been quite a lot of shifts in my personal world since I started this exploration into the Law of Divine Oneness.
I’m coming out of hermit mode after a winter of diving more deeply into my Self and my art/business. I’m feeling called to being of service at a greater level. I’m reconnecting to the infinite possibilities, to gratitude, and to people. I’m letting go of fear, of judgment, of limiting beliefs. Great stuff!
Your Turn
I’d love to hear what this post/painting inspires in you. Please share your perspective, insights and comments in the discussion below. Your contribution is a valuable part of this community process.
What will your journey through this first Universal Law open up for you?
You are such a beautiful and important part of the Divine Oneness.
What you and I do to raise our level of consciousness will help us all.
We are all interconnected.
Introducing the 12 Universal Laws – Enter the Mandala
Transform your life from the inside out!
Become the conscious creator you were meant to be.
Enter the mandalas to journey deep into the 12 Universal Laws that govern our lives.
The more you understand them, the happier you’ll be.
Come on in!
*Note: The full collection of originals is now available for purchase. Learn more here.
A Universal Spirituality
Enter the Mandala is an invitation to open up to the Divine Energy that is in everything and everyone everywhere. It’s also an invitation to go deeper into both your Self and All That Is.
The Universal Laws go beyond religion – they govern all our lives.
Mandalas
The word “mandala” means “sacred circle” in Sanskrit. These have long been used as spiritual tools in many cultures and religions.
Mandalas help focus attention, provide guidance, and establish sacred space for meditation. They’re a portal into the Universal Energy Flow.
This spiritual and artistic project began when I received intuitive guidance to create a series of 12 mandala paintings based on the Universal Laws.
Some of the Laws were already familiar to me by name or essence. But this was the first time I’d studied them directly with my team of Divine Helpers (Source, Guides, Angels, Higher Self, etc.).
The symbolism in these mandalas was pulled from an intuitive reading that began the process of inquiry into each Universal Law.
The Twelve Universal Laws
Many are familiar with the Law of Attraction, made popular by the movie The Secret and the channellings of Abraham Hicks. I’ve shared stories on stage of how this law has worked in my life. It’s truly amazing.
But it’s not the only Law. There are 12.
Click on an image to enter the mandala and its lessons – delivered in words, images, and energy.
1. The Law of Divine Oneness
2. The Law of Vibration
3. The Law of Action
4. The Law of Correspondence
5. The Law of Cause and Effect
6. The Law of Compensation
7. The Law of Attraction
8. Perpetual Transmutation…
9. The Law of Relativity
10. The Law of Polarity
11. The Law of Rhythm
12. The Law of Gender
Once I was completed the 12 mandalas, I was guided to review and summarize all 12 into one final mandala. Click here for a full view of the painting and the written summary on all 12 laws.
The creative process into the 12 Universal Laws as you see here lasted 10 months. It included:
- asking: intuitive guidance
- creating: 30″x 30″ mandala paintings
- investigating: researching the symbolism, reading & listening
- discussing: on my blog and during live community events
- reflecting: the learning & remembering never ends
This project is part of my own transformational journey. But it’s so much more than that.
The mandalas have become teaching tools. They’re a chance for you to:
- connect with the energy behind the art, your Higher Self, the Laws, and each other
- engage with the intuitive process
- learn about the creative process
- engage in discussion
- participate in life-enhancing exhibitions and events
May these mandalas empower you on your journey, in whichever form you choose to bring them into your life.
The creation of the Enter the Mandala Project artwork was supported in part by the City of St. John’s.
New Painting: “All the Days of My Life”
OK, so by now you already know how much I love and am grateful for my guardian angels, who have been at my side all the days of my life (although perhaps not the same angels the whole time – I don’t know much about their contract terms, job security, retirement age, turnover rates, etc.). What I do know is that they’ve done a truly wonderful job, even when I put up a fuss 🙂
I’m also very fond of the archangels, whom I call upon quite regularly.
It would only be natural, therefore, that I have more than one angel painting. I’m adding to the collection this week with this one:
“All the Days of My Life” – 12″ x 24″ – Acrylics on gallery-wrapped canvas – SOLD
New Painting: “On a Wing and a Prayer”
As an English as a Second Language teacher, I’m often familiarizing students with the meaning of idioms/ expressions. I’m going to go one step further today and share what I learned about the history of the name that came to me so clearly for this painting. Actually, I’ll take it two steps further because I’ll add my own spiritual twist to it.
“On a Wing and a Prayer” – 12″ x 24″ – acrylics on gallery-wrapped canvas (no framing required) – SOLD
“On a Wing and a Prayer” – the idiom
- Expression meaning that you’re hoping to succeed at something, although you’re not prepared enough or have very little chance of success.
- first cited in the 1942 film The Flying Tiger when John Wayne’s character describes a plane that was just attacked by the Japanese as coming in with only one wing and a prayer.
- was made even more popular in 1943 through Harold Adamson and Jimmie McHugh’s WWII patriotic song Coming in on a Wing and a Prayer
My twist:
When I “received” the name for this painting, I had to look on Google to double-check the meaning. The reference to war notwithstanding, I was surprised at the less than optimistic definition. I didn’t want one of my paintings to be associated with “only the slightest chance of success”. So I meditated on it (ie. stared at the painting while rebounding on my new mini-trampoline – a perfect addition to the studio). It didn’t take long for its message to dawn on me. When undertaking a new project or looking at the future (as the woman in profile is doing here), we always have a choice to focus on the best possible or worst possible scenarios. It’s so easy to get caught up in all the details that we miss the beautiful tapestries we are weaving with our lives. One can choose, however, to trust the vision of our Higher Self, who, like the bird, sees the path before us as well as the bigger picture. It answers our prayers for guidance, prayers that help us focus not on the impossibilities, but on the infinite possibilities of life. There! That’s better, isn’t it?! I could go on, but I’ll let you add to that positive spin on your own.
