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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Films/Series’ By/About Women + Amplifying BIPOC’s Voices ~ My Ongoing Pledge

Art with Lórien Studio Video Production Set

Hello My People!

I am delighted to share this passion of mine is supporting women in the media and my enthusiasm for films that are directed by women, are written by a woman and/or feature stories about women.  One of my guiding litmus tests for the content of a film, is applying the Bechdel test.  What is  the Bechdel test?  It asks whether a work of fiction features at least two women who talk to each other about something other than a man. The requirement that the two women must be named is sometimes added.

So, to solidify my commitment to my quest, in Jan. 2016 I pledged to watch one film per week as part of the #52FilmsByWomen campaign sponsored by Women in Film.  What I am really excited about is discovering the #52weeks List of Gayle Nachlis, Women in Film Senior Director of Education, so many superb films on her list!

I also learned about Film Fatales, a network of women filmmakers who meet regularly to mentor each other, share resources, collaborate on projects and build a supportive community in which to make their films. Here’s Film Fatales list of films directed by women streaming on Netflix USA, 245 and counting!

And, so as we approach the end of 2016, and my 52-week pledge, I am sharing what I have enjoyed so far… And, I do pledge to continue into 2019 and beyond. I also including films I have seen/appreciate that amplify black voices and people of color in this evolving list.

With our evolving landscape, values, priorities and the balancing act that is occurring, there will be much to catch on the screen, big and small!  Enjoy and join the fun!

My Ever Evolving LIST from 2016 through the present day Focused on Female-Driven and People of Color’s Voices/Stories: (in no specific order)

The 100 greatest films directed by women (according to BBC)

https://www.bbc.com/culture/article/20191125-the-100-greatest-films-directed-by-women-poll

UPDATE: Hulu ReFrame Stamped Be sure to check out the 100 and counting productions Made by Her.

Abbott Elementary

The Black Emperor of Broadway

Halftime

ROAR

Radium Girls

Lucy and Desi

Lady Boss The Jackie Collins Story

Patsy & Loretta

Mary J. Blige My Life

Dumplin

Girl Most Likely

Insecure: the End

Misbehaviour

Respect

Ella Fitzgerald: Just One of Those Things

Rita Moreno: Just a Girl Who Decided to Go For It

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Passing

The Underground Railroad

Dolly Parton: Here I Am

55 Steps

Radioactivity

The Banker

On the Rocks

Woman Walks Ahead

Ava

Emma (2020)

This Changes Everything

Audrey

Little Accidents

Joan Didion: The Center Will Not Hold

Promising Young Woman

Nomadland

Pieces of a Woman

Ammonite

The United States vs. Billie Holiday

Miss Juneteenth

Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom

The Glorias

Enola Holmes

Jane

Miss Representation

Pariah

The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks

42

Black Panther

Get On Up

Marshall

12 Years a Slave

Anita: Speaking Truth to Power

Becoming

Harriet

13th

Queen&Slim

Bessie

What Happened Miss Simone?

