Singing Her Own Song
November 1st, 2008
I didn't start this piece today, but I worked on and finished it up today. It's come a long way since the beginnings where I started with some intuitive strokes, then brought out what I saw in it, and now here it is today. Right now, it's called "The Song", but I'm not settled on the title. As it developed, I felt that it was about singing your own song, listening to that still small voice and acting from your essential self. The birds are singing songs or stories that can blur the woman's song or can be part of a harmony. In this case, they don't seem to be interfering or stopping her from singing her song at the same time.
The painting is about 16"x20" on canvas, with acrylic and some collage layered in there that didn't end up showing much except as texture in the final piece. I had fun playing with this piece. At one point, it was stopped dead and I was considering starting over completely. But then I used my favorite method of getting going and gave myself permission to completely ruin the piece. The simple act of giving permission to "fail" is so freeing to me and I was able to let go, get playful and connect with my intuition once again.
I'm so thrilled with the excitement and energy around AEDM this year! There is a fantabulous group of creative people participating and I'm looking forward to sharing this month of creating with you!
I also want to add that I'm participating in Jamie's Soul Coaching group this month. It's already had an impact on me. The other day, I was inspired to clean the window next to my office desk, a small thing, but it let more light into my room. The clarity seemed symbolic on many levels. I was also inspired to organize my paint, selecting some that I'm going to give to my bff (who has begun art journaling). It seemed like it might be too much to do AEDM and the Soul Coaching book at one time, but I think they'll go hand in hand. I feel like I'm transitioning and as with most of my artwork, this painting tells a story of where I'm at. As I go through the process of tapering off anti-depressants, clarifying what is next in my career, and thinking about starting a family, I am excited to clean and clear my space while also creating from that authentic place inside of me. As someone told me this week, I want to "keep moving my feet and trust." So that is my intention for the month, to keep moving forward while trusting my core to know the next best step.
24 Responses
I love it. Love it.
Posted by: Jim Doran | Nov 1, 2008 at 8:29 pm |
I love the piece and I love it when artists talk about their work and the different stages they go through to get to the finished product. Fascinating stuff!
Posted by: hushedser | Nov 1, 2008 at 9:16 pm |
“keep my feet moving and trust”, that is great! Kind of sounds like my intention. I am looking forward to all the creativity that is about to burst forth from so many of us involved with the Soul Coaching journey.
Peace~
Dawn
Posted by: Dawn | Nov 1, 2008 at 9:21 pm |
I really am appreciating the honesty that I see in your artwork, very refreshing and stirring….if that makes sense.
-Jen
Posted by: Jen Davis | Nov 1, 2008 at 9:48 pm |
This is s beautiful piece, thanks for sharing your journey with it.
Kate
Posted by: Kate | Nov 1, 2008 at 10:03 pm |
Your painting is beautiful, Leah! It was wonderful to see how you let the painting guide you in what it wanted to be.
I’m so excited to be participating in the AEDM challenge! As you know, I’m also doing the Soul Coaching book club and, like you, I feel that it will go hand in hand…….maybe even influence the topic of my art for the month.
Posted by: Serena | Nov 1, 2008 at 10:17 pm |
This is so beautiful…and also very powerful. Wow.
Posted by: jessica | Nov 1, 2008 at 11:32 pm |
Hi Leah
I too love to hear about how people start out on a picture and how they get to where they got to…I love seeing pictures of the different steps along the way too…it is quite something to look at the first intuitive strokes and then at where you went to.
Well…Day 1 and I had a great day!
Even got a post up!
Thanks for organizing this!
Tammy
Posted by: Tammy | Nov 2, 2008 at 12:06 am |
oooh, I really like it, what a transformation! fun field trip today
xoxo
Posted by: luf | Nov 2, 2008 at 12:21 am |
The painting touches me deeply. Your words of wisdom about moving forward are exactly what I needed to read. Gracias.
Posted by: Ananda Leeke | Nov 2, 2008 at 12:31 am |
Hi Leah!
