The layers of paint and process behind what you see above are many. I’m choosing to share this story to illustrate the powerful transformative powers of creativity – in my case, intuitive painting.

It’s a story of letting go of the layers of “shoulda woulda coulda” that keep us stuck doing & being in ways that aren’t aligned with our Higher Selves.

In 2 weeks, I’ll be sharing an interview that goes deeper into the parallels of intuitive painting & intuitive living. You’ll get so much more out of that video after reading this story.

Today, my hope is to inspire you to find a creative outlet to process whatever it is that arises in your life for your inner peace, your inner freedom, and therefore for the good of all.

It could be gardening, song-writing, poetry, painting, pottery, puzzle design … anything.

I hadn’t painted on canvas since before my sabbatical in Europe. My focus and passion had been directed to painting drums.

The time was approaching, however, for submissions to our annual provincial Arts & Letters Awards. I won this award with its accompanying cash prize & prestigious place in an exhibition back in 2019 with the painting “Every Dot a Prayer“.

At that time, I’d been Guided to spend 11 months co-creating the Re-Connection Collection of 11 canvases. It was a deeply personal project that later became the focus of 11 Reconnect to Your True Self video lessons. These give others the chance to benefit from what my Team of Divine Helpers had guided me through.

That year, I had no problem going deep in the co-creation process and keeping the painting off social media and the Internet for 5-6 months until the jurying results were revealed. This was a criteria for submission. I was following inspiration. Submitting the painting to the competition was part of that intuitive flow.

Last year, I didn’t feel as comfortable keeping my submission hidden for almost half a year. I couldn’t quite identify why, but it didn’t feel good.

This year, I started this painting with the goal of submitting it to the competition and hopefully winning a cash prize. Bills had been unusually high after my sabbatical and income unusually low.

My only purpose (on the initial start day) was to paint to win … already, not a good feeling. And not pretty to admit … but it’s true.

I started painting in layers of warm and cool mark-making like I teach in my free Guide to Intuitive Painting.

It didn’t take long to get into the flow – to be blissfully thankful that I’d set aside a big block of time for this painting marathon. 

Visions came and were translated onto the canvas. The face in the painting above is but one of many of various genders, ages & races that covered the canvas at one point.

As the hours and days passed, however, the initial feelings of oneness, connection and community that inspired the imagery transformed into the uncomfortable realm of societal pressure, limitations & judgment.

Timing is everything when engaged in an intuitive process. Everything that comes into your space has meaning. 

During the initial days that I worked on this painting, I received many email notices of grant submission deadlines, competition deadlines, corporate & government art application deadlines.

These are all ways that many professional artists rely on for funding their passion. But none of these emails received an instant strong intuitive”Yes!”.

So why was I feeling a mounting sense of overwhelm? My left brain had kicked in big time with layers of “shoulds” and “coulds” – all related to money. 

To add to my bubbling anxiety, the email I’d been expecting for weeks with the results of a Fall school project proposal still hadn’t come in.

Painting helped alleviate the stress build-up. It kept me focused in the observer mode – contemplating what was being revealed in the mirror that was my painting.

I was face to face with questions that called for deeper reflection.

At one point, about 30 hours in, I simply had to stop painting. 

Some may have said that the piece looked complete.

There was 1 face left with many swirls giving it a sense of forward momentum. And, of course, thousands of dots, each one a prayer and an opening to Divine Energy and Guidance.

What the painting told me was that I needed breathing space. So I took it. I didn’t touch it for a week.

To the outside world, it may have looked like I wasn’t doing anything. I spent my days either in stillness or watching movies (my decompression & escape tool).

But that “week off” was all part of the process – once I was able to let go of additional layers of “shoulds” and “coulds”about “not working” that week. Accepting that meant accepting myself as I was.

I chose to let the deadlines (and therefore funding opportunities) pass. And what I felt was relief. 

Was that sabotage or alignment?

I really had to question that. I’m not one to shy away from hard work. Every application can take 15 hours or more. I’ve done it many times before.

Was I going into a “why bother?” mode because I hadn’t succeeded in the past?

Something deeper wanted to emerge. A deeper truth.

