Lit From Within
February 2nd, 2011
I had this idea in my head last month and it seemed like a good transition from the month of Cosmos to the month of Passion. My original idea was quite different from what came out though.
In my head, the idea was one of a woman being lit from within by stars. But as I started painting, I wanted something more colorful. And then this afternoon, I checked something online and saw that the Chinese New Year starts tomorrow (the year of the Rabbit) and suddenly knew I wanted rabbits in the image. I saw it as three rabbits jumping over her. The white trees were a last minute addition.
So the image I ended with is quite different from where it started, but the idea is the same. I see it as representing how when you shine you own light (your passion, your you-ness, your creativity) out into the world, it encourages others to do the same.
34 Responses
Hi Leah,
Love this…very colourful and peaceful too…
Posted by: Catherine Constance | Feb 2, 2011 at 3:16 am |
Again, WOW! I love how when you see something in your head and bring it into the physical it transforms into something surprising and sometimes even better. I love this!
Posted by: Tracy | Feb 2, 2011 at 7:48 am |
Oh this is gorgeous! Would you mind my asking if you paint the figure onto the black background or mask her out? It’s truly beautiful and love what you’re doing here.
Posted by: Elena | Feb 2, 2011 at 9:27 am |
Hi Leah, This painting is wonderful! Elena poses a good question. I would like to know your process too.
Your passion is very evident in this painting. This is a great topic – better than I imagined. Thank you for presenting it!
xoxo
Janet
Posted by: Janet O’Connor | Feb 2, 2011 at 9:31 am |
Beautiful. Peaceful and energetic at the same time…lovely!
Posted by: Deanna | Feb 2, 2011 at 11:49 am |
Leah, did you combine ink and acrylic on paper for this piece? Did you start with abstract form with your idea in mind?
Its a lovely piece.
)
xo
Mari
Posted by: Mari | Feb 2, 2011 at 2:28 pm |
Thats supposed to be smiley face btw.
Posted by: Mari | Feb 2, 2011 at 2:28 pm |
Oh my!!! I just love the colors in this piece! I have been looking at those same stark but striking trees in my backyard the past couple of weeks. I love warming sunny weather but I’ll have to say that there is something very beautiful about winter as well.
Posted by: Sara Lattis Stone | Feb 2, 2011 at 3:03 pm |
Thanks, guys!
Janet and Elena, for this piece, I painted in a colorful background first and then used a purple-black paint to mask out the images of the woman and rabbits.
Mari, this piece is just acrylic paint on paper, but I do like to combine ink and acrylic! I did have a basic image in mind as I started, but it changed and developed after I began.
Posted by: leah | Feb 2, 2011 at 3:25 pm |
This is beautiful. I love the red and the dark background. You’ve created a wonderful, mysterious atmosphere in this painting.
Happy Lunar New Year! Your baby’s going to be a rabbit!
Posted by: mischief mari | Feb 2, 2011 at 3:34 pm |
Thanks, mischief mari! I know it! I’ve been painting a lot of rabbits lately, but didn’t realize until recently that my little girl will be born in the year of the rabbit!
Posted by: Leah | Feb 2, 2011 at 3:40 pm |
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by HiroBoga and Leah Piken Kolidas, hippy urban girl. hippy urban girl said: RT @leah_art: New post and art: Lit from Within http://bit.ly/dPm9Q2 #ced2010 [...]
Posted by: Tweets that mention Lit From Within | Creative Every Day — Topsy.com | Feb 2, 2011 at 4:46 pm |
Very nice, and I like the idea of being lit from within.. sooo with you on shining our ‘one-ness’ – beautiful painting.
Posted by: Trish Acres | Feb 2, 2011 at 5:35 pm |
Love this piece Leah! The rabbits, the colour, the lovely lady!
Posted by: Bev | Feb 2, 2011 at 6:05 pm |
I adore the sky.
We’ve just joined up for this year – a month behind but better late than never.
I love CED and all the inspiration it brings, thank you for doing this again x.
Posted by: kelly | Feb 2, 2011 at 6:25 pm |
Leah, I just love this painting. The colors are amazing. Bravo!
