My inner critic does not believe it’s ok to be all over the place. Follow the check list, tick the items off and feel accomplished. That is the ego’s rule. Work hard! I never was much of a list person, but I would have a goal in mind and try to accomplish that by making a vague list to follow. Funny thing is, the lists seem to repeat themselves over the years. Did I ever get anywhere??
There isn’t anything wrong with lists, but sometimes I stop and realize I’m missing the whole point. That happened this morning as I read one of my favorite author, Michael Roads’ daily quote in my inbox. I read every single one of them…
Focus on the target, but ‘live’ the arrow in flight.
Suppose you have a business ambition, or a wish to be spiritually enlightened, or whatever your target is that you are aiming at.
Focus on that target clearly, without seeing any problems or difficulties. This clears the way. Seeing problems creates obstructions.
You must now bring your awareness and full expression into the moment. You know the target, it is in your focus, now . . . you live as the arrow in flight. The more focussed and clear your vision, the truer and more sure flies your arrow-self.
Unconditional Trust is the flight of the arrow.
Michael J. Roads
The excerpt is from his book 365 Steps to a Happier More Conscious Life.
Read that statement a few times and take a deep breath or two. What does it bring up for you?
I’m a goal oriented person and one of my strengths is to get shit done, but many times I wonder if any of it brings me any closer to where I really want to be?
I don’t know.
I think I understand where I want to be in my “evolution,” but seriously, does anyone really know?
I for sure don’t know the big picture even if I can feel a hint of it sometimes.
I’m an adventurer. Not that I went and discovered some lost continent, but my own frontier is enough since there is so much to discover.
People say: focus on one thing and make that spectacular. Become an expert.
I have tried. I’m one of those people who gets interested in something by chance. I read and absorb everything I can about the subject, and when I’m done I’m on to the next bright thing. I could teach many things, but that’s not really my “thing.”
In some ways I’m a walking encyclopedia of useful and useless information.
No wonder I can’t see my way through the jungle of possibilities.
I have been trying to combine my spirituality, which is a practice close to my heart, with my art, and create a fusion that can help people in some way.
Nothing has really gelled, so I keep forging ahead in the wilderness with my machete/ paintbrush. I can’t stay with one type of motif and explore that at length like some artists do.
Now there is a word for people like me! A woman by the name of Emilie Wapnick gave a TED talk about being a “multipotentialite.”
I found it comforting and delightful to listen to the talk.
So, I guess the gist of this post is to be content with being all over the place. Remember to stop and smell the roses! Don’t live by ticking off items on a list. Focus on what you want next (and that can change if you’re anything like me,) and be the arrow that shoots free and clear toward that goal.
Smell the roses.
The best suggestion I can give today: be kind to yourself and allow for a wider perspective to seep in. No hurry, no worries. Have TRUST and enjoy the journey, wherever it leads. It’s good to have goals but not at the cost of the simple joy of living.
Follow the moment and life is always fresh and full of wonder, and explore the word Trust. There is so much more to that word than meets the eye.
I am discovering a whole new level of TRUST and it’s awesome.
My latest painting:
The Buddha intuitive painting.
xo
Maria
P.S. If you’d like an intuitive consultation, check it out HERE.
Creativity on fire, do you feel it, or do you feel stuck most of the time?
Creativity has become a big deal these days. The word is thrown around all over Facebook and other social media. What is creativity? I like how Wiki defines creativity:
Creativity is a phenomenon whereby something new and somehow valuable is formed. The created item may be intangible (such as an idea, a scientific theory, a musical composition or a joke) or a physical object (such as an invention a literary work or a painting).
In other words, it’s not just artsy stuff. I’m into artsy stuff and self development. Creative ideas can be very helpful in both.
The problem with art is that we tend to copy each other, or paint in the style that is popular now. The artists we admire have forged their own path of creativity and that’s why they are leaders.
Forging your own path can be quite difficult and challenging, especially if you’re prone to criticize yourself and your work. It is always easier to copy others.
However, all the art looks the same, and part of us approve that we follow the trend, but another part says “wait a minute” that painting is not ME.
The only way to keep creativity on fire is to explore your inner landscape, to discover more and more of who you are and how you express. That means to listen to your intuition and step lightly and slowly in a world that runs at warp speed. Are you willing to truly go deep an explore or are you just having fun copying others or the teacher of the moment?
