Journey of Sisterhood

I've had some struggles in my life lately.  

Big life changes.  The end of a marriage kind of changes.

It has been gut wrenching, heart aching, painfully awful.  

I know I'm not the only one who has survived this type of pain.

I see it every day, in little ways and in big ways in the eyes of people I meet.

  

Some days are so dark, I wonder if the sun will ever come out in my life again.

And then I'm surprised when it does.  

It breaks through the clouds and sends down glowing streaks of light, 

making brilliant halos around surprising moments.

 "Notice this" whispers the light.

Those glowing moments usually involve other women.  

Sisters who have walked through dark forests of their own.  

I'm always surprised when, even in the dark, they can find my hand.

And they take that moment to reach out and grasp it, warm and firm.

  

A solid hold.  "I've got you."

Together we walk the path.  

Our raucous laughter swallowing the dark. 

Creating lives of worth and beauty. 

"Notice this" whispers the light.

Thank you to all my sisters of the heart who've been so valiantly holding my hand.

You are my shining lights.  The brilliance of your generous spirit lights my path.

Much love,

♥Shelly

Journey of Sisterhood - Acrylic on Canvas - © Shelly Penko 2012

Ocean Dreamer

“I must be a mermaid.  

I have no fear of depths.

...and a great fear of shallow living.”

~Anais Nin

I always think of the surface of the ocean as the mythical veil between worlds. Like the veil between God or Spirit and human awareness.

  If you've ever been snorkeling, you'll understand exactly what I mean.  To look across the vast surface of the ocean, it appears a limitless moving mass without a hint of the teeming life just beneath..  But just bow your head and look beneath the surface and a whole beautiful world comes into focus.  

As above, so below...a wonderful reminder that the unimaginable beauty of the world of spirit can be accessed by simply bowing our heads.

May grace and spirit find you awake.

♥Shelly

Ocean Dreamer - Acrylic - 24x36" ©Shelly Penko 2012

Layers

I'm trying to loosen up and let go.

It's pretty easy in the beginning.  Just making marks, enjoying

the colors and the shapes, how they interact with each other.  Layering

color over color over color.

Each layer adds depth and changes the entire painting in surprising ways.

Why have I never let myself just play with paint, like a child?  I'm amazed

at what I learn by just playing.

Until moths start calling me to fly to the moon.

Now...when do I stop?  I'm not quite sure.  Maybe now?

Maybe not?  Maybe one more layer. 

I'll let you know! :)

May you be forever drawn to the light,

but remember: The darkness defines the light...

and sometimes, the moon is beautiful.   

♥Shelly

Angels in My Studio

Am I the only one who puts off art-making because, well, I should be cleaning, or working on my "real" business, or....a million other things?  Then half the time, I don't do those other things anyway!  I'll go to bed finally realizing I should have just let my spirit play. 

I hope you don't have that issue.  I hope you make art all the time because it feeds your soul.  My soul needs feeding these days.  I came across an interesting e-course yesterday called Angels In My Studio and decided it would be just the thing to get me back to making art.  Bonus:  I love angels and want to connect with them in my life...what a perfect course for me!

In case you'd like to join the fun, you can find out more about the five month course at Painting Herself Into Being. Sheri Ann Ponzi organized the course and it's taught by a big group of fun and fabulous creative folks.

Today I completed my first lesson.  It was a lesson on intuitive angel painting presented by Cheryl Irwin.  You can find more about Cheryl at her website: CherylIrwinArts.com. 

I had a blast making this angel, it really helped free me up.  Next time, I'll try to remember to take
in-progress pictures, but this time, I'm just posting my fun little angel.

What I learned today: 

Don't let perfectionism keep you from moving forward. 

My mantra:

I am enough.

May you walk with angels today! 
♥ Shelly