Breakthrough
Acrylic on canvas
Size:
Story:
This painting has a lot of layers to it. The first layer I remember vividly because it was a raging fire, which is what I felt like I was going through- a spiritual fire. It was quite dark, quite expressive, very emotional, but I knew I didn't want to keep it at that, I didn’t want the piece to stay there and I didn’t want to stay in that state spiritually.
So I kept adding layer upon layer upon layer, day after day, different textures, different applications, different colours, different intensities, releasing different emotions, and I just kept going with it.
I ended up painting a protea flower because in the midst of the spiritual fire the protea flower came to my attention in a significant way that I researched about the flower. What mostly stood out to me and shifted my perspective of my season drastically was learning that their seeds germinate after a bushfire, in fact they thrive after a bushfire, that a bushfire is necessary for them to flourish.
So for me in that moment I was filled with an overwhelming sense of hope, a hope that this spiritual fire that I was going through was not only necessary to burn off old ways of thinking and believing but it was the only way for a new season to arrive and new blessings to be received.
After I painted the protea I still knew I needed to add layers, as I didn’t feel at peace that this painting was finished. For me with any piece I paint or create I know it’s complete when my soul is at peace.
I decided to add layers of blue and green to symbolise both fresh and salt water which I come from both waters on mums and dad’s side being Gunnai, Waradjuri, Gunditjmara and Yorta Yorta. Fresh water is for cleansing and salt water for healing.
I knew in my spirit that this season was coming to an end and it was time to put out the fire symbolically through this piece.
So after I covered the canvas with blues and greens, I knew what I needed to do, I got the high pressure water hose and blasted the canvas. The water pressure hose is so strong it took control and naturally formed the organic roots. It was so strong that it took me back all the way to the raw canvas, which for me was a beautiful reminder that the core of who I am is all that is needed, everything else added through life is just that - an addition.
I stood back and felt such a sense of peace, this piece was complete and I was filled with so much hope.
I called this piece “Breakthrough”, and I'm still not sure if it's the right name, but it was a season of my life where I needed to paint daily and release what was keeping me stuck. It was such a breakthrough season for me, within my mind, heart, soul, spirit, and in my life. In the moment it was painful, but I'm so grateful for the season, for the growth and the good fruit that has flourished from it.
Sometimes a breakthrough is from a dark place into the light, like a plant growing out of the dirt, sometimes it’s a breaking process, but it's also a growing and life-giving process, and I'm grateful for that and the perspective I’ve gained through it.
Through this painting and season I’ve learnt to trust the process and honour the season I’m in, also the seasons before, whilst looking forward to the next with hopeful expectancy and not my own limited expectations.
I hope this piece brings hope and peace to others and is a positive reminder to endure the hard season because seasons do change and we can be hopeful for that.
Acrylic on canvas
Size:
Story:
This painting has a lot of layers to it. The first layer I remember vividly because it was a raging fire, which is what I felt like I was going through- a spiritual fire. It was quite dark, quite expressive, very emotional, but I knew I didn't want to keep it at that, I didn’t want the piece to stay there and I didn’t want to stay in that state spiritually.
So I kept adding layer upon layer upon layer, day after day, different textures, different applications, different colours, different intensities, releasing different emotions, and I just kept going with it.
I ended up painting a protea flower because in the midst of the spiritual fire the protea flower came to my attention in a significant way that I researched about the flower. What mostly stood out to me and shifted my perspective of my season drastically was learning that their seeds germinate after a bushfire, in fact they thrive after a bushfire, that a bushfire is necessary for them to flourish.
So for me in that moment I was filled with an overwhelming sense of hope, a hope that this spiritual fire that I was going through was not only necessary to burn off old ways of thinking and believing but it was the only way for a new season to arrive and new blessings to be received.
After I painted the protea I still knew I needed to add layers, as I didn’t feel at peace that this painting was finished. For me with any piece I paint or create I know it’s complete when my soul is at peace.
I decided to add layers of blue and green to symbolise both fresh and salt water which I come from both waters on mums and dad’s side being Gunnai, Waradjuri, Gunditjmara and Yorta Yorta. Fresh water is for cleansing and salt water for healing.
