you can see all of my paintings at www.DominiqueHurley.com

Does Religion Matter?

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painting of meditator with light rays from the heart

“One In Love” (9″ x 12″) – $357

Someone asked me this week: “Can I still benefit from your services if I have a traditional religious belief system?”

It’s not the first time someone asks, so I’m glad to share.

My intuitive readings, guided meditations or energy painting commissions aren’t part of any one religion, nor are they meant to go against any.

In my opinion, my visionary skills are complimentary to your belief system, no matter what that is.

I offer what I do to help strengthen your Connection, your intuition, your ability to hear your Inner and Greater Guidance.

The true answer, though,  lies in how you feel.

I believe you’ll benefit no matter your religion, as long as you’re open to seeing your Self through the eyes of Unconditional Love.

The names and labels we put on that will vary.

But if you believe that you’re being supported by something greater than your human incarnation, then you’ll be open to the messages that flow through me.

I’ve come to realize that no matter the religion or language used, the essence and purpose are the same: to unite as One In Love (the name of this painting).

It’s about letting love in, so it can shine back into the world and beyond – whatever you call that.  

It’s about being the best we can be for our own Highest Good and the good of all humanity.

So it’s not about the names or categories of benevolent helpers that matter. It’s your openness to receiving their help.

 

“Are you religious ?”

I’m a deeply spiritual person.

My personal relationship with Source has been dear to me my whole life.

I was raised Catholic and am grateful for that upbringing because it put a language and context to the connection I already felt within me and around me.

Having lived in several continents and across Canada, however, my spirituality has become more universal.

I’m equally comfortable with

  • God, Jesus, the Holy Spirit, and saints
  • The Universe, Divine Oneness,
  • Great Spirit and totem animals
  • your ancestors
  • Hindu gods/goddesses like Ganesh or Saraswati
  • Mother Earth and the elementals
  • Father Sun, Mother Moon, astrology
  • Buddha and other wise teachers
  • Higher Self
  • Angels, Spirt Guides
  • Quantum physics
  • etc.

“Will you know which of my Guides are working with you ?”

Although I’m a highly visual person who’s been blessed with the gift of visions, I usually sense the presence of what I sometimes refer to as your “Team of Divine Helpers” or “Higher Council”.  I don’t necessarily see them, but the symbolism they want you to work with.

The essence of your team comes through me as One for you to meet them within your own belief system.

I feel their love flowing through me to you, but I don’t see them in a way that would allow me to identify them.  Not usually, anyway.

Who and what you’ll meet along the way (in a guided meditation, for example) will be unique to you. My offerings often present an opportunity for you to meet them, which is the real purpose.

 

“How do your intuitive services fit within traditional religious belief systems ?”

My intuitive readings, guided meditations, and energy paintings are simply tools to access your own Guidance.

If you’ve been curious about my offerings, this in itself is a sign that there may be something here for you.

The beauty is that you’re always free to take what serves you and leave the rest.

I offer my own exploration and expression of my love of beauty and the beauty of love to help you on your path.

Listen to your heart, and you’ll know if I can be of service to you.

And if you have any other questions, I’d love to hear from you in the comments below.

P.S. You can find “One In Love” in the Original Paintings section of my online shop.

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Where is Your Heart Calling You To?

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painting of heart opening cobra pose wrapped around Celtic moon

“Anahata Awakening” (9″ x 12″) – SOLD

Remember after Christmas when I told you that Ireland’s been calling me (see post)?

Well, that’s not where I’m going.

Keep reading… I’ll eventually tell you where it is I am going. But first, more of a lead up.

I’ve been paying attention, but haven’t received any clearer guidance on Ireland, so I haven’t acted on it. Obviously, though, it’s influencing my art. You can see it above.

This is “Anahata Awakening”, one of the 7 chakra jewels I painted in my recent art marathon. Anahata means “heart”. Thanks to my friend Sadie Jane for giving me the name.

