April 2024 – Page 2

I would welcome you to this day of prayer dots and Joan Baez!

In fact, I am welcoming you to this day, even though I don’t run the actual calendar! It’s a good way to be, especially in these days!

And, yes… the photo is my personal studio/sanctuary. Let me show you around… There are actually two paintings on the table, receiving their dotty edges, even though it’s hard to tell. Both of them newly completed. (I think! They’re kind of always works-in-progress around here! As are those of us who are paying attention!!!)

Here’s a closeup of Our Lady of Fiercely Compassionate Abundance… the one on the top… from my recent #Filters workshop for #Origins, known as #OIC!

And, barely visible, just below her (I’m painting edges!) is She Who Has Ears to Hear.

She is our story for this day!

Part of a year-long journey known as #RedMadonna, she has taught me so much! Or, perhaps more accurately, they have taught me so much! A Prophetess with the owl and tortoise who insisted on joining the journey.

I know… you’ve heard about them before. And there’s new news today!

First, though, a bit about process, from Owl…

I really, really wanted to be in this painting! Sue agreed, after I begged one night in a dream. She looked up pictures of owls for guidance. The first me was, well, cute. And way too small! So Sue made me bigger! And then she read something from her Indigenous Shima friend, Maria Yraceburu, about heart-faced barn owls and I got to be one of those! You see, I represent wisdom and intuition, magic and prophesy. Since the whole painting was about our prophetess, I obviously belonged there! Just between us, I was a bit of a challenge for Sue to paint. She even looked up how many toes I needed! Four on each foot. Two pointing forward. One pointing back. And the fourth one able to point either frontwards or backwards, depending on what needs doing! Really!!! I think tortoise was happy to have me along on this path. She has a big task… to be a bearer of spiritual medicine, guiding us on a transformative journey of finding stability, seeking protection from harm, and embracing the art of living. (It’s amazing what Sue can find out online!) I think tortoise and I make a good team! And that’s a good thing because there’s another journey about to begin. And you’re invited!

You see, #RedMadonna2024 is beginning!!!

A whole year in virtual circle with amazing women. Community. Learning. Creating. Growing! With our whole selves!!! And, whether you’ve been in that circle for years, or are utterly new around here, you’re welcome.

Our theme is Celebratrix! As in, intentionally celebrating life along the way. And I’m deeply honored to be part of the leadership team. Tortoise has already volunteered to help since celebrating is a great way to embrace the art of living!

So… please fix yourself a cuppa and grab some Red Thread if it’s handy. Then click here to hear some of the stories and see some of the art and just let yourself wonder if this is, indeed, your next step.

And, yes… I’d be delighted to answer your questions! suesvoice@gmail.com

ps… tending my Spirit, intentionally, with paintbrushes and pens and celebrations, helps me tend my body and my community, too! Really!!!

pps… you really don’t need to know anything about painting. We’ve got you!

Or… symbols of many sorts!

Things are a bit crazier in my studio than usual. In my head, too, I suppose. You see, many things are wrapping up on my calendar. And a whole lot of new ones are about to start. (Stay tuned!!!)

You probably know how new things are… Long before they officially begin, there are lots of things clamoring for attention, like hatching and bread rising and soup bones bubbling.

Which is kind of a reminder that births, of many sorts, take a while!

Just between us, I feel more than a bit like the tortoise who is appearing on my Red Madonna Prophetess canvas. We’re making progress, she and I. She’s considerably bigger than when we began, and I’ve pretty much got the puzzle pieces of her shell blocked in.

I seem to have gotten braver with time. You see, she’s not my first tortoise. The first one was born when I took a black & white photo of a concrete garden statue, re-sized it, printed it out, and decoupaged it to the canvas. (It works!!!)

This one insisted on being painted, like the banyan trees she’s standing amongst. And we’ve got some more painting to go. The first attempt at facial details turned out likely to terrify small children, which is okay because it’s #wip Wednesday!

I love Wednesdays. Thousands of Intentional Creativity® artists from around the world get together and claim that on-the-way is sometimes even more helpful than finished!

For me, it’s like celebrating all the things to be learned on the path to where we thought we were going. And sometimes we wind up there. Sometimes, somewhere else.

It kind of all boils down to the very em-power-ing realization that I like choices!

And, when it’s time for paint to dry – or my hand to commune with essential oils or ice – I frequently hang out in the land of Madam Secretary! It’s different neighborhood full of women choosing choice and voice and sovereignty. A lot like Intentional Creativity® and requiring considerably less wall space!

To be honest, those are not really concepts I grew up with.

They are, however, concepts I’m doing my best to spread like dandelion seeds, all over this world my grand-teens are inheriting.

For this moment, though… another new choice I made!

Here’s the thing… I have a freezer full of bone broth, which is great. In order for it to be lunch or dinner, though, it needs some more stuff. Often leftover roasted veg and wild rice. (Yum!)

Sometimes though, we’re short on leftovers and time and energy. I know… this probably doesn’t happen at your house 😉 😉

But, since my recent adventure with the “blasphemy” of Instant Pot broth, I learned some more!

Way more veg, even on hard days! (Or days when the easel is calling!!!)

Here’s what I’m doing so far… about 1c. of broth and 1/4 – 1/2 c. of miracle dehydrated veg. (They’ll grow!) Bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer until veg are done to your liking, 20 min or so. Season as desired… it probably won’t need much! Enjoy! (And congratulate yourself for upping your comfort level and nutritional density!)

Choice and Voice and Sovereignty are all pretty yummy, too!

ps… here’s a choice I’m really excited about! And you’re invited, too!!! Click to check out this FREE opportunity to paint with Shiloh Sophia and get a taste of what’s up in the land of Intentional Creativity® And, if you get excited enough to join the big adventure, please mention my name!

pps… the dandelions are growing abundantly in my yard and on a canvas with some very cool friends! The original of that 24×36 inch mixed media painting is available for adoption! If you’re curious – or a button freak – let’s talk before this gets listed in my shop! suesvoice@gmail.com

Month: April 2024

If I ran the liturgical calendar…

Where IC® meets M Sec!