#wip Wednesday, indeed!

As many of you know, Wednesdays are work-in-progress days in the land of Intentional Creativity®. Today was quite the mish-mash of works in progress! So much so, that I kinda forgot it was blog day, too! So… I’m going to share a quick story that I hope will feel as much like a gift to you as it does to me!

First, though, I need to introduce you to the goose!

My #Muse, you see, finally decided to let me in on what was still missing from our current #wip. She still wants some work on her hair and there are star formations to add, and so forth, but there was something I couldn’t quite grasp until, suddenly, I just knew. She wanted a wild goose!

And, that’s not quite as random as it may seem. You see, wild geese are Celtic symbols of the Holy Spirit. And she – Destiny Joan – comes with a whole lot of those kind of stories in her heart! So, I have more painting to do!

And, we had a great #Filters group, even amidst a bit of calendar chaos. The Legendary Husband fixed a fab dinner. And then, because I’ve gotten really picky about newscasters lately, we decided to spend a bit of time hanging out in YouTube land, at The Kennedy Center Honors, back, you know, in the day when actual honor was the point. In this case, Carole King.

A bit of history. Some heart favorites. And then, utter HOPE and JOY! (Do yourself a huge favor and hang in with the video!)

Click here, please!

May you, and I, and all those we love, feel inspired!

“Writing” history… aka, Progress is Messy!

First, Dear Reader… a note. Kind of a context clarification. I didn’t so much enjoy this “holiday” weekend. My neuro-system is NOT a fan of fireworks, though my neighborhood is. Lots of added sirens didn’t help. Neither did the news.

The traditional home fried chicken and potato salad – no pickles! – were absent, though we weren’t hungry, which is a blessing to be claimed aloud.

We moved a bit of furniture. Washed a zillion paintbrushes. And did a whole lot of plotting and hatching… of painting and writing. Those parts were thrilling, and I’m grateful.

Also, the Legendary Husband got Madam Secretary going again. Along with The West Wing. Oh, and my cousin, Kathleen… but that will take a bit of explaining!

As it happened, I was singing along with Joan Baez as I painted. The being you encountered, above. Officially, she’s my #Muse for this round of #COW, known officially as #Color2025. Or, she’s going to be! We’ll get to her story in a minute. First, though, she is huge teaching about how to keep going when it hurts. In this case, how to pat paint on canvas with wadded up plastic bags when your wrist and thumb emphatically decline the more traditional paths.

Not only did it work, it was fun!!! And, deep learning, which is totally my thing!

It’s important to know that she chose me, in a recent dream. A being who lives, as far as I can understand, somewhere between myth and history, between human and divine, depending on who told you her story. As I’m doing the writing, though, you get my best understanding!

You see, I come from a long line of tellers of stories. Way, way, way farther back than Gramma Elsie. The kinds of stories often thought of as legends, or myths, or fairy tales. Prophesy, even! Traditional stories… especially those concerning the early history of a people or explaining some natural or social phenomenon, and typically involving supernatural beings. And the story of my #wip painting friend is one of those!

I know her as a Melusine. As far as I can tell, her stories emerged in times when notions of the Divine Feminine were utterly unacceptable, according to the empires in power. There were, however, believers determined that their Littles should know these stories and so they told them, largely as bed-time tales. As dream food, if you will, for pre-abstract thought listeners of wonder.

And, as best I can tell, some of the wisdom-keepers telling those stories, ages and ages ago, were my ancestors. Stories of concrete passion and very large hope, as my more recent “uncle” and story-teller, Walter Brueggemann, might have said.

Stories I just spent a whole lot of time communing with as my recent #Quickening & #Legend paintings were birthed in a time when the context of our unfolding world does not seem to want them seen. Or heard.

Stories which need, perhaps, more telling now, than ever before. As author, Kathleen McGowan, reminds us… History is not what happened. It’s what got written down. (The Expected One)

And, yes, it’s totally a #Filter thing!!! A thing where I dreamed and stared and dreamed and stared, and she’s getting different!

Yes… often change is messy, yet we have hope! Also, a name! Her name is Destiny Joan! And here’s the thing she and Walter and Kathleen and I would all agree on…

Just tell the story!!!

I just happen to know two ways you might get started. Or take the next right steps…

You see, there’s been a whole lot of newness going on in the land of Intentional Creativity® and, because some people are still finding their way, there’s still time to join in a couple of my favorites! (But, not much!!!)