This simple cobra yoga pose is a heart-opening pose bathed in heart chakra greens. As she wraps around a magical Celtic design, she opens herself to the love flowing from the inside out and outside in.

Thanks also to the Irish artist Courtney Davis for allowing me to use the line drawing from his book “Knotwork & Spirals”, which is deepening my appreciation of Celtic design.

“The spiral has always been a very magical symbol representing the evolution of the universe and growth in nature, and is associated with primitive dances of healing and incantation. These offer escape from the material world, and an entrance into the otherworld through the ‘hole’ symbolized by the mystic centre.”

He speaks my language.

So there you have it. I’m still following my Irish flow, but have no idea where it’s leading. It won’t be a trip in May like I thought it might be.

Sure, I found many things I could do there and places I could go to deepen both my spiritual and cultural appreciation of some of my ancestral roots. But I didn’t get that clarity I’m used to when Spirit calls.

Not for that anyway.  Not yet.

How about you?

Is your heart calling you? Are you hearing whispers? Or are you feeling so pulled that you know you can overcome all obstacles – real or imagined – to get there?

Well I did.  And yes, the details surprised me.

I’m heading to the Ultimate Sales Bootcamp in San Diego in May.  It’s part of a more intensive online program I’m now doing with Lisa Sasevich called “Speak to Sell”.

Now you might cringe at that program name. I did.  But that’s part of the problem.

Obviously, I still think that sharing what I do might be a disservice to others. Isn’t it the other way around?

Also, it’s true that I paint and channel because I love it.  But if I don’t sell, I can’t keep going as a full-time artist and won’t be able to create the intuitive programs that are in me to create.  That whole “starving artist” thing just doesn’t fit me.

We’re not meant to continually concern ourselves with the nitty-gritty of earning a living. We’re meant to thrive and follow our calling!

Lisa’s work is targeted at big-hearted entrepreneurs who want to get their blessings out into the world. It’s about giving more than is expected. It’s also about formulating your offers and reaching more people.

Sounds good to me.

Remember my Twelve Universal Law mandalas? I know I’m meant to develop some sort of program to help people use these teaching tools to benefit themselves and their loved ones. But right now, they’re in the closet. Literally.

From the strength of the inner call I received to both dive into another study program and to attend the workshop in San Diego, I know I’m being handed another key piece of the puzzle. So I’m answering with trust and curiosity.

So there you have it.  I’m off to San Diego, and when I saw the resort it was at, I tagged on a few extra days to take a much-deserved holiday.

I’ll also be spending time with my parents/family in Ottawa before and after the workshop.

So just to let you know, I can still do intuitive readings and custom guided meditations while I’m in Ottawa, but I only have 1 spot for an energy painting commission in April and the next one will be after my return May 26th.

If you’d like to support this new scholarship fund while adding love & beauty to your life,  you’re also welcome to visit my online shop with your choice of original paintings and prints.

Here’s what I really want to leave you with.

Light up your life. 

Ignite your intuition and clear the Path to live in alignment with your True Self.

When you get your Spirit Calls, listen. Act. Allow.  It’s a courageous and exciting way to live. 

So, once again where or what is calling you?

 

 

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New Chakra Jewel Painting Series

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DLH_4364I needed to paint. I love those urges! So I prepared myself and my space and opened to the mystery of an intuitive painting marathon.

What a great week!

The result is seven 9″ x 12″ paintings that I’ll reveal to you. one at a time, in the next few weeks.

Or, if you’d rather see them all now for your Easter giving, they’ve already been added to my online shop.

I started with the 7 colours of the chakras, the centers of spiritual power in the human body. You can still tell which chakra was being worked on in some of the final pieces, but there are so many layers on others that you couldn’t guess if you tried.

Of course, each layer is filled with meaning and energy. Trust what you feel as you contemplate these paintings.  They each hold a mirror, a message, and energy to support you on your Path.

Face to Face As One

When we look at ourselves straight on without our illusions and delusions, we open the portal to a fuller, more authentic life.

I used a drawing I’d made at The Vienna Academy of Visionary Art in 2014. We’d been studying the Hieratic Style: The ‘Eastern’ Canon of Ancient, Islamic & Hindu-Buddhist Art.

We then reflected on what sacred geometry underlies our own art and how to apply this to a makara, a figure which is recognizable straight on, but also as symmetrical profiles.

Mine is full of spirals and curves. There are many examples of these in architectural elements of places of worship around the world, but especially so in Hindu ones.

In “Face to Face As One”, the figure is a half human, half feline creature looking at herself. In her whole state, she’s Gaia, the primal Mother Goddess. 

Click here for more information and to purchase.

What else does she  speak to you about?

And as you look at yourself in the mirror, what do you see? Your feelings are a reflection of your thoughts. 

Are you seeing your Self without illusion or delusions?  Can you see your beauty, your Light?

If not, what are some of the false thoughts that you’re ready to let go of.

Mirror work is powerful work. If you’re not familiar with it, Louise Hay explains it here.

P.S. “Soul Candy” from this series has already sold to one of my Facebook fans, but I’ll still introduce you to it later on.  Want to see all the original paintings I have available? Click here.

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New Energy Painting Commission: Jillian’s Magnific-Essence

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We don’t have to do it all on our own.

There’s all sorts of support to help us on our journey.

Let’s take this video for example.

My first attempts resulted in last week’s out-of-focus blooper reel.

But thanks to my camera’s instruction manual, I was able to do a much better job this time. It reminded me of things I’d forgotten and showed me new options. It carried the knowledge and wisdom of its creators.

That’s similar to the work I’ve been called to do.  I co-create the tools for you to receive guidance from the experts: your team of Divine Helpers / The Universe / God (whatever term you’re comfortable with).

I explain this more in this week’s video, featuring a new energy painting commission – Jillian’s Magnific-Essence.

Each experience is truly unique.

Your painting and process take shape layer by layer.

You’re offered many opportunities to receive energy work, explore symbolism, and reflect on the guidance you receive.

Both the creative process and the final painting help create momentum in your life.

Our journey together is as much a mystery to me as it is to you.  I never know what the next layer will be until I’m guided.

All I know is to trust in the process because I’ve witnessed its transformative potential.

With every new layer comes new possibilities to connect, to shift, to empower, to reflect, to let go, and to open to receiving.

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It’s an intensively beautiful journey for both my clients and I.

Here’s what Jillian had to say about her energy painting commission experience.

spiral

“Working with Dominique on an energy painting was a very surreal experience. Not knowing what to expect, I was surprised to find the process both powerful and transformative.

Each layer Dominique provided – from the very first email to the shared images of the painting in progress – had profound meaning for me on a personal and spiritual level.

I was moved to tears more than once, shifting into a new awareness of self.

Now, when I look at the painting we accomplished together, I’m reminded of that transformation. I’m so grateful for this experience, as well as for the beautiful piece of artwork that’s mine, and mine alone.”

I co-create a maximum of 2 energy painting commissions a month so that I can be fully present for you.  Would you like to work with me? 

Click here for more information, examples, prices, and to contact me.

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Transformed Through a Splash of Colour

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Silver Thaw BEFORE

We can all be transformed through a splash of colour.

I love colour. Bright colours. They raise my vibrations and feed my soul.

Rodika Tchi says:

“Color is… nourishing and uplifting, and the more colors you harmoniously absorb throughout the day, the higher your sense of well-being is. Do not be afraid to bring vibrant colors into your space as color is light, and light is our number one nutrient.” Feng Shui Color Guide – How to Use Colors in Feng Shui

Silver Thaw Version 1

Yet in 2014, I’d been inspired to create Silver Thaw (top left – 18″ x 24″) – an iridescent pearl and silver tree piece, whose glass beads refracted the light in a most amazing way.

“Silver thaw” is a common expression here in Newfoundland for what’s also known as “silver frost” or “glitter ice” – that thick shiny ice that covers each blade of grass and twig if the weather is just right for it.  It’s magical to witness.

But almost devoid of colour, this painting never really appealed to me.

Still, I know that I’m often called to co-create a painting with Spirit that’s meant for someone in particular.

Sometimes it takes years for them to meet, but sometimes it happens quickly and surprisingly – like the time I brought a painting I really didn’t like to a fair and it sold while it was still sitting in a box.

I’ve learned to step out of the way.

Silver Thaw Version 2.0

But earlier this month, I heard whisperings from the corner of my studio.  Silver Thaw was beckoning from within its storage box.

How exciting! I’d thought about adding colour to it a few times in the past, but now the call came from the painting itself. Or perhaps it’s because its future owner needed it…

All I know is that it was ready for a transformation. It needed a splash of colour – a make-over.

And that’s what it got: one more layer in its evolutionary journey.

Nature-inspired, “Silver Thaw” reflects our own simple beauty.

The glass beads on this piece  still infuse it with light.  When you walk by it, it shimmers and changes, reflecting your inner and outer moods.

Silver Thaw (18″ x 24″)
Acrylics and glass beads on gallery-wrapped canvas.
SOLD

 Click here for prints.

Take a look around your environment.  Is there a room, a wardrobe, or a meal that’s calling for transformation through a splash of colour? Be brave. Be bold. Nourish your soul…

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New Painting: “Radical Acceptance”

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"Radical Acceptance" 12" x 36"

“Radical Acceptance” 12″ x 36″ – SOLD

“Radical Acceptance” is about saying YES to life. It’s about loving what is.

May this painting energize your intention to truly see the worthiness and the gift of all you are and all that is.

There’s not a tree in the forest that wishes it was other than what it is or elsewhere than where it is.

Its full potential has been present at its core from the time it was a seed in the ground. It simply reaches higher and higher, accepting itself and its circumstances. It grows at its own perfect speed.  It adapts to its environment while continuing to journey towards the sun.

For trees, radical acceptance isn’t a practice. It’s just a way of being.

Eternal witnesses and keepers of ancient wisdom, trees offer the planet life-sustaining energy, nourishment, and shelter. They also provide us with a mirror. Will you accept their invitation to love what is, no matter what? With their invitation comes a key to happiness.

 

Can You Believe It?

I couldn’t help but chuckle at myself.

I created this painting back in October / November 2015 to enter into a local contest. One of the rules was to keep our entry off all social media.

I’d finished it right before the deadline and hadn’t even photographed it.

So when it was time to pick it up recently, I had no idea what to expect. I knew it was called “Radical Acceptance”, but couldn’t remember the size or subject.

I’ve never been known for my long-term memory. It’s been like that since I was a kid.

I used to say that I’d experienced such a rich life as a child in a military family (we moved 4 times and traveled throughout Europe before I was 10) that I simply couldn’t store it all inside my brain.

Luckily, I have a great detail-oriented short-term memory. I did well in school exams and can easily learn the names of my students within the first day of class. But if I meet them later, I’ll only recognize their faces.

So never take it personally if I don’t remember your name or the details of an intuitive reading I did for you. It’s just the way I am. I’ve accepted that.

There are silver linings. My ex was grateful.  Plus it sure makes re-watching movies a lot more fun.

Now, I like to think that I’m mastering the art of living in the here and now…. being fully present.

I’ve also learned to adap.  I keep impeccable paperwork to keep track of things. And I blog a lot to share and have a record of my journey.

Sure, I admire those who have great memories. But that doesn’t take away from who and what I am. That’s all part of radical acceptance.

In this case, picking up my painting after it didn’t win the contest was like being reunited with an old friend.

I’d fully let it go into its new experience.  And when it came back, I was filled with joyful surprise at its playful happy energy. My heart sang as I unwrapped it. I immediately remembered knowing it.

P.S.  This is a highly textured piece. The colourful raised trees are super glossy while the white hazy background is more matte. Seeing my paintings in person is a whole different experience.

Radical Acceptance
12″ x 36″
Acrylic on gallery-wrapped canvas. 
No framing required
SOLD

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Online Intuitive Painting Course

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madmimi-hand-bip

Intuitive painting is fun. It’s transformative. It’s empowering. That’s why I do it.

Want to try? Unleash your very own creative expression in this online intuitive painting course. 

I discovered Flora Bowley’s Brave Intuitive Painting book in 2013, took her Bloom True e-course that same year and attended one of her live workshops in Bali in 2014.  She’s truly inspiring!

I’ve been painting in this way since the 80s. And although I’ve been teaching it once in a while for about 5 years, it’s not where I feel drawn to put most of my energy.

So I’m thrilled to be able to spread the word about what Flora is doing with her very well designed self-paced online course.

She uses the same materials I’ve used for years and follows a very similar personal philosophy, which is such an integral part of her teaching.

 

Watch this to see what I mean.

 

I’ve decided to affiliate with Flora to help open more people to this amazing journey. I’ll receive a small stipend for every person who registers using this link.

It’s a true win-win-win situation. I get to help spread the joy of intuitive painting to you and your friends and receive extra support to continue my own artistic journey.

Click here for all the juicy details about this course. And thanks for sharing this post.

 

Flora Bowley

 

 

 

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Homage to Brigid with Regina Wright

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painting of double heart-shaped woamn inside hands and glowing circle

“Bridie’s Flame” (12″ x 12″) – Sold Click for PRINTS

I had tingles down my spine and a warm smile in my heart when I realized the bigger picture behind my new painting “Bridie’s Flame”.

I’ve got my friend and modern shaman Regina Wright to thank for that.

I’d started the 6 base layers in 2015 and waited until it spoke to me again to create its imagery. That happened on January 31st, the eve of St. Brigid’s day.  I just didn’t know it at the time.

You may have read in a previous post that I’m feeling called to Ireland lately.  This is just another piece of the puzzle.

When I first received a vision for this painting, I believed it to be a piece on Self-Love and positive body-image. The generously curved double heart-shaped figure was held in space by two hands.

As I was working on her, however, I realized she was also a flame – a radiant light surrounded by the halo of the sacred feminine glow.

The Celtic knots in the corner completed the piece before I had any idea of its timing.

I then blessed and varnished it for protection on February 1st – the day when the Irish celebrate St. Brigid of the Sacred Light, one of their two patron saints.

That’s also when I saw Regina’s Facebook post.  I knew my timing wasn’t a coincidence. I was unconsciously celebrating St. Brigid’s Day through the creation of Bridie’s Flame.

I love the new normal!

Instead of repeating everything I then read about Brigd, I’ve invited Regina to share in her knowledge and experience of this saint and goddess. Thanks Regina!

 

Homage to Brigid by Regina Wright

I’ve been immersed in the energy of Brigid for the last few weeks as I prepared for an annual retreat that I’ve been holding for the last four years. Each year, I learn more about her – both goddess and saint.

I can’t remember a time when I wasn’t connected to Brigid. As a child, I heard stories of the saints, one of them being Brigid. My best friend’s mother when I was growing up was Irish and an amazing storyteller. I was eager to hear stories about the land of my ancestors.

I did a course in university in the 90s that explored the role of the goddess in religion and researched different goddesses in several cultures. I’ve been travelling to the UK for many years and found wells dedicated to Brigid in England, Scotland and Wales.

Regina Wright at Brigid's Well in Kildare, Ireland

Regina Wright at Brigid’s Well in Kildare, Ireland

When I finally made it to Ireland in 2010, I really felt the energy of Brigid permeate the land – I was guided to her sacred wells to ask for her blessings and to Kildare, the home of her fire temple and sacred flame. Brigid keeps inviting me back. I’ve been to Ireland five times since 2010!

Who is Brigid and why is she so important, not only to the Irish, but to many around the world? I’m discovering many answers to these questions.

In the beginning, people revered the Great Mother Goddess, the energy of Earth herself. These ancient Celts knew that life sprang from her loins as she mated with the Sun, the Energy of the Heavens.

In Springtime, she showed her young, fresh beautiful Maiden self, as new life appeared all around the earth. Crops started to push up form her rich dark soil and young animals and babies were born.

She became known as Brigid – noble, exalted and respected One.

Customs and ways of honouring her wove into the very fabric of Celtic life.

She’s associated with healing springs, wells and streams. She’s the Lady of the Sacred Flame – the flame of creativity, inspiration, and creative consciousness. She’s the patroness of poetry, healing, smithcraft, midwifery and animal care. Brigid is the bringer of prosperity, the goddess of fertility, new growth and birth.

Brigid is considered a Triple Goddess, not only of the stages of life of mother, maiden and crone, but also of the roles she plays – that of Lady of the healing Waters, Goddess of the Sacred Flame and Goddess of the Fertile Earth.

In the 5th century, a truly beautiful and loving soul was born who personified the gifts of the Goddess.

She grew up to become Saint Brigid and established her abbey at Kildare, which became a great centre of spirituality and learning.

The story of how Brigid got the land for her convent is often told in Ireland today. She approached the local chieftain and asked for land to build her abbey. He laughed and didn’t take her seriously. Brigid didn’t take no for an answer and kept asking.  The chieftain admired her courage and daring and told her she could have as much land as her long cloak would cover. Brigid nodded to her followers and gave a corner of it to four women and asked them to walk in the four directions – North, South, East and West. The chieftain was astonished as the women walked for miles and the cloak kept expanding over the lush green countryside.

This land in Kildare is where Brigid founded her Abbey and a perpetual flame was lit in a fire temple that remained lit for generations. It was extinguished by Cromwell’s men and remained unlit for centuries until it was relit by the Brigidine Sisters in 1993.

Today the flame is tended to in a beautiful new building, Solis Bhride, shaped like a Brigid Cross. I visited Solis Bhride in October and was gifted candles lit from the perpetual flame to bring back to Canada to share Brigid’s light and keep the fire alive.

Since the relighting of Brigid’s eternal flame in 1993, there’s been great interest in Brigid as goddess and Saint, not only in Ireland, but also in many other parts of the world.

This revival is seen in the number of books, songs, organizations, and events dedicated to her. Many traditions exist in Ireland from the early times of Brigid’s Abbey. Her day is celebrated on the first day of the Celtic spring, known as Imbolc (meaning in the belly) – there’s a whole week dedicated to the celebration of Brigid at this time – a festival of Brigid!

I feel it’s a reflection of us womenfolk reclaiming our power and our stewardship and responsibility for the healing of Mother Earth!

There are many sacred wells dedicated to Brigid around the British Isles and Ireland, but it is with Fire and her Sacred Flame that she is most frequently associated – the eternal flame of life, the flame of inspiration, and the flame of our creative consciousness.

She’s a solar goddess, and it’s said she was born at the exact moment of daybreak with her head radiant with rays of illuminated light.

I keep an altar dedicated to Brigid and light candles that have the energy of her flame that I brought back from Kildare.

Our ancestors brought Brigid with them to this land and this is reflected in some place names including St. Brides and Kilbride (which means church of Bride/Brigid).

I’ve heard stories of Brigid traditions been kept alive here in Newfoundland, including putting a small piece of cloth outside on January 31 to be blessed by Brigid during the night. This cloth was taken in before sunrise and kept in a safe place to be put on an injury, etc. It is said that this cloth is a strip of Brigid’s cloak.

For the past several months, I’ve been studying with a wonderful Celtic wise woman and shaman, Karen Ward, and have connected more deeply to Brigid through her.

I’m looking forward to going to Glastonbury in May – a place associated with Brigid – and back to Ireland in the fall – the seeds have been planted for me to offer my Brigid retreat in Ireland at Solis Bhride.

Brightest Blessings from Brigid,

Regina

P.S.  Prints available in many sizes & mediums.

 

 

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New Painting: “True Colours – Dancing the Dancer”

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painting of dancer on layers of coloured designed

“True Colours – Dancing the Dancer” (16″ x 20″) – SOLD

Here it is – my second collaborative piece this year with friend and fellow artist Lori Reddy – “True Colours – Dancing the Dancer” .

Follow your bliss, letting your true colours shine.

This painting  is an invitation to move to your own rhythm. It’s also a celebration of life as you listen to your inner music and let it move through your ways of being and doing.

We are uniquely colourful spirits with layers of life experience, gifts, feelings, and modes of being and expressing. This is reflected in the many many layers of paint on this canvas.

Lori and I spent 3 full days of painting together in my studio, switching back and forth between this one and “Vibrations Arising” (see earlier post). I then worked on this painting for few extra days on my own. It kept calling me as I danced on my mini-trampoline, so I followed the movement onto the canvas.

“True Colours – Dancing the Dancer” (16″ x 20″)
Acrylics and oil-based markers on gallery-wrapped canvas. No framing required.
SOLD

 

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New Piece – Collaborative Painting with Lori Reddy

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collaborative painting - raising vibrations

“Vibrations Arising” ( 12″ x 12″) – acrylics & oil markers on canvas – $447

Have you ever been in a situation that repeated itself, only to realize how much better you handled it the next time around?

This little jewel of a painting came out of just such an experience.

My friend and fellow artist Lori Reddy came over in late December for a couple of days of collaborative painting. We finished one and are still working on the second.

This is Vibrations Arising (12″ x 12″ – SOLD) 

We’d paint on one canvas for a while, then switch back and forth throughout the day.

Our two days were blissful, peaceful, creative, and fun.

Collaborative painting is a beautiful exercise in letting go, trust, embracing the mystery, surprise, cooperation, learning, and coming up with something completely different than one person could on their own.

But you have to approach it with the right attitude.

 

A Mirror for Growth

This isn’t the first time we collaborate.

Lori and I painted these two yoga studio murals together 3 years ago. That was a rewarding stretch of my comfort zones and such joy!

But the first time Lori suggested we collaborate on a couple of canvases in 2012, it wasn’t so easy or fun.

One painting went super well. I created the coloured background and handed it over. Lori took it home and used black to reveal the phoenix. It blew my mind and opened my heart to collaborative painting.

But the other one was a trial that kept going on and on, layer after layer, week after week.

I remember feeling protective of some of the layers I produced. I was scared she’d change something I liked. I had a hard time letting go of control.

I was also judgmental and self-critical. I was scared of failure. I didn’t think I was making things better and worried about wasting expensive supplies on a futile effort. I simply wasn’t at my best…

I chose fear. I got frustrated. I wanted to quit. I fought the current, which is exhausting. Then I beat myself up for not doing better. Sounds familiar?

I’m sure it wasn’t all negative, but that’s what I remember.

The results reflected my inner reality, which I’m sure affected Lori’s experience too.

It took months and several layers back and forth to salvage it.

At first, I saw it as a reminder of how I didn’t allow myself to play. I didn’t like it.

Now I see its invitation to grow. And grow I did. Yay!

I love our new piece! It’s a mirror of our inner reality that day. It shines of the high vibrations of love, play, bliss, and collaborative creativity.

My heart sings when I look at it. Does yours?

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