Category: Art Journey

#Magic!Art JourneyContemplationsMedicine Basket

Wandering in Dreamland…

Posted on by sue boardman

Well! Last night was quite the trip!!! (Actually, early this morning.) You know the kind of dream where new things bump into each other in your head and make friends and the first thing you do when you wake up is scribble it down…

First, though, a bit of context!

Today is a big birthday day in our family. The fabulous human who’s married to my son. My girls’ marvelous Mom! Somehow, that calendar data must have nudged my dream along a bit, into a whole new land.

The place where mostly imaginary and totally true meet!

And, unlike much of the news, I mean well!

C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien were there, too. And, I think maybe I’ve been invited to be an honorary junior Inkling!

I am, of course, saying YES!!!

All of this wonder happened after some writing I did yesterday. The kind of writing where the task is cracking open doors of understanding to really, really, really big things for readers who haven’t yet reached the land where abstract thought is dependably possible in a neuro-developmental kind of way.

(And, yes… my inner surgical nurse and life-long student of mysteries, like neuro-linguistic programming and such, showed up, too!)

Anyway, the book is feeling much more focused and confident this morning! It has to do with paintings doing the work of avatars for this world, now!

A bit of button-pushing was helpful! Avatar, it seems, meant – in its ancient usage – “crossing down” from the spiritual world into the material world… a “divine incarnation or embodiment of a concept.” And, you know? That’s exactly how I feel about my paintings!

For now, though, the next right thing is a seriously nutty-crunchy woo sort of meeting where I get to wander in the land of cacao. I wonder if hanging out there has anything to do with all the cool stuff showing up in my dreams…

Glinda asked to be invited, too!

ps… longing for a bit of company on your magical road? I’m here, and ready with a medicine basket full of tools and lots of 1:1 coaching experience! Curious??? Let’s talk! 45 min. My gift to you. We’ll name your next right thing, get you on the road, and talk about more next right things, like journeying together for a while. Just click here and the calendar elves will set us up with a time! I’ve got the cacao brewing!

pps… hurry! I only have space for 2 new brave souls with big dreams!

#Magic!Art JourneyContemplationsGardenGrandmothers

Hope… it’s a Mom-thing!

Posted on by sue boardman

May 10 is a big day at our house. It’s our wedding anniversary every year. (36 years so far, if you’re curious!) It’s also the anniversary of the day I graduated from Columbia Theological Seminary, the first time! And, sometimes, as it was in 1990, it’s also Mothers Day.

At the moment, I’m missing generations of Moms and Grammies. I’m missing my grands and their dear Mom & Dad. And, there’s part of me that’s missing the feeling of Hope.

Here’s the thing, though… Hope is not just a Hallmark-y feeling. Hope is a choice!

A choice I’m choosing! Even in the face of the all the chaos and news. And, I’m planting symbols of hope, like sunflowers. (We’re a smidge late, due to a couple of cold snaps but, again, I’m hoping.)

I’m hoping, with my painting friend, for Peace.

I’m hoping that, like the star glyph in the painting, we will rise from the chaos. And, if you squint a bit, you might notice that the phoenix is rising from love!

There are two more hopeful things going on in my world, today. Prayer dots, which are no surprise, I suspect, and also help me a lot.

And, soup! A body-mind-spirit thing for me. With huge help from my anniversary buddy. (In case you missed the recent easy version of the recipe, just click here!) Shopping with local, sustainable farmers spreads the hope even more!

For this moment, Mama Bear and I are sending you hugs and Hope!

#Magic!Art JourneyContemplationsGrandmothersMedicine BasketOffering

Choices!

Posted on by sue boardman

So, I kind of broke my own rule. Too much news!!! Too much, as in way more than my nervous system finds helpful. And too much of that on Facebook, which is a whole other ball of wax!

As much as I wish I could, I can’t change all the sad, tragic, infuriating, ludicrous stuff at once. And even really, really dark chocolate only helps so much. (Well, maybe less than it seems!)

Blessedly, I got tired enough to sleep!

Then, it happened. A visit from Glinda – my #Alchemist painting – in my dreams. And she was in a mood to spread some magic! You see, we’re making progress on our book, she and I, enough that she’s even made an appearance, below!

I’ve been working on beginning steps like the table of contents and cover art. She, on the other hand, is in full-on adventure mode. In this case, the adventure called choice!

Choice, as in turning off the news and picking up a paintbrush. Joan Baez is, of course, part of the team!

Also choice, as in what we’re trying to accomplish. You know – big picture!

And choice, as in being gentle with my exceedingly cranky right wrist.