Tell the story in painting and writing on our 13-moon journey known as Red Madonna – Mother Nature. It’s all about ReBirthing and ReWilding! And, yes, you’d be a tiny bit behind, but we’ve got you! Here’s all the info…

Then, there’s the 6-week perspective adventure known as #Filters! It’s all about questions like… What stories are we telling and how did we learn to believe them and do they want editing and how might they help us more? (And, yes… I firmly believe that sometimes, run-on sentences are exactly what we need!) I promise, it’s all recorded, there’s plenty of time to catch up, and we get to paint, too! Even if you’ve never painted before! Just click here!

For this moment, though, an #inquiry for this day:

What story will YOU write down? Or paint? Or record?

ps… you can leave me a comment, below, or email me. I really want to know! suesvoice@gmail.com

My inner “good student” is claiming herself!

Tuesday was a big day. In the national and world news, yes. And, in my smaller worlds.

Frankly, it feels like there are lots of those worlds! I’m guessing you get it.

Personal stuff. Many things feeling – shall we say – unsteady. A dear friend walking on. And the longing to hug her family, far away. A new physical therapist. (We’re both learning!) A larger dose of contextual chaos than either the Legendary Husband or I would call optimal.

Three big things in the land of art and teaching, all taking off at once. One of those is the Intentional Creativity® teacher training journey known as #ColorOfWoman. I’ve walked this road before, in 2018. You might say that I was totally unprepared when we began, back then, except for a large supply of curiosity. I’d painted exactly half a painting when I signed up, despite 50-odd years of believing I was not “the artistic kid.” And, I signed up, again, because now I know more. And the world is different. And I have new questions. Questions mostly about…

I love questions! And we started, this time, with a bunch. My personal favorite had to do with what we were hearing our Inner Critics say, as we picked up the brush.

Mine was feeling chatty! And she surprised me.

I was having some pain challenges and moving very slowly.

Shame on you, she said. It doesn’t hurt that much! You’re just scared. Get over it! You’re the one who decided to do this crazy thing!

And you know what? She was partially right. I was scared. Scared that my shoulder would try to dislocate again. (Trust me… no fun!) Not, I should mention, too scared to show up. Just reluctant to do the big, sweep-y, dance sort of moves happening in the livestream.

So, I sent my Inner Critic on a cruise! And I stayed in the room!!!

And, I have an intention for this first adventure known as #Muse. To listen deep and externalize what I’m learning. To get her inspiration outside where I can see and interact with it. Where I can make conscious choices about it!

Apparently, it’s working already! The Muse showed up in the wee hours with a bandaid for my anxiety about today’s #Filters class. Not the class, itself, mind you, but a particular doorway I was hunting for. I think C.S. Lewis may have been consulting, too. You see, the doorway I needed was a closet!

And, yes… I went back to sleep, thrilled!

Somehow, the place where all this wandering comes together seems to be in giving ourselves permission to need what we need. To want, even, what we want! Which, I suspect, has more than a bit to do with wisdom!

If that’s an unfamiliar place for you, maybe now would be a good time to give it a try. Little experiments…

ps… the owl is especially dedicated to the brave circle of travelers on the road known as #Filters!

pps… fix yourself a cuppa and come wander the halls of FierceArtWithHeart! Books, mugs, original art, wardrobe choices… just the encouragement your Inner Critic might need to join mine on that cruise! Daphne will be delighted to help you!

ppps… fabulous Red Madonna call tonight and we’ve decided to leave the doors open a bit longer. Just click here for all the details!

’tis the season for summer camp!

I grew up at summer camp. I met people I wanted to be like at summer camp. Environmental camp, in the beginning. Led by my chosen shero, Jean, who introduced me to Red Thread and taught me about the notion of the web of life.

She braided my hair every morning when I had poison ivy all over most of me. She let me walk down the path with her when she blew Taps on her bugle at lights out, and hugged me the first time we encountered a bobcat and I was so thrilled, I cried.

I had a job back in those days, when we were all about saving paper and online music didn’t exist. I was in charge of remembering all the words to all the songs from one year to the next!

Late 1960’s – mid 70’s… Peter, Paul, & Mary. Joan Baez. Mellow Peace and Justice music, some of it from Woodstock. Fortunately, I was much better at remembering the words than I was at carrying a tune!

We made art. We picked trash out of the dustpans when it was our turn to sweep the dining hall, and put the dirt back outside.

