Brave Intuitive Painting

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Two weeks ago (or so), I stumbled on Flora Bowley's book Brave Intuitive Painting on a library trip for the Noodle. Having just been to the open house for Soul Shine Studio, it definitely caught my eye. It was the final sign in a growing list of things calling me to try painting during 2013. Daler Rowney acrylic paint tubes teal pink aqua green acrylic layered painting by jessica nichols jessica nichols arm with acrylic paint smudges progression of layers by jessica nichols using brave intuitive painting book organically emerging shapes layered acrylic painting by jessica nichols organically emerging shapes layered acrylic painting by jessica nichols

I've painted approximately nine layers now. For the past four layers, (two of which went horribly wrong and taught me the term "overworking"), I've been wanting and hoping and waiting for something, anything to "emerge" from my layers. I was stuck on my imagery. I sure as heck didn't want to paint some random flower or branch or worse, a bird, on my painting. I want my painting to be organic, seriously organic.

Then it happened today. I woke up and was working on the dark blue sections and would you look at that! A bird showed up. I am so over birds on things. I live in Portland, come ON! But I'm going with it. I stared at the bird and instantly thought it looked more like a peacock. So I started reading up on peacocks and their symbolism: "Seeing a peacock in your dreams is a symbol of spring, birth and new growth. A peacock is a symbol of a good omen, signaling prestige and success and contentment with your career."

Suffice it to say, I am in love with painting. It's so different from photography. It has nothing to do with my business. It's offline, analog, trust, faith; it's swirly colors and finger prints and pretty drips; it's maddening some of the time and exhilarating the rest of the time. I wake up and think about my painting.

"Unused creativity manifests as grief in our bodies."

Brené Brown

This is good stuff that I'm doing. It's all working together this summer: I'm taking in less information, I'm taking a break from my personal Facebook, I'm taking a break from business. I know it's leading me somewhere better because this is me listening to my needs. I have no idea what's next: in my business, in my life, in my painting. It's okay. For once, the not knowing is okay.

If you want to know more about Brave Intuitive Painting, this video of Flora painting is absolutely delicious. I've watched it about seven times so far.