I am also doing Soul Coaching with you and actually found out about it thru your blog…so thank you!! I’ve been dropping by your blog quite regularly and admire your use of intuition in your art. I also signed up to do AEDM and am feeling it might be a bit much, but I will try to do both. Glad to be sharing this journey with you!!
Posted by: Kelly Valentine | Nov 2, 2008 at 12:32 am |
I love your painting and would love to be involved in AEDM! I’m very excited about the upcoming month!
Posted by: Nicole | Nov 2, 2008 at 12:52 am |
What a lovely piece, full of symbolism and meaning. I hope you will continue singing the beautiful song of your heart and soul, Leah. May you continue forward in your steps, and stay close to your core.
Posted by: luci | Nov 2, 2008 at 7:07 am |
This piece is so beautiful – she is singing one rich song, this beautiful woman, much like her amazing creator.
Reading your post made me take a deep cleansing breath and re-center myself, which felt extraordinary this morning – so what I needed when I woke up a little crooked !
My manta for today, thanks to you :”Keep your feet moving and trust.” I can do that. That is all I have to do…
Thank you, Leah !
Posted by: kim mailhot | Nov 2, 2008 at 7:34 am |
I like the part about giving yourself permission to fail…I have a hard time with that and will just beat myself up over something, but once you let yourself go and free yourself up from restrictions and limits you place on yourself–the work that comes from within is dramatic, poignant and truly what it was meant to be. Had you stopped–look at what you’d had left behind!
I’m excited for AED month!! I’m trying to figure out how to organize it for myself to track what I do. Perhaps on flickr and on my blog….Thank you for organizing these challenges!
Posted by: lucy | Nov 2, 2008 at 7:42 am |
Leah, she is beatiful. The piece as a whole is so moving because we got to see it come to life.
I’m also participating in soul coaching. I’m finding the book and excercises to be tough, but amazing none the less. I didn’t think I’d have time to do both AED and this book group, but.. If I get a few pieces done this month, I’ll definitely leave a comment.
What I love most about this piece is the fact that you didn’t leave it and decided to keep going with it. It’s truly beautiful and evokes many, many powerful emotions for me. xo
Posted by: bella | Nov 2, 2008 at 8:02 am |
It is a great start on this month, the most creative (!?) month of the year!
I will enjoy checking in on what you’re painting. Would love to see that studio window too!
Posted by: iHanna | Nov 2, 2008 at 10:19 am |
Whoo hoo baybeee … here we go! (excited to be ‘in’ again …) Thanks for being the fabulous, encouraging hostess you are!
Posted by: deb | Nov 2, 2008 at 10:44 am |
What a beautiful piece you’ve created! It’s amazing how AEDM and Soul Coaching are working together. It affirms for me the relationship between art and soul. Thank you for the inspiration!
Posted by: Jamie | Nov 2, 2008 at 10:47 am |
Stunning, Leah! I can’t believe how well it turned out.
Posted by: Shayla | Nov 2, 2008 at 11:35 am |
I look forward to coming to your blog everyday. You just shine with such beautiful light!
Posted by: an eager soul | Nov 2, 2008 at 1:15 pm |
Wow. It’s crazy isn’t it? When you really focus on creating and creating the life you want? Things still get messy, but if we keep our feet moving and trust that our path is the true path, then it has to all be good.
I am overwhelmed and worried that I won’t be able to live up to the challenges I have set for myself, but maybe it’s the anxiety that is causing this fear. Maybe if I just take it one step at a time, without feeling like I need to be in control of something, it will all just live the way it is supposed to be lived.
Posted by: rowena | Nov 2, 2008 at 2:22 pm |
This is beautiful! I love the style of it, so creative of you.
Posted by: sandyz | Nov 2, 2008 at 7:44 pm |
http://keepitsimplemakeitgreat.blogspot.com/2008/11/aedm-day-1.html
Yes! It´s here.
Love her song.
Posted by: Paula – Buenos Aires | Nov 3, 2008 at 4:31 pm |