Eventually, I was Senior Staff, much involved with stories and, one summer, with being the ‘possum’s foster mom! I’ll never forget the chilling sound of Florida panthers screaming in the early mornings at the edge of the water, or the year we swam with Manatees!

It’s interesting to note that the things we were learning – and teaching – are things our world so needs us to know, now. If I had to roll it all into one word, it would be inter-connection.

What I didn’t realize, back then, was that it was also me, being me.

Last night I dreamed I was at camp, again. Perched on a fallen log, swatting mosquitoes, and singing We Shall Overcome. (A detail I might have left out in my postcards home!)

The journey looks different these days. Partially because my body has gotten really attached to the magic chair, as opposed to fallen logs!

Red Madonna is beginning. A year long journey with Mother Nature. With relatedness and balance. With a global group of women looking for connectedness and the Divine Feminine. We’d love to have you join us! Paint, writing, community, growth, ceremony… kinda Camp for big kids! And cool music in our circle calls!!! Here are all the details…

#Filters has also just begun. The next steps on a journey to the place where we feel called, each in our own way. Complete with safe community, medicine painting for beginners, and even wisdom cards with animal guides! Everything is recorded so you won’t be behind, and I’ve requested some Joan Baez for this week! Chocolate & marshmallows are welcome!!! Just click here…

This, by the way, is the place where #RedMadonna and #Filters join hands! Where a new story about ancient, intentional mark making connects with claiming our journeys to the places we are called. Yep! One red thumb print. And a whole lot of opening hope! You’ve got this. Really!!!

ps… Daphne, who probably lived in the woods at Camp, back in the day, so hopes you’ll check out our book! Perfect for summer reading with your Littles!!!

Quite possibly my favorite question…

What is your intention?

And, yes… the speaker meant, in that moment, my intention, which I’ll share with you shortly. First, though, could we agree that there’s a whole lot going on in the world and, with all our high-tech gadgets, taking vacations from it is – well – more complicated than it used to be???

Since you’re still here, I’m going with agreement! And that means taking a peek into a meeting, earlier today. The opening circle of Red Madonna – Mother Nature 2025. (And, yes… there’s still time to join us!)

A literally global circle of women, in hopeful community… Many voices, all gathered in beginning. Old friends and new. Comfortable artists and beginners.

I was asked to bring something to share and an odd thing found me, in my dreams. A poem from my book, Grandmothers Are In Charge of Hope (2nd edition @2016). And I’ll share it in a moment. First, a tiny bit of backstory.

This poem was inspired by an ancient Sufi teaching story I learned in an Ericksonian Hypnotherapy training session. Guy from village at base of the mountain gets all upset, climbs mountain, tells story, gets answer that’s not immediately what he had in mind. This goes on about a zillion times. Finally, the lightbulb comes on. There wasn’t time in Zoom-land for the whole ancient saga, so here’s a gently updated version of my earlier poem.

Standing on the Edge

I am standing on the edge.
Toes curled under.
Hanging on.
Like climbing too high on a ladder.
Trying to decide if I’m terrified.
Or excited.
Knowing that, in my body, the experience is the same.
Knowing that whoever decided we could only feel one feeling at a time was wrong!
The wise old woman on the mountain was right.
Trying to glimpse the beyond which is past the edge.
I like beyond.
I like creating.
Abracadabra!
For I will make something with the word.
Though I may paint a bit more, first.
I’m standing at the edge.
Hoping I’m excited!

(®slb, 2025)

And, yes… I hear you! Sometimes excited takes a whole lot of hoping!!! One way to start is with claiming an intention, which we did next in the meeting.

As promised, I’ll share. Shortly. First I need to own that this is not what I learned growing up. It’s not what I learned in school. Perhaps because I didn’t have the capacity for abstract thought, back then. Or because it wasn’t what would get me a good score on the SAT’s. And it’s safe to say that it doesn’t feel like I had a place for lots of this newness, back before the whole self reset of becoming a grandmother!

In any event, I am ready now. So…

It is my intention to live, with my whole self, into the Great MA who dwells within me… and us!

And, yes… I’m hoping you’re curious!

There’s still time to join us for Red Madonna – Mother Nature 2025. And, there’s the possibility of a bit of help with the finances, if that would open a door for you. Just click here, for all the info!

And, #Filters begins on Friday! A bit more process/perception oriented. An intro to Medicine Painting. Six weeks to major shifts. (All recorded if time is a challenge.) Intentional space for your intentions, language, and path. Click here for details.

The other day somebody asked me why I do this work. If you’ve been reading along a while, you may know the answer…

Because I have 2 Grandteens trying very hard to grow up in this world!

