My purpose is to explore and express my love of beauty and the beauty of love. Here’s some of what I’ve come up with.

Connecting with Mother Earth Through Her Creatures

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It’s quite ironic – it’s a beautiful Saturday afternoon, and I know that what my body & soul need is time in Nature, but I can’t seem to get myself off this chair.  So instead, I’ll keep writing, this time about connecting with Nature through its animals. Then, tomorrow, I’ll head out early to explore one of Vienna’s hiking paths.  (P.S. – good thing I’m not hiking – it’s now 4pm and pouring out!)

Animal Communication:

I started writing this blog in my head weeks ago when my friend Janis in Edmonton sent me a link to a fabulous video on Animal Communication – I’ve seen it 4 times now and it evokes such powerful emotion in me each time.  It’s the amazing story of a rescued black panther (one of my childhood totem animals) which was unusually dangerous and therefore in peril until Anna Breytenbach, an animal communicator, came to sit with it for a while.  Then everything changed.  It’s not only another example of the role of imagery as a form of communication (referring to yesterday’s post), but also a very good reminder of our human potential as we reconnect to the land and its creatures – something I believe we all need for all our sakes. I have personally felt this for years, but more so since I moved to Vienna, where I must seek out trees when I feel myself disconnecting from Mother Earth – there are very few in my district.  This short clip (13 minutes) is powerful , and I was lucky enough to see the full 52-minute program on YouTube during the holidays before it was removed for copyright reasons. One can only imagine the possibilities after watching such a video.

I once hired an animal communicator to help when my beloved cat Koya became mysteriously ill at 3 years old.  What I learned about myself and Koya through this service was invaluable.  When it comes to animal communication, some of you may be more familiar with the term horse whisperer, which became widespread after the release of the film by that name starring Robert Redford – I watched that one again last night on YouTube.  (I’m so very grateful for this free resource – have I mentioned that?)  I also had the chance to hear an animal communicator present at conference in San Diego – her description of how animal spirits shake off their mortal coil in joy, playfully bounding into their new form after death stayed with me.  She further explained how they can transition back into another body if we wish them to do so.  I can’t remember all the details, but it was great stuff!

Memories:

I love animals!  When I lived in Germany as a child (in 3 locations between the ages of 5-10), I spent much of my time alone in the forests, fields, and parks – alone, but never really alone.  In addition to angels, guides, fairies and other beings of the spirit world and of my imagination, there were the animals. I especially remember my solo bike rides to a nearby duck pond near the first village we lived in (in a time and place where it was relatively safe for 5 year olds to wander far and wide without adult supervision). When we moved to Baden, I found the forest. My family will recall the frequent search parties sent out into that forest at dinner time since I had no sense of time there.  I can’t quite remember how I spent all that time, but I do remember getting laughed at when I’d share all my animal stories with “friends” at school.  It didn’t matter – along with all my “imaginary animals” and forest creatures, there was also Heidi, my best friend,  a schoolmate’s Cocker Spaniel dog who waited by her door for me every day after school.  I’ll confess, I lost a few friends in my life when I’d abandon them for any and all dogs who came into view. I was obsessed – knew the names of every breed in existence!  When we moved to Lahr, I spent a lot of my free time roaming in the neighbouring Stadtpark with its large flower gardens filled with animals and free-roaming peacocks.  I remember “communicating” with one of the ponies who often expressed its boredom and stress at being enclosed – pawing with its foreleg up on the cement foundation to its bars that stood between us.  My heart reached out to it and I’d just spend time with it.  Back in Canada, I didn’t stop craving time with Mother Earth and its creatures.  I’d often jump on my bike to seek out natural places where I could sit and connect. Neighbourhood animals also occupied an important space in my heart and I took horseback riding lessons as a teen – although the fantasy of it was always more fun than the reality of it since I fell off a few times learning to canter in an indoor ring in the winter.  Oh well….  I was an animal lover nonetheless!

Animals as our Teachers

koya vaseI learned so much from sharing a home with Koya for 13 years – as a rescued cat, she mostly taught me about love and fear.  Indeed, animals are great teachers.  I’m not the only one who feels this way- there are so many books out there about the lessons we’ve learned from animals.  For Christmas, my friends Jen & Ken gave me a bestselling book that I truly recommend:  Merle’s Door: Lessons from a Freethinking Dog.  I’ve had a lifelong love of dogs, although I’ve never had my own canine companion.  Although I cried for one almost every week of my childhood, I found that once I was out on my own, I chose to live in a way that wouldn’t have been fair to a dog.  Maybe one day…  In order to understand them better, however (and to satisfy my need to be around them during a time of great transition), I became a Certified Dog Trainer and Behaviour Therapist with CCS in 2003.  I wouldn’t hire me though – anyone who has shared a home with a dog has more experience than I do… but those 6 months were more than educational and will hopefully serve me and some dog well in the future.

Animals as Healers:

When I lived in Ottawa a bit over 10 years ago, my friends Jen & Ken and I would take their 2 golden retriever dogs and their cat Cuddles (appropriately named) to various senior citizen homes and mental health facilities as part of a pet therapy group.  This was as healing for me as it was for those we were visiting.  Witnessing such unconditional love and even occasional miracles was simply heart-opening.  I remember the time I felt moved to place Cuddles on the lap of a woman who sat in a chair in the corner all day long, not moving – quite unresponsive to her environment. I’ll never forget the look on the nurses faces when they entered the room and saw her hand slowly stroking Cuddles – utter shock and delight. It was during those times that she would also whisper to me about her past.  Together, Cuddles and I were making a difference and that felt awesome!  Anyone who has loved an animal knows what powers they have – not just to entertain, but truly to heal.  Blessed be the animals.