Birth of a Nation

True Cost

Middle of Nowhere

Selma

Little

The Women’s List

Doin’ the L.A. Thing

Jenny’s Wedding

Joy

Philomena

Iron Lady

Mustang

Woman in Gold

Diana

Tig

Tangerine

Trainwreck

Hello, My Name is Doris

All About Eve

The Story of Ruth

East Side Sushi

Séraphine

The Lady in the Van

Coco Before Chanel

Suffragette

Brooklyn

Carol

Joan of Arc: Virgin Warrior

He Named Me Malala

Diana Vreeland: The Eye Has to Travel

Hanna

Miss Potter

The Passion of Joan of Arc

Maggie’s Plan

Frida

India’s Daughter

Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon: Sword of Destiny

Zootopia

Me Before You

Dukhtar

Girlhood

Ride

The Letters

Big Stone Gap

Under the Same Moon

Testament of Youth

Still Alice

A Ballerina’s Tale

Conviction

The Intern

Me Without You

Under a Tuscan Sun

Ai Wei Wei Never Sorry

Citizen Four

Wonder Woman

Planeat

The Future of Food

The 33

The Whole Truth

Our Kind of Traitor

Mia Madre

Certain Women

Lovely and Amazing

Bombshell: The Hedy Lamarr Story

The Post

Ladybird

Maudie

I, Tonya

Paris Can Wait

Moana

Jackie

Florence Foster Jenkins

Eat Pray Love

Girl Rising

Eighth Grade

RGB

Marina Abramovic: The Artist Is Present

The Female Brain

The Favourite

Yentl

On the Basis of Sex

The Kindergarten Teacher

Captain Marvel

Can You Ever Forgive Me?

Bad Reputation

Kusama: Infinity

Pariah

Heal

Mary Queen of Scots

Becoming Astrid

Westwood Punk • Icon • Activist

Unicorn Store

Captain Marvel

Longshot

Late Night

Call to Courage

Booksmart

Abominable

Little Women

The Farewell

Where’d You Go, Bernadette

Miss Americana

Kareem: Minority of One

Just Mercy

Loving

A Beautiful Day…

Hamilton- Musical to Film

Professor Marston & Wonder Women

TV Shows or Limited Series:

Mrs. America

Genius: Aretha

The Great

The L Word

Insecure

The Queen’s Gambit

The Morning Show

and counting…

Please take a look at a blog post here that features a documentary called Seeing Is Believing: Women Direct by friend Cady McClain,  She wrote, directed, and produced this documentary along with Kate Super.  Also, one of my favorite organizations is the Geena Davis Institute on Gender in Media, an organization that engages, educates, and influences the need to dramatically improve gender balance, reduce stereotyping and create diverse female characters in entertainment targeting children 11 and under.

I invite you to explore my website, my art collection and my Art with Lórien online classes for kids.

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  Art with Lórien on YouTube, visit my website/sign up for my newsletter, 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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Equinox~ Moment of Balance~ Light and Dark

Dark/Light Sky ©LE Art & Design

“You have the opportunity to drink in this energy of Balance and allow it to transform the very atoms at the core of your being.”  ~Archangel Michael via Shanta Gabriel

Happy 1st Equinox of 2014!  This day is significant in that there is an equal measure of lightness and darkness (or shadow) in our Earth and Sun dance.  This “outer” balance of dark/light reflects our own delicate balance of our inner light and inner darkness.  And, in the northern hemisphere, the light is getting brighter and stronger day by day… building towards our Solstice in June.

How can we work consciously with these outer energies in a way that is favorable for us?  For me, doing some sort of ritual to honor the light/dark balance in a simple way is my charge today.  Lighting a candle on my alter in the morning with prayers and meditation and later in the dark of the evening, I will create a simple ceremony again with fire as the central element.  For more ideas on rituals and ceremonies, check out Mystic Mamma’s ideas.  (scroll down on that page to Rituals)

Harlesden Spring ©LE Art & Design

The power of clear intentions is a sure way to move forward and harness these cosmic energies. We are also in the “new year” in the astrological world, moving from Pisces, the 12th sign of the cycle into Aries, the powerful first fire sign.  So, to my many astrologer/y friends and Persian friends, “Happy New Year!”  To quote one of my favorite online resources for charting the annual cycles as well as wisdom of the “Mamma”:  “This symbolic point of balance has been celebrated by our ancestors since the beginning of time. In cultures across our planet this period marks an initiation and symbolic integration of the forces of light and dark.”

For more insights on the meaning and significance of this transition time/space, see this link and many many Bright Blessings in this new season!

Ciel/Mer XV ©LE Fine Art

Thank you for reading and I invite you to share your contributions via comments and connections and would love to hear from you via this blog, my face book page, or email lorien@lorieneck.com.

In love, gratitude and beauty…

www.LorienEck.com

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Green Is Queen!