Every moment that feels authentic has another moment following, and to keep authentic we have to listen for that moment and what it presents. It might not present anything, and then we get frustrated.
I do this all the time. I override my better deeper judgment and paint something I already know, usually something cute. As you know, cute is IN, so you can’t go wrong with cute and whimsical.
However, the practice makes me frustrated and I get stopped in my tracks. That’s no way to feel around creativity. I want to feel fresh and inspired, “on fire.”
Maybe the hardest thing is to stay present and listening, and not bulling through to the finished product.
I have a FREE mini ecourse where art-ing in the moment can be explored. Check this out: Ugly Is Ok!
In the shadow
Join my Facebook group and share your work if you like. HERE.
Cheerio, and happy creating. Find the fire within!
I have been busy too this last week with creating Art As Oracle. I had a great inspiration for an e-course that combines art and intuition, a very basic and fun course. You can read all about it below:
Hello lovelies,
I started the new year with a bang! I’m excited about this new e-course I created that combines art and intuition. You can read all about it below:
If you have trouble letting go of limitations; if you doubt your ability to make art and have a connection with your inner self, this e-course is for you. UNLEASH YOUR ART AND INTUITION NOW using simple techniques.
To me, art is the perfect medium to explore your intuition, though there are many methods. For myself I use a blend of art and writing, but I have discovered that the simpler the method, the better. I guarantee you that ANYONE can learn to get accurate psychic information for themselves, and I would love to get you started! You don’t have to be an artist to take this e-course!
Example of an intuitive art expression. (Everyone’s art will be different.) The main message I got was “it’s safe to fly even in stormy weather.”
What you will gain:
New ways of making art.
You will learn how to let go and trust the information coming through the art.
You will have several ways to access your intuition, something you can use all the time.
Deepening your intuition will help you make better choices in your everyday life.
The guidance will make you feel more sure of your inner abilities.
Get back to the very basics and find that things don’t have to be complicated in life.
Get fast and easy answers and solutions to problems.
Let loose your art muse!
Why take this course?
This course is for you if:
You wish to explore a childlike way of creating without pressure to perform.
You long to learn a new way to get to know your inner self.
Make some art to open up your creative flow.
Use simple techniques to access your latent intuition.
Other benefits:
Unleash your creativity.
Challenge inner blocks and move past them.
Kick fear to the curb.
You will have support as you open up your intuitive sense.
You will open up the door to future art expression if you wish to continue.
Pretty much all of my life I have loved making art. I have tried every style imaginable, and I’m always amazed at what comes out of my explorations. I also spent years as a fiction writer, and in the last 20 years I’ve been doing clairvoyant readings for the public. I’m at a point where I’d rather help people develop their own intuition since we all have it! Think of a muscle that has been sitting unused. When you start exercising it, things happen and new experiences come forth, enriching your life in untold ways.
Another EXAMPLE of intuitive art. The main message here was to break the boundaries and allow what makes me happy to burst through.
This is a four week e-course and a bonus week with a guided meditation.
Over the course of four weeks you will learn four different ways to access your intuition via art.
Week 1: We will play with paints on paper and interpret the forms that come through.
Week 2: We will use a doodle technique.
Week 3: We will work with random words and colors.
Week 4: We will explore using written text and art.
Week 5: BONUS! An audio meditation that will inspire a finished art piece that you can use as guidance and inspiration in 2016. It deals with how to transcend an internal block using meditation and magazine images, plus paints.
You will learn to interpret the messages in the art (with my help if needed.)
You will receive four art videos with voice instruction, available on Mondays, starting on JANUARY 25, 2016.
I will also supply an intro video where I explain about intuition and how to read the messages, plus HOW to ask efficient questions to your inner self.
To explore your art results and learn how to read them, there is a dedicated Facebook group where I will personally help you interpret the art and give you other tips on accessing your intuition.
This course is great for beginners and art veterans alike.
It is a $75 value and a bargain at $33 until January 11, and then it will go up to $75.
About me:
I’m a long-time mixed-media artist and writer, and I have combined my knowledge into various e-courses and YouTube how-to videos. I’m excited to share this e-course with you, and my hope it that it will inspire you to explore your creativity. The adventure does not end as you finish your course, but is the beginning to a new life of exploring creativity and your inner sixth sense.