What matters like that to you???

This is the place for beyond. And the time!

ps… if you, too, are a fan of The West Wing, either or both of these opportunities are excellent answers to the big question… What’s next??? (And, yes… BOTH is totally possible!!!)

I had a plan…

I’d even begun. Saturday night. And then, Breaking News.

Cue flashback to preacher days. All prepared for Sunday. Five index cards waiting on the table by the bed, just in case a new thought happened along. Then, news… the big kind.

And this day, which was planned around soup and Solstice Celebrations, turned into nobody knows what’s next news.

For this moment, I’m going with the best thing I’ve got. A thing that actually happened on Friday night. I’d been doing a lot of planning for all the big things coming up. Especially the celebration.

Frankly, I had lots on my mind and I was feeing a bit anxious. My calendar is overflowing from now until the first week in August. Overflowing with awesome, welcome things which somehow tend to bring busy and unknown along! Hence, my anxiety. Frankly, not knowing is hard for me!

Then, I had a thought! A thought which led to action! I went out to the studio and came back with both hands full of my wisdom cards-in-progress. There are production challenges but, I reasoned, the wisdom and the #Filters are there and they work.

So, I pulled myself a card, passing them all through my hands, eyes closed, until one chose me.

Mine don’t have numbers like some of the more famous ones do. And yes, the photo above is of the one I chose.

If you had it in your hand and flipped it over, you’d see this:

I laughed when I read it. You see, some of those same folks who raised me right would not be overjoyed with the cards. (Or the notion of a Solstice Celebration!)

And then, I cried. Cried because it worked. Especially, this part…

…To encourage making conscious choices… about beliefs, on the road to the place where YOU are called! The world needs you!

And yes, I’d be delighted for you to claim this message, too!

So I re-claimed some of my Intentions. One of those is to keep being open to learning new things. Another is my commitment to the notion that I get to choose!!!

This last, by the way, is where the whole metamodern thing comes in, but that’s going to need to wait for another day.

And there will be soup.

For now, though, I’d love for you to witness one of my commitments about next right things:

I am present to choosing these journeys as safe places to continue to unfold… to become more ME, even in the context of this time!

If that sounds good to you… if you feel your inner wisdom whispering… then click here for all the info! There’s still time to join in the adventure known as #Filters! This might be just the right time!

ps… the art for the Creators card was part of an Intentional Creativity® journey called #Animystica. It found a home, and a very important job in my children’s book, A Creation Poem… Daphne & I would Love for you to check it out!

Notes from the Many-Me’s!

I’m guessing you’ve had days like this, too. Days when it feels like you need a whole committee of you’s to get all the things done. Especially the processing things!

If they passed out crowns for Queens of Many-Me’s, I’m pretty sure I’d get one today. As it is, though, I’m probably going to need to be content with crossing things off the list! In fact, I’m starting early!

By the time you read this, I will have had quite the day with medical folks and big, loud machines. Information is in order. I like having information. Getting it isn’t always so much fun! Fortunately, some of the things I learned in my nurse days are still helpful. Mainly, the absolute permission I gave myself to ask ALL my questions!

And, yes… that same permission applies in other parts of my world, as well!

The legend, if you will, for the #Filters map I’m making is virtually complete. Actually complete, in a hold in your hand sense, will take some help and a bit more time but, for this moment, I’ve done my part!

Just between us, this is really exciting!!!

So is the upcoming painting and writing adventure with Mother Nature that begins June 21. You know me and questions…

Is Mother Nature Calling You Home?

Just click to find out!!! Especially if community and ceremony and creating sound good!

Here’s the thing… the world feels pretty much bat crap crazy these days. Odds are extremely high that some healing is – and is going to be – needed. And I mean to be on that team. I’m guessing you do, too!

That brings us to a sneak peek moment!

This is artwork for one of my #Filters cards. One of the ones that will appear along the road to the places where we are called. The Hebrew words mean both hand and power of Creator. (At least they’re supposed to. I nearly flunked Hebrew!) And, yes… there’s still time to join an amazing group of us live! For all the info, Just click here… (This 6 week adventure will also be recorded if you need to watch on your own time!)

And, just in case you missed it… here’s me, again, inviting YOU to stretch your Medicine Basket and set out on this adventure of Good Trouble! The world needs you!!!

ps… the painting at the top is deep under-layers from an earlier Red Madonna journey… my heart crying out in hope!

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