Passion, Play & Purpose – the Paint Party Story

Have you turned your passion or play into your profession? Bravo! There are so many benefits to doing what you love! But that’s not what I’m moved to write about today.

You’ve likely heard the expression “Healer, heal thyself!

The classic movie image of a doctor smoking while eating junk food from the vending machine comes to mind.

You’ve likely seen plenty of other examples of experts who don’t always practice what they preach. 

Are you a nutritionist so busy with clients that you have no time to cook?

Have you neglected your inner-child because you’re overwhelmed with parenting chores?

I recently heard about a landscape architect whose property was a disaster area because he spent all his time transforming other people’s spaces.

You get the picture. Does it apply to you in any way?

I’m a firm believer that challenges happen for us, not to us. 

It doesn’t mean I don’t have my share of resistance when they happen. But eventually, I can see the silver lining. Even the pot of gold!

I’d spent half a day setting up my studio for a paint party for 2 of my friends before heading off to Ottawa to be with my father for December.

This paint party was my birthday gift for Leslie and Christmas gift for both she & Kerri.

I was excited to share my passion and play with them.

My intention, however, was to set them up with academic grade canvas & paints while I created a piece with my professional supplies … just in case I wanted to sell it. 

But the Universe had other plans.

I’m not saying I caused the water boiler to die, spilling half its content on our basement floor before we realized what was happening.

I am saying that what first appeared like a really disappointing change of plans, turned out for the best. 

Once my house-sister and I took care of the water crisis, with the wonderful and speedy support from a plumber friend, I packed up the painting party supplies to take over to Leslie’s house.

If you watched last week’s Artsmarts video, you know that it’s an elaborate process with a lot of supplies. There’s no way I wanted to traipse up the 30 steps to the car with all my professional supplies and tools as well…. so I didn’t.

This was going to be a painting just for me. Forget potential income. Just play, Dominique!

No matter if I’m painting a channeled piece to sell or for a client’s Soul Energy Portrait Experience, I love what I do. I get great benefits from allowing any piece of art to be co-created through me.

But there’s a certain freedom that comes from letting professional expectations and subconscious pressures go to just play. 

After all, that’s what I teach in the intuitive painting process – no expectations, no mistakes; simply layer after layer of expression and exploration.

So play we did – the kind of sacred play my friends and I love to partake in. This time, it involved paint.

I led them and my inner child through the intuitive painting process, incorporating ceremony and intent throughout.

What joy! What discovery! What beautiful sharings about the messages we were receiving from our process, all related to our original intent for 2022.

11 hours later, we were all thrilled with the love & light we allowed into our day and into our art. 

What a great way to set the tone for the coming year.

My painting now hangs in my bedroom, anchoring the energy and intention I set for 2022: “I am open to giving and receiving love.”

It may be unsellable to my standards … but that’s a good thing! 

How can you bring some of your passion back home to yourself this holiday season?

Is it time for some self-care?

Is there a project you’ve been craving to tackle, just for the fun of it? or for the function of it in your life?

Remember that often, the gift you give yourself has benefits for those around you.

The reverse is also true – the true gifts you give others often gives back to you too, especially if that isn’t the motive.

I wish you a very happy & fulfilling holiday season doing what you love and being from that space of love – whatever that means for you.

If you wished you could have been part of our painting party, I’m offering a rare opportunity this January in the St. John’s, NL area. It’s been a long time since I’ve offered a workshop in person. Here’s your chance.

Treat yourself to a full-day of sacred exploration through intuitive painting.

In this full-day workshop, you’ll infuse your painting and your life with meaningful intention while listening for the guidance that comes through the intuitive painting process. 

No experience necessary. Really! No matter if you’re completely new to painting or a professional artist, you’ll benefit from this joyful way of exploring and expressing your heart’s desires and intentions for 2022.

This workshop dives deep into the sacred art of intuitive painting – beyond the technical to the transformational.

You’ll leave with so much more than your uniquely-you painting, unlike anyone else’s in the class. 

Join me, Saturday January 22nd from 8:30am – 6 pm (open until 8pm if you need extra time to complete your painting).

The Birch Centre, 120 LeMarchant Ave. in St. John’s, NL

Maximum 6 participants. VaxPass required.

$225 includes lunch and all painting supplies. Register here.

And if you’re not in the area and want to give it a try, check out my Guide to Intuitive Painting for the techniques and add your own ceremonies throughout. Enjoy!

“I am so grateful to have such a beautiful friend and gifted artist in my life! Dominique’s ability to intuitively nurture your highest self from within you to an expression of yourself on the canvas is nothing short of amazing!  She helps you tap into the creative well within you to find your own presence and then helps you transform it from feelings to paint! (even if you don’t think you are creative!)  The layers of love and life that are intertwined in your canvas will always be special to you every time you look at your artwork!  The beauty of Love is within each of us and Dominique’s Love of beauty empowers your highest self to shine! If you don’t know what to gift that someone special in your life – this is one they will never forget!  A gift that honors their highest self!”

Kerri Best – Flourish Energy Wellness