Posted by: Melanie | Feb 2, 2011 at 7:44 pm |
Love it! Beautiful colors.
Posted by: Sloane | Feb 2, 2011 at 8:03 pm |
Just found some information on your challenge and have signed up – sounds wonderful, and perfectly in line with my efforts to never leave a day without contributing to it in some positive way.
Posted by: Christina Vandervlist | Feb 2, 2011 at 8:28 pm |
oh Leah this is beautiful beautiful beautiful!
Posted by: Libby | Feb 2, 2011 at 9:44 pm |
Lovely painting, there is something about it that gives you a sense of freedom to be who you are.
Posted by: Karen | Feb 2, 2011 at 11:51 pm |
This piece is wonderful! I love the feel of it! I love the dancing rabbits over her head. Year of the rabbit!
I finally finished my painting for Cosmos too.
Posted by: Heather Foust | Feb 3, 2011 at 12:44 am |
I love, love, LOVE this
Posted by: deb taylor | Feb 3, 2011 at 10:25 am |
I love this. It’s powerful and gentle at the same time. Beautiful!
Posted by: Julie | Feb 3, 2011 at 3:39 pm |
This is great, love how the bright colors are contained with the body of the girl and the rabbits!
Posted by: Melissa Liban | Feb 3, 2011 at 6:38 pm |
Very beautiful! Nature’s power… Before I read your description I thought the rabbits were all little “bambis” <3
Posted by: Yvonne | Feb 3, 2011 at 7:38 pm |
Mmm. Fantastic piece, the colours are wonderful.
Posted by: LinDeZines | Feb 4, 2011 at 6:07 am |
just lovely. i really like the rabbits.
Posted by: Kelly Warren | Feb 4, 2011 at 2:37 pm |
Hi Leah,
Thank you for popping by…also thank you so much for CED..I have found some really lovely people here… hope you and bump are doing well….
Posted by: Catherine Constance | Feb 4, 2011 at 4:40 pm |
Hi.I found your blog under the 52 letters project and was hoping you could help us in our 2,011 letter project.We are trying to collect 2,011 letters from all around the world…it’s not just about getting the letters,but learning about other people and other countries,states,etc. We hope you can join to help us reach our goal…we are getting sign ups everyday,but have a long way to go.
Please also help us spread the word if you can.Thanks!
http://2011letters.blogspot.com
PS-I will definitely check out the workshops with my daughters since we homeschool this would be great.
I love your blog and will bookmark it.
Posted by: Renee Alam | Feb 5, 2011 at 8:35 pm |
Oh WOW on two fronts. One: wow I love this painting it is so full of passion and has a mystical spiritual energy. Love it!
Two: wow because yesterday I posted about shining from the inside out. When I read your post I had like a strong feeling, almost a shiver (don’t laugh)of connecting with you across the thousands of miles. I’ve also been writing notes(for a non-fiction piece) this week about how we shine when we create with honesty & truth, letting our true selves show despite our fears of how we’ll be received by others. Anyway, I wrote a little of this on my blog post & today reading your post I felt even more sure of this truth. And I have to say you inspire me to shine, thank you!
Kat Xx
Posted by: Katina Wright | Feb 6, 2011 at 10:34 am |
Lovely! Joyous! Inspiring!
Posted by: Virginia | Feb 8, 2011 at 1:59 am |
Leah! I absolutely LOVE this painting!!!
Posted by: Silky Hart | Feb 12, 2011 at 1:54 pm |
I love the way the deep black helps the trees and the rabbits to really glow! It’s a happy piece for me and full of fun.
Posted by: Wendy Edsall-Kerwin | Feb 13, 2011 at 5:20 pm |
I love your art and the way it made me feel, first time tunning into your creative blue blog, which is one of my favorite colors,, the image of a woman meditating is right on point, she is so deep in thoughts that she concentrates and imagine counting rabbits for inspiration and becomes all in one and inclusive, she becomes a rabbit in the middle of that pretty rainbow of colors background, she is so inspired that her hair is blowing on the right side of her face and body, thanks for sharing this beautiful inspiration!!!!
Posted by: Pana obba | Feb 16, 2011 at 11:42 am |