And choosing – again – to walk the talk from Pope Leo XIV, during this Lenten season:

… let us strive to measure our words and cultivate kindness and respect in our families, among our friends, at work, on social media, in political debates, in the media, and in Christian communities. In this way, words of hatred will give way to words of hope and peace.

Side bar: I just got off the phone with the GrandTeen who’s turning sixteen. Exactly the reminder I needed for why all our choices, in this moment, matter so much! They’re all counting on us, and my biggest choice is to stay all-in, doing whatever I can to follow in the footsteps of Our Lady of Fierce Compassion in these days.

ps… If you’re feeling the call to bringing your kind of magic into the world, let’s talk! You, me, and Glinda – even in the midst of the chaos! Just click here and the calendar elves will hook you up with 45 minutes. Our gift. It’s the next right thing!

pps… I’ve you haven’t yet, now would be a really good time to get the annoying pop-up thingy to add you to this email list! (More choices are on the way in my world!)

#Magic!Art JourneyContemplationsGrandmothers

Of cold and quilts and hope!

Posted on by sue boardman

Let’s be real! It’s been a hard weekend. The news is crazy. Well, most of it. There’s a lot to be mad about. A lot to be scared of. And a smidge of hope in recent election news… at least in my mind.

Frankly, I was kind of surprised when my story & quilt Gramma showed up in a dream. Elsie passed in January of 1989… an adamant, life-long Republican. I often wonder what she’d have to say in these days.

In my dream, though, she showed up with quilt pieces! The Grandmothers’ Flower Garden kind she taught me to love. Scrappy, assorted bits of what was available, hand-pieced by painfully arthritic fingers. Her way of helping people who were cold or lonely.

Those bits and pieces help me, still! And, that, I think, was the message of my dream!

The world is filled with things none of us can fix by ourselves. And, yet… there are things we can do!

Words are one of those things, for me. And, wow, is there a flood of that going on! I’m really excited. And, a wee bit scared. Well, maybe more than a wee bit. Let’s just say there’s more real deal coming through.

There’s also more unknown floating around than I’m personally comfortable with. I’m pretty sure there’s always a lot unknown floating around and I’m just more aware of it than usual, right now.

That, my friend, brings us to CHOICES!

  • A bowl of homemade soup for dinner. Local, sustainably raised bone broth. Organic wild rice. Veg, herbs, lots of garlic.
  • Helping to plan next right things.
  • A new John Lewis sign for the front yard.
  • Prayer dots. Lots!!!
  • A quilt to curl up with.
  • And, a reminder from Walter Brueggemann… Just tell the stories!

Also, encourage the Littles!

A dear friend was at the house today and she asked if her nearly 10 year old boys and their friend could see some paintings. (It’s really hard NOT to see paintings around here!) One of the boys found a favorite… one that kind of reminds me of one of Elsie’s quilts:

“Wait!” he said… “You don’t have to stay in the lines???”

When I assured him that we really don’t, we both cried.

ps… curious about the magic of not staying in the lines… of folded paper, markers, and next right things??? You could be just the person I have space for in my new 1:1 offering! Just click here and the calendar elves will hook us up with 45 min. on me so we can ponder the road to what you’re dreaming. (Fair warning… the next week or two are extra hectic. Patience & flexibility appreciated!)

#Magic!Art JourneyContemplationsWisdom Cards

Of nearly dry paintings and core identity!

Posted on by sue boardman

Today is brush washing day! That’s always a biggie around here because it means something is complete. At least on the canvas. In my experience, the work goes on, inside, pretty much forever!

This is the Intentional Creativity® painting known as #Artisan. Or, #Talisman. Or, for some of us, #Taliswoman. It’s an exploration of core identity and, in my case, the way that identity grows along the road.

The big surprise for me is the intensity of stories and symbols in my notion of me. And not just the way I’ve always been, but the way I am becoming!

Just in case you’re curious, a spiritual talisman is an object imbued with perceived magical or spiritual power to bring a specific benefit, such as good fortune, love, or protection, and is created with intention and symbolism.

And, yes… we – the painting and I – are writing another book and plotting an adventure! Well, two adventures!!!

The biggie, on the calendar for February/March is a 10 week adventure with Glinda Good Trouble® (aka The #Alchemist) full of real-world ways to claim the magic we’ve been carrying all along. Think of it as the even more empowered version of #Filters! (And, if you’re feeling that tingly, curious thing, now would be a great time to put the annoying pop-up thingy to work and join the blog list!) The whole adventure will be focused around tools for creating what you desire!

The much nearer adventure is known as The Feminine Frequency Festival! It’s led by Jessica Hadari. We begin on the Winter Solstice (12/21/2025) and continue through New Year’s Day (1/1/2026) I am honored to be sharing on 12/21 at 4:40 pm ET, with a lot of help from Glinda Good Trouble®!

