The past should be left behind, where it belongs

We all step into the past every now and then… Something we see, a noise we hear, someone who reminded us of someone else we met before, a song we used to listen to, the toy our child is playing with, the colours of the rainbow…, and our minds get totally engaged in past events and memories.., which is find as long as our perception is positive, but, are we really referring to the past with optimism and joy, without judging our actions, adventures and misadventures?, That is the question…

An aunt of mine has recently passed away, and joyful memories (we used to laugh a lot together!) are flooding my mind gently, bringing me into those moments of the past, we both shared… As I revive those blissful memories, something tells me to embrace life in the present moment and welcome death as eternal life, as I have no doubt that we are infinite beings of light and can never dye…

We should only bring our attention into the past either to create a better present, or to revive events that, not only bring us joy and happiness, but also heal our present life… When we look at the past with doubts, sadness or regrets (we used to be so happy!.., I really enjoyed that job!.., if only I could do that again!.., I was so fit then!..,), we bring negativity into our minds and our energy field, and ultimately into our bodies.. The medical world has reported many times that people's attitude to past events, present experiences or future expectations, influences their perception of health and their quality of life.

A quote from Henry David Thoreau (a complex man of many talents. I like his hair!) comes to mind: “He is blessed over all mortals who loses no moment of the passing life in remembering the past”… Mmmmmmmm….. Wouldn’t you agree?

My own conclusion is that the past should be left behind, where it belongs… and this is what I have tried to represent in this painting (watercolour pencils on 200lb Not Paper, 10x8inch)...  

I hope you like it…

Thank you very much for reading my thoughts, however shallow they might be for some.... Thank you, thank you, thank you…

Aisha

Like for many of you, life can be very hectic sometimes and even our memories play trick on us… I cannot believe I totally forgot to share with you a true story that really touched my soul and made me to reflect on the unfairness of life… Yes, we all wonder every now and then, why some people have such a hard lives and others so easy?!!!!

I read this article in one of those in flight’s magazines; it was titled ‘The last Nomads’, and it was about the annual journey the Morocco’s Berber tribes make to graze their livestock in the Atlas Mountains.. A vanishing way of life in one of the world’s most majestic scenery..
A part from the hard and extraordinary way of living of the nomads (I remember feeling sensitive when being thought at the school), what it really touched my heart was to see the photo of this woman, Aisha, a forty-six year old Berber (yes, forty-six, will you believe it?), who together with her family, her oldest son Mohamed (32) and Said (15) are on a journey they make twice a year to ensure that their animals (usually goats, sheep and camels) get the best land for grazing.. In an average days’ work, Aisha will spent 12 hours trekking across some of Africa’s most daunting terrain… Uuuuuuffffff!... (did I mentioned to you I had a hard day in the office today???)… My goodness me!  Life is really hard for some human beings… How many things do we take for granted now days???? 

As I kept reading, I felt as my soul was linking with Aisha’s and all of a sudden tears begun running down my chicks, I couldn’t understand what was happening, I just kept crying… until a huge peaceful sensation washed my entire body, the tears stopped, and an overwhelming calm invaded my whole being… It was beautiful.., absolutely beautiful feeling… My eyes intuitively closed and visualized a beam of love and light surrounding Aisha… (my eyes still fill with tears just writing about that moment… I cannot tell you how small I felt… humbleness and gratitude have always been part of my life, but every day now I become more conscious of it…)…

After reading the article, all I wanted was to sketch/draw Aisha (inevitably, my interpretation of her is a much younger Aisha) and since I couldn’t finish the little painting (5.5 x 8 inches approx.) while on the plane, I tore off a couple of pages to show you these images..

The article said that Berber nomads like Aisha have been making this migration for some 4,000 years, but Aisha will be the last of her family, and possibly one of the last of her tribe, to do so. (My heart keeps a very special place for Aisha…UUUUHhhhhmmm…if only she would know that someone in the globe is thinking of her right now and has a little painting of her that will be treasured for ever and ever…)..

Once again thank you all for reading my thoughts, I really appreciate it… This journey in intuitive painting and awakening consciousness would have never had begun without you, and cannot possible continue without you either, so stay tune… and, let’s don’t forget:

To keep painting… J J

Thinking

It has been a little while since I have written to you… Time flies, don’t we know?...  Everything goes so fast…, Hhhmmm… Our minds are constantly buzzing with millions of thoughts… All thoughts want to be heard, and each one of them competes for importance…. Arrrgggghhhhh!... We all know we cannot stop thinking…  The reality is that most of our thoughts are not only repetitive and useless, but because of its often negative nature, much of it is also harmful…  If you observe your thoughts you will realise this is true…

The left side of the brain never gives up and keeps nagging our right side for attention… Although, both halves are connected and involved in the thinking process, the left side is believed to be critical and analytical.., It has always something to say and louder… It also believes is the most important of the team…

As often as I can, I try to be attentive to these mental quarrels and I consciously make the shift to my right side of the brain (the creative and intuitive half !!).  By practising shifting the awareness to the right side, I do not intent to neglect the left side, in the contrary, I recognize its noise, but I ignore it, as this is the best way to keep it quiet…  Nevertheless, sometimes is hard to be so attentive, and I come back to what I have always known best: getting involved in a mental dialogue with my ‘thinking’….arrrggghhhhh!....  But, but, but… wait.., wait…, this time with a difference…  I took a deeply breathe, and consciously stopped the mental dialogue… I observed and acknowledged my thoughts … Then, very calmly, I took my drawing pad, my pencil and some watercolour crayons and very simply said to my left brain: here you are, now, instead of wasting so much energy nagging my head so persistently with staff I do not want to hear, you are going to focus in directing my hand in whatever way the right side brain tells you to go, so we can produce some art here… This will definitely keep you quite... Let’s paint!
And.., guess what? Another one of those magical moments I have mentioned to you before, it happened again… Time lapsed, and I was there, in the zone… I just kept drawing until early hours into the morning, as usual!!…

For me is not only another confirmation of what both halves of the brain can achieve when working together in unison and harmony.., but also, the profound feeling of knowing that I must continue believing in myself (however difficult!)… Trying games like this is fun, please try it yourself, you will be surprised of the results…  We must continue believing in our dreams and enjoying the journey…

My inner thoughts and artistic journey are now being shared with you out there, who are kindly taking your precious time to read my words, and therefore I really hope that between these words each one of you finds at least a bit of inspiration, motivation, courage, tenacity, perseverance.. etc., etc… There are many of us having similar thoughts, concerns, dreams and desires to make it in the artistic world, hence we can all motivate and inspire each other. Isn’t great? 

Let’s remember that the present is here, and the now is very powerful…

Sweet dreams..zzzzzzzzzzz....

(I wrote the above last night but couldn't post it, so while at my lunch break I am posting it now).. Thanks again for reading...x

Female and Male

A couple of months or so I found myself thinking and reflecting about the eastern philosophies and their concept of yin (feminine/receptive) and yang (masculine/active).They have said that everything in the universe is made up of these two forces (everything includes each of us)...

Yes, I believe that we all have male and female energies within us, but somehow we have lost these parts of ourselves... Perhaps one of the most difficult task would be to know how to reclaim this lost... Maybe if we would know how to develop these energies fully, we could live our lifes in total bliss.

Lets don't forget that our female aspect is our intuitive self, our deepest and wisest part. One must learn to listen to her carefully to be directed in the right direcction at all times. The male aspect is action, our hability to do things...

Just imaging for a moment the total unison, the total union of these two energies, working together within ourselves.. As they say, this process must certainly be the basis of all creation... Mmmmmm... The thought is just so powerful... It really energise me, like it did at that moment in time, when this painting was created...



Yes, most of my paintings are created with the energy flowing from within.., its like being 'in the zone'... all of the sudden, time does not exists... This, to me, it is a clear example of these two energies working in harmony, listening one another.  Wouldn't you agree that female intuition together with the male action equals creativity?.

Oh! just before I say good night, and for those of you who have asked, you can find my work for sell in Etsy, just click on this link http://www.etsy.com/shop/GEmbid?ref=search_shop_redirect

Thank you so much for reading.

Vanishing

Yes my readers, I keep on writing because I am greatful to you all for continuing reading these words that perhaps don't make any sence most of the time, specially lately... Words that come from within rolling one after another, like the waves on the sea...

Vanishing... mmmm.... nice word... To pass out of sight, disappear, become invisible...  Ohh! how many times have we all felt this way?  When things go wrong, when happiness plays 'hide and seek', when the love you once had begins to fade.. 

Life keeps presenting me with all these occasions to put in practise the learning gained on my personal development's journey and, I must admit that, specially since Saul was borned, I have done just that... Certainly, I have been focusing a lot in my breathing, putting a lot of attention in creating a sacred space within, which brings an incrediable calm and soothing effect in my entired being... 

A few years ago I painted this acrylic on canvas (called 'Female Vanishing') for the only exhibition I have ever had, and because I am incapable of selling my work, I still have this original somewhere at home...

I believe there is room for everyone, so I must be lacking on something to get out there and sell my work... Well, lets don't forget that this is the reason that got me started on blogging... :-) ... :-)

Sharing my thoughts, fellings and, of course, sharing my art with you, has alreay been worth it... Enjoy the painting... Any thoughts, please feel free to comment...

A blank page

The title says it all.. and that is exatcly how I feel... 'a blank page' a every sense of the sentence...

Yesterday, I came back from holidays and instead of feeling fresh and rested I am feel totally exhusted. Last night Saul, my baby, fall sleep at 7pm, after having been 10 and 11.30pm the earliest he would surrender every night, while being in Spain... I think Saul knew he could now rest from all the exictment and 'marchita' he had during the holidays, he was not missing much now, and his audience was reduced to 'mama' and 'papa', so he could surrender peacefully...jejejejeje..

When you think that I was looking forward to have some time to paint and get inspired with my sorroundings... Instead, I was 'in blank' most of the time, as my energy was absorved by all the members of the family who were constantly visiting us... Bless them, they are all so loving and caring... Yes, I know that this is the type of holidays I choose to have once a year, but after being  27 years away from the tradition (yes, I am working and living in London since 1985), some years I find this family gathering very intense.... The important think is that it was all worth it, and my mother enjoyed enormously and had a wonderful 85 birthday....  juuupiiiiiii!!!!!

You must forgive me but as much as I wish to talk to you and share some inspirational thoughts with you, I just haven't got the energy and the words...

I have also worked today and it has been a very long day.

Once again, thank you very much to all of you for reading. I will talk to you soon.

LETS DON'T FORGET TO KEEP GIVING OURSELVES LICENCE TO CREATE, beacuse WE ARE WORTH IT...

Reassurance

Just by definition Reassurance means restoring someone's confidence...mmmmm.... Isn't this just what we all need to have every now and then? Specially for those (like me) who are just starting to make it out there, in the art world...

I find very inspirational to follow the wonderful work of so many artists in the net... It's also incredibly motivational to read some of their stories.. One can identify with all of them in so many aspects. I know, they all have contributed with my strength to be here now, writing about my thoughts and my journey.. In one of my previous posts I already mentioned to you about Kelly Rae Roberts, who, many of you probably know quite well, but I would also like to mention to you a couple of two more artists who have also touched my soul: Tamara Laporte and Wyanne; I am sure most of you are also familiar with them because they have been sharing their work for many years now, but for me it has been a total discovery in the last year or so..

Reassurance... mmmmmm... A resonance word with authority, don't you think?.. and if you listen carefully to its tone when this word is being pronounced, it sounds very deep, quite firm, and solid... It makes me reflect on the degree of needing  to be assured of something,  and how often and why we need to be reasured so much in our lifes in general, work, relationships..etc., you name it...  

Maybe we should look more inside ourselves and realise that we are valuable and wonderful beings from the very moment we were born, so we won't depend so much on having to be reassured... We should all have the total convinction of the fact that we are worth it..

The painting/drawing here was my way of materialising the word 'Reassurance'.  I find her expression very settled, intensive, but at the same time extremely soothing ... Can you hear her whispering to you?




This painting reassures me of the certainty that there is room for everybody out there, that my art, and your art, can still reach peoples hearts, that I just need to be patient..., my success is floating in the Universe waiting for the right vibrational wave...

Thank you all for reading...