On To New Ground
Sometimes my voice may be as a toddler, standing up, falling back on its behind, wobbly, but always pressing on, striving to walk and giggling with joy when it does.
My voice may become rebellious and say NO! Not that. Yes! This! My voice will never give up. It comes to me from the deep well, the river, the source. It is more powerful than I can imagine.
New Rhythm
Sometimes my voice is a tree, standing tall, firmly rooted, limbs reaching for the light. Assuredly "being" without question, knowing it is Tree.
Sometimes my voice may be as a venerable old one, richly lined and weathered, with a knowing wisdom to share. I sit at her feet and listen.
Gray Promises
Sometimes, more often than I would like, my voice may seem silent, as a bear in winter hibernation. I may cast about in the snow, looking and searching, but I only have to wait for the thaw which will come as surely as the spring.
Sometimes my voice will want to run for the joy of running and feeling alive. I run with it, and see where I go.
Courage Kindled
In week five of the Seeking Your Authentic Voice group and I am feeling my energy for creating expand and become more sure. A little braver...and I'm ready to gesso the large panels that wait in the studio. What an adventure it will be!
Continents Forming
Each of these pieces is a small collage on paper, which have come together in the past couple of weeks. Several more are in the works. Fun.
How is your creating going?
I'm a little surprised at the courage it is taking to share these words with you. They came to me very early one morning. I had just vowed to pay attention to what my voice was sending. So off I went to the computer to get them down.
ReplyDeleteI must say, getting in better contact with my authentic voice, and letting the critical voice go on a nice long vacation has really opened up my work in the studio!
All your analogies for your 'voice' are wonderful- and your little collages are so playful and artful- can't wait to see a BIG panel next :-)
ReplyDeleteI love these new little treasures and each one seems to exhibit the qualities of the writing that goes with it. Tiny jewels for sure!
ReplyDeleteIt is brave to put yourself out there in new ways! It does take courage. And there is always something that touches us deeply when people are willing to do that. That is the source of enduring art I think.
lovely, spare and lots of space to think in..
ReplyDeleteYour voice is clear.
Thanks for writing it down so I can hear it.
Well I'm very grateful you are feeling courageous because your words are always a balm. So much of what you write strikes a chord and your little collages brighten my day. LOVE New Rhythm and Continents Forming!
ReplyDeleteCheering your progress on the large panels!
Waiting for the thaw....
I like to hear your voice. And more importantly .. I understand it. Because she says sometimes the same as mine. ;)
ReplyDeleteand your collages are again wonderful. especially the first one.
greetings
Thank you for sharing these beautiful words and images.
ReplyDeleteles mots .. je ne les comprends pas toujours.. mais la recherche des gris et noirs, les textures et les formes ..je suis très sensible.. bravo!
ReplyDeleteThe loud critical voice can swamp the quiet supportive voice within us. Finding the balance can be difficult...we need both, but it takes more energy to listen to that quiet voice. Finding those still moments to listen is crucial to our creativity. Your posts remind me to listen and give the quiet voice it's chance.
ReplyDeleteWonderful words speaking your truth, and the images seem to resonate with the same simple authenticity. Well done for listening and being in this space xoxoxo
ReplyDeleteloving the greys in the collages and the words are black and white and clear. where's the authentic voice course?
ReplyDeleteLeslie, your word are wonderful and congrats on having the courage to not only write them down but put them out here. Thanks, I know that voice is so important for me but sometimes it really is hard to hear and listen to.
ReplyDeleteIt does take courage to speak authentically! - and you do it beautifully -- your words encourage me to try speaking clearly as well.
ReplyDeleteHow wonderful to have group energy - it must be wonderful to share voices.
this is so beautifully put together Leslie. both words and collages. your words feel focused and peaceful. you are truly a wise woman, a teacher and giver.
ReplyDeletei too look fwd to seeing what happens when you turn to a larger size. thanks for speaking up and out and sharing your authentic voice.
I enjoyed hearing these voices get together and sing, Leslie. (I corrected my typo, but I first wrote 'these voices get together and sin.') Maybe I should've left that. I like the complicit sound of it. Our inner voices do conspire, don't they?
ReplyDeleteYou are very courageous to publish your private thoughts like this but I am sure many of your followers will find them truly inspirational. I think also that 'getting in better contact with my authentic voice, and letting the critical voice go on a nice long vacation' is very good advice.
ReplyDeleteYour new collages are excellent, wonderfully restrained and yet full of content.
Such beautiful work n generosity in sharing both ur work n words w us!
ReplyDeleteI love these pieces!!, and your words are light and delightful. Really glad to see more images. :)
ReplyDeleteELFI Nous ne parlons pas la même langue mais nous parlons l'art ! Merci vous beaucoup !
ReplyDeleteDonna – Yes, big is soon!
ZDot – What a good point – We are, I am – touched when someone shares deeply from the well.
Grrl – I wrote the words “space” and “light” on the studio wall to remind myself.
Robyn – perhaps in Africa ones voice is as a lioness sleeping under the shade of a tree and we need simply to wait for the cool of the evening to hear the voice begin to speak…
Petras – so good to hear you understand – our sources flow from the same place.
Lynn – thank you.
Sue - it’s a balance like a mobile in the breeze – always moving.
Noela – thanks! Xxoo
Not mass produced – I’m just finishing a 6 week coaching program on line and over the phone – I am the coach, but the energy fills my sails as well!
Liz – challenging to hear, so remembering to listen is helpful!
Judy – Shared voices – yes its very affirming.
Suki – Thanks so much. I’m even looking forward to the gesso phase – potential. I wish you could come over and we could have a gesso party!
San – laughed right out loud at your “typo”. To sin – to break the rules – That’s it!
Ian – Thanks. They are full of content. Thanks for seeing that.
Sister – thank you so much!
Jann- I too love images. Always glad to see more. Thanks!
Thanks for sharing such personal thoughts...
ReplyDeletewords full of wisdom and images to inspire...it's ggod to get that feeling that the time is now to start a project confidently and with a plan.. I can't wait to see what you do with those big panels..
i adore all your works but On To New Ground is my favorite...love the scrim and the stratification effect.
Wonderful words, wonderful works, and now I am having wonderful thoughts. Courage kindled struck me like a lightening bolt. Thank you! I am delighting in our blog!
ReplyDeleteI just found your blog a couple weeks ago, but it has quickly become one of my favorites. Your work is so beautiful.
ReplyDeleteThank for sharing these poetic texts and images.
ReplyDeleteI always look forward to reading your new posts. Your new works are great and the accomanying words resonate with me.
ReplyDeletethe title does say it all... your words remind us, in such a poetic way, what i takes to allow the courage to give voice to what wants to come through...
ReplyDeleteso glad you let is be inspired in this personal way Leslie!
Sophie
the title does say it all... your words remind us, in such a poetic way, what i takes to allow the courage to give voice to what wants to come through...
ReplyDeleteso glad you let is be inspired in this personal way Leslie!
Sophie
Hi Leslie, those are "espectaculares"!!!
ReplyDeletethanks for sharing,
Elena
Oh, these are yummie! Thinking I may create with black, white, gray this weekend! Just lovely. Thanks for sharing!!!!!
ReplyDeletewonderful words and rhythms to accompany your "new" creative works! Perhaps it is the edge of spring that evokes this sense of shifting gears, taking a new path -- which is what I just wrote about in my blog. Keep it going, Leslie!
ReplyDeleteLAM-as many others have said thanks for sharing your personal thoughts. S It is good to listen to the quiet voice - it can often speak a truth that sets us free to create what is in us rather than what we think others will want in and of us. I love the clarity and simple lines of the pieces. And like others would love to see the pieces assembled as a whole. Go well. B
ReplyDeleteThese are all such beautiful pieces. They definitely reflect your very many voices and sides, all of which you so wonderfully express in your art.
ReplyDeleteLeslie, your new collages are strength personified, as is your beautiful, pure voice. How magnificent that you followed your intuitive urge and placed them here for us to breathe in and be refreshed by.
ReplyDeleteIt feels like I have also been gifted simply by coming here today.
nourished. fed. yum.
Beautiful and inspiring words. Deeply felt.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for these posts - it really IS encouraging me to explore myself, find out where I am. Gilly
ReplyDeleteLeslie,
ReplyDeleteThank you for allowing your courage to take wings and giving voice to your muses. Your new collages have a tenderness to them; like harbingers of spring they speak of the blosssoming to come.
Truth and harmony
ReplyDeleteYour images sent me dreaming into.
A beautiful voice you carry
ABSOLUTELY in agreement with that observation: opening your authentic voice, kissing the critical good bye in your words would free you in the studio, well, especially you, loving to run, have fun, play, FEARLESSNESS coming forth!
ReplyDeleteThe collages are so wonderfully expressive. They certainly illustrate your words. I look forward to seeing the big canvases you are prepping!!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful beautiful work and words!
ReplyDeleteI LOVE these collages, and the words that accompany them. Expressive, beautiful; what a voice!
ReplyDeleteVery strong work! Thanks so much for the post.
ReplyDelete