Why I am Bullish about NFTs ~ A Series on Web 3.0- Part 2

Tibesti Mountains as NFT on MakersPlace https://makersplace.com/lorieneck/tibesti-mountains-1-of-5-285599/

Dear Reader,

Firstly, thank you for making time to read this blog post and thank you for your readership in general, I started this blog site in August 2009. In this post, I am continuing my series exploring Web 3.0 and the topic today is the value of art NFTs. I will first dip into the topic of the value of art, art for it’s own sake, as a symbol ngular sensational creative expression.

So, let’s dive in. In my experience, the value of art in general and a work of art in specific, is not a one-size-fits-all definition. My understanding about the value of art in general and in specific is at the baseline, beauty is in the eye of the beholder. I believe that we assign value to an artwork based on the meaning that a specific piece of art resonates or symbolizes to you. Art can invoke possibility, power, love, hope, beauty and any virtue or value you attach to it. In essence, what is the value of art as an inquiry is rhetorical and a question as old as time.

According to Michael Findlay in his book, The Value of Art, art can be looked at through the metaphor of the Three Graces from Greek mythology: Thalia, the commercial value of art; Euphrosyne, the social value of art; and Aglaea the essential (or instrinsic) value of art. In his book, he explores the question and brings over 50 years of experience as an art collector, an auction-house specialist and art dealer. As an artist who is navigating the three components above in my own journey towards self-realization and success as an artist. I received this book as a gift and am enjoying it so far. I implore you to pick it up if these ideas are inspiring curiosity.

Now, let’s take a look at artwork presented as an NFT, a unique digital creation that can be collected, appreciated (and can appreciate) and even re-sold for a profit.

To review what an NFT is: NFTs are stored on the blockchain, they have clearly defined owners, and they point to metadata files, which link to the creations themselves. These 3 components will therefore allow you to buy and sell NFTs. Essentially, you have the ability to purchase ownership and transfer it to other owners without the influence of centralized platforms or third parties. As a result, this form of true ownership is what enables NFTs to accrue value.

Also to be considered, is the underlying value of NFTs is enriched by a number of important variables, from ownership, authenticity/identity, rarity/scarcity, aesthetics, community, technology, and utility. Each value is important in its own right and serves to increase the desire and value of a certain NFT.

An an artist and NFT creator, what I see as the value in my currently listed NFTs, are the qualities of digital ownership, identity, scarcity, aesthetics, technology, and utility. What makes an authentic artwork scarce, other than being an authentic physical original, is it’s presence as a digital version, an NFT- and available as a limited editions or as a one off. All of my current artwork NFTs are offered as limited editions, up to five maximums total per NFT.

Perhaps one of the most important contributors to the growth of value for NFTs is utility. Utility is exciting to imagine and play with as an NFT owner (of course the NFT smart contract terms clarifies about HOW the NFT can be used, for example commercial or non-commercial use). Let’s look at how an owner of one of my art NFTs would be like.

This is a watermarked small version of the mixed media painting, Orion Nebula II. One can purchase this as an NFT, available as one of five available in a limited edition, offered on the curated platform MakersPlace. That means that only five people out of 7.9 billion people can own a high resolution digital art (jpeg) of this painting.

This NFT is a signed (by me) and limited edition digital creation including the full non-commercial rights to this creation. The owner may download the unique digital creation and can display it on any digital device or even print out, for personal use. All the while, knowing that one has the authentic piece, verifiable on the blockchain.

https://makersplace.com/lorieneck/orion-nebula-ii-1-of-5-302895/

As a wrap up, I invite you to explore more of my NFTs being offered online, take a look, explore

Lórien Eck Art & Design on:

MakersPlace- a curated NFT platform.

Prism NFTs- a new platform for artists by artists

OpenSea- the largest NFT platform

In the next blog post on the big topic of Web 3.0, I will be exploring the environmental impact of crypto, NFTs and various Co2 offset options/possibilities.

