Movement Naturally Occurs

Movement of the stream naturally occurs  flowing, continually clearing and purifying debris from itself, cleansing while in motion. The flow goes on, polishing rocks and filtering out unnecessary objects. The flow and movement of nature does not stop. Regardless of external conditions the natural order of things continue. It seems only humans want to disrupt that natural balance.

If I liken my life to a stream I can see how things are naturally stripped away, with or without my help. But when I hold on, the waters can become stagnant and microscopic life forms begin to die because the environment can no longer support life. It becomes more of a battle. When things do not seem in flow, then it is we, ourselves resisting. I love the expression “let go or be dragged”. We open to the flow to win over resistance, a true feat in itself.

So when I think life is not supporting me, really I am not supporting life. Creating an environment which is supportive to myself has been my focus for some time. However, the outside influences nearby are not good for me. A lesson in containment and a reminder of who I would be without awareness is what I have discerned. I do not engage with this energy, rather I choose to rise above & transmute it to something positive.

To clear what is no longer necessary I feel I need to facilitate  movement.  The way I do that is to ready myself. Staying in the flow is really a state of being, one of awareness and consciousness. Staying in this state when challenged by outside forces requires a great deal of inner strength. My progress will blend with the natural order of things because movement naturally occurs. I will be open to it, open to receive by surrendering to the process.

While scoping out locations for plein air painting, I was fortunate to come upon a whole flock of red-winged blackbirds in Pierce Estate Park the other day. They were singing & nesting in the marsh. I sat for a long while. The soft stuffing from last year’s cattails must give their nests cushioning I imagined, judging by their condition. How perfect nature is.

Expanding my horizons

I took a first time stroll to Beaver Dam Flats. The park had sustained much flood damage, uprooted trees and debris littered the edges of the pathway. Still it was pristine in all its fresh greenery.

It is a river forest. As I meandered through the pathways I saw a man approaching in my direction. Out of the corner of my eye I glimpsed when the moment when the light went on for him and he chose to come directly to me. He had no idea I noticed his premeditation to follow me. I had just seen a sign which said, “DO NOT FEED THE WILDLIFE”. I was on my guard but ready.

He seemed concerned about the people having a bonfire close to the river’s edge. I had seen them. “Are fires allowed?” I asked, he struggled for an answer, despite being a self-appointed supervisor of the area. He then mumbled it had rained a bit everyday.

What the artist sees

Though he was following me, I delayed. When I stopped then he would slow down. Going on about my business, I stopped on the bridge to take a picture of the slough. His eyes searching the area he said, “What are you seeing in there?”

I said, “Well I am an artist and I take a lot of pictures.” It occurred to me he was not seeing the reflections, colors and shadows and I was not about to explain it. I had come here for solace so I sustained my boundary by holding a strong physical presence. He seemed annoyed with not being able to solve the mystery and unable to penetrate my invisible armor, he hurried up the hill, vanishing from sight.

It is not the first time I have taken pictures when people around me look around to see what was so interesting. When they do not have the awareness, they quickly lose interest I have noticed more than once. I was too much of a geek for him I suppose.

Here is my art if you would like to take a look. I will be creating a new collection soon, so stay tuned and subscribe for notification of new developments. My emails are not frequent, usually 4 per year. I also have a couple of live music shows coming up which you will find here. Hope to see you there!

Some artists say they make art because they have to. Why do I make art? I prefer to think of my art as that which I want to do which keeps my inner passion alive. Transferring the essence to others is part of the process. It is imperative that art be seen and shared. Ultimately it is about connection & communication.

To know I have touched others not just with my art but personally is a bonus. Art making is one thing that gets my endorphins flowing. The natural highs are found in discovering nature and translating the experience to my art.

My chosen way of transmitting my emotions and insights is more subtly through my visual art and music. Sometimes there are no words.

This painting I did for someone (shown left), a commission, a beautiful hibiscus painting, very feminine yet with intense deep colours.

The patron later told me-she felt a tingling in her leg when she looked at it. She had some sort of problem with her leg which the painting appeared to solve. [insert disclaimer]

The energetics of the painting were emitting healing. For somethings we do not have a scientific explanation. Have you ever stood in a gallery and been brought to tears by a painting? When I am doing a commissioned piece, I do tune into the person, at the very least on a subconscious level. I did not know about her leg problem until she told me afterwards.

A previous article I wrote sometime ago, art and healing, long before my healing abilities became as developed and focused as they are now. To add to what I had written I have discovered the recipient and the healer both derive benefits of the energy flow.   The world needs more art and more healing.

I have found keeping track of the art which I make has become a way to document my life. Each piece evokes memories of the time of its creation. My style has changed with time. I have developed this craft for several years. As an introvert it is most satisfying to spend time alone in creation mode with my art.  Art is the result of my inner workings I bring out to share with the world. I heal myself and others through my art making. It completes me in a way that no other thing can.

The joy generated from creating keeps my vibe up and allows me to lift myself up from even the bluest of funks. When I am creating, the flow starts to happen. I do not have time to think about anything else. Things start coming my way when I am in the zone.

To close, this is one of my personal healing paintings titled “Transformation”. Semi precious gems and healing crystals are found embedded within as well as various key symbols. To photograph this is near impossible, but you get the idea. Stones included in this piece are rutilated quartz, crystal quartz, kyanite, amethyst, citrine, emerald, lapis lazuli, rhodonite, carnelian, peridot, howlite and black obsidian.  It symbolizes   radical change; mind. body & soul encompassing unity and balance with a root to crown chakra alignment as well as the unification of masculine and feminine energies. Tell me, do you see one face or two in this?