Succulents in Bloom ©LE Art & Design

I love the color green!  Why?  Green represents so much!  Green represents growth, the earth, fertility, growing grass and leaves, green emeralds, and the stone of jade.  Green is also the color representing the heart chakra.. Ahhhhh  Green is also associated now with the “green” movement, the greening of the earth and all that is “eco conscious”.

Today is St.Patrick’s day.  I celebrated by wearing an awesome bright green scarf and celebrating by spending time with my healing art! Here’s my “selfie” from Lang Fine Art in Laguna Beach with “Ciel/Mer XIV” ( 22″ x 30″ – Mixed media on paper).Selfie on Green Day ©LE Art & Design

I also spent some time walking along the pacific coast near the sea and window shopping, what fun!  Our last stop was a special visit to another one of my “happy places“, a gorgeous nursery where we saw those beautiful succulents and lots of beautiful garden toys, statues, plants, herbs, botanical trees and lots of amazing living things!

Fuzzy One ©LE Art & Design

And, let’s remember our beloved green drinks and smoothies!  My favorite green juice is a combo of organic kale, parsley, celery, cucumber, ginger and a little cilantro!

Fresh green juice-art studio breaktime ©LE Art & Design

What a wonderful day of beauty, fine art, the sea, plants galore and even The Green Man!

The Green Man ©LE Art & Design

“May your pockets be heavy and your heart be light, May good luck pursue you each morning and night.” ~Irish blessing

Thank you for reading and I invite you to share your contributions via comments and connections and would love to hear from you via this blog, my face book page, or email lorien@lorieneck.com.

In love, gratitude and beauty…

www.LorienEck.com

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Gettin’ Real with Gender (E)quality in the Art World

My poster for (en)Gendered (in)Equity or “Gallery Tally”

“Shiva and Shakti, Twin Flames” by recubejim, used under CC BY – Text added to original, 24X36 inches ©LE Art & Design

I am a Soul first, in a female body second.  I am an artist.  I am a female artist.  Did you know that even today, that the statistics of commercial gallery representation is imbalanced?  It’s about 71% male and 29% female in commercial galleries nationwide.  Wow!  Really?  As a working professional artist, I personally represent myself, show in galleries that invite me as well as other “non” art gallery alternative spaces.

Poster maker and Poster at For Your Art Gallery

The more I learn about the gender equity facts in the art world, and consequently, across the board in relation to the existing art world and the world at large, the more I feel inspired to share this data simply to raise awareness.   This is not the ’70’s, this is 2014 and we in the Western world are seeing inequality in so many areas.  Here is an fabulous website that I enjoy getting real with.  Feminist Magazine.  A few fun facts from this website:

Source: Guerrilla Girls

• The number of professionally trained artists and art historians in the U.S. – Males 52%, Females 48%
• Percentage of artists at major institutions:
• National Gallery of Art — 98% male, 99.9% white
• National Portrait Gallery — 93% male, 99% white
• Hirshhorn Museum – modern and contemporary art — 95% male, 94% white
• Exhibition opportunities: Juried (artists unknown to juror) – Males 52%, Females 48%
• Exhibitions opportunities: Invited (artists known to juror) – Males 80%, Females 20%
• Gender distribution of visual artists in art texts – Males 90%, Females 10%
• Of the over 100 Tonys awarded since 1947 for theater direction, only 2-5% have been to women Directors; only 2-6% to African American Directors.

So, what am I doing about this, what’s in my hands?  I am still making my art, still showing art and have joined a grass roots collaborative project to raise awareness about the gender ration called (en)Gendered (in)Equity or “Gallery Tally”.  It is a crowd-sourced, social engagement art project in which over 500 artists from around the world have joined the effort to collect and visualize statistical data regarding ratios of male and female artists in contemporary art galleries.  My project poster is shown above.   Here is the article in Artillary Magazine that got my attention about this vital project.