Feel free to comment below and connect with me via social media or better yet, share and subscribe to this blog and my art newsletter to stay in touch and to know about my art announcements, NFT drops and in real life events.

http://www.lorieneck.com

In love, gratitude and beauty…

Sources:

Findlay, Michael, The Value of Art – Money, Power, Beauty, Prestel Verlag, 2012

NFTs and their value – https://www.nft-insight.com/p/nfts-and-their-value?s=r

Research the history of art and blockchain in general, check out this journal article Art and Blockchain: A Primer, History, and Taxonomy of Blockchain Use Cases in the Arts

Disclaimer:

The views expressed here do not represent those of any past, present, or future employer of mine, or represent the views of the other people and companies I may discuss. They may not even represent my own views, I am exploring these ideas in the spirit of curiosity and sharing this with you here because I can and choose to. None of this is financial advice, legal advice, or art career advice.

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3 Facts about NFTs ~ A Series on Web 3.0- Part 1

Hello dear reader!

I am so glad that you are making some time to read this! Did the title of this blog post inspire you to be a little curious? If so, I warmly welcome you to read on as curiosity is a fabulous thing for us peeps to follow. I like to think of the path of curiosity like a path of bread crumbs in the universal shape of a spiral.

I will start with this: What is Web 3.0? Web 3.0 will bring us a fairer internet by enabling the individual to be a sovereign. True sovereignty implies owning and being able to control who profits from one’s time and information. Web 3.0’s decentralized blockchain protocol will enable individuals to connect to an internet where they can own and be properly compensated for their time and data, eclipsing an exploitative and unjust web, where giant, centralized repositories are the only ones that own and profit from it.

Source: https://elastos.info/what-is-web-3-0/

So, the big question, what are NFTs? First to answer this, we must explore the world of cryptocurrency. Essentially, a cryptocurrency, crypto-currency, or crypto is a digital currency designed to work as a medium of exchange through a computer network that is not reliant on any central authority, such as a government or bank, to uphold or maintain it. A cryptocurrency is a tradable digital asset or digital form of money, built on blockchain technology that only exists online. Cryptocurrencies use encryption to authenticate and protect transactions, hence their name. There are currently over a thousand different cryptocurrencies in the world.

Okay, so now that we have touched on Web 3.0 and crypto, what are the three interesting facts about NFTs?

Fact #1: NFTs are tokens that we can use to represent ownership of unique items. They let us tokenise things like art, collectibles, even real estate. They can only have one official owner at a time and they’re secured by the Ethereum blockchain – no one can modify the record of ownership or copy/paste a new NFT into existence.

Fact #2: NFT stands for non-fungible token. Non-fungible is an economic term that you could use to describe things like your furniture, an original physical painting, or your computer. These things are not interchangeable for other items because they have unique properties.

Fungible items, on the other hand, can be exchanged because their value defines them rather than their unique properties. For example, ETH or dollars are fungible because 1 ETH / $1 USD is exchangeable for another 1 ETH / $1 USD.

Fact #3: NFTs ensure authenticity and provenance of a unique digital creation. NFTs solve a public, trackable, verifiable, history of ownership. Provenance helps create a sense of history and authenticity to the artwork and as an artist this is extremely important.

Why, is this so important to the NFT creator? This is important to creators/artists who choose to earn a living (or at least earn an partial income) through their work. Sharing art images on the internet exposes the art and IP (even small files and social media sharing) for anyone to use without giving credit and/or compensation to the artist/creator. Art is in reality, intellectual property (IP) and holds tremendous value. And this fact is very valuable and important to me as an artist who creates original mixed media paintings, unique physical and digital creations.

I am thrilled about new ways for us artists sharing our artwork with the public, the NFT spaces and Web 3.0 are a natural segue for my art on my path as a contemporary artist. And, what’s so exciting is that I have launched my original mixed paintings as rare NFTs on three different NFT platforms.

Take a look and explore!

Lórien Eck Art & Design on:

MakersPlace- a curated NFT platform.

Prism NFTs- a new platform for artists by artists

OpenSea- the largest NFT platform

In the next blog posts, I will be exploring the questions around why would an art appreciator want to invest in NFT art? And, what about the environmental impact of NFTs and Co2 offset?

