Inspiration

I was reflecting on an inspirational speaker, Vicki Simpson, who I heard talk recently about a Beatles song that had preoccupied her during a time of soul searching.. ‘ get back, get back to where you once belonged’.  At the time I heard her speak the neurons lit up as there were many questions I was asking about my own path. Life does have repeat cycles and knowing that change is inevitable can offer comfort. Revisiting my career journey seemed like a good plan as being stuck in a space that lacks colour requires escape and one should question and change this predicament.

There is a great saying I like to use when others are having creative conflicts   ‘what others say about you is none of your business’. Advice and the negative comments of the uninformed can tap into the fragile nature of our humaneness, that requires approval. Unwanted advice can drag us off our chosen path.

I find lately I am being repeatedly lead, through words I read and hear, to go out into nature and just absorb and draw and write. I have some drawing exercises, and forms of poetry, that I found amongst the many book pages that grace my shelves, to work with. A bit of mind opening helps the heart make new marks and explore colour, and it’s as if I mustn’t do another painting til I have grown enough through these processes to continue.

I believe all artists come to this point at different times. I decided I must have peace in my heart to deal with today’s dark world which can be soul destroying. PEACE is the best weapon, both on a personal level and globally. Personal peace is a gift from God. It gives us the time to change and grow and takes away anxiety and fear. It puts us in a place of perfect safety for growth, achievement and sharing.

World peace is a harder goal to achieve but we can start in our own neighbourhood and develop a love for others and their well being, and this will give purpose and reflection to the work we create. We need not be fearful of others who seem to be achieving more, or to be envious of anyone, for everything there is a season and a reason and perfect peace. On a lighter note….

Please join me for refreshments at  the opening of HIDDEN DIMENSIONS, with paintings from my book – Invisible Realities: Finding the Hidden Dimensions in Art. The time is 1pm on the 15th October 2011 at Toowoomba Regional Gallery, 531  Ruthven Street and wine will be served with compliments of Bunjurgan Estate Vineyard.  Prior to the opening I will give a book talk, 11am, at Murray’s Art and Framing new store opening – 485 Ruthven Street. You are most welcome to attend both events. Use the CONTACT FORM if you would like to request a copy of the invitation e-mailed or Download the Invitation from the gallery page.

Into the Wilderness, 122 x 122cm painting from the Hidden Dimension Art Exhibition at Toowoomba Regional Gallery

Being invited to talk next Thursday, 15th September, at 10.30am at Caloundra Regional Art Gallery in conjunction with the Squeeze exhibition required me to reflect once again on my own art journey.  My connection with this exhibition by Sunshine Coast artists who teach in all areas of art, was through my writing and philosophy on the artists journey and finding creative direction. Toni Risson, an author friend with whom I discussed the talk,  responded with ‘you squeezed art into your life and it squeezed everything else out’

Yesterday I spent an informative day at the Brisbane Writers Festival listening to around 12 guest speakers who were all either authors, agents, publicists or publishers. Without fail each one commented in some way on the difficulties of surviving financially while having a creative career in writing, yet all these speakers persisted with their dreams and had a vision for their creativity that continued to shape their lives in unexpected ways.

I came away more inspired and convinced that raw talent plus passion was only the beginning.  It caused me to reflect on a book I had revisited recently by John C  Maxwell – Talent is Never enough: Discover the choices that will take you beyond your talent.  This is recommended reading for the jaded artist in all of us. Maxwell believes that ‘ talent is overrated and frequently misunderstood.’

All are welcome to the talk .. A Perfect Blend, Coffee & Art with Guest Speaker: Lyne Marshall artist and author on her journey of finding herself as an artist and [squeezing] it into her life at Caloundra Regional Gallery -22 Omrah Avenue, Caloundra 4551 – RSVP Ph. 5420 8299.  Download the  Perfect Blend Flyer

Perfect Blend - Squeezing art into life

‘ all passionate artists are lead to search for their own marks, to place the beating of their own hearts on paper and canvas. This is to trust the spiritual connection we have to life, to go back to the basics of our own backyard. Here we find the nature that resides in our humaneness, our souls’ creative destiny. This painting, My Island Home, came unexpectedly from childhood memories and reflects the years spent on the beaches of Bribie Island. This was a time of absence as I was missing my fisherman father as he worked at sea. The bridge, silent in the background, came later to connect us all to the mainland.’

At the time of painting I did not know where the work was leading  so it was interesting to witness once again my belief that tapping into the super conscious level of the mind is a necessary part of any creative activity.  You will find articles on this blog that address this topic in more detail.

My Island Home 122 x90 cm acrylic on canvas

Creative people will search for inspiration through many sources including other artists but in the end it is who we are that needs to  shine through in our work. By going back to the basics, to drawing on our own backyard, we will find our souls’ creative destiny. To be passionate requires faith, and this is the glue that will hold us together, for in us all beats a heart that not only loves the living elixir of life, the richest reddest blood, but the act of creation.

It is important in finding the way to be led by a greater love. In looking for answers we may be spun in many directions and just as water finds it own level we also find, through repetitive signs, a clear direction. All passionate artists are lead to search for their marks, to then place the beating of their own hearts on paper, canvas or clay. This is to trust the spiritual connection we have to life and not the words of mere men; the critics and the art experts but the words of the heart.

Just as the leaf falling on turbid waters is tossed about by the eddy and flow, its destination arrives in time. To go with the creative flow is to trust our own judgement, for to follow another’s way is to get caught in a side stream and never be free. If feeling blocked use this break to research and grow. It is enlightening to understand that block is actually change waiting to happen.

Below some new paintings fresh from the studio. Find more of my work on the ArtClique website

Vanishing Vista 76 x 76 cm acrylic on canvas

Reforming the Land acrylic on canvas 76 x 76 cm