Here are some of the conclusions I came to in my discussions with Spirit:

• For me to be in alignment, money can’t be my primary motive to create.
• Forcing project ideas into being simply to take advantage of grant opportunities won’t work for me. The inspiration for a project must come first. If the timing doesn’t work with grant deadlines, then support will come through other channels.
• Keeping this painting a secret for half a year only to have it be judged as worthy or unworthy didn’t feel right.
• I never got the Fall school tour project because it wasn’t in my Highest Good this year. Sending yet another email to ask for news of their decision could put that unknown to rest.
• Even though I’d been waiting for a particular art acquisition project for 10 years, the way it was articulated and its technical criteria didn’t fit with what I have to offer. I had to let go of expectations instead of trying to fit my square peg into a round hole.

My sense of relief at letting all those “dead”lines go was a sure indicator that my decisions were in alignment.

The layers of awareness and decisions that came from this contemplative process only led to more layers of questioning. It’s just like intuitive painting – one layer after another until if feels complete.

If I wasn’t going to take advantage of the many available sources of funding for professional artists, what do I need to do?

• Was it time to quit painting for anyone else but myself?
• Was this the end of DominiqueHurley.com and all my social media?
• Did I need to go back out there after 10 years to look for a job?
• How can I be of service if the energy flow in my art & intuitive services was so low?
• What needed to change in me or my life for this next chapter to be fruitful and fulfilling?

I could have easily spiralled downwards had I gotten stuck in the thinking realm about all this.

Instead, I returned to the studio for the first time in a week to stare at my painting while dancing on my mini-trampoline. I asked. I prayed. I listened.

I started journaling for the first time in a long time. Instead of my notebook, I used both sides of a large sheet of sketching paper.

By the time I’d finished processing my past week, I felt free! 

I was 100% sure my decisions weren’t the result of self-sabotage but rather staying in alignment with my inner guidance.

Resisting that inner guidance with the layers of “shoulda woulda coulda” is what had caused the angst. 

A vision of a peace dove appeared, which I sketched on top of the writing on my journal page. I then cut it out to make the stencil for the dove you see in this painting.

A few hours later, the painting was complete.

My faith in my Guidance and my Path had also been restored. 

And soon after that, I was given a job … by Spirit – to lead the Holiday Spirit Circle online from December 1-January 1st. It’s not too late to join.

Its purpose it to help you get back into alignment while following Spirit’s leadership so that we may all (me included) end this year in the Highest Vibration possible and start the new one in alignment with our Highest Good. If any part of you says, “That’s for me!”, please take inspired action here.

As soon as I said “Yes!” to Spirit’s job offer, the energy started flowing into motion again in many forms. I just had to take out the dam (spelling intentional) “shoulds” & “coulds”.

Now you know why it’s difficult to answer that common question: “How long did it take to make this painting?”

Sure, there was about 50 hours of painting. But do I add the whole week of transmuting, processing, transforming the layers of inner questioning and patterns that were revealed before adding the final peace dove?

So really, the best answer I can come up with is: “A lifetime!” to include all the painting & personal growth practice that led me to it in the first place.

The name “In Myself I am Free” is a lyric from the song “I am Free” by Swami Kriyananda that I heard on Radio Ananda just as I put the finishing touches on the dove and was asking it: “What’s your name?”, ” I know “Freedom” is in there somewhere”.

Answers come through all our senses…

Take a moment to contemplate “Cosmic Gateway”, to feel its energy and hear its message for you.

I loved so many of the name suggestions from my friends on Facebook. I combined 2 for the title and offer the rest here below to add to your contemplation.

Read them as you would a poem. They are strong on their own but are united in sacred harmony.

Cosmic Gateway

Choices are Merely Experiences
Reflections
Doorways
Arches of hope
Sacred Journey
Stairway to Heaven
The Unfolding
Revolution
The Return
The Organs (Les Orgues)
Open New Doors
Gateways
Spiritual Evolution
Ascending
Cosmic Stairway
Touched with Light
Slivers of Resurrection
Ecstacy
Becoming Holy
Starbeing Journey
Ascension

Its final imagery and message spoke strongly to a dear soul who has called this painting home to New York, helping support my fundraising efforts for my European pilgrimage and studies. Thank you! I feel very supported in so many ways.

**PRINTS are available here in your choice of size & medium.

The name for this painting, “Cosmic Gateway” reflects its process. Ascension isn’t a straightforward process. Neither is intuitive painting.

The beautiful playful initial layers were almost completely obliterated as I practiced the scrubbing technique that was my main technical goal for Flora Bowley’s Reunite retreat. Yikes! 