Feel free to comment below and connect with me via social media or better yet, share and subscribe to this blog and my art newsletter to stay in touch and be the first to know about my art announcements, NFT drops and in real life events.

http://www.lorieneck.com

In love, gratitude and beauty…

Sources:

https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbestechcouncil/2020/01/06/what-is-web-3-0/?sh=6888855258df

What Is Web 3.0? The Fundamental Guide To The New Era Of Digital Data Ownership

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cryptocurrency

https://ethereum.org/en/nft/

Research the history of art and blockchain in general, check out this journal article Art and Blockchain: A Primer, History, and Taxonomy of Blockchain Use Cases in the Arts

Disclaimer:

The views expressed here do not represent those of any past, present, or future employer of mine, or represent the views of the other people and companies I may discuss. They may not even represent my own views, I am exploring these ideas in the spirit of curiosity and sharing this with you here because I can and choose to. None of this is financial advice, legal advice, or art career advice.

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Art with Lórien Chats with Leonie Dawson!

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Hello All

I had so much FUN chatting with Leonie Dawson!

In our conversation, we explore art, money and the “starving artist myth”! Time to debunk that one and guess what? It’s not real! So, that’s easy!
Anyway, catch our video chat over on my Art with Lórien Youtube channel to experience for yourself how this chat went down!

Art with Lórien ~ In the Studio Series

Featuring: An Interview with Leonie Dawson!

My “In the Studio” series invites you into my art studio and gives you a unique entrée into the heart of a contemporary working artist from the comfort of your own home/studio!

The insights gained from this perspective are immeasurable and invaluable to your own studio practice as I will be giving insider tips, exploring the nuances and hidden worlds of the magic and mystique of an artist’s inner sanctum and sacred space that is her art studio.

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Leonie Dawson is a teacher, mentor and inspirer, helping highly sensitive oddballs (just like her!) discover their big glorious dreams, feel less alone and change the world! She is world-renowned for her internationally best-selling ‘Goal Getter Workbooks’ which have been helping women create the vision and map out the plan for their dream lives for over 10 years now.

Leonie generated over 7 million in revenue, all while working part time hours, being a hippie weirdo and spending lots of time enjoying life with her two daughters and husband in the most beautiful parts of Australia.

http://www.leoniedawson.com

Instagram: @leonie_dawson

Facebook: @leoniedawsonauthor

Thank you for joining us! xoox

#seeyouinthestudio

Stay tuned, submit ideas and feel free to comment, especially about your art-making experience!

I would love to know about your creative process!

Be in connection, join my community by Subscribing to my channel and learning more about Art with Lórien Art classes for Kids, for Adults!

http://www.lorieneck.com

Thank you for reading and I invite you to share your contributions via comments and would love to hear from you on my Facebook page, or Insta!

May your days be filled with a sense of wonder, love, creativity, adventure and play!

In love, gratitude and beauty…

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“Shoutout LA” Interview ~ September 2020

I had the good fortune of connecting with Shoutout LA and I’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Lórien, what’s your definition for success?

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I define success as feeling satisfied in the present moment. When I am creating one of my works of art, success for me is completing a painting or hand-dyed textile (or whatever the object is). The creative process in and of itself is also very satisfying—as a practice of being fully present to what inspiration is coming through and manifesting that feeling in the physical. That is success to me. Completing a single artwork, a series, seeing an idea through to manifestation, teaching a live art class: there is a lot of power in the act of completion, this is another form of success. Another layer of success is in the impact that my artwork has on others in creating what I understand as a “transition in consciousness.” That is where the magic and healing happens; my artwork carries that intention and when it is delivered to a client, and the feedback is shared with me about the positive and transformational impact my artwork has made, this too is success. Overall, my definition of “success” has evolved over the course of my life and will continue to evolve.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.

I am an artist and art teacher who is passionate about helping people of all ages to find the space to nourish their Divine inner artist, so folks can feel confident creating beautiful art while cultivating deep self-love, healing, empowerment and an “I can do this” attitude in life! I do this through creating and sharing my original mixed-media art and through teaching art to the next generation and to adults. In my studio, I produce a rich and evolving collection of mixed-media paintings on a variety of surfaces. For example, French cotton paper or gallery-wrap canvas. I incorporate pigments, inks, crystals, minerals and a selection of magical elements. My magical elements include Reiki blessings, crystal and solar/lunar energy-infused water and my pure intention to beautify and uplift our world. I take great pleasure in creativity of all kinds! I am an enthusiastic, fun-loving, creative innovator, who has a passion for beauty, nature, humor, curiosity, and an insatiable love for art and self-expression!

