“May your choices reflect your hopes, not your fears.”
— Nelson Mandela
Colorful Coneflowers is a monotype that was inspired by my garden. Nature provides so much beauty, joy, and inspiration. This image was used on a series of greeting cards for the WConnection
In my last article, I mentioned that I don't process pain through my artwork. People often ask me if I used my art to process my husband's death. I didn't. I didn't paint or write new songs for several years. It never felt right for me to go down that road. I knew every time I looked at that piece of art, I would be reconnected to the pain. Instead, I chose to process my grief through counseling sessions, journaling, meditating, hiking in nature, and talking with friends. I wasn't able to find a support group for several years.
Finally, my therapist found the WConnection–a national nonprofit organization of widows helping widows rebuild their lives. This organization changed everything for me. It was remarkably healing to be in a room with other widows who knew precisely what I was struggling with. I didn't want to wallow in grief. After three years, I needed to find a way to move forward. The WConnection is not a bereavement group; it's a group that focuses on growth and rebuilding lives. It was perfect for me.
This drawing is available for purchase. With every purchase of artwork devoted to the figure, I make a donation to WConnection. I also do quite a bit of volunteering for this wonderful organization.
With my art, I choose to focus on joy and building a life of my choosing. I always meditate and ask the universe for guidance before I create. I also ask the universe to direct me to create a piece that someone needs to see to find joy and inspiration in their lives.
I started by meditating with Citrine gemstones and a sound bath. After smudging the canvas with Palo Santos to clear the energy I performed Reiki on the canvas. Then I put on my “Happy” playlist and began painting the Quarantinies.
I smudge the canvas. I do a little Reiki and spray some Find Your Flojo Elixir on the canvas and into the water. I incorporate positive words in the underpainting. I always listen to uplifting music when I paint. Crystals, sound baths, EFT, and other practices come into play. I get my energy and vibration up so high it's exhilarating to create.
This is the label of the elixir that Theresa Pettersen-Chu and I created for our Find Your Flojo Woman’s Retreat. I spray it on the canvas and in the water I paint with.
This kind of art and energy is what I want to bring to the world. Art can be remarkably transformative. It can be heartbreaking or heart-opening. It makes me feel better to focus on heart-opening. My goal is to help you feel better too. I believe we don't need to be reminded of our pain but encouraged to reconnect to our joy. My collectors will tell you that Wild Cherry Art has brought them immense delight and happiness. This is why I do what I do. I create in service to your joy.
Here is a gift to you for reading, my “Happy” playlist on Spotify:
I hope you enjoy it.
Love,
Leslie