The view from here...

It's hard to believe three weeks have gone by already... but if you didn't get a chance to go and see them in person, here are a few photos of my paintings that were displayed at Artpresso. Thank you so much to all my friends and family who came by (I really wasn't expecting people to travel so far!) to support me... you know who you are... it meant so much - THANK YOU! 

(Lunch with friends to celebrate!)

This whole experience has been kinda a big deal for me...which may seem silly - well in my head it goes like this - "it's just a cafe... it's no big deal... don't go getting too attached and thinking it's more than it is". But I guess that is kind of difficult when I had just poured my heart and soul onto each of those canvases in a relatively short period of time (for me anyway). I did so much growing and stretching in those weeks leading up to it and each canvas seemed to push me a little more. I mentioned the battle with resistance in my last post, and that was a huge part of it. But there were hundreds of other lessons of varying degrees amongst that too... staying detached and letting go, being brave on the canvas, finding my own voice and trusting my own creative process...are a few that came up (and I'm sure they will come up again...and again). So there is definitely a big sense of achievement when I think of all of those things and in seeing each of those paintings, complete, hanging on the wall for all to see. Having so many people take the time and make the effort to go and see them and then offer such beautiful encouraging words has been incredible and I'm so grateful!

Thank you to Paul (again) for coming by and taking these photos for me!

Aeracura  

30 X 40" Acrylic on Canvas

After the Goddess 'Aeracura' meaning blossoming. 

“In many ways you are like a flower bud who is ripe and ready to open and grow….” 

Faith

36 X 15” Acrylic on wood panel 

 Ostara 

40 X 40” Acrylic on canvas 

This painting was inspired by my time in Bali. Ostara is the goddess name for fertility – celebrating new beginnings. 

You are Light

36 X 24” Acrylic and ink on canvas 

Dragonflies often emerge in my paintings and are symbolic of light and joy. 

Possibility

36 X 15” Acrylic and ink on canvas 

 Maitrei Mudita

36 X 36” Acrylic on canvas 

These two words are from a mantra taught by our yoga teacher in Bali. These words kept coming back to me often and so it wasn't surprising when they found their way into this painting!  

Maitrei (or Maitri) is often translated as meaning 'love'. When reading a little more about this I came across another description which helped me understand more fully what this word means... Maitri can be described as having unconditional friendliness/love to oneself (and others). 

unconditional. friendliness. to. oneself. and. others.

that is one HUGE goal to work towards, right? Even through the messy layers? wow. 

The second word, mudita, is translated as joy... and I particularly like this description...

an inner spring of infinite joy that is available to 

everyone at all times.

Those two are two HUGE words...they carry so much meaning. What would if look like if I could put those two words into action in my life? If there is a spring of infinite joy... what stops us from reaching it?

Sekamet

36 X 15” Acrylic and ink on canvas 

This painting is about strength – Sekamet is the goddess name associated with inner strength ...

You are stronger than you think you are. 

Even though in many ways I've really only just begun on this new 'path' (and let me tell you, it IS scary)...I am recognising the deep-soul-satisfying-inner-impact that occurs when you reach out and become more transparent, more intuitive, more authentic...more you. I'm beginning to realise that no-one can hold you more accountable than yourself... and especially so when you offer yourself up to tell your story, because suddenly everything is brought into view.

I hope that you can dip into your inner spring of infinite joy this week....

Peace, Love, Gratitude... x