What inspires me is the natural world on Earth, the cosmos, love, natural beauty, color, family, good friends, the ocean, kindness, puppies, and all that is good in our world. Truly there are infinite possibilities of inspiration ~ my motivation to stay inspired moves me to seek, find and express the spirit of beauty and truth. What inspires me and excites me is learning and creating. I believe that staying curious, being open to learn and for me, teaching art is an integral part of that. My creative process in creating and delivering an art class, usually includes me “being the student” first, learning by doing, then sharing through teaching and learning again. It’s fantastic! The process is very circular, rewarding and very nourishing for all, it is therapeutic and transformational. My original mixed-media art is what I would define as Transformative Art. It is art that reaches into the soul and acts as a mirror revealing the deep and rich inner beauty of the Self, as well as the shadow self. It has the power to shift consciousness and not only raise the vibration of an individual, but shift the collective consciousness.

In my experience, art serves as a visual and visceral response to the questions that one asks or that the collective is asking. For example, questions about the nature of reality, what it means to be a Spiritual being having a human experience, or about what is possible in the human experience. If an individual feels the call to create and share their art with the world, the significance of doing Transformative art now is ad infinitum. Art is a bridge between the mundane and the Sacred and has the capacity to bridge the gap of disparity between suffering and pure bliss. Artistic expression gives meaning and healing to the human condition. Art is the glue of the Universe and provides a safe space for the Soul to rest and take refuge. More than ever, art and artists serve as the foundation for the evolution of human consciousness. I invite you to experience your own “transition in consciousness” through connecting with my artwork and art education offerings.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.

I invite you to embark on an adventure that focuses on wild nature and healthy and yummy cuisine. What I enjoy about the Palos Verdes Peninsula is the immense amount of preserved and conserved land to wander around in and through. And, the special bonus is the climate, which I would define as a microclimate. It is usually cooler and fresher along the coast and that is true here. I always like to take my friends to the sacred places that I hike in and around, with their relative quiet and ocean view. I enjoy many of the trails that are a part of the Rancho Palos Verdes Preserve as well as the Portuguese Bend Preserve. Walking the trails around Abalone Cove and the Pointe Vicente Lighthouse are also very special as we often spot wild dolphin pods, sea lions, pelican and whales during their annual migration.

For our dining pleasure, one of my favorite restaurants in the area is Baramee Thai Restaurant located in San Pedro. The other key dining establishment is what we call, “the best restaurant in town” and that is our own creative kitchen. For as long as I can remember, home cooking from scratch using fresh, local and organic ingredients is second to none. My parents taught me this through their example and it stuck. I have been preparing homemade gourmet, vegetarian meals for years. Other than the fact that I enjoy creative cooking and meal prep, I also have a stronger connection to the source and vibrations of the food. Many meals are cooked gluten-free and plant-based using the finest ingredients and I love sharing my “creative kitchen” creations—which is similar to creating art for me. So, our meals would be carefully planned, created and enjoyed together. Lately, I have been diving more into Japanese veggie sushi and miso soups and seaweeds.

Another place I enjoy going for a glass of wine at sunset is the Terranea Resort. The fire pit area is especially nice to sit around, under the stars and by the sea sipping a delish glass of wine. There are also some nice public walking trails around the resort and all are bordered by the vast Pacific ocean coastline, providing the added benefit of cleansing negative ions and positive mood enhancers. Overall, keeping it all close to home and focus on the incredible outdoor hiking, vistas, perhaps a picnic or two in one of my favorite nature spots or even the taking a dip in the ocean in Redondo Beach are among my favorite spots.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?

