
The Inspiration that put it all together was just one Major Piece of the Puzzle.
This painting was very different right from the beginning. It began with my Blog entry. For me, I clearly felt deep emotional memories as ghosts nestling into my body. They obsessed themselves and wouldn’t be dismissed. Some I never want to dismiss, but the truth is, none of us can dismiss any off it. Shamans would cast these out with rituals, a cleansing of energy. But I’ve found accepting them, loving them, creates a shift. ‘Thinking’ won’t create the