![]() ![]() ![]() I chose two winners (the second winner will be painted soon) and started painting. You all filled my bucket and restored my creative flow. I received the most inspiring stories of human connection. I asked my followers to share why that photo meant something to them. I just wanted a good photo, so I thought I'd host a contest to find a good reference photo. I needed one more painting to finish the body of work I started in the spring. It started with needing to get "back in the saddle" with painting. I paid attention to the small things that bring me joy the differences of aroma of each of the roses on my deck I found a new favourite novel which plant in my garden the hummingbirds like best I went on a holiday to the Yellow Point Lodge which turned into an art retreat. I went with my family to watch the sunsets in the warm evening summer air and filled my soul with the myriad of electric colours. I planted a perennial cut-flower garden that will fill our whole house with bouquets by next year. I went on walks with my hubby down the country road near our house and took time to stop and watch the horses graze in the neighbours farm pasture and watch the eagles soar over the valley. We laughed and laughed and took great pride when we finally conquered that floatie. We kept falling off one because we didn't realize it needed to be inflated. (So much so, I gave my daughter the middle name Soleil) I bought the last two remaining floaties (can you say heat dome necessity) and went to the beach with my daughter. So what did I do for 3 weeks? I did everything on my own time. I knew I needed to stop looking at lists, to stop watching the clock. I have taken so little for myself for the last 7 years. I have given for so long I was beyond my capacity. Not even paint! Nothing except what normal people do, take time off! I didn't take even one day off after my Mom passed because I still had my Dad to care for. But for 3 weeks after my Dad passed I did nothing. I even took inspiration from what Michelle Obama said in her book that Barrack did and pared my wardrobe down to just a few pre-selected options so I could maximize every second of the day. I sacrificed sleep and exercise and even washing my hair (what hairdresser does that!) just to make time to paint. I have painted in every spare moment I had. I have been hustling for 3 years to build my art business all while running my hair salon and supporting all the responsibilities in my personal life. Time to grieve, time to rest and time to restore. My father passed away June 18th and I gave myself the gift of time. Now on to my inspiration behind this series. if I can inspire just one person by sharing my life and build a connection with just one person to see that life should be a blend of struggle and triumph, I am fulfilled. Does any of this resonate with you? Send me an email here if so. And that has brought me real joy, not superficial happiness. I know that I have gained so much humble confidence and genuine gratitude from every challenge I have had. (side bar: I'm stoked to be going to the Van Gogh Immersive Exhibit in a few weeks! eeek!) I personally prefer to paint the other side of the struggle, where there is light and hope and renewal. Some of the greatest artists shared their intimate suffering in their paintings like "Without Hope" by Frida Kahlo, "Love and Death" by Fransico de Goya and "Self portrait with Bandaged Ear" by Van Gogh. If you start sharing what you're going through you will soon find a comrade with a parallel experience to support you. ![]() In talking about our experiences we can turn off the insecure chatter in our heads that wrongly tells us we are alone in our struggle. I believe communication and transparency is key to human connection which is SO crucial to our every fibre of being (if we didn't know connection was important before Covid, we sure do now!) Equally, I am interested in normalizing the human struggle we all experience. I think she was bit shocked by how much I share but I'm so happy she asked because it made me think perhaps more of you would like to know too and I think I have an important motivation. I was recently asked by a Follower why I share so much intimate content. I am grateful to share this newest collection of original paintings with you…THE SERENITY COLLECTIONĪs per usual, the inspiration behind my work is a reflection of what I am going through in my personal life. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |