melancholy girl

Art washes from the soul

the dust of everyday life.

- Pablo Picasso

There's a quote that i love

by Marc Chagall that reads:

If I create from the heart,

nearly everything works;

if from the head,

almost nothing.

-Marc Chagall

I always try to honour how i feel when i'm painting.

And that means painting from the heart.

Sometimes, i'm in the mood for more

controlled painting - 

clean lines, perfect dots, bold colors.

And other times, i need to let loose.

Sometimes, i feel happy & bubbly & full of joy,

and sometimes i don't.

Sometimes, life is good,

and sometimes it's not.

Art allows me to honour and express

my own truth at the time.

Isn't that what it does for most of us?

It allows us to express

how we feel at a given time.

It gives meaning to the moment.

For me, it's not just about

making pretty paintings.

If we feel rainbows & sparkles,

the art we make (or write, or dance) will reflect this.

And if we feel more melancholy,

or sad, or just more mellow,

what we create will reflect this also.

If we are true to ourselves.

If we try painting something happy

when we're not,

we are denying our own truth.

Pain wants to be painted

as much as joy. 

:-)

The best songs and poems

were created from a place of truth,

even when that place was painful.

Especially when it was painful.

Authenticity always has a way

of connecting with others.

So go ahead.

Many of you out there (i know)

are going through a messy divorce,

or suffering illness,

or have felt the intense pain

of losing a loved one.

Give yourself permission to paint it,

or write it,

or journal it,

or collage it,

or sing it,

or play it.

Go ahead.

Trust that it will help you heal.

(cause it will)

xoxo