Micol Hebron, Photo by Safi Alia Shabaik, 2013

For this inspired poster project, I chose the New York City commercial gallery Cheryl Pelavin because I appreciate her gender values and the history of her gallery is unique.  Check it out!

My poster along with 250 others are a part of Los Angeles-based artist Micol Hebron’s collaborative poster project and will be on display in  LA at ForYourArt, the show is called: (en)Gendered (in)Equity: The Gallery Tally Poster Project.  Timed to open during Women’s History Month, the exhibition will feature over 250 posters, each created by a different artist, representing the gender ratios at Los Angeles and New York art galleries.

Having started in Los Angeles, the project is now in its second phase, focusing on galleries in New York. Subsequent visualizations will include Berlin, London, Chicago, Santa Fe, Portland, Pittsburg, San Francisco and other cities.  To see the posters, gallerytally.tumblr.com. 

Here’s the Facebook Invite: All are welcome!

(en)Gendered (in)Equity: The Gallery Tally Poster Project

ForYourArt at 6020 Wilshire Blvd. Los Angeles

March 29­–April 25
Opening: Saturday, March 29 – 6 to 9pm
Discussion: 6:30pm

Thank you for reading and I invite you to share your contributions via comments and connections and would love to hear from you via this blog, my face book page, or emaillorien@lorieneck.com.

In love, gratitude and beauty…

www.LorienEck.com

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My Manifesta ~Part 1

Rooted Tree Branching Up ©LE Fine Art (photo) 2013

Happy February~ Happy V~Day!

Today I begin to slowly take on my personal “manifesta”.  It is in part inspired by the Mercury Retro Cycle, February 2014, as well as the turn of our annual cycle, and more I am sure!

And, while I am applying this astro cycle’s principles to my practice, (take any word and add the prefix RE) i.e. review, redo, remember, re, re, re…. this whole lifestyle re-vamp started to kick in consciously for me after the turn of the year, Jan. 2014 when I was camping in the jungle off the grid for 1 month…… 🙂  It wasn’t about quantity of time, but the quality~ time spent in reflection, and in forgiveness; a time of  healing the heart, the mind and the Spirit in nature.  It was a very cathartic transition time for me and now that I am back in my so-called “normal” existence (NOT!), I am in the sensitive integration leg of the journey.  This stage takes time, care, attention, love, patience, understanding… because the reality is that my life has changed, I have changed.

What exactly is my Manifesta?  It is one way that I am integrating and responding to my inner-world changes and how to interface with the outer world.  The overarching themes  are very “RE” oriented.  Reduce, reuse, recycle, reinvent… basically, less consumption and more creativity with what I already have.

Here’s #1 of my Manifesta:

1. Re-view aspects of lifestyle.
a. What I wear on my body.
-where it was made (country)
-what it is made from (textile)
-brand (that’s a whole other story!)

This is a big one for me.  Even to the point of my life’s passion/calling.  From an early early age, I have been obsessed with my clothing, with textiles and with putting outfits together!  I even won an award in high school for what else, “Clothing”.  Yes! So this topic runs deep!

So, one of my recent activities has been (without judgment) to examine at every piece of clothing I have and assess the following: textile, country of manufacture, and company of manufacture.  I am keeping a record and the stats are not that startling, yet conclusive to the fact that I am making HUGE changes.  1st choice that I have made is to cease buying any new clothing items. Period.  One could call this practice simplifying, yet it is and so much more.  It’s also what I like to call the “RE-forestation” of  a lifestyle that has lived in an urban region for some time.

My Manifesta envelopes all aspects of my life, from what I value, to how I spend my valuable time, my relationships, my living and “work” environment, and of course, my stuff.  We all have our stuff and even  after a home relocation in 2012, when I donated much of my stuff, there is still more!  The stuff I am referring to now, fits into the childhood, sentimental category.  And, at the end of the day, it is still stuff.  And, so the process of elimination goes on.  All is being put through this ‘RE’ process, the RE-zoning and RE-inventing myself in an ever-changing world stage.  One thing I have come to learn is that when the feeling of overwhelm settles in, that’s the sign to eliminate and to simplify, to let go as easily and gracefully as possible whatever is there and to create clean, fresh space.