This will be a chance to connect globally with women working to shape the future! Presentations will be 20 minutes in length, like TED talks, and happen in the Feminine Frequency Facebook Group. (There’s also still a bit of time, if you’re interested in presenting!)

ps… yes! Glinda is about to become a painting, too! In fact, we start today! She’ll be known, officially, as The #Alchemist!

pps… there’s still time to shop! Put 2 sets of Grammy’s MetaMod Wisdom Cards in your basket and the elves will gladly award you a 20% discount on them! Just click here! (Hurry! Quantity limited to in-stock supply!) And wander a bit… From original art and museum quality prints, to awesome gifts, good deals abound, and it’s way more fun than MartMart shopping!

#Magic!Art JourneyContemplationsGuardiansMedicine BasketWisdom Cards

Setting aside the fear of fear!

Posted on by sue boardman

Tuesday is often a rough day in my world. You see, Tuesday is usually physical therapy day. You know… the not so much fun stuff that keeps my body on the road, around the next curve. Blessedly, I’ve found my people!

My hands, arms, and shoulders have been greatly unamused lately. This does not help with the art making! (It doesn’t actually help with much of anything…) But, there’s much art to make and a new book in its figurative second trimester! So… we made a deal, my PT and I.

I figured I could probably sit still for like three dry needles. She agreed to wander and pick three really relevant spots. (Don’t you just love healing folks who listen???)

I’ll skip the gory details. Let’s just say we persisted! And, it helped!

It also helped, metaphorically, later… when my inner child got just a bit overwhelmed with the magnitude of what’s coming next! Planning for a Feminine Frequency speaking gig. (Stay tuned!) Juggling techy things that make me want to give up. You hear me.

So, after I’d painted as far as my wrist would go, and asked for strategy/tech help, I decided I needed a break. Feel free to laugh… it was time for Princess Diaries!!! Like, as in, Alexa… please play…

Let’s just say that, for me, it’s a really good reminder that scary things can get less scary when we face them!

It’s a lot like claiming that what we need to stay on the road is okay. Kind of a becoming our own grandmothers kind of thing, even!

For this moment, my hand has spent enough time cupped around a cacao mug that painting is an actual option and I’m off to take advantage of that!

Then, a very welcome #RedMadonna sister circle. Some more tech help. And a promise to keep capturing and treasuring all the bits of encouraging stuff in my awareness! (It likes to be noticed!!!)

ps… it’s Wisdom Wednesday in the shop! Put 2 sets of Grammy’s MetaMod Wisdom Cards in your basket and the elves will gladly award you a 20% discount on them! Just click here! (Hurry! Quantity limited to in-stock supply!) And wander a bit… From original art to awesome gifts, good deals abound, and it’s way more fun than MartMart shopping!

#Magic!Art JourneyContemplationsGrandmothersWisdom Cards

Of rain and pronouns and hope…

Posted on by sue boardman

I woke to a noisy morning! Rain dancing assertively on the metal roof. The furnace running, with some help from batteries, charged by the solar panels on that same roof.

And Mother Nature, a #work-in-progress canvas from way down the hall, with a lesson on pronouns! Specifically, her preference for WE, rather than ME!

I’m with her! I’ve been consciously with her since my early years. Loons on Minnesota lakes. Bobcats on moonlit paths at summer camp. Manatees in the springs. The year-round cardinal birds in our yard. All of them, my family, with an unexpected new reminder in the context of this moment.

Politics is a lot like nature!

Really!!! As in WE the people works a whole lot better than the currently prevalent notion that ME is all that matters.

I know… I can’t fix it all!

What I can do is make choices through the magic filter of WE. You and me, for sure. All our beloveds. Those who will come after us…

So, the new books whispering in my ear, on the way, as I figuratively quilt more and more #Magic… from a small, independent seller, two of them used. It will take a couple days longer. I’ll manage!

Drops of rain-prayer on my canvas. Please don’t judge… I do, indeed, know where we’re headed, finally! And new learning is involved!

Now, a bit of #Magic of a different sort… the invitation of an old song, in this moment…

Keeping the light lit is, indeed, up to us! And I’m so glad to be on this road with you!

ps… yep! I did, indeed, add rain to the paint water, today, because every little bit of reminder helps!

pps… my cousin, Linda, has walked on to the place where pain is no more and the light shines on. If you haven’t said, “I love you,” in a while, this might be a good time. And I’m bettin’ that Linda is helping our story Gramma, Elsie, feed the cardinal birds! Lots and lots of them!!!

ppps… in the mood to shop cool gifts with real artists??? As the photo says… Here I Am!