Shut up and Shine!

This photo speaks volumes to me and I hope I'll find the words to communicate it in this post.

I truly giggled out loud when I snapped it and looked at it. I didn't intentionally set it up this way, but the annoyed glare of the painting on the left and the peaceful almost worshipful and confident painting on the right spoke a message that was impactful to me in that moment.

You see, I'm doing a new thing that is crazy out of the box uncomfortable, but super exhilarating at the same time. Talk about two ends of the spectrum and feeling every emotion in between.

About a month ago, I began a year long journey and commitment to go deeper in developing my skill and vision as an artist. The Milan Art Institute Mastery Program is what I chose to invite into this process.

They are amazing and encouraging and really believe that I can do it and impart that belief into me every time I log on and hit the play button. I believe their words! I buy in every time!

but then...

Those voices that start their chattering when your doing a new thing and stretch just a little beyond what feels good were getting a little louder during this particular exercise. I find that getting in the right frame of mind of overcoming that opposition and just jumping in and making that first mark is like a blow to those voices that makes them quiet a bit.

My first attempt at creating a portrait in oils was, to say the least, like being in a foreign country and not knowing how to ask where the bathroom was. The aim was clear, but how to get there was not going to happen. I tried desperately to follow the instructions and create along, but got

so inside my head and those oppositional voices took over and I laid paint where I thought it should go and instead of listening and receiving instruction.

This was the first layer.

Trying desperately to keep up and not fall behind and imposing burdens on myself that no one else was, I began to notice that what was inside of me was being imparted into the piece I was creating. Her face was showing my fear of failure, the pressure only i was putting on myself. No one was living in this reality but me and she was showing the signs.

I tried harder and harder over working the painting

until I had to stop.

I began to recognize and be aware of what I was doing and how I was feeling and how it was being manifested right in front of me on this canvas.

My heart sank as I cleaned my brushes and palette and left the studio defeated.

I've been an artist really all my life, I kept saying to myself..."but you've done this, you've been here, you've created pieces that have sold for significant prices, why can't you do this?!"

those voices....right?!

As I evaluated the sessions with this piece, I began to realize those voices have my tone and pitch. It's my voice that says these things and that I am my own worst opposition.

So, I told her to shut up! and I chose to go back and listen to the words of the instructors and the voice of my Creator. These voices never speak abusive and limiting things to me.

How many times do we try to drag our old selves into a new season?

When we choose to do a new thing, we cannot take the old us into it. There must be a closing of a door and a shaking off of pieces of ourselves that will be just useless as we move ahead.

So, after this experience, with a surrendered perspective, I arrived in the studio with the same lesson ready to play, put on a Lady GaGa song and danced my butt off, got in the right side of my brain and when the song was over, I hit play.

Isn't it refreshing and encouraging when we can get a do over?

With a fresh, clean, never touched before canvas, blobs of oils freshly squeezed from the tubes, and a surrendered heart determined to just be in the moment, a new session began.

The approach and each brushstroke was different because I was different.

Though she's not complete, there is peace and beauty because there was peace in me.

There is light because her creator (me) was experiencing light.

She will shine because I gave myself permission to shine in the moment.

Sometimes, we just have to tell those voices to Shut Up and Simply Shine.

Art Communicates

What is fairly consistent about being human and just living life is that we all have dreams and the desire to do something that is deep inside of us that, let's face it, scares us.

Will I be enough? Do I have what it takes? Is this dream really attainable? Could I? Should I dare? I mean, honestly, we compare and say..."Oh, I'm not this person (insert every person you look up to who, in your mind, has "made it") or that's just "their path" and "I could never"....on and on the opposition goes.

These are what I call "shadow statements"

and those statements keep you there....in the shadows and lacking light and life.

But, what if you have a knowing that there is greatness inside of you and you know that if you don't step into the light of who you were created to be, even at the risk of failure, you'll never be fully alive?

She's vulnerable and scared. She has a history that she is overcoming in this moment, she's taking the first step...the step only she can take. Her destiny is on the other side of this fearful step. Her chin is about to lift, her shoulders about to pull back, the light of her destiny about to burn just a bit brighter.

Creation is excited because she's about to take her place in it and there's a sigh of relief because it needs her to do this. Yes, she's finally here.

Our destiny is in the daily steps we take.

The first step is monumental.

This piece is interesting because, to me, she is about that moment when you take the deep breath in, you settle into yourself, take a step of faith and emerge from the shadow into the light that was meant for you.

BUT

to so many others, from the comments and feedback I've received, there is something about her eyes that speaks something even deeper to them. A friend of mine called and said "there's something more dramatic happening here"

No matter what she, this image, speaks to you, it's real.

That's the beauty of Art

Blessings,

Tina

PRINTS WILL BE AVAILABLE SOON!!!

"Adorned"

Last Summer, I painted this piece.

As with many pieces, I was working out and wrestling through a private struggle.

The moment my husband saw this piece that, at that time, was untitled, he said that it looks like a tattered, but beautiful necklace.

Seeing it through his eyes and hearing his first impression, this piece that literally had tears in the paint, took on a new life and meaning as she was given a name.

"Adorned"

In her process was the presence of emotions stemming from loss, feeling stuck, relationship struggles, being misunderstood, communication difficulties, and the realization that, on this side of Heaven, very few precious people will truly see you and appreciate your heart and accept you for who you are.

That is where faith comes in. I'm a believer that there is an unconditional love of a Father in Heaven who sees us for who we are and places the highest value on us so much that He would sacrifice everything just for you.

I thank God for the lessons learned in navigating deep waters.

In the season of struggle, it sometimes just takes a noticer to actually see someone having their own moment and help them out with a good word, an "I see you" moment, a gift that takes care of a need, a blessing to help them stay afloat while they are treading in those deep waters.

So, while creating the Art Canvas Earrings, I was struck with the thought that these could actually bless someone.

The tagline on the packaging is

"A One of a Kind Masterpiece, Just like you"

There is no way any two could be alike. They are created from original Abstract Artwork on Artist's Canvas. Each one is cut individually and chosen for it's unique pattern and quality of color and message then assembled with non-allergenic and nickel free findings.

The moment the inspiration hit to play and create these beauties that I thought happened in the most organic way, I knew in my spirit that this was a special and inspired moment.

I'm so happy to announce that a portion of what is made from these unique pieces will now be given as an offering to bless others and I pray to be more of a noticer and be more sensitive to see the needs of others who need just a little lift. Those who could use the reminder that they are "fearfully and wonderfully made" that they have purpose and someone sees them and cares.

1 Peter 3:3-4

Do not let your adorning be external—the braiding of hair and the putting on of gold jewelry, or the clothing you wear— but let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God's sight is very precious.

How interesting to use an external adornment to remind someone of how they are adorned internally.

I don't know how this will go, but here we go.

You can find these unique creations here.

Blessings,

Tina