“Worry pretends to be necessary but serves no useful purpose” ― Eckhart Tolle

……..

My words for 2014 are bliss and stillness. And, it seems, adding more and more stillness into my every day leads me to bliss.

I’ve been listening to Eckhart Tolle’s A New Earth and it’s a lovely reminder to get out of my own way. Sometimes thoughts and to-do lists seem to rule over serendipity and letting things fall into place.

So, as often as possible, I am taking moments each day to check in. To see if I’ve been running along all day, moving from task to task without even enjoying it all.

It’s helping me stay present and realign with the things I really love most in my life.

Of course, even this painting on paper had a few layers. Here’s how it evolved…

This piece started with me just having fun creating a background.

I played with tissue papers, paint pens, inks and acrylics.

Then I felt like painting over it all. But, instead, I added one of my girl characters.

I loved her white hair and dreamy expression, but she still felt too separate from my self. And I really longed for this painting to hit MY heart.

So, I made her a redhead and gave her some Princess Leia hair (like I sometimes wear). And from there, the words fell into place.

This painting is a little reminder to myself, that Your Stillness Speaks. That even when sitting still makes me feel like I’m not getting anything done, I can remember that it is that stillness that makes what I am trying to get done its very best.

xo,

Ps. If you’d like to paint together, you can find details on my online painting classes along with a few video sneak peeks here.