Any level of success and achievement in my art career (which includes teaching art to the next generation) that I have experienced must be dedicated to many, many folks. First, paying tribute to my parents who have always given my full permission to be myself. They made choices that were very pioneering and radical for the times—in terms of a healthy, natural lifestyle focused on vegetarianism and a whole-food diet. This was before Whole Foods and vegetarianism were trending; we were simply being close to Mother Earth. It was challenging for me throughout my K-12 public schooling experience, when I did not “fit in” during the daily routines of lunchtime at school and all of the extra-curricular activities where food was involved (and there are many, like birthday parties). This early childhood foundation, grounded in an unconventional vegetarian lifestyle, contains values in it that have informed my entire life.

There are many intangible elements that have helped to shape my character, my choices, my resolve, resiliency and my well-being that can be traced back to how I was raised. Second, I must give a shout out to the educators and mentors who showed me the way on my unique journey, and there are many both the in the formal education setting and those “fairy godmothers and godfathers” who have guided me. I have had immense support (like all of us do) throughout my art and art education career. To name a few: Dr. Shuman, Relani Prud’homme, Sobonfu Somé, Sandra Ingerman, Joy Parker, Frank Cummings, Sandra Hildreth, Layne Redmond, and Martha Beck.

A big thank you and really, there is no amount of words to sufficiently appreciate my partner and my soul family/friends (you know who you are). My life has certainly been rich so far and overflowing with support, love and encouragement. Thank you for reading, and many bright blessings of health, prosperity, peace and joy.

To read this article on the Shoutout LA website, click here.

I invite you to explore my website, especially take a look at Art with Lórien, my online learning platform and community!

Thank you for reading and I invite you to share your contributions via comments and would love to hear from you on my Facebook page, check out my Art with Lórien art classes on YouTube, get to my website, or email me at artwork@lorieneck.com.

May your days be filled with a sense of wonder, love, creativity, adventure and play!

In love, gratitude and beauty…

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Happy Lunar New Year + New Collection

Find us online:  Lorien Eck Art & Design My Original Art Collection Now on VIDA! VIDA – Art-Inspired • Zero Waste • Global Impact Dear Friends, Happy Lunar New Year, Gong Hei Fat Choy! I am so excited about my new Vida Collection — a creative collaboration in design with makers around the world to create inspiring apparel and accessories! Truly a dream come true for me and I am having so much fun with this process! This is work that that I’m proud to say brings something truly positive to the world; taking care of the planet, and empowering the makers and their children through education! Thank you for reading and supporting women in business, like me! Blessings of health, prosperity and much love to you, My New Collection on VIDA   Click here to learn more about the Luggage tag, accent pillows, iPhone case and cashmere scarf above- all featured in my New VIDA collection online now! I invite you to browse and explore this new collection, at introductory prices, a super-fun variety of goods featuring my mixed-media paintings! By purchasing a unique Vida piece, you empower the makers of your product to build a better future for themselves and for generations to come. Press from Fashion Times — The VIDA shopper is someone who is well-traveled, she’s inquisitive, she’s thoughtful, [and] every product she brings into her life, she’s mindful of how it was made. MY ORIGINAL COLLECTION on ETSY Handmade •  Wearable Art • +Repurposed Decor Love yourself. Then forget it.  Then, love the world. — Mary Oliver  Copyright © 2019 Lorien Eck Art & Design, All rights reserved.

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Notes from the Artist Studio ~ Vol. 1

Dear friends,

Today, I am happy to launch a new blog series on my Blog here: Notes from the Artist Studio.  In this blog series I will be sharing insights, inspirations and an insiders glimpse into my creative process as I design and create from Waterfront Studios.

This first entry is literally my notes to self after a coaching session with my dad, Fred Eck, MFA, about next steps on a commissioned portrait painting that I was in the last stages of.

Here are my notes from his suggestions and below then, you’ll find a series of in progress pics from start to delivery.  *Disclaimer: This type of commission was a one-off, done as a favor for a friend, was a huge challenge, as portraits are generally not my specialty, AND, I chose water-based oil paints as the medium~ super challenging medium for me too.  So proud of myself that I completed the project successfully and that my client was super super happy with!

Top foot- extend toes closer to end of fabric
Lines all around feet – look at pic and paint in lines
More straight less curvy

Dark under lower leg
Top of bottom thigh dark

Dark curve lower leg at curve

Eyes
Left eye- more white left side

Right eye- white goes under iris
Add a little green to white right side
Add eye liner
Paint in shadow on right eye corner
Move iris white highlight move to left

Hair- left side curlier
Lips alter left side
Shadow under lower lip
Chin shadow a little darker

Jewelry – add in
Hands
Lower leg ankle with darker purple color

Highlight on right hand with fabric -Like other area above left hand

Touch up outer edge green right

Touch up green background – upper right side

Dry in sun
Varnish

Deliver to happy client. 🙂

 

The preliminary sketch

 

Hands-on tutorial by my dad showing me how to block in lights, darks and mid-tones. 

His own large format paintings surround the scene.

 

 

The completed painting.

Thank you for reading and I invite you to share your contributions via comments and connect to me via my Facebook page, explore my Art with Lórien art classes on YouTube, and if you would like to make sure you are notified about more content like this, join my newsletter here to be the first to know about launches, events and more.  Keep in touch!

May your days be filled with a sense of wonder, love and the spirit of Aloha,

In love, gratitude and beauty…

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My Mahalo Program ~ Paying It Forward

Start where you are. Use what you have. Do what you can. ~ Arthur Ashe

The Mahalo Program

Aloha friends!

As I embark upon rolling out my new online art making programs, it felt appropriate to share here with you about how I pay it forward/give back in my business model.  So, here it is, my Mahalo Program and the programs, non-profit organizations and groups- mostly local, some national, that I have had the pleasure of supporting and saying Mahalo! to over the past five years since I launched my art business!

The Mahalo Program is founded by the principal of living in gratitude as a way of life. Mahalo nui loa in Hawaiian means to live in thankfulness for the richness that makes life so precious.

How it works: On a rotating basis, I am delighted to select a worthwhile cause or organization to donate 5-10% from both the sales of my fine art originals and revenue generated from a selected Art with Lórien learning program.

Who We Support:

• Standing Rock Official Oceti Sakowin Camp Seven Council Fires– To learn more about Standing Rock: ocetisakowincamp.org

• Heal the Bay– an environmental nonprofit dedicated to making the coastal waters and watersheds of Greater Los Angeles safe, healthy and clean. To fulfill our mission, we use science, education, community action and advocacy. healthebay.org/

• The Peace Exchange– Sustainable Fair Trade, Laguna Beach, CA. thepeaceexchange.com/

• Art for Clare, Clare Foundation, Santa Monica, CA- 8^th annual fundraiser for addiction and recovery services. clarefoundation.org/

• Modjeska Ranch Rescue, Annual Art & Wine Fundraiser, Modjeska Canyon, CA- dedicated to finding homes for neglected and abandoned animals. modjeskaranch.com/

• Grapes for Grads VI, VIII, Laguna Beach, CA-Scholarship fundraiser for college-bound students from Laguna Beach HS and LCAD. grapesforgrads.com/

• Save the Arts – LAUSD, Los Angeles, California – Benefitting underfunded arts programs in Los Angeles public schools K-12 savethearts.net/

• Haight Ashbury Psychological Services, San Francisco, California -Providing the community with access to quality mental health care. hapsclinic.org/

• Age Well Senior Services, Non-Profit Serving Orange County, Laguna Woods, California -Providing Meals on Wheels, Transportation, Adult Day services and Health and Wellness Programs. agewellseniorservices.org

• Whole Planet Foundation– their mission is poverty alleviation through microcredit in communities around the world that supply Whole Foods Market stores with products. wholeplanetfoundation.org

 

Thank you for reading and I invite you to share your contributions via comments and connect to me via my Facebook page, explore my Art with Lórien art classes on YouTube, and if you would like to make sure you are notified about more content like this, join my newsletter here to be the first to know when I offer my new programs, including early bird specials and exclusives!

May your days be filled with a sense of wonder, love and the spirit of Aloha,

In love, gratitude and beauty…

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Embracing Grief in Challenging Times

Hello!  I am happy to be back writing here in my blog, after a turn-of-the-year hiatus and by demand of very clear, poignant and pivotal events of late. In this blog, I am embarking in an area that is not often openly talked about and is quite a complex, layered, and profound area of the human experience.  For some time now, what has been brought to my attention once again, is the grieving process, the stages of grief and my own personal layers of grief that began in earnest with the death of my six-year-old sister when I was eleven years old.  For me, grief had been a very scary and sensitive topic (death and dying included) and I avoided or denied those feelings with some underlying.  I was a young girl, just in the 6th grade and the space and stages of grieving were paused and delayed in earnest until I was about eighteen years old and a freshman in college.  It was a car accident where I was injured, shaken up and overall, experienced trauma and stress, and was the catalyst to a profound spiritual awakening and the earnest start in my search for meaning and truth.  It also was the impetus of my own conscious grieving process of the physical death of my only sister and my desire to connect with her spiritually.  This process has been a constant, as with every death “out there,” all loss and grief is re-triggered for me.  And like everything in life and personal growth, progress not perfection has been my ally as I continue to navigate the many losses and feel the grief in my life and in the collective.  One of the ways that I process and integrate loss and grief now is through my art practice and I will be blogging more about art, healing and grief in subsequent blog posts… stay tuned.

Here are my observations right now and what inspired this post today.  The veils are certainly thin these days, and I am being reminded once again how truly precious life on Earth is, to cherish every moment and to continue to LOVE above all else, especially when the external realities are extreme and polarizing.

Sobunfu and I at the Rowe Center, MA, June 2000

This is from January 19, 2017: Today I started my day like many others, morning rituals, welcoming a new day to embrace, embark and do my very best.

I learned of the passing of one of my very special teachers, a powerful healer named Sobonfu Somé. I do not know the details of her passing to the Spirit world other than the fact the she was with her family in Burkina Faso. What I do know deep in my bones, is the impact that she had on me and the sweet memories I have with her, studying her books, learning from her culture, the Dagara in Burkina Faso and most importantly, being with her in sacred ritual at the Rowe Camp and at the Omega Institute in NY, both in 2000. Her name itself means, “keeper of the rituals” and her work and legacy touched many many lives here in the West.

I was introduced to her work through another teacher and mentor of mine who has also passed, Joy Parker, who was studying with Malidoma Somé. I was excited to study with him but destiny guided to study with Sobonfu instead! After devouring her books, I was able to be with her in person at one of her grieving ritual 3-day retreats, this one at the Rowe Center. It was powerful, transformational and taught me about honoring the sacred in everyday life, to honor my ancestors and to embrace grief, something that was and still is a life long learning curve.

Sobonfu also taught me about the sacred element Water. She founded Wisdom Spring, working diligently to provide various villages in West Africa with drinking water and to provide resources for education through its various programs including Art for Africa and Walking for Water.

Ironically (or is it?), there is a Grief Ritual scheduled for March 2017 near Washington, D.C.

Anyway, I’m continuing to reflect on how knowing of and receiving Sobonfu’s life gifts here on earth has impacted me and what more I can do to integrate and honor her legacy.  To learn more and benefit from her wisdom, visit http://www.sobonfu.com

It is comforting to me to know that she is crossing over to the realm of the ancestors and her Spirit endures through her work and us…

My reflections so far about Sobonfu and her teaching will continue in forthcoming blog posts and revolve around her legacy of discovering and sharing our gifts and for me that includes the healing, art-making and evolving through the grieving process.

Something that I heard today from another wonderful teacher/friend of mine, Georgette Star of the Life Blessing Institute, who said. “I’m learning to “share this intimacy of grief with others who can hold that level of sharing. What an incredible gift to connect heart to heart.”  And, with that my friends, I’ll share that my heART is here to heal, to teach and to inspire healing the hearts of others and the world through engaging intimately with the creative process.  I truly look forward to sharing my three new art program launches this spring which range from a foundations in art-making course to a program that facilitates a deep dive into your creative healing process with me as your gentle guide.

Thank you for reading and I invite you to share your contributions via comments and connect to me via my Facebook page, explore my Art with Lórien art classes on YouTube, and if you would like to make sure you are notified about more content like this, please sign up for my newsletter here.

May your days be filled with a sense of wonder, love and the spirit of Aloha,

In love, gratitude and beauty…

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