EVERY DAY IS A GIFT


I began this piece Thursday night.

The day at the office was an amazing testament to the incredible power of
thinking ONLY on what is good, kind, and loving.

I began my morning routine of coffee and drawing,

followed by the showering, make-up, hair and dressing for the day.

What I changed was remembering to love myself.

I took my time as I applied lotion to my arms and hands thinking about how wonderfully they have served me.

These hands that have held the tiny hands of my children,

braided and tied ribbons in the hair of my little girl,

written poetry and letter to friends and family.

These arms that hug easily and frequently.

I totally focused on treating myself

with love.

This is something I neglect to do.

I was not raised that way.

The belief system in place was one of selflessness, not being worthy... and I learned it well.


There were prayers that magnified this teaching, recited nightly on little knees,
head bowed by the bed before sleep..
and
weekly, accompanied by the tinkling of tiny bells rung by
little boys in white overdress and a the somber, beautiful melody of the pipe organ playing above us, in the back balcony of marble and dark wood.

Sometimes a voice would sing Ava Maria
(that song still give me goosebumps)
and I so wanted to turn my little head around
to catch a glimpse of what I was sure was an angel...
but feared the stern look of my father more.

However, on THIS morning, after a new ritual of loving,

and moving forward through the day....

it was, in a word, sweet.

My feelings as I drove to work were the same as every other day (thankful) because the drive is stunning,

but I FELT lighter and yet intensely focused inward.

The snarly, negative energy that I walked into, seemed insignificant.......

I was immune.

It bounced off me as if I had a protective bubble around me.
And the magic was that within a very short period of time

I noticed the
snarly ones softening!!

Yes, softening.

The whole day went that way.

As I reflected on all this in the evening
and brought my piece of watercolor paper and pencils out,

I drew this faerie.




Of course, I didn't do the background until she was painted.

I guess that is my new process and so it's hard to call it a 'backwards process' now since it is apparent to me that I work best this way.

I don't have the feeling for what the background will be until the image is finished.

Colored first with dark blue Prisma pencil, then layered over with Titan Buff (Golden),
scratched with a crooked old fork to give texture depth,
speckles of sienna chalk ink pad and gold pigment ink,
white pigment ink sponged on through sequin waste, the bird image collaged on, followed by text.

The faerie drawn first with my trusty #2 pencil,

filled in with watercolor, outlined with charcoal pencil.

Mouth pleasing, therefore NOT ripped off.

Searching though my stash of bird images I came across this little beauty with the same lovely
color head as my faerie.

PERFECT.


She is now behind a 4x6 opening in a cream mat.

Treasure every day.........
remember to love yourself and this will emanate from deep inside and color your day.


You ARE worthy.
I AM worthy.


DISCLAIMER:
THIS POST IS A REFLECTION OF THE POWER OF REMEMBERING
TO LOVE YOUR PRECIOUS SELF.... AND THE GIFT OF LIFE

REMEBERING THAT WE ARE CREATED IN LOVE
AND IS IN NO WAY BASHING RELIGIOUS TEACHING
OF ANY KIND.






5 comments:

Cindy Dean said...

LOL...Rella, I love the disclaimer! I love your theme and I think we should all be more self loving. If we don't take care of ourselves, we can't take care of others. Keep up the beautiful work my friend!

Sharon Tomlinson said...

Good Morning, I came back this morning to visit again. And to read this beautiful post. I knew I would. This time I was patient enough to wait for the comment window to open. I still have that jabbing pain in my head and I have decided it surely is Norah'S way of getting my attention about doing some serious painting.
You are doing some serious ART too. I'm really enjoying seeing your process develop and come alive. It is such a great feeling when you do "feel" the painting as you have discovered. I am going to take your "power of remembering to love your precious self" to heart and try to remember it every day.
More later,
Sharon

Sandra at 7th St. Studio said...

What a wonderful post! I don't think the concept of loving ourselves goes against any biblical principal (notice I did not say religious teaching)...God created us and loves us so much, we surely should try and see ourselves through His eyes and love ourselves...so perfectly and beautifully made in His image!!! When I am filled with negative thoughts or contemplate events in my life that have made me feel not worthy, I try and remind myself that God does not see me this way! Love the art and love the post!! Thank you for reminding me to take time for me today!!!

Anonymous said...

I have LOVED seeing all of the faces that you have been drawing. The progression you have made is amazing. :) Keep it up! :)(((hugs)))

Sherri said...

Thank you for reminding us/me that we/I are/am special. I remember strict religious days too and am glad to finally reach a point where I get the message of love and not just the rules that were such a strong focus in my youth.