I knew in my spirit that this season was coming to an end and it was time to put out the fire symbolically through this piece.
So after I covered the canvas with blues and greens, I knew what I needed to do, I got the high pressure water hose and blasted the canvas. The water pressure hose is so strong it took control and naturally formed the organic roots. It was so strong that it took me back all the way to the raw canvas, which for me was a beautiful reminder that the core of who I am is all that is needed, everything else added through life is just that - an addition.
I stood back and felt such a sense of peace, this piece was complete and I was filled with so much hope.
I called this piece “Breakthrough”, and I'm still not sure if it's the right name, but it was a season of my life where I needed to paint daily and release what was keeping me stuck. It was such a breakthrough season for me, within my mind, heart, soul, spirit, and in my life. In the moment it was painful, but I'm so grateful for the season, for the growth and the good fruit that has flourished from it.
Sometimes a breakthrough is from a dark place into the light, like a plant growing out of the dirt, sometimes it’s a breaking process, but it's also a growing and life-giving process, and I'm grateful for that and the perspective I’ve gained through it.
Through this painting and season I’ve learnt to trust the process and honour the season I’m in, also the seasons before, whilst looking forward to the next with hopeful expectancy and not my own limited expectations.
I hope this piece brings hope and peace to others and is a positive reminder to endure the hard season because seasons do change and we can be hopeful for that.
Acrylic on canvas
Size:
Story:
This painting has a lot of layers to it. The first layer I remember vividly because it was a raging fire, which is what I felt like I was going through- a spiritual fire. It was quite dark, quite expressive, very emotional, but I knew I didn't want to keep it at that, I didn’t want the piece to stay there and I didn’t want to stay in that state spiritually.
So I kept adding layer upon layer upon layer, day after day, different textures, different applications, different colours, different intensities, releasing different emotions, and I just kept going with it.
I ended up painting a protea flower because in the midst of the spiritual fire the protea flower came to my attention in a significant way that I researched about the flower. What mostly stood out to me and shifted my perspective of my season drastically was learning that their seeds germinate after a bushfire, in fact they thrive after a bushfire, that a bushfire is necessary for them to flourish.
So for me in that moment I was filled with an overwhelming sense of hope, a hope that this spiritual fire that I was going through was not only necessary to burn off old ways of thinking and believing but it was the only way for a new season to arrive and new blessings to be received.
After I painted the protea I still knew I needed to add layers, as I didn’t feel at peace that this painting was finished. For me with any piece I paint or create I know it’s complete when my soul is at peace.
I decided to add layers of blue and green to symbolise both fresh and salt water which I come from both waters on mums and dad’s side being Gunnai, Waradjuri, Gunditjmara and Yorta Yorta. Fresh water is for cleansing and salt water for healing.
I knew in my spirit that this season was coming to an end and it was time to put out the fire symbolically through this piece.
So after I covered the canvas with blues and greens, I knew what I needed to do, I got the high pressure water hose and blasted the canvas. The water pressure hose is so strong it took control and naturally formed the organic roots. It was so strong that it took me back all the way to the raw canvas, which for me was a beautiful reminder that the core of who I am is all that is needed, everything else added through life is just that - an addition.
I stood back and felt such a sense of peace, this piece was complete and I was filled with so much hope.
I called this piece “Breakthrough”, and I'm still not sure if it's the right name, but it was a season of my life where I needed to paint daily and release what was keeping me stuck. It was such a breakthrough season for me, within my mind, heart, soul, spirit, and in my life. In the moment it was painful, but I'm so grateful for the season, for the growth and the good fruit that has flourished from it.
Sometimes a breakthrough is from a dark place into the light, like a plant growing out of the dirt, sometimes it’s a breaking process, but it's also a growing and life-giving process, and I'm grateful for that and the perspective I’ve gained through it.
Through this painting and season I’ve learnt to trust the process and honour the season I’m in, also the seasons before, whilst looking forward to the next with hopeful expectancy and not my own limited expectations.
I hope this piece brings hope and peace to others and is a positive reminder to endure the hard season because seasons do change and we can be hopeful for that.