Feeling Blessed

WOO-HOO!

I am feeling blessed to be chosen as the featured artist for October of Louise's ARTiculations.

Click the link ↓below↓ to read the article. 

  Louise's ARTiculations 

Telling My Story #3

October 2011

In September 2011, I had just finished the a 5 week e-course,  Flying Lessons, with Kelly Rae Roberts.  I was given knowledge of how to take my passion and  turn it into a business.  I was thrilled!  I became acquainted with other artists from the class pursuing a similar goal.   And now some of those ladies are my closest friends.  My Mom had always said to me, "You become the company that you keep" so I was eager to embrace this opportunity and to create new friendships.

One evening, I sat down and drew this girl, she was my 2nd face to ever draw.  With deep hesitation I posted her on my blog.  I had to push thru to do this because I was fearful of being judged by other artists.

Caught up in the excitement I wasn't aware of the little gremlins working against me in my head.  They slowly picked at my newly acquired confidence causing me to doubt myself and the possibility of my dream ever coming true. After being the hostess at my own pity-party for what seemed like forever,  I went into my studio and painted from my heart.  I now know the term as being "intuitive painting".   This young lady (my first girl to ever paint) appeared with a message so simple, so yet profound.  I had temporarily forgotten that my strength comes from within.  Because I am human it is easy to get off track from time to time.  I decided that I would make it a priority to Be Still.  There is a tremendous amount of pleasure in the silence when you are still.  The integral and monumental first step to my realignment was to become still, really still, and listen to my inner guidance.  I have always believed my creative path was a gift from the Universe/God and hearing the whispers from my soul will be heard when I become still.  

my super hero cape

I found this TED talk on Kelly Rae Roberts blog.  

I listened to it and I invite you to take a moment (actually 17 minutes) to listen, too.  

She speaks about telling the story of who you are and the super hero capes that we wear.  There is one that I am fully aware that I wear that no longer serves me.   It is the cape of "having it all together".   I am not admitting to being one hot mess because I am not.   This is what I am saying… because of the "having it all together" cape that I wear I have an extremely difficult time asking for support or help.  Therefore I set myself up.  When in actuality, even though I am 61 yrs old.  I sometimes feel like this frightened little girl that just wants you to believe she is OK.  You know the… "I can do it myself" attitude.  As an adult it translates into "I am a strong confident woman".

When I opened the door and committed to following my creative path I put myself into unknown territory.  Except for bursts here and there, I feel I have lived my life in a safe and routine environment. This creative path has not only been about learning to paint/draw it's, also, about discovering more about who I am.  What my truth is.  One of my biggest fears has always been about being judged.  When I was wearing my "having it all together" cape I felt protected.  Well… I have thrown that cape away.  The people close to me have experienced me stepping out of that comfort zone and asking for their help.  Thank You for being there and "not judging me".

I look back at my art about "Simple Truths/Simple Reminders" and I see that I was telling a story.  My story that  transcends to other peoples' story.  I'm almost certain that at some point in our lives we all feel the same things, just a little different.

Since I have been on this creative journey I feel more alive and wouldn't trade it for the world.  Each day I am committed to SHOWING UP and trusting it will all work out.  No more "having it all together" cape and pretending it's all OK because sometimes it just isn't.  That's when I may call you for some help.  :-)

another great Thursday

My friend, Heather, and I have been setting aside time on Thursdays to do something together.  What we do is usually spontaneous.  We laugh together, we have deep conversations together and we overcome fear together.  Fear-like visiting the art guild thinking it was out of our league as artists.  We even skipped down the side walk to psyche ourselves up only to realize that we actually fit right in. (imagine that!)  What a profound message we learned, "we had nothing to fear, except fear itself".    There is this spiritual meditation place that we have both wanted to learn more about yet we never acted on it.  On one Thursday we visited it together and it ended up being a very delightful place.  We chatted with two ladies in there and I know we brightened their day.  Later in the car we were talking about our experience and ended up laughing sooooo hard I had tears rolling down my face.  Even thinking about that time brings a huge smile to my face. 

Yesterday we treated ourselves to a nice relaxing morning at the spa.  We savoured time spent in the steam room before and after our hour long massages.  It was heavenly!!!!! This was time spent rejuvenating my body which will make it to my monthly "have to do list".   After the massage we enjoyed a meal together.  We dedicated this time to talk about our goals and our dreams.  I find it difficult to explain the impact it had on me to talk about my dreams outloud. When Kelly Rae Roberts (click to read her post) talks about how important it is to have a community around you, to encourage and support you, and you are able to do the same right back.   I now have a sense of what she is talking about.  Heather and I talked about many things.  Often we became animated because we got so excited.   We truly have within us to be whatever we want to be.  It makes my heart swell to know, really know that!  My word for 2013 is cultivate.  I want to cultivate my community.  Thank You, Heather, for being a good friend and for being part of my "tribe".



I love it when a plan falls into place.

Understand that "this creative journey" is fairly new to me.  I am approaching my 1 year anniversary.   I have always dabbled in crafty things my entire adult life.  Yet it was on my 58th birthday that I knew I wanted to let my creative spirit out to play and pursue it with everything in me, my motto became "If not now, when?"  Thus my journey began. (see my first blog post) I had no compass and did not know what to do until I saw Kelley Rae Roberts artwork.     I can not clearly express the without a doubt certainty I knew I was on the right path.    I was inspired and continue to be inspired by her and her art.

The first time I drew this picture was in August 2011.
I had been having little whispers to draw and kept resisting.  Finally I gave in, sat down to draw, low and behold she appeared. I was absolutely floored and elated that I could do it!  It was at that moment it was affirmed that I was on the right path. 


In September 2011 came the second drawing.
I started to see progress and the excitement remained with me.







In November 2011 came 2 more.  I know these drawings are not perfect.
What they brought to me was the exclamation mark to my belief. I can draw!
                       
If you want to my other artwork that are on the right side bar of my blog.  http://www.asmilemaker.com/

I have been patiently searching, knowing I would find, someone who could teach me to draw.  My husband, John, had given me a gift certificate to for 2 trial lessons at this art class.  Last night was my first lesson.  It's often said, "when the student is ready, the teacher will appear".  I know this student is ready and I believe I have found my teacher.  The sweet part is she is only 15 minutes from my house.

I look back at my life and the things I've done and I realize that I am officially a Late Bloomer.  Letting my creative spirit out play is without exception. 

Raise your hand and tell me your story if you are a Late Bloomer, too!