Month: June 2025

Recently, someone asked me why I paint! And, yes… there are at least a zillion answers, depending on which day you catch me. Here’s the easy one:

I paint because it’s how I learn!

It’s also tons of fun. And, yes, I’ve learned other ways, too. Here’s a quick example…

In January of 1989, just before the Eastern Block fell, I went to Hungary with a group of seminary students. If you’ve been reading along a while, you know it was cold and scary and mind-opening. (Except for the pig jello! That was just cold and scary!!!)

When we came home, I told our professor that I felt like all the separate boxes in my brain had fallen apart and everything had run together. Charlie put a hand on my shoulder, looked me straight in the eyes, and said, “Yes! That’s what Alternative Context is supposed to do!!!”

Turns out that paint is a different – and generally warmer – way to access Alternative Context!

So, why this story, now? Well, there are a whole lot of boxes falling apart in my head and, if you’ll pardon the mixed metaphors, quilting themselves back together into very welcome newness!

My recent #Legend2025 painting seems to have gotten the ball rolling. I painted. I learned. I cried. I learned. And, yes, I dreamed.

She had a new idea, which I’ve mentioned, but am understanding more and more, so hang with me, please. First, though, a reminder… It was two words – Fierce Compassion – that opened the door to my entire Intentional Creativity® journey, and I encountered them on an oracle card!

Let’s pause, please, for a bit of context…

The Legendary Husband and I just celebrated our 35th wedding anniversary. And, yes… he actually exists! A couple of days ago, we hung my first ever Legendary Couples® painting where it/they, too, can whisper from the walls while we sleep.

Last night – 35 years and 24 days later – it did whisper, in a voice I know well. Walter Brueggemann. Words he preached at our wedding! Here you go: Concrete Passion and Very Large Hope!

It was rather surprising, back then. And, all these years later, I’m hearing with new ears! It is, indeed, the message of that new painting. It is exactly what I needed to hear in the context of this time. And, it is the place where I am called, again. Now. These words: Map. Reason. Challenge. Comfort. In-Spir-ation!

And, perhaps not so oddly, the key to the Wisdom Card homework I’m doing, which now makes total sense!

There will be more, of course. For today, though, yes… this story is totally a #Filters thing!!! And, you’re invited! New? Great! Never painted? No worries! Wondering about your place in the world? Even better!

Click here for all the info!!!

Whatever your version of Concrete Passion and Very Large Hope might be, I have the tools in my Medicine Basket to help you name it, claim it, and bring it to life!

ps… yep! Somewhere, deep inside me, there is still a voice muttering that I could be – you know – bragging. And, it might sound kinda like that. Mostly, though, it’s the real me, with 2 grandteens growing up in this world, which – when you get right down to it – is a pretty damn useful filter!!!

REALLY!

pps… in case you wondered, the Legendary Husband also makes dots!!!

Actually, it feels like I have quite a few job descriptions at the moment and we’ll talk about some of them, shortly. For now, though, the paintings have quit preachin’ and gone to meddlin’ again!

The Intentional Creativity® adventure known as #Quickening is coming to a close. And, yes… that means – you know – homework!

That’s the #painting, above. And the piece of furniture known as the #alteringaltar. (Well, a glimpse of it!) And, no… these are not things I learned in nursing school or seminary! If you’ve been around for more than about 10 minutes, though, you’ve already realized that I am still learning!

In this place, writing often goes with painting. I find that hugely comforting, Kinesthetic and Auditory/Digital processor that I am. (Yep! Pictures come last!) And all of that is happening in the context of – you know – the world!

So, my job description summary of this adventure just appeared:

I am the place between then and not yet. Between ancient ancestors and generations yet to come. I carry the prayers of all those beloveds.

It kind of weirds me out to realize how true that feels! And, yet, I am, indeed, one of the women in the photo. Generation after generation of them… then, now, and one day.

What I dreamed last night, though, was a voice reminding me that carrying prayers means many things. One of those things feels a lot like opening doors. And I have a bunch of them opening in my world. Some for me, and a couple that might be for you, too!

And, yes… I’m so convinced that, as Mama Caron McCloud helped us learn, I matter. You matter. We matter. And, mattering matters, that I’m going to invite you to consider those doors… again! (Okay, maybe urge you to consider those doors!)

First comes #Filters! which I’m leading through the Intentional Creativity® Foundation. Think of it like a really affordable 6-week cruise, coming home to a place you’ve never been before And your souvenir will, literally, be a whole new map of reality and some really cool art! An adventure that might just get you out in the world doing whatever it is that means this much to you… which, frankly, is the point! (The link to all the info is below.)

Then, there’s the 2025 #Red Madonna journey known as Mother Nature: ReMothering & ReWilding! I’m honored to be on the “Dangerous” leadership team again. A year-long painting adventure, complete with stories and poems, celebration and community.

Here’s a peek at one of my early #RedMadonna adventures, Our Lady of Blossoming Earth. Trust me when I tell you, she was a huge help in healing a major loss in my world! (And, yes… this link is below, too!)

Oddly enough, they all kind of come together, message-wise, in yet another painting… Our Lady of Good Trouble!

Her prayer is that you’ll read deep, and sign up for an adventure in newness. (And, yes… doing both is totally possible!!!)

Why??? Because this world needs YOUR Good Trouble! And sometimes we all need some others on the road with us!

This is the link for #Filters!

And, this is the link for #RedMadonna!

Be brave!!! And, give yourself the gift of more possibilities!!! You, too, are in the place between then and not yet…

ps… if you guessed there might be a #Filters reference up near the top of the #Quickening painting, you’re right. And, ready!!!

pps… nope! You don’t need to be a painter, already! We’ve totally got you!