I tried it on this canvas first, before getting it right on “Dripping Sunshine” introduced 2 weeks ago.

Observing my inner experience during this “failure” was heart-opening.

This is why I fell in love with intuitive painting back in the 80s.

Yes, there had been attachment. Yes, there was hesitation before taking a risk. Yes there had been fear of ruining it. And yes, there was discouragement when I overdid it and ended up with a cut-out approach instead of the loose painterly effect I’d been going for.

The painting was officially at its awkward teenage phase, as Flora calls it. And it needed to be loved for what it is as a stage of what it was going to become.

I’ve said it for decades. Every layer of an intuitive painting has messages and energy that move it (and the painter) along on its journey to what it is becoming. It’s an inner and outer process.

Creating this painting helped me loosen up. I took risks and it failed… or did it? There are no mistakes in intuitive painting. It’s a safe place to try things, to play, to grow.

You just keep layering! 

And as you’ll see in the 14-minute video below – those cut-out holes were just another representation of the Cosmic Gateway – a movement towards what was to come.

The energy of the giant double spirals that followed then helped bring me and the painting back into balance.

This powerful symbol that often appears in my art also represents dissolution and coagulation -in all things that break down, new growth inevitably follows.

Isn’t that the truth!

So I just went back to mark-making to soothe myself back to an inner space of trust. This isn’t the first time I go through this process, and it won’t be the last.

I was going through my own Cosmic Gateway.

In the end, this painting wouldn’t be what it is today if we both hadn’t experienced exactly what we did. Worth it!

So please don’t give up as you pass through the portals of spiritual evolution on our journey to ascension.The ups and downs are all part of the process!

What comes to mind when you look at this painting?

Whether you’re being guided to let go of

• people
• limiting beliefs
• habits
• ego
• old self-images
• grudges
• attachment
• the need to be right
• ways of being
• pain
• judgment
• etc.

imagine putting that intention into a balloon and surrendering it to the Universe.

Make your wish, let it go and allow the Universe’s response to come back to you in the form of intuition, synchronicities, inspired actions, etc.

Don’t force it, obsess about it, beat yourself up about it or whatever we tend to do as humans.

Let it go and be at peace knowing you’ve set things in motion.

Trust in Divine Timing!

And when you do get that inspiration to act, ACT!

You’re not alone on your journey to a more peaceful joyful, healthy way of living.

Your Team of Divine Helpers is there to support you. Ask & you shall receive!

What you receive may very well surprise you. Trust that it’s all part of the process.

The vision for this painting came at the time of my Fall self-guided retreat after feeling drained and stagnant for a while.

It helped me recognize the limiting beliefs I held and to let them go.

And if you’ve been following my journey since then, you’ll know that removing that block unleashed a whole series of Spirit Calls, inspired action and plans for 3 months in Europe starting in May.

My prayers were answered and I hope that the painting or something I wrote to go along with it has helped nourish your transformational journey. 

I submitted the painting “Letting Go for Peace” to a provincial art competition in the Fall, so I had to keep it top secret. It didn’t win, so it’s finally time to reveal it to you.

I’m a firm believer that what we learn through intuitive painting teaches us as much about ourselves & life as it does about painting.

When we set an intention, even better!

Preparing for my 3 months overseas is going super well. But at some points during the planning process, fears got triggered, revealing I need to loosen up. I really want to be able to go with the flow during my travels.

The creation of “Dripping Sunshine” during Flora Bowley’s online painting retreat did just that – I’m loosening up.

The result is this 30″ x 30″ testimonial and witness to that very process.

Its infused energy, experimental layers and final imagery now serve as a reminder for us all to shine our light as we naturally unfurl into peace & freedom.

So enjoy the 15-minute “The Making of Dripping Sunshine” video at the bottom of this post with lots of surprising twists and turns – literally!

From February 15-19th, I spent 5 wonderfully intensive days in the studio during Flora Bowley’s online Reunite Retreat. Freezing rain even cancelled my Saturday photo & painting teaching gig, ensuring an uninterrupted block of time.

I’ve been a long time fan of Flora’s work.

My jaw dropped leafing through her book “Brave Intuitive Painting” in the line-up at an art store over 10 years ago. I couldn’t believe it as some chapter titles were the same Spirit had given me to write about years before. I’d blogged about my process but never did write a book. This was definitely hers to fulfill!

In the following years, I did her online Bloom True e-course and attended her workshop in Bali. Fantastic!

