fish | Sheila's Corner Studio

Soul Art 2019. 12 x 16, Acrylics on Arches 140 lb. cold pressed paper. © 2019 Sheila Delgado.

Soul Art Day ( June 5th) with Laura Hollick is a day of creativity and connection. The insights from taking part in the process usually last long after the art has been created. This is from Laura:

Soul Art is a unique creative practice that uses art and creative expression to commune with spirit to awaken deep healing, soul-empowered insights, transformations, and high-vibe visions for your life and career. This is our annual event where thousands of people gather online from around the world to create art together for the day. as you’re journeying through your Soul Art process, know that you are held in the collective vortex of our Global Creative Soul Art Family. There is something deeply profound that happens when we collectively connect in this way. Even though we are each on our own journeys, our collective intention to create art on this day amplifies everyone’s creative power.

Creativity, Connection, Curiosity, Kindness, Respect, Joy.

Breathe in deeply to bring your mind home to your body.
– Thich Nhat Hanh

The day starts with a video from Laura. Guiding you through the Soul Art worksheets. This is your journey, where you find your intention and action. There are five steps in this process. Intention, Bodymapping, Creative Expression, Insight, and Spirit action.

To warm up, I made marks on a 4 x 6 piece of paper. I used new paint markers. I am not familiar with them, so it was one small step out of my comfort zone. I planned on doing more of these, but I quickly felt limited by the small size.

I mindlessly filled the paper with marks. When there was no more white to fill, I rotated the paper several times. Is it just me, or does that look like a fish?

A fish can symbolize fertility, feelings, creativity, rebirth, good luck, transformation, health, abundance, serenity, intelligence, happiness, strength, and endurance. Connecting us with the water element, it represents the deeper awareness of the unconsciousness or higher self. How serendipitous.

Angels are all around us, all the time, in the very air we breathe.
– Elias Freeman

I laid out my palette on a butcher tray. Along with what you see, I included white, two blues and green. But this turned into an analogous theme. For my first layer, I took a comb with paint and just made a mess on the clean white sheet. Gone with the “paper is precious”.

Body mapping is often done with the artist, laying down, and having a friend outline their body. For my map, I used a watercolor pencil. I drew my lungs, esophagus, and stomach. The parts that need healing. These layers are under what is seen.

Throughout the day, Laura and her guest artists broadcast their progress in the studio. Watching them work, and listening to the meditative music, lulled me into a relaxed state. Standing, I painted until the sheet was filled.

My only goal for the day was to participate. To put a brush in my hands. I didn’t really think about what I was going to paint. When we post our piece in the Soul Art Gallery, Laura asks us several questions. My reply regarding insight was this:

“It has happened before. I am not sure the insight has revealed itself to me just yet. I have the painting propped up in full view. I’ll see what it reveals. I feel more myself, more whole, having spent the day creating. This piece is about flow. Free flowing, exchange. Breath. Breathing. Taking nourishment in. Energetic movement (while painting). Release. Repair. Prayer. Connection. Healing. Freedom. Independence.”

Inhale the future, exhale the past.
– Author Unknown

Here’s a look at previous Soul Art pieces.

Awesome News!

My surgery is set for July 11th. 8 am. I have one more appointment with the surgeon and a class before then. This first surgery is to repair my esophagus. The procedure is basically the surgery that people have to lose weight. Bariatric. The class is on what to eat and what not to eat prior to surgery. I will have a second class after surgery as well.

I really like the surgeon. She explained everything very well. The image below shows a dilated and narrowing esophagus. In addition to that, my stomach stays open. The little flap doesn’t close normally. Because of this, I have GERD. And that is what has damaged my lungs. My surgery is more about removing the damaged part of the esophagus. The stomach will be brought up and reattached to it.

Next month is going to be a very good month indeed!

Eight PM and I am just now finishing my painting for today. This is the second attempt.The first one I started by simply dripping and spreading paint. Just making marks, and layering some color.

A lot of interesting little shapes came out of the splotches, and that is one thing that is missing from the work I am showing you. I completely overworked the first piece. It did not scan well, and I should have left it alone, but I tried to make it better… and botched it.

This may need more work. I was thinking of adding some pastel seaweed in front of one or two of the fishes. And maybe some larger yellow spots. I am happy with this, the magenta does not stand out quite so much in person. There is a bit of blue over those areas, and it tones them down. In the first work, the blues were looking neon bright in areas, and now it is the magenta and yellows.

Metallic paint was used over the fish.

I used a watery metallic copper over some of the fish. On the others I used a thinned pearl mixed with turquoise or blue. You can see the reflection here. The letters are chipboard. I think that is what they are called. One of the fish looks as if he is upside down, but of course you know, that is his camouflage in a hostile environment!

Fish, ocean, swim. watercolor, pen, acrylic on 140 lb. cold press paper. © 2013 Sheila Delgado

Leave it to me to do my largest piece on the busiest day. And then to have to do it twice. One more day in the challenge. Not sure yet what I will paint, but I know it will be smaller.

Have a great evening everyone!