With all that’s going on in the world, I’m thankful for the internet to be able to connect with kindred spirits around the world and for the healing potential of art. This week, I had the pleasure of chatting with Rika Dehombreux, an intuitive artist from Belgium, about listening and having conversations with art and intuition. She shared some great tips and insights from her experience. I’d also love to hear your thoughts about it in the comments.
“Fairy Blessings” Watercolors on Paper, 47cmx32cm
“Purification and Transformation” Watercolors on Paper, 48cmx36cm
“Pyramids and Blue Lotus” Watercolors and Gel Pens on Paper, 36cmx48cm
“Free” Acrylics and Inks on Canvas, 22cmx27cmx1cm
Here are a few that I’ve created recently if you’d like to explore some others. What would you name each one? I think that simple question is a great way to start a conversation with a painting!
The titles I’ve chosen for the paintings above from left to right are: Moments of Magnificence, Growing Rainbows, and Lucky Charms (I have some Irish heritage and it reminded me of the cereal commercial from when I was a kid). The stories they have for you may be quite different than for me! They make me smile for various reasons, including that the first layer of each was used as a palette and made with ‘leftovers’ from other paintings. That means that those layers were created with ease and without overthinking. The botanical bits were added while sitting by a fire (and maybe watching Anne with an “E”).
When the world gets overwhelming, I admit that I often want to retreat. I also turn to art and the creative process for spirit medicine… whether to paint a prayer, slow down and catch my breath, tend to turbulent moods, choose fun or soothing colors, get lost for a while, or find something to celebrate and enjoy. Sometimes, it is enough to just appreciate the colors of the day and be present. That is something I can do! The simple painting below took only a few minutes towards the end of a lovely day.
I’m fortunate to be able to work from home and homeschool our kids so I can hide away at our house in the woods if necessary. Yet, I value community and spending time with kindred spirits, especially in person… I’m a hugger! Even though the same kind of physical intimacy isn’t possible online, I have recently recognized a benefit of being able to gather in online groups and classes: we get to connect and share so much without passing on physical germs.
So, I’m offering my Playful Painting mini-course for FREE until April 30th for email subscribers. You can get the free gift from ThriveTrue.com/MagicMail. It is a great one to do with kids of any age and for adults who are young at heart. I often greet the canvas as a playground and I’d love to have you join me.
I’ve also decided to make all the other self paced online courses I offer available for a donation of ANY AMOUNT this month (until March 31st). Would you like to explore your wild nature, be more present, or try zenful painting? Use the Choose Your Own Donation course listing to receive a code for the course of your choice. I hope these offerings may be nourishing soul food and spirit medicine.
I’m also working on a new course about the art of transformation that is taking me on a quite journey! I’ll be sure to send the information and best offer to email subscribers first. You can sign-up at ThriveTrue.com/MagicMail.
PS. I’ve added the painting shared above along with many other new ones to the Redbubble shop for lots of fun printing possibilities. However, if you order something from there rather than my personal gift shop, I won’t get the customer information. Please send me a note to let me know so that I can thank you personally!
Julia Ostara © 2019
If you host a podcast or blog and would like to talk to me or feature one of my posts as a guest blog contribution, I’d love to connect! Please contact me to discuss how we might collaborate effectively.
I greatly appreciate any shares using the buttons below to let this have ripple effects. You never know how it might inspire or encourage others! Thank You!
Rika Dehombreux
Hi Jules, Thank you so much for this wonderful conversation. I really enjoyed it! I never thought of it that way, but naming an artwork is indeed a great way to start a conversation with it. I realized that when I tried it on your beautiful works and here’s what came to me: the first one I would call “Light” (it feels happy and full of sunshine, powerful also), the second I would call “Angelic” (it feels very ethereal yet strong in it’s tenderness, it feels to me like wandering in the Angelic Realms) and the third one I would call “Magical Night” (it feels to me like dusk, when one expects to get a glimpse of the Fairy Realms). Much love, Rika 💖
Julia from Thrive True
I love that you named each painting and had your own ‘conversation’ with each! Now, I want to do the same with yours. Here goes from top to bottom: Serena, Growing Sunshine, Layers of Life, and Woodland Creatures. Such fun! Love, Jules
Rika Dehombreux
How wonderful! Thanks for sharing. Love 💖