I’m thrilled at how her career has helped people transform their art and their lives all over the world. She and her team have been role models on the entrepreneurial side too. She’s the only other business I’m an affiliate for, so if you’re moved to explore her many online courses & offerings, please use this link.

On each day of this Reunite retreat, we had video instructions, demonstrations and witnessing sessions of the group she worked with during the taping of the program.

But nothing teaches better than practice! And we got plenty of that, working on 2 canvases, in my case for at least 10 hours a day.

We also had daily zoom calls to get one-on-one feedback and share in the process, which we could also do in the Facebook group.

Flora has excelled at creating an uplifting supportive community of painters – from first-timers to long-time full-time artists.

Intuitive painting is an excellent way to grow our skills while observing our inner process too. Flora’s approach also focuses on this. 

It’s all about playing in layers as you explore & express your Self!

You may wonder why I decided to invest the time and resources on this retreat when I’m in full fundraising and preparation mode for 3 months in Europe (Mary Magdalene Pilgrimage in France & Transformative Arts Certification in Italy).

Sure, I’m a lifelong learner. But that’s not why.

When fear gets triggered, I tend to go into controlling mode. It’s not pleasant – for me or those around me.

Although I’ve become very good at saying yes to Spirit Calls that send me outside of my comfort zones and all over the world, I don’t always do it with the grace I’d like to.

Yes, I love traveling – the discovery of beauty, languages, people, foods, etc.  But if you know me, you also know I’m a happy hermit that loves my routines.

The idea of big crowds, navigating my way alone through public transport on tight schedules, and jumping from spot to spot can be stressful.

After my Mary Magdalene Pilgrimage, I’ll be going to Giverny to integrate for 4 days in and around Monet’s Gardens. Then it’s off to the Czech Republic to visit beloved friends from my years of teaching there. Next, it’s to Turin, Italy for a week at the Damanhur conscious community before finding my way down to the Ananada ashram, where I’ll then settle for 2 months to study. Yikes.

In the past, traveling brought out the best and worst of me. This time, I want it to be heavily leaning towards the best.

When I put out this intention, news of this retreat appeared on my radar.

So here’s to embracing the mystery and going with the flow, knowing that every step of the process is an important ingredient to the feast.

I went into the Reunite Retreat with the intention to loosen up – in my art and in my life.

My style of intuitive visionary painting developed in my studio for 20 years before I did my Certificate of Art & Design at the University of Saskatchewan, did Flora’s Bloom True e-course, then studied for a year at the Vienna Academy of Visionary Art.

My channeled intuitive artwork has its unique voice expressed in a relaxed and blissful creative flow that is usually slow, methodical, detail-oriented, and done sitting at a table.

Flora’s approach is much freer, looser, and done standing at the wall.

One thing she teaches is scrubbing with tinted whites to simplify and soften the painting.

I love it. I’ve watched it. I’ve tried it and never could do it….

Part of it is that I rarely use white unless it’s for stamping or stencilling on its own or under glazes. And I rarely use heavy body paint.

So this wild application of globs of white heavy body paint with dabs of other colours in a loose fashion …. well, it just wasn’t part of my repertory.

Learning this symbolic technique was my only real goal during the retreat. If I could do that, I’d know I had loosened up!

Scrubbing represents simplifying and calming down the chaos of colours and textures that can be a bit much to handle in the moment.

But it takes practice….

As you’ll see in a few weeks when I introduce my 2nd canvas (unfinished at the time of this writing), I messed it up, totally obliterating the beautiful layers underneath. All part of the process… As I’d learned time and time again in the studio for the past 35 years, non-attachment is key. Who knows what the next layers will bring to the surface.

I didn’t do so well at it in the first layers of this painting either, but at one point, I got it! 

Then, I covered it up with my usual jewel-toned glazes, but that’s OK. I got to try it on and the satisfaction was thrilling! 

I will remember all this during my travels – breathing, moving, observing and taking one inspired action at a time to co-create the life-shifting experience in Europe that Spirit has in store for me.

I hope something here has been a good reminder / mirror for you too.

Although I’ve made it a habit to video my process in recent years, I believe the quality of Flora’s course materials is what inspired me to record my retreat experience so I could share it here with you. And I’m glad I did, thanks to my 2 iPhones on tripods..

Enjoy this 15-minute experience of transformation, knowing that the canvas wasn’t the only thing shifting along the way. Yay!