Purifying Fire, originally Dreaming Adventure 2.15 through 3.21

Here's a third work in progress. I REALLY loved the first layer.

 

Don't care for this layer, #2 (below)

 

The colors are not absolutely true on this layer #3 (below).

This is the 'black and white' layer.

 

Decided to go more bold

with the black and white, and cover up parts I don't like.

 

 

Next will be the transluscent layer...

I'm not sure if I see an eagle in the middle right portion under the woman's neck. I also wonder about developing the flames into an absolute fire...

and the latest transformation:

It might not be noticeable, but etched in the kindling below is the word "kindling." There is kind-ness inside a purifying fire. The fire itself has blue letters rising in the flames: 'purifying.' In the shofar is etched the word 'trust' and nearer the top is the word 'peace.' Next to the bird's beak is the word "knowing' etched, and beneath her pearls of wisdom under her collar is the etched word 'truth.' These are the images I see. It could be something else entirely to someone else. And that would be wonderful, too.

Asparagus Trees

Another work in progress...
I call this beginning canvas the orangey purple canvas.
It's actually more the orangey magenta pink canvas, isn't it?!

And here's the "cool colors" layer on top! What a change!

And yes, I have TOO many photos on my iPhone camera roll.

I think I see asparagus trees at the bottom. I don't know why

I think they are asparagus tress, but that's what I think.

And now, today (two weeks later),

I see a sort of bluish green dragon or a flying insect

on the middle left!

 

I really like the painting below.

This is after a warm layer of colors...

Do you see the red fish, a koi, perhaps? 

And the asparagus trees, they're still there!

 

Uh, oh.

The assignment was to add black and white.

I'm leaving this sit now because I'm not sure what to do next.

My beautiful koi has a black line over it. How DID that happen?!

The colors in the photograph below

are not really the colors of the painting...

 

I'm learning to look at all of these paintings with curiosity and wonder

rather than judgement or criticism (negative criticism).

I'm learning to let go of attachment to a previous layer,

I'm learning to sit with a layer,

look at one portion, and get comfortable...

sort of the way I'm learning to live with myself.

 

 

Painting Evolutions

This painting process, a la, Flora Bowley, is a journey. I'm learning to look at my layers of paint with curiosity and wonder instead of judgement and attachment. I've had a few layers I've been attached to. And others I'm more than ready to let go. This is an on-line course, and we have the opportunity to post our paintings in a closed group on FaceBook. There we can encourage each other, and see what others are painting. It's very exciting.

I'm seeing a huge relationship between my painting process and my reactions to life itself. Am I attached to my early ages in life? Do I think this present stage in my life is a mess? Do I wish I could get on to the next stage and leave this spot of life behind? Some classmates have posted paintings they think is a mess, but others clamor to say they love the paintings, the colors, and find images within.

Do we look at ourselves like that? I don't like myself, I don't like this aspect or that. I'm too much of a mess, no one else could possibly like me or understand. And yet! Others may see beauty in the very stage we are in. It's helping me see that I am precious, too, each layer, each phase that I live through is itself a bit of a wonder, a mystery, and worth every moment. Be in it, and enjoy. Now.

Ahh! Fun First Week Releasing

I painted this week and it was FUN!

Here is my second layer of one painting. I'll post more later this weekend. I am fascinated with how I think I already see things that are revealing themselves and creating a dream world I am glad I'm finding.

I painted a triangle in the upward center. It represents a triangulated relationship that has hurt me and my sister. Then I OPENED it up and painting healing white to shine down below.  I painted a letter to represent something impulsive I did in the past that has caused me much pain and regret. Then I painted over it. Good things are bounding their way to me. I have no more regrets, only joyful expectations. Do you see the little blue person in the lower left quadrant? There's no head, yet. But it looks as if she is manging her way down a windy path, balancing her way....I am seeing images that might take body (and heads) as I paint the next layer.

Thank you, Flora Bowley!