My Manifesta is an ongoing process and contains many layers.  It is a slow, step-by-step, year-long project and focus that I know will yield results and allow me to manifest my dreams.

Thank you for reading and I invite you to share your contributions via comments and connections and would love to hear from you via this blog, my face book page, or email lorien@lorieneck.com.

In love, gratitude and beauty…

Personally Experienced and Recommended Resources

Mystic Mamma

This is a great resource for astro wisdom, cosmic consciousness and mamma-ness.  This link is especially illuminating in terms of

Mercury retrograde, February 6-28, 2014

The Power Path

The monthly forecast from these amazing folks is an invaluable tool.

Slow Fashioned Blog

Fabulous resource for the curious, courageous and committed co-creative consumer!  I challenge you to take the Pledge!

One Dress Protest

One woman’s inspiration, in her words, “to figure myself out in the complex and oftentimes disconcerting world of clothes

and outward appearance.”  Excellent inspiration for me!

www.lorieneck.com

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Navigating 2014 with Grace and Ease

The Path to the Great Unknown ©LE Fine Art (photo)

“The past has no power over the present moment.” ~Eckhart Tolle

Aloha fellow travelers!

Happy New Year greetings from the magical and mystical island of Kauai!  What amazing and expansive times we are in!  I am personally experiencing a time of great change and gracefully releasing what no longer serves my highest good.  Ahhhhhh.  This month, much like December, is a period of transition for many, and I am certainly feeling this.  Why is January still feel like a transition month?  Well, from what I know, the Dec. 31/Jan 1 shift is just one of many larger cyclical passages that occurs and effects us energetically.  The others are the Chinese New Year, this year occurring on January 31 (always coinciding with the new moon), the astrological new year with Aries (first sign of the zodiac) and of course, our friend the groundhog who pops up on Feb. 2, often signalling a new season.  So, with all of those factors in the field, it’s no wonder the vibes are feeling like they do!

Navigating the course moving from the Chinese year of the water serpent to the soon to be wooden horse has proven to be a time of great growth, detachment, adjustments, preparations and education on all levels.  I have re-dedicated myself to my daily yoga practice and embarked on a deep cleanse and all level detox sourcing many of the fruits of the sacred land that I am living on, (fresh Noni, aloe, parsley, coconut water, to name a few) and letting go even more through my long exhales…

I read something recently from the Power Path by Lena Stevens, where she talks about being prepared, getting ready, set, to GO in the coming months of this year.  Here’s an excerpt from her January forecast: “The question is, “What are you preparing for?” This is an unknown as to how the future will manifest, but the preparation is always for something new and better to come into our lives, a new paradigm, a new perception, a new frequency. We do not yet know how it will manifest, but if we are encumbered by all of our excess baggage (physical, emotional and psychological) we will certainly not be able to take advantage of it.”  Oh yeah love that!

Yep!  This is what I am experiencing full on and feel that what I can do at the very least, is to prepare my body/mind temple, my emotional and my Spiritual bodies for what it is I am here to do and what lies ahead.  Starting here with baby steps and moving into what I can change/create in terms of nourishment, in thoughts, emotions, beliefs, relationships and especially letting go of what no longer serves is my focus at this time.

What to prepare for?  One thing I know for sure, this Chinese year of the wooden horse holds lots of promise of dreams fulfilled from following my bliss step by step and through patiently watching the mystery unfold.   From astrologer Carol Barbeau: “Horse magic is always about traveling free and following your path: Horses are to me about Travel, Power, Freedom.”  How exciting indeed!  I look forward to sharing more of the adventure and magic as 2014 rolls on!

Thank you for reading and I invite you to share your contributions via comments and connections and would love to hear from you via this blog, my face book page, or email lorien@lorieneck.com.