Reading Testimonials from satisfied customers:
“The spiritual guidance and expertise I’ve received from Maria for the past 15 years has successfully shaped my career and personal life. Her accuracy is undeniable.” Cheryl, Professional Feng Shui Practitioner.
“I’ve always been a believer in psychic abilities therefore on referrals I saw Maria Greene. I went in with an open mind and hoped for answers regarding my past, present and future. What amazed me Maria did not want any information other than the questions I wanted clarity on. I was blown away how accurate, kind and honest she was…. She didn’t say what she didn’t see. She is very intuitive and a caring reader!! I will definitely go back and recommend her to others.” Shannon, Canada
“I have been getting readings from Maria for a number of years. She has helped me explore my deepest self, past lives, guides and inner longings as well as helped me when my path has not been clear. She is one of the most gifted readers I have ever encountered.” Sharon, Florida
“Maria created a safe space for me to explore further with her after her initial reading and provided some amazingly accurate insights into what’s been going on for me. She brought so much truth to the surface, it brought tears to my eyes. If you’re at a cross roads or having trouble focusing or making big decisions, Maria will bring clarity and focus back to your life so you can move forward with certainty”. Natalie, England
Ugly is in the eye of the beholder, right? To me, ugly is okay. I googled free pictures of “ugly” and there were a whole bunch of them, all wildly diverse. Who decides what is ugly anyway? I saw the toad picture and thought of the saying “ugly as a toad,” but truly, he’s kind of cute, warts and all! After all, he is Kermit’s half(?) brother…
Do we judge something as ugly because of the colors or the shape? Opinions are as diverse as there are people. Then there are clueless people who don’t like anything, but they are not important in this post.
As an artist, I deal with “ugly” every day. Many times I judge my art as ugly, or that the result of a day of painting turned out ugly. However, a friend might come by and totally love the piece. Who am I to judge??
I think it’s about making art in the face of fear and failure. We make art because we love it, not so much hoping we are going to outshine Vermeer or Michelangelo. Still, it can be painful to have your art judged as ugly, or that you hate the result. What counts is that you showed up at the blank page.
We all start somewhere. The technical skill might be lacking but the essence of the person who made the art shines through. Especially if it’s not a copy job. It can be hard to fly in the face of trends. The cuteness factor is hard to compete with if you’re painting mostly in black and gray.
No one paints like you or me or Vermeer. We are unique and we came here to share our unique gift with the world. Share the good vibe as they say. 🙂
Artists who keep coming back to making art “has to” share their unique vibe and it’s a beautiful thing.
The point of this post: don’t compare yourself to others. You will never paint as cute as they do, haha, but your art is important. If you consider your art “ugly” own it and be proud of your accomplishment. Someone might come by and fall in love with the piece, and then what are you going to say?
We share at the level we are at. We might no be a genius like Mozart or Leonardo, but our art is just as important if in a smaller scale. If you touched only one other person, that would be enough. Then again, as you practice your art, you may dig deep into your inner genius, and then your name will be on a plaque in a museum too. You never know unless you keep on going!
Let’s go paint some ugly pictures! I’m excited. 🙂
xo
Maria
P.S. I have a bunch of short free tutorials and a couple of paid ecourses on my other site. If interested you can check them out HERE.
This post is about how to take charge of your life and stand in your power. I was talking to a lady and realized the paradigm of having someone “save you” is still alive and well in 2015.
Some women still expect a knight in shining armor to ride in on a white horse and save them. Though that would be cool, especially if he’s handsome and buff, but he is not the answer to your problems. He has his own problems to deal with, so why the need to put the pressure on someone else to support YOU?
How to stand in your power:
Know that you are capable, no matter what the situation. You start where you are. If you’re penniless you find a job, and excuses be gone, excuses like “I don’t have the education,” “I haven’t worked in a long time,” “I have no skills.” Those are poisonous excuses. I think it was Carnegie who started his career selling newspapers on a street corner. Where there is a will there is a way.
If you are desperate find ANY job to tide you over for a time. Where you meet people there is a chance to meet new connections that can offer you more. In other words, make sure to mingle.