Interesting fact about the hidden layers: As I’ve explained before, my paintings often consist of multiple layers (of paint as well as meaning). These layers are added on intuitively with a spirit of play and exploration until an idea forms. Well, this is one of those paintings that has a very rich history indeed. Beneath the layer of crimsons and gold that forms the base to this finished painting was another layer with another 8 hours of zentangle patterns. It is all but invisible now. Was that wasted time? No. It’s simply part of the meditative process that went into creating this piece. When I ended up covering it up, I didn’t dwell on what I had “lost”, but focused on the new possibilities. Nothing could take away from the joy those 8 hours of pattern-making gave me. It’s all part of the process and infuses the piece with that much more love and energy.
New Paintings, New Chapter, New Questions & Choices
I’m back in the studio this morning for a 3-day painting blitz. I love those!!!
I never shared here this little painting that came out of the last one.
Caméo – – 12″ x 12″ – acrylics on gallery-wrapped canvas (no framing required).
“Caméo” 12″ x 12″
Back to the Classroom:
On Monday, I start a 5-week teaching English Second Language (ESL) contract at the university (in place of a teacher on maternity leave). Part of me is already mourning the end of this chapter as a full-time artist, but part of me also welcomes what’s coming. I’ve just always found transitions and change challenging … despite my constant practice. Still, I’m looking forward to discovering what gifts I have to share this time in the classroom, and what I too will learn from my students and the experience.
The Only Thing Constant is Change Itself:
One thing I can say for sure is that there is movement happening in my life (inside & out). Things are definitely not stagnant. My mixed feelings this week have given me much food for thought – and I continue to ask the Universe my questions and listen for answers.
Sharing My Art: Great Exposure
On many levels, I have felt so blessed to have had the opportunity lately to share my art – bringing my brand of love & beauty into the lives of those open to receive it.
- AANL: Last week, I had 3 paintings in the Art Association of Newfoundland & Labrador’s Fall Exhibit & Sale. The feedback I received and the connections I made were really nice. These paintings are still looking for a home.
- TRIBE TUESDAYS: According to my website statistics, being featured on Flora Bowley’s popular blog has led to thousands of image views for my artwork. The exposure is amazing! Although my ego is flattered by the feedback, it goes so much deeper: the knowledge that sharing my story and my art has inspired people all over the world feels so good on a soul level. Part of me is feeling that deep inner knowing that I’m fulfilling my life’s purpose.
* - 37th ANNUAL GARDEN & NATURE ART EXHIBIT: I’ve also created two new paintings for this exhibition starting on Friday (Nov. 7-30) at the MUN Botanical Garden in St. John’s (306 Mt. Scio Road).
Eternal Time Witnesses – SOLD – 12″ x 36″- Mixed media: acrylics, tar gel, labradorite, mica on gallery-wrapped canvas (no framing required). Labradorite: a powerful protector, a Stone of Magic, enhances mental and intuitive abilities, brings out the best in people, assists communication with other realms. I was gifted this labradorite directly by the one who harvested iit from the ground here in Newfoundland. Along with generations of trees represented in this painting, this stone holds within it the memories and energies of time.
Festivity – SOLD – 12″ x 16″- Acrylics & granular gel on gallery-wrapped canvas (no framing required)
Two Sides to Every Story:
Despite all this wonderful exposure and soul fulfillment, there’s another voice calling my attention this week. My business mind keeps kicking in asking how I might convert some of those views into customers for the many paintings I’ve got out there waiting for homes. How do I earn a more sustainable income from my art? This is a natural question for any entrepreneur. How to do it lovingly is my bigger question. Perhaps I need to keep thinking outside the box like I did to finance my year overseas… So many questions… I know that asking them, however, is already part of the answer.
I Keep On Learning: NLAC Social Media Series
Yesterday, I walked to the LSPU Hall downtown to attend the last of ten Social Media Workshops put on by the Newfoundland and Labrador Art Council. It was nice to see the mustard clapboard house beside it- I had rented it for my first month in NL in 2011.
So many have said that the social media site Pintrest is a good way to sell art. It took me so long to join Facebook, however, and I feel like I already spend enough of my days at the computer, so I’ve resisted adding to that. Nothing new there… The workshop was great though, and I now plan on watching the other nine online – a great resource, not only for artists. There’s so much to learn and implement. Being a professional artist definitely requires as much or more time spent on the business side than the creative side.
After the workshop, I enjoyed another hour’s walk, this time in the torrential rain. Most of it was along the river that passes through my backyard – a deserted trail laden with golden leaves. Truly beautiful! The bit of my walk that was by the side of the road, however, was pretty dramatic, with big trucks sometimes sending waves of water twice as high as my head. Luckily, I was never under one of those. Still, I got home pretty wet. My Gortex jacket and plastic rain pants did quite well, but my Gortex-lined hiking boots aren’t as waterproof as they used to be. Oh well. I dried off, ate, and spent the evening covered up with blankets watching movies. Perfect.
Making a Choice:
So – which voice am I going to listen to? The scared voice of scarcity and fear, or the trusting voice of love, abundance, and soul purpose? Both co-exist so strongly within me at varying times. As my wonderful housemate Orinda says, it’s a moment-by-moment choice of which one to focus on. This is all part of my journey, and sharing it with you helps me to make the choice that’s obviously more aligned with my Higher Self. Thanks.
Now back to painting! Yay!
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