In love, gratitude and beauty…

Personally Experienced and Recommended Resources

The Power Path

The monthly forecast from these amazing folks is an invaluable tool.

Carol Babeau Illuminations

Her weekly and monthly forecasts are fun, inspired and always insightful!

www.lorieneck.com

“Hope is a waking dream.” ~ Aristotle

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Why is Art Healing?

Water IV 48 inches X 60 inches Mixed Media on Canvas ©LE Fine Art

My relationship to art and healing is complex and textured with many personal stories close to home as well as those from my professional career.  In my experience, my spiritual evolution is in direct relation to my artistic process.  My self-expression has morphed in its form, yet the reliable resource has consistently been a source of resiliency, growth and ascension to this day.  My artistic process has served me as an outlet moving me from hope to despair and back to hope again throughout my life.  And, my art “products” have served as a living document reflecting my upward spiral.

My exposure to the arts began from birth really, as my father is an active fine artist thus I grew up in a household that supported and fostered both art making and an appreciation for the arts.  I was immersed in a creative atmosphere and was given active permission to “play” in the arts.  My sister was an avid artist and it was through her creating of art that she was able to cope with the pain and suffering that she endured through a terminal illness with grace and ease.  Her fragile life is a strong testimony to the healing and liberating power that art carries.  Art continues to be a central resource to my family’s healing, grieving and transformation from a tragic loss.

As an arts educator for over 14 years, I personally witnessed a multitude of what I call “transitions in consciousness” within the thousands of students that I was able to reach.  My art classroom provided a safe container for their artistic expression to flourish and heal/relieve the suffering from loss, disease, grief, poverty, social injustice and other life threatening situations that many of them faced.  Time and again, it was self-evident that creative expression through the arts provides solace, an inward refuge and for many hope through a shift in awareness and perception.

Overall, art is a potent path of healing both as a practice and a profession for me.  Art, creativity and healing are to me synonymous.  Art is the glue of the Universe and provides a nourishing space for the Soul to rest and take refuge.  More than ever, art and the artistic process serve as the means for the evolution of human consciousness and planetary healing.

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What InSpires You?

Blue Pearl 9X12 inches Mixed Media on Paper

What nourishes you from your inspiration?
What ever nourishes and inspires you fully can be the starting point for Living your Life from the effortless Flow of Being, from the Inside out.

~Cass Phelps

Did you know that if you follow what inspires you, you will become more of you essentially are, your authentic self, stripped down to the core to your eternal being?  I love this!  Yes!  What if your daily practice was to simply follow your inspiration?  Similar to following your bliss, look inside and outside to  what inspires you, take a breath inhale and exhale deeply, inhaling spirit, in-spir-ation…  Observe what in-spirits you, gives you energy, makes your heart sing with joy, gives you goose bumps, gets you excited, discover and follow that.  Touch it and follow it like a butterfly….

Experiment with this focus and see where your inspirations lead you and what expressions, creations and visions emerge out of this process.  Trust your inspirations and take note, mark your musings and new awareness throughout~ whether in writing, sound, video, photos, drawings, or all, it’s your choice.  The exciting bit is that you will discover magic and brilliance within and without… You’ll feel satisfied, experience more causeless joy and pleasure!  And, our world will benefit through the sharing of your inspirations through your new manifestations in the material realm!  Play with this and see where the bread crumbs take you…  I wish you all love, light and blessings on your quest and path of exploration!

I look forward to your comments and questions … would love to hear from you via this blog, FB, or email lorien@lorieneck.com.

In love, gratitude, and beauty,

Recommended Resources

Awake-One

Cass Phelps is an amazing individual and his inspired body of work and offerings have been a

phenomenal resource for me! His work is comprehensive and rich…

“You Have The Energy Of The Sun In You.”
~Rumi

“Inspiration is always a surprising visitor.”
~ John O’Donohue, Anam Cara: A Book of Celtic Wisdom

www.lorieneck.com

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