Decide to take charge of your life. That’s the point where you realize no knight is going to save you and you’re ok with that.
Ditch the fear. Haven’t we all done things that scared us? All it takes is a determination to succeed, and the above decision to take charge of your life. Hold that decision as a sacred vow.
You are capable of a lot more than you think. Remember the friend who landed a job above their current skills? You say it’s luck? I say it’s “balls.” They believed in themselves, ditched the fear, and applied.
Decide to think highly of yourself! Yes, it’s a choice. You are worthy and confident and capable. Let that be your new mantra.
Learn something new. Learning new things is a real confidence builder and it might spark new business ideas.
Trust your intuition. Intuition is a great tool to hone in your life. Don’t second guess yourself. Trust your gut!
What is the best you could be? What seems impossible to achieve? Go for THAT goal. It’s a huge challenge, but challenges move us forward in life, and accomplishing a big goal is a superior confidence builder.
If you have no idea what you want start where you are right now. What step(s) can you take right now to improve your life? Ask yourself that question every day and do the steps. Such steps include self-care, healthy choices, biz opportunities or steps to expand a current biz or job. Confidence speaks louder than words. Build your confidence one step at a time.
Write a new blueprint for you life and know that it is the best thing ever to stand in your power and accomplish your dreams, one step at a time.
Living from the inside out gives you instant confidence and gives you the authority to choose what is best for you. Don’t listen to the naysayers. They are coming from the perspective of their own fears.
Remember, you are your own best authority, but you are also your greatest naysayer. Positive action is the way to silence the inner naysayer. Excuses be gone!
xo
Maria
P.S. If you want to check out my available ecourses, click HERE.
When inspiration fails what do you do? I get that question a lot as an artist, and I can tell you the muse is often fickle, but one thing I have learned: you are not a slave to the muse! Maybe everything flows more smoothly with the muse on hand to pave a rosy path, but when all you can see is a creative desert ahead, what do you do? To get to the other side, you have to walk through the desert, or do you? I don’t believe in that but the challenge would certainly give you stamina and stick-to-it-iveness. However, art is not something we do in survival mode but more like following an easy stream.
Here are a couple of things I do when the muse refuses to be part of my life:
Take a walk. Yes, it’s a great way to shake off the cobwebs and take in new inspiration. The colors and shapes are great for new ideas. Walks are always good for general problem solving as well.
Look at art books. The classics and more modern artists are always inspiring. Through the pages I can absorb the energy of their work and find myself eager to try something new on my canvas. Nothing wrong with copying elements and then make them your own.
Get out of the studio and meet a friend. Lunch out is one of the world’s greatest pleasures, and if you have a good friend that does not annoy you by talking incessantly about themselves, it’s a BONUS.
If you live in a city, go to an art museum. This falls in the same category as looking at art books, but it also gets you out of the studio, another BONUS.
Try kickstarting your art by gluing down bits of papers at random on the surface. Let your hand and eye coordinate and see what comes up next on the page or canvas, and then take that step, and the next, and the next. Just try something new, a new angle, and new color.
Use a color palette you rarely use. Example: if you always paint in cool colors, make yourself use only warm colors for the next project. Your sense of playing it safe will rebel, but it’s easy enough to send it packing for one piece of experimental art. Ugly is okay.
Learn a new craft. Look through some craft books at the bookstore and see if anything pulls you in. Crafting can be mindless and meditative, and you might find yourself creating a pile of cool gifts.
Let someone else paint on your canvas. Taking the pressure off the process can be very freeing.
Paint with your hands. You can really feel the paint when you use your hands. It’s a more intimate creative way to paint. If you don’t like to paint throw a handful of mixed ripped papers on your canvas and glue them down where they land. It can become the start of a whole new way of making art!
When all else fails buy some new art supplies! I think that is my favorite suggestion. I love (and my muse loves) a new art supply challenge. A shiny new box of pencils or crayons can light up your world. It does mine.
No matter what you choose to do to interrupt a creative drought, do SOMETHING. The drought is temporary. It’s easy to get stuck in a rut and paint the same over and over, but it’s just as easy to challenge yourself to something new. 🙂
Happy creating,
Maria
P.S. I have some freebie challenges on my website you can try to break the drought. CLICK HERE.
Artist and writer
FREE art e-course!
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