Totem and Spirit Animals:

We not only learn from the animals who cross our paths during our waking hours.  Animals will also visit and teach us in our dreams and visions. Some have talked about Animal Totems while other talk of Spirit or Power Animals (animal spirit guides).  No matter the case, the power of animal symbolism has long been recognized around the globe.  On Friday, in class, I spent a few minutes skimming through a classmate’s book “Animal Speak”, to research the 4 childhood totems featured in my “self-portrait” painting.  I introduced you to the story behind this painting in a previous post and you can see its development over a period of a few months in the photos below – it’s still a work in progress.  Friday’s research has certainly enriched my insights about their role in my life (summarized here).  Very interesting indeed.  I could have written a book from the years of stories we shared together in my imagination.

1. Panther: Reclaiming One’s True Power – living your life purpose

2.  Hawk: Visionary Power and Guardianship

“Through its flight, it communicates with humans and the great creator spirit.  It awakens our visions and inspires us to a creative life purpose.”

3. Snake (boa): Rebirth, Resurrection, Initiation, Wisdom – life transitions, changes, new opportunities, healing, awakening of creative forces, kundalini, visions and intuition becoming more accurate

4. Horse: Travel, Power, and Freedom

Although I haven’t had it in my possession for years, I recommend the divination deck of Medicine Cards that help us tap into the animal kingdom’s guidance.

However you choose to connect with this beautiful planet we live on and with, I encourage you to find time to do so.  You deserve it!   For today, my writing this post is my way of doing so –  my way of paying homage to God’s creatures great and small, alive and in spirit form.

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Note: On Saturday night, I found a free movie on YouTube (surprise, surprise!) about love, dogs, and great artists – some real (like Reubens), some fictional.  A Dog of Flanders (1999) is based on the famous book “Nello and Patrasche”. It’s not the greatest movie ever made, but there are days when I’m not too fussy.

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Inspirations

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Am I ever glad I didn’t follow through on that boat trip down the Danube to a Christmas market a few hours away – it’s cold and very rainy today, and I’m totally in hermit-mode.   I’m therefore spending time online reconnecting to art that has inspired me on my life’s journey. This latest project started when I asked two of the teachers from our Intensive, Vera & Kuba, if they would provide private tutoring for a few days at their country home during my Christmas break so that I could focus more on my drawing skills, and more particularly on applying what I know into stylizing figures.  You see, I’d like to find my own unique way of incorporating people and other real objects in my art in a non-realistic manner.  To do this, I still need to learn more about anatomy and dimension, but there may be more I can do, and I’m looking forward to finding out. In preparation for our tutorial, Vera asked me to show her some images of what I like – and here’s some of what I found.

I don’t have a great memory for names, but thanks to my Google searching skills and a lot of patience, I’ve reconnected to these artists’ work (they all incorporate figures in unique ways).

1 – Gustav Klimt:

You already know that I like this Viennese artist’s work and the way he blends 2-D and 3-D together.  You can find more images at:

2- Maxine Noel:

This Canadian First Nations artist’s work is so very recognizable – beautiful, simple, and spiritual. My parents gave me one of her greeting cards (image top left)  years ago and it traveled with me for a long time (a rare thing with my penchant for de-cluttering).   I love her use of curvy lines and colours as well as the unique way she creates her faces.  You can see more of her work at: http://www.sa-cinn.com/maxine_noel.htm

This is the one I had on a greeting card

3 – Rassouli

A fellow art student in Saskatoon showed me this spiritual artist’s work, knowing I would like it.  Seeing Rassouli’s work reinforced that wanting in me to incorporate human figures in my abstract landscapes. It also showed me how important it is to understand dimension and light and shadow, even if I wasn’t interested in painting reality as I see it with my eyes. You can learn more about this artist at: http://www.rassouli.com/ and www.avatarfinearts.com/ .

4- Alphonse Mucha

When I lived in the Czech Republic in the early 90s, I was re-acquainted with the work of Alphonse Mucha – most particularly his art deco posters.  I’m not sure where I had seen it before, but I remember my surprise at having known of a Czech artist before living there.  You can see more of his work on the Mucha Foundation website.

5- Janet Williams

I met this artist in Saskatoon when I was living there (2006-2011).  Seeing her booth at the Fringe Festival always lifted my spirits.  It’s such happy art – the colours, movement, simplicity…  Two of her fridge magnets are here with me now as reminders of my goal to find my own unique style of human figures.  Once again, I’d recognize her art anywhere.  I like that.  You can see more of her work at: http://www.janetwilliamsart.ca/

6- Flora Bowley

I have known of this artist’s work for less than a year. I’ve since taken her 5 week e-course, regularly enjoy her blog, and am looking forward to her Bali retreat in April.  What I like about her intuitive work is her use of colour and the integration of birds and other figures in her own unique way.  What I like even more is her way of being: living, teaching, exploring, business success, etc.  She’s truly an inspiration.  You can learn more at braveintuitiveyou.com

I’m sure there are many more who have inspired me, past, present, and future. For example, while looking for images in Google, I was very taken by this painting of a foal by Bob Coonts, someone I had never heard of, as well as a lot of the simple stylized line tattoo work.  If I spent more time looking at others’ work, I’m sure I would find zillions more that I like – but this gives us all a good idea of the style of figure I’d like to incorporate into my current style.  One thing I know is that I need to draw and paint more on my own in order to develop this – something I haven’t done at all this weekend.  I’m starting to miss having my well-stocked acrylic painting studio at hand.  It’s like I’ve put my usual work aside for the time being to learn what I’m learning.  It’s not a good or bad thing – it just is and I’m noticing that.  I’m just feeling in sync with the weather outside and watching the clouds going through my sky.  All is well.

blue-foal-after-frans-marc-bob-coonts

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Spirit Calls Again… and I’m listening

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It sometimes takes my brain a few days to catch up to the Guidance I receive, especially when it involves a major change of plans (was never very good with those), but it has, and I’ve got exciting news to share.  My latest Spirit Call is sending me to Bali in April to attend a Flora Bowley intuitive painting workshop + extension program.  Now that the decision has been made, it feels great. Once again, the signs were quite clear, but letting go of what I thought I was meant to do (3 full trimesters in Vienna) wasn’t so easy.  I still might do part of the third trimester, but that depends on a few things, some of which are out of my control.  Let me recap before filling you in on the signs that led to this latest decision.

trust

Recap:

  • In the winter of 2013,  I was strongly guided to attend the Vienna Academy of Visionary Arts for 3 months thanks to a series of events that started with my finding Flora Bowley’s book and taking her 5-week e-course.
  • When I exceeded my fundraising goals and the Academy changed its curriculum so that the original 3 months of drawing were split up throughout three trimesters, my left brain kicked in, and I came to the conclusion that I must be meant to stay here for the full school year (9 months of classes)
  • I currently have a visa that allows me to stay in the country until December 21 and have experienced quite a bit of stress (still learning about trust) due to the delays in the Academy’s certification by the Austrian government, which have caused delays in my being able to apply for a residency visa to stay longer.  It was only 2 weeks ago that we were told that because I hadn’t used up the 3-month visa-free tourist allocation, I could actually stay until March.  That takes me to the end of the second trimester. What a relief that was!

All this uncertainty around the visa situation certainly tested my abilities to let go and trust. As I wrote in my September 28 post, before I knew I could stay after Christmas, I was one step closer to achieving that: “I open myself to guidance and will live day by day until there’s something I can do”.  What I could do was pray for signs.  And signs I got.

  • In early October, our in-class music playlist included the soundtrack to Flora Bowley’s e-course, reconnecting me to that experience and filling me with joy.
  • Determined to spend more than 3 months on my art education even if the visa didn’t come through, I looked at Flora’s website in the first week of October, but the timing/programming for the retreats she was a part of in in Mexico and Ireland didn’t speak to me.
  • On October 14th, I received the advertising email for her 2 Bali retreats, which got me so excited (one in March during the Academy’s Spring Break and the other in April) .  Her 100% refund policy was the security blanket I needed to apply right away, even if the logistics/decision-making process involved had me a bit overwhelmed.  I applied for the March one, thinking I could go for a week and come right back for the beginning of term should my visa come through, but asked if I could also go to the April one in case I wasn’t allowed back in Austria.  The idea of 3-4 weeks in Bali had me dreaming.
  • The application form asked for an introduction/description of why we wanted to attend as they would handpick participants.  I filled it out quickly and got an email back right away saying there was a bug in the system and that the description part of the application hadn’t come through.  I had to rewrite it in an email, giving me a chance to tell my story more completely (you know how wordy I can get).  I wanted to be totally honest about the uncertainty of my 2014 plans and the path that had led me to applying.
  • After that, I was fully able to let go and be present for our wonderful 2 week Intensive (Oct. 14-25).  The decision was out of my hands and I knew that whatever answer I would get, it would be a sign.  I wasn’t attached.
  • Once the Intensive was over and we were getting ready to go buy our art supplies for the next phase of our course, I asked if I could use the oil paints donated to the school instead of purchasing my own set as I wasn’t planning on using oils again after the course (mostly due to my concerns over toxicity and my current preference for quick drying intuitive work).  This led to one teacher asking me “Then why bother learning it?” – a very fair question that propelled me into clarifying my artistic and arts education goals over the next few days.  Indeed, it helped me remember that I had never intended on learning oils, but had originally signed up for 3 months of drawing. I will definitely learn very valuable skills and principles in the next month of working with oils and the Mischtechnik that I’ll also be able to use with acrylics (and who knows, I may fall in love with oil painting although the fumes are already getting to me) and have no regrets about that at all, but this teacher’s question assisted me in letting go of the idea of having to complete an entire year to get what I truly wanted. (I’m not the most comfortable with uncertainty and knowing I had the next 9 months planned would have been nice, but the Universe /Austrian government wasn’t going to let that happen anyway).
  • With clearer goals, I started imagining myself hermitting somewhere with YouTube to focus intensively and solely on my drawing – no matter if I could attend 2 more trimesters. After a month of drawing classes here, I’m off to a good start, but realized that I’m so far from my original goal and that I don’t have enough time to just practice.
  • In the first days of November, therefore, I came to the conclusion that the workshop in Bali would definitely be in line with my goals and would help me integrate all I’ve learned back into my more natural way of creating.  This time (vs. in the e-course), I might not stumble when it came to adding drawing elements to my pieces.
  • On the morning of November 5th, 3 weeks after my application, I woke up saying/asking that if I heard back from Flora that day, I would definitely go – it would be a clear sign. At this point, I was only thinking of the March workshop in Amed since it fell in between my school terms, so it wouldn’t be affected by whether or not I could return to Austria. It would only seriously affect my finances.
  • 10 minutes later, I heard the “ding” of an email coming through – I got it!  I was handpicked as 1 of the 14 out of over 80 applicants!  But wait… it wasn’t for the Amed one, but for Ubud, the one that started at the same time as the third trimester.  I immediately emailed back asking to be put on the waiting list if someone cancelled from Amed that day.  Two days later, I got an automated message that my message had never been delivered (an effect of Mercury retrograde or perhaps some Higher Assistance?).
  • During those 2 days, however, I had had a chance to review my finances, my plans, my goals/desires, and the fact that I was indeed receiving clear Guidance, even if it wasn’t what I thought I had wanted/expected.  I came to the conclusion that actually, only 1 week in Amed (missing the last 2 days of classes here in order to get there on time and then rushing back) wasn’t such a good idea. Plus flights to Denpassar are 22-30 hours long according to my initial research. Therefore, the Ubud workshop in the artistic/cultural centre of Bali seemed better in some respects – plus this workshop also offered an extension week to keep painting with the co-facilitator Nicole Lawrence whose second home is in Bali.
  • Several emails back and forth with Nicole led to my being reassured about the safety of staying alone in Ubud for an additional 2 weeks in a small very affordable family-run resort that her relatives uses all the time.  I haven’t firmed up all the details of that yet (she might also hook me up with a private drawing teacher), but it feels good, despite the risks.  (Indonesia/Bali have travel advisories attached to them, as it is governments’ responsibility to do so after a few terrorist incidents in the past.  But then again, I was cleared out of a New York airport due to a bomb threat, so anything can happen anywhere.  I’ve considered the risks – as millions of tourist to Bali do every year.  I have to trust my inner guidance on this one and choose love over fear.)  Double checking with my Guidance tools has also reassured me.
  • On Friday, I sent my deposit.

I’m sure I’ve forgotten some of the signs along the way, but this gives you an idea of my decision-making process. Now you’re up to date on my life and where the funds you’ve helped me gather for my art education are going.  I smiled when yesterday’s mantra in the 21-day online meditation program I’m following was:

“I set my goals, allow the power of the living Universe to take over and enjoy the ride.”

My Spirit Calling cards have also been very useful in this decision-making process.  You already saw one of the messages I got at the beginning of this message. Here was another:

prosperity

I haven’t booked my plane ticket yet.  I’m still unsure of what I’ll be doing and where I’ll be going after Bali.  With the difference in prices between return flights vs. one-way tickets to Bali followed by one to Canada – and the fact that I already have a ticket from here back to Canada in June – I think I’ll leave here for Bali 88 days within my tourist time so that I can come back and either stay for the Spring Intensive and special workshops here in May/June + self-directed drawing (if I get a residence visa), or pick up my stuff and head home to Canada within my leftover 2 days of tourist time allowed in Austria.  I won’t need to figure that out right away if I buy a return flight here.  One thing for sure, my budget will be stretched to its very limit, so there’s still a bit of figuring out to do before I buy my ticket. I’m definitely waiting until after Mercury Retrograde stops today though, which can affect things like transportation, technology and major purchases/contracts.  According to my trusted astrologer, November 12th is supposed to be the best day of the month for this kind of thing and more (and a great one for the year too) – it also happens to be my birthday.  Finding continued direction for my life as I explore and express my love of beauty and the beauty of love has been a great birthday gift indeed!

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The Art Of Fundaising

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Today marks the last official day of fundraising for my Vienna Visionary Art Scholarship Fund.  I’ve just received my last paycheque from Memorial University for my summer ESL teaching contract, and I’ll be receiving my last payment for one of the auction paintings later today.  After that, I have no income planned for my year as a student. Truth be told, I’ve gotten quite used to having “money flow my way each and every day” (one of the affirmations I sang as I walked to school these past 6 months).  Alas, that has come to an end, and now it is time for the funds to flow out for a year – all part of the plan.  Indeed, it’s as it is meant to be – just like the tides of this beautiful Atlantic Ocean I’ve been blessed to live next to for the past 27 months. I have successfully manifested the funds I needed and now it is time to put them towards those plans – it is simply the ebb and flow of this energy form called money.  The tides of change and money will continue as I live and breathe. All is well.

Last night I pulled 3 cards and received this message:

abundanceI have been very public about my latest Spirit Call and my fundraising needs as I follow my heart.  It only seems right, therefore, that I also share the results.  Part of me feared that this may seem like bragging or that “we shouldn’t talk about money, especially online for all to see”, but a bigger (or Higher) part of me trusts that this may serve as inspiration to anyone out there who has a dream and wants to make it happen. If I can inspire one person to listen to their inner guidance and live a life of greater meaning, so be it!  It’s the least I can do after having received such a gift from so many.

First, I’d like to reflect on how the Universe/God doesn’t give us more than we can handle.  When I first got the call to attend this visionary art school in Europe, the thought of fundraising $30,000 in 6 months for a 4-month sojourn overseas (and my remaining time in Newfoundland) was quite overwhelming.  If you’ll recall, I was sharing that with a friend in her car before yoga on the day I made my decision, but then walked in the studio to find one of the students wanting to buy one of my paintings hanging on the wall.  That’s when I knew I would be OK – it was the sign I needed (one of many in those first few days).  After that, I trusted I could raise that $30K with hard work and dedication.  It was only after I had exceeded that original goal that The Vienna Academy of Visionary Art changed their curriculum, leading me to decide that I needed to attend for a full year.  There’s no way I could have handled the the idea of raising $44,000 + 6 months living expenses in Canada before leaving had I originally thought I needed to be there for a year.  Once I could handle it, however, everything came into place.  It’s all part of the Divine Timing.

I did not raise the full $53,000 needed ($44,000 for a year in Europe and all associated costs of getting there)  + $9,000 (6 months of Cdn living expenses), but I came very close, and with the money I had my savings account, I will be able to live this experience debt free.  So far, that’s how I’ve managed to live my life, and I’d definitely like to keep it that way.  I must now trust that the next step on my journey after Vienna will replenish my empty bank account.  One step at a time, though. First, Vienna!

To some, my final numbers may not seem so impressive – there are plenty of folks out there used to 6-figure salaries.  What you need to understand, however, is that I moved to Newfoundland after a year devoted to exploring my art.  I then chose to live a lifestyle here that afforded me time to develop my art business in a new location from scratch while taking occasional ESL teaching contracts to finance my immediate needs.  I also chose to take the time to appreciate life and to discover this new province I quickly fell in love with.  Although I can’t imagine it now after 6 months of driven fundraising work, I actually had time to read 53 Newfoundland novels in my first 1.5 years here.  That gives you an idea of the wonderful life I had created for myself on this island.  So when I say that I managed to raise $46,586.15 in 6 months, that’s HUGE!!!

How did I do it?

1.  Donations: $1,771.42
First, I asked for help.  I got over my qualms and started sharing my dreams, my goals, my story with people in writing, one-on-one, and on stage in various venues.  Family and friends sent me money in the mail or handed me $20 bills after a spiritual retreat I was teaching at or in yoga classes.  It felt both strange and wonderful – I simply had to step out of my own way by being grateful instead of shy and embarrassed and to remain open as to where the necessary funds would come from.  My friend Cathy in Saskatoon organized a fundraising drum circle and sent me a cheque for $100.  My friend Cheryl organized a karma yoga class here in St. John’s and folks donated $205 towards my dream in addition to buying bookmarks, metallic prints, and oracle cards.  In total, I raised $1,771.42 in donations.  This includes a few of the crowdfunding cheques I received from those who didn’t want to pay online (I should have separated those in my records, but I didn’t). It does not reflect, however, the money I’m saving by house & cat-sitting this month or the generous donation-in-kind by Dr. Gillian Peters, who didn’t charge me for my yearly dental cleaning, check-up and x-rays.  Thank you all for your donations!

2.  Rockethub Crowdfunding: $4,357.11
(www.rockethub.com/projects22252)Soon after I decided to go study in Vienna, a friend introduced me to the concept of crowdfunding in which people donate funds online towards a project in exchange for various thank you gifts.  This inspired the creation of a few new artistic offerings: screensavers, magnetic bookmarks, metallic prints, 55 full sets of Spirit Calling Cards, combo packages of these and custom Energy paintings.  This campaign ran from April 11- July 11. A lot of work and money went into producing the gifts and marketing the campaign, but it was all worth it.  I didn’t reach the full $11,111 goal set in that campaign and so Rockethub kept a 12% commission.  That’s OK – all part of the energy flow.  This campaign taught me so much about myself and people.  So much!  One of the many highlights was being commissioned to do 2 channeled energy paintings by the ocean in Bay Roberts – a very powerful and affirming experience. One of those was paid for by cheque and so that’s why the total above doesn’t reflect the total on the website.  Another highlight was creating my Spirit Calling Cards, which are a daily blessing in my life. Thanks to all who funded this campaign!  Hope you’re enjoying your thank you gifts!

3.  Lotto: $31
During my campaign, I bought 1 lottery ticket a month.  I did win, but not much. Still, I made a profit 🙂  Thanks Lotto 649!

4.  Tax return & HST:  $1,643.79
I counted every penny coming in and every penny going out during this campaign (as always – a habit I began in the 1990s in order to be conscious of the financial energy flow in my life and to make sure I was spending according to my priorities).  So I include my federal tax return and HST payments in my fundraising total.  Thank you Government of Canada!

5.  ESL Teaching Contracts:  $14,343.74
This is my total from teaching at Memorial University since the day I made my decision.  I worked much more than I would have ordinarily wanted to, and my boss generously asked me to do various other tasks in between sessions.  Thanks Janet for your support!

6.  Art Sales:  $21,554

  • a.  Art Business: $10, 633.20
    This includes full price sales during the many exhibitions I organized in town (Ebb & Flow, Shakti, Natural Health Shop, Whole Health, MUN Botanical Garden, Eastern Edge Gallery) and the fundraising art gala that my friend Leslie organized for her family & friends, where I sold many of my paintings.  It also includes the sales of magnetic bookmarks, metallic prints, and Spirit Calling Cards outside of the online crowdfunding campaign.  Last but not least, it includes the 3-day painting workshop I was hired to teach for Mental Health Week and a weekend spiritual retreat I taught at.  Thanks to all!
  • b.  Art to Go Auction/ Make Me An Offer Sale:  $10, 921
    This includes the sale of the 125 paintings and photographs on canvas that found a home during and immediately after my online auction at www.32auctions.com/ArtToGo that started June 18 and ended August 1 with exhibitions in 6 locations. It was also part of an inner call to liquidate the amount of stuff I was leaving behind in NL to manage while overseas (a calling that later became clear when I decided to stay a year instead of the original 4 months).  So much work went into preparing, marketing, and managing this auction, which came into being when I realized that my other fundraising efforts wouldn’t finance my study plans.  I’m thrilled with the results! Not only did I raise a large part of what I needed, my art has been brought into the homes and businesses of my fans where they were meant to be.  Yay! Happiness all around.  I even got to help out 2 of my artist friends by asking them to join my last exhibition at The Sprout and the online auction.  That feels great too and their participation increased my benefits on many other levels too. That was fun! Thanks Lori, Sama, and St. John’s / Newfoundland!

7.  Garage Sales / Kijiji:  $2,885
This is a big shocker!  Always is. Every time I move, I have some form of garage sale, and it always amazes me.  This time I did it via Kijiji and Facebook as well as on my living room floor the weekend folks came to pick up their stuff.  The only big items I had were my bicycle, my collection of paraliminal CDs, and my art supplies – no furniture!  About half of what I made here was from many little things at cheap prices (or the ever so successful “pay whatever you want over $1, 2, or 5.” – “whatever you feel is fair”).  If you’re in fundraising mode, don’t neglect the opportunity to de-clutter. The universe abhors a vacuum.  By liberating what you don’t need or want anymore (and that someone else will treasure), you’ll open up energetic and physical space for what you need to come in.  And in the end, it feels good to give whatever doesn’t sell to friends and charity.  Thanks shoppers!

So that’s it – that was my 7-point plan to fundraising.  Wow!  Yes, I’m exhausted after 6 months of driving myself to my limit.  But I’ve succeeded, and I feel so very grateful about so very much – including what I’ve learned about myself in the process.  This includes my need to check in with myself about the energy I was putting out there – I found myself having trouble turning off “the marketer” and sometimes being in a “money-grabbing” state that halted the flow of incoming funds, reminding me to shift back to a state of trusting, letting go, and allowing.  This was definitely part of the hard work I had to do this year.

I also learned a few fundraising tricks.  One trick is definitely creating win-win situations in which everyone is happy – happy to contribute towards a cause, happy to bring home gifts they’ll cherish, happy to participate in an experience, etc.  Another is to totally let go of attachment.  For example, some of my artwork was purchased for less than I what I paid for in terms of supplies to create it … but it really didn’t matter. In the end, it added to my total, and I am so relieved that I don’t have to manage my art from overseas – all that in addition to my art having found appreciative homes for it.  Perfect!  Also, I’ve never really missed the stuff I’ve sold in garage sales in my life.  Some of what I felt moved to let go of this time surprised me, but it all became clear once I figured out I was meant to go to Vienna for a year and not 4 months.  Follow your intuition – trust your Self – it can see a much bigger picture than your day-to-day to-do list creator/follower and money manager.  In addition, I had to detach from what many in the artistic community felt about my auctioning off artwork at the cost of materials – as explained in an earlier blog, some felt sad and told me it seemed desperate.  It all comes down to perception – I was glad, and it fulfilled my needs – a real cause for celebration. It was all part of a creative financing plan that definitely was outside the box of “the arts”, “business practices”, etc., and I have no regrets!

So once again, my eternal gratitude to all those who contributed to my dreams in so many ways – those mentioned and unmentioned. None of this would have been possible without the support of family, friends,fans, and strangers in the many communities I have lived in.  I’m sure there’s so much more to share about this whole journey, but that may come with time and further reflection.

I hope that my openly reflecting on my abundance will be of some help to others.  Feel free to share this post with others.

To sum up, here’s the card reading I got this morning before starting this blog

promise

P.S.  The 25 full sets of Spirit Calling Cards left (out of the 55 printed) are for sale at Ebb & Flow Boutique.

Summary: 
Total needed: $44,127.42 for Vienna + $9,000 for 6 months in Canada =$53,127.42
Total raised in 6 months from all sources: $46,586.15
Difference:  $6,541.26

What’s your dream? What wonderful life projects do you want to manifest?  Commit to something and be open to the creative ways you’ll be inspired to make it happen.  In my case, it required 6 months of heavy-duty planning and work.  That’s the route I chose, and I’m thrilled with the results.  Maybe next time I’ll win the lottery…

Love & Light,

Dominique Hurley
Art & Inspirationwww.DominiqueHurley.com

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Sadness Begone – This is a Cause for Celebration

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I was talking to another artist this weekend who said he was sad going through my auction site because everything was so cheap. As an artist, this was obviously hard for him to take. If any of you out there are feeling the same, please know that I’m not sad at all! Quite to the contrary, I’m feeling great! Let me explain.

It’s actually very freeing, very fulfilling to know that all my artwork will find good homes (that’s my goal, anyway) and that I won’t need to manage a huge collection from afar. It’s actually a huge relief! Plus, I’ve already gained such benefits from each and every painting in the very act of creating it. Now I’m exercising letting go, detachment, and it’s a lot of fun.

Yes, I agree, they were expensive to produce, and I’ve spent countless hours marketing, moving, exhibiting, etc., but it was all worth it on many levels. Plus, I’ve enjoyed an abundance of sales over the years and for those I am truly grateful as they helped me continue to paint. Now, I love the idea that when I get back, at whole new level as an artist (that’s also the plan), I will start fresh. I’ll be living in the NOW instead of managing the past. More than that, however, I love knowing that the many fans of my work who previously couldn’t afford it now can. I just hope the news of my auction reaches them.

I’m sure many in the art business wouldn’t advise doing what I’m doing for many good reasons, but I’m not following tradition or popular wisdom – I’m following an inner calling that has motivated me to find alternative ways of financing my dreams while giving back to the community. Now that’s uplifting! I trust in the process, and the support I have felt from friends, fans, hosting businesses, and strangers alike has been amazing! I’m learning so much! This is nothing to be sad about – it’s all cause for celebration – a win-win situation indeed!

By the way, I am now guaranteed to reach the financial goals I set for myself last winter and soon I’ll be off to study at the Vienna Academy of Visionary Art, so join in my happiness and feel free to spread the news. Thanks. www.32auctions.com/ArtToGo

Art To Go Upload

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The Guideposts Along the Way

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How did I arrive at my decision to register for the inaugural fall trimester at the Vienna Academy of Visionary Arts?  Some have asked, and so I’ll do my best to answer here.  I’m sure this has been a lifetime (or more) in the making, but here are some of the more recent guideposts.

First, people have been encouraging me to join Facebook for years … but I was scared that it would go against my ongoing efforts to simplify my life.  Had I never joined Facebook, however, I don’t know if the Universe would have found another way to inform me of this brand new school that I’m obviously meant to attend – I’d like to think that it would, but that it didn’t need to because it gradually led me into letting go of my resistance to being a part of the Facebook world.

You see, in the recent past, Facebook came out with their Pages to help businesses network with their clients – something that was in line with my priorities as an emerging artist in Newfoundland.  I soon found out that with just a Page, I could avoid some of the challenges I had feared while taking baby steps into social networking.  Interestingly, I did experience some frustration at the fact that I couldn’t explore the Facebook Energism Art Group that a fellow artist in Saskatoon had told me about when she informed me that there was a whole movement of artists out there with a similar purpose and energetic feel to their work. Joining groups is something only individual members can do – not business Pages. My curiosity was peaked, but still, that wasn’t enough for me to join.  Fear is a powerful thing…

Then, in January, I went to pick up an order of supplies at a local art shop and my friend Leslie, who gave me a ride, wanted to browse, so I did too (I’m not a browser, so that was unusual).  My eye caught sight of the book “Brave Intuitive Painting” by Flora Bowley, an artist whose process is very similar to mine. This was the kind of book I would have liked to have written– even some of the chapter titles were some that had been brewing in my mind and in my workshops.  When I found out she offered an e-course, I told one of my blog-followers in Hawaii about it since she had expressed disappointment that my workshops had been so far.  She immediately signed up.  At this point, I was extremely busy and so I didn’t even explore the e-course website, but I did contact the artist to thank her for her book and to tell her of the synchronicities.  Between her replies and my reading about the course, I ended up signing up and what an incredible journey that was (recorded on Facebook). To be able to network with my Bloom True classmates though, I needed to join Facebook as an individual, so this time I did (and my years of fear around that led to some weird technical challenges and a few stressful nights, but I’m over most of that now).  Just to let you know, I activated the settings that block “friend” requests in order to not be too overwhelmed all at once.  Instead, I focus my Facebook time on the “Energism Art” and “Bloom True E-Course” groups, and now also on the Vienna Academy of Visionary Arts private group, where I’m getting to know my future classmates and getting tips before moving to Austria for 4 months.  There are days when Facebook consumes several hours of my precious time, but it’s worth it, and I’m slowly learning how to filter what’s not needed or desired.  Life is truly an ongoing opportunity to grow, learn, and “feel the fear and do it anyway”.  So that’s my journey into Facebook, which led to my finding out about the school.

OK – let’s put Facebook aside as I bring in the magical world of vision boards.  As the year started, I made a consciously planned Vision Board outlining my priorities for the year.

vision board 2Looking at it daily was instrumental in my joining the Bloom True E-Course, a decision I’ll never regret.  My art is my passion and my continued learning in that field is a top priority.  The visual reminders of that helps to make decisions in line with those priorities.  A few weeks later, my friend Corie asked to have another vision board gathering like I had organized in 2012, and so we got together and this time I created an intuitive board – the kind that gives no time or space for thinking and planning, and the type I’ll be teaching at the upcoming Body, Mind, and Spirit Retreat.  As you can see in this photo, there’s a strong focus on creativity, learning, and health.

vision board3After putting it all down on paper, I was able to interpret most of it readily to my friends …. all except one bit of text in the top right, under one of my photos of pelicans flying off into a dreamscape.  It says: “I don’t predict, I invent, I am a visionary”.  One thing you need to understand is that the term Visionary Arts was not one I used or was very conscious of, despite the fact that my main tarot deck was created by a Visionary Artist.

Ok – back to Facebook.  One day, someone posted a notice in the Energism Art Group that the Vienna Academy of Visionary Arts was publically launching on that day.  I followed the link, which led to chills down my spine and total awe at the teachers’ artwork and references to the sacred and beautiful.  For a week, thoughts of it would pop into my mind at the oddest times and a growing excitement in every cell of my body was sending clear messages.

Despite these feelings, however, I was experiencing some confusion on an intellectual level.  To begin with, I had spent an increasing amount of time being an artist since I moved to Newfoundland almost 2 years ago, and so the school’s 2 & 3 year diploma programs were way out of my budget.  In addition, their focus on oil paints (which are more toxic than acrylics), and on working meticulously on 1 painting for a whole year did not particularly attract me.  My current art flows from a much more spontaneous intuitive style which leads to highly prolific painting spurts.  Figuring all this out simply required a few more hours of research and some emails back and forth with Florence, the very helpful and friendly school administrator.  You see, their first trimester will be all about drawing, sacred geometry, and acquiring visions through energy work.  This does appeal!  Finally, I will learn to draw after years of frustratingly “trying” (even tracing out my simple yoga tree silhouettes causes me challenges)…  But more than the drawing, there is something about spending a few months with this group of people that is calling me.  As my friend Kim told me, this is a lot more than about drawing  – I could learn that here…

I told Kim about my decision the night that I had committed to it in my mind.  We were in the car outside of yoga class.  Of course I expressed my concerns about the finances of such a project (something I had calculated would require raising $30K in 6 months).  The moment we entered the yoga studio, however, I noticed a student looking at the artwork on the wall and before I knew it, she had bought a small painting.  To me, that’s a sign – I sometimes go months without selling something, so this was no coincidence.  Someone had also left money for me after purchasing some of the magnetic bookmarks I have for sale there.  I felt my decision was being clearly supported!  On the way home from class, I checked my emails and found another confirming sign.  A workshop leader from 2 years before was contacting me because she wanted to chat about the impact of her Hawaii “Communing with Dolphins” retreat on my artwork because her upcoming workshop was aimed at visionary artists. Definitely another sign.

So I paid my deposit on tuition and housing within days (helping me feel totally committed), and then I started working on my fundraising plans, all the while spending 3-5 hours a day on my Bloom True e-course on top of teaching English Second Language. 2013 has been a hoppin’ year so far!

So how did I arrive at my decision to go to Vienna?  That was mostly the job of my right brain – the intuitive, receptive side of me.  I have developed a strong awareness and trust in the messages I receive from my Higher Self/ God / The Universe (I use many names). Basically, I’ve learned to hear and answer the Spirit Calls.  How will I make it happen? That’s in part the job of my left-brain – the action and goal-oriented side of me that will work in unison with my creative self that is manifesting the support I need on this path. Luckily, I’ve spent a lot of time developing both the right and left sides of my brain in this lifetime– not always in a balanced or harmonious way, but that’s all part of the learning.  My biggest lesson yet, however, is that things always work out best when it’s the heart/intuition that leads and the pragmatic action-self that follows.  It’s not about forcing things though (a lesson I’m still learning) – it’s about knowing when to act on what needs to be acted on…. even when that meant joining Facebook 🙂

OK … long enough for one post, eh?  “I have made this letter longer, because I have not had the time to make it shorter.” Blaise Pascal

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Spirit Calls Again… and I’m answering

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The last time I received a strong inner call to move was over 2 years ago when my intuition guided me to Newfoundland.  It’s no wonder, therefore, that I’ve come to trust these Spirit Calls – my time here has been so fulfilling on all levels, and I plan to return after I answer this latest calling to study for a trimester at the Vienna Academy of Visionary Arts in Austria in the Fall.

I found out about the school the day it was publicly launched on the Internet – the online gallery of the teachers’ work and description of their purpose sent chills through my entire being.  The following few days brought many undeniable signs confirming my initial intuitive guidance. I’ve since paid my tuition and housing deposits. I’m committed!

Their first trimester will be totally focused on drawing the human figure, sacred geometry, and seeking inner images through visualizations and visionary healing modalities. I’ve wanted to draw, but have been unsuccessful at it my whole life, building resistance and lots of frustration. The upside of that has been to develop my photography skills and to use photo gel transfers instead in my work – there’s a reason for everything.  I’m now ready, however, to focus on developing drawing skills so that I can integrate that more into my art.  Doing so with a group of like-minded artists whose purpose is to express through the beauty of the sacred will be such a blessing.  I know my intuition has guided me there for much more than just learning to draw – I could do that here – so I look forward to experiencing the reasons I’m meant to be there as I once again embrace the mystery and take the leap of faith.

This means raising over $30K in the next 5 months through art sales, ESL teaching contracts, and grass-roots fundraising efforts (details to come as plans evolve) to cover the costs of tuition, flights, visas, health insurance, student residence housing, living expenses, school supplies, etc. and my time here in St. John’s before I go and upon coming back.

So if you were ever considering buying one of my paintings or photographic prints (or another one), now is a great time.   You can see my work on my website or live in St. John’s at The Natural Health Shop, Ebb & Flow Boutique, Whole Health, Shakti Yoga Studios, the Craft Council Gift Shop, and Newfoundland Canvas.

I will announce further win-win fundraising plans as they evolve.  At this point, I wanted to share this happy news with you.

 

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