Having a conversation with a painting

I never thought I would say "My paintings speak to me".... yet, that is exactly what has been happening. 

Let me give you some context.  I'm participating in a year long mentorship called The Sovereign Artist Program led by Jessica Serran, a Canadian born artist living in Prague.  She is amazing and the program has been so comprehensive.  I'm really enjoying it. 

Recently she introduced us to a concept called "Let your art speak."  I'm open to a lot of things and coming into this exercise I had in mind that I already knew everything there was to know about this painting.  

Huh hmmm. Misses know it all, let me show you something new.  

The process, and I won't go into a ton of details, but suffice to say, there is some framing, create a sketch, describe the piece and listen for some questions that come to mine. 

I have pages and pages of notes, answers, reflections and insights from this exercise.  Amazing.  

The invitation was to sit with the piece in front of me and wait, listening for the questions that come to mind. 

Q1: Acceptance has been both hard and easy, why the duality? 
Because you have a tendency to push against things that come from outside yourself.  It's not necessary.  I needed you to see that.  To feel yourself give in and relax, you are in no danger.  You are safe. 

Side note:​ How many times have you felt unsafe, withdrawn?  I'm sure you have pushed back against outside pressure too.  I think it's normal to restrict the things that challenge our personal safety.  

Q2: If acceptance were this easy why have I felt so disconnected from it? 
Simply because you have been mistreated.  And you've lacked the confidence to hold your own.  You've lacked the confidence to accept yourself.  It's been easier to disconnect than acknowledge how unaccepted you have been. 

Have you ever felt unaccepted? ​It's really uncomfortable.  From an evolutionary view point it's even dangerous.  We survived in primitive societies because we had a group to live amongst. 

​Q3: There is something about the pink/red colour.  What's the significance?
Ruth, my Mom, poured pink on you until you gaged.  This pink is richer, more subtle, more honest - less saccharin.  You can relate to pink in its beauty versus its falsehood.  It's fakeness.  It's phoney facade.

Side note: In my home appearances were what we relied on.  The castle might be falling down behind the facade, but the facade was intact.  This is not a criticism, it was a common thing.  There were a lot of structures falling apart and what choice did people have other than to carry on and do their best.

Q4: The (4) blooms are so important.  wholeness is so important.  This is really good.  Is this my spiritual awakening?
No.  You have always been spiritually awake, you just haven't known how to integrate your spirituality.  Your paintings are your way in. 

​Q5: Do I sell this piece? or do I keep it? Now that I have this connection I don't want to let it go.  Is it meant for someone else? 
All of your work is meant for someone else.  Yes, you can keep key pieces but that's not the purpose. You are meant to heal women's hearts.  Release what you create. 

Q6: There is a question about money.  What are you trying to teach me about money? 
You have this severing in your abundance.  Your art, your spirit, your money, your health, they are all connected.  When you run a sale you shut down because you are scared.  It's okay for you to be rich in all aspects of your life. 

Have you ever had a difficult relationship with money? ​You are not alone.  I want to invite you to consider why money has this disconnected feel and encourage you to embrace money, health, creativity, spirituality as simply a segment of the whole. 

Q7: My work, my person is evolving.  What do you want me to know about where I'm heading? 
You have already arrived - Congratulations.  There is no where to go other than deeper in.  This work is the key.  I'm proud of you.  All that you seek is about to arrive, open your arms wide.  Receive with love in your being. 

​Q8: Am I evolving into a greater artists influence on our collective well being?
Absolutely. Your work is transforming the collective and individual experience, they are just not aware of it yet. 

Thank you for reading this far. It's my hope that by writing this you are feeling some loosening up of the ideas that have been stuck. 

​Q9: If I am one of these blooms which one would I be? 
I'm the big one in the sun.  Out of the shadows, in all my exquisite unfolding. 

Which bloom would you be if you had to choose one? 
1) the bud = just getting ready to open, stretching into a new space.
2) the one partially open, and still in the shadows. (lowest bloom)
3) the main bloom, in the full sun, with all the shadows supporting the light.
4) the mature bloom at the top, mature wisdom.

P.S. This piece is available for purchase.  Email me for the details. 

Q10: Is there a community yearning to gather around?  Is that my role. 
Yes, a community of collectors and of artists.  Don't panic the way will become clear.  Perhaps the start is a gorgeous blog post diving into this gorgeous piece. (Here is that blog post)

​Let me know if you would be interested in a zoom call together. I'm thinking a group call to explore this positive, encouraging space of learning and growing would be lovely. For artists and non-artists alike. reply to this blog and let me know if you are interested. 

​Q11: How do I sustain myself and support others? 
Don't worry that will become clear, stay the course, write your blog post and be open to inviting in the connections. 

Q12: If this is all an illusion what can I create that would feel more sustaining? 
Oh my gosh you have everything in place you need. Your collection is wonderful.  Keep going! Open up the idea of group mentoring. 

Here I am opening up to that conversation. Click the button below to send me an email, letting me know you'd be interested. 

I don't have an agenda for that call, just yet.  Supportive, inspiring, deeply connecting, a space to breathe together and allow the stickiness to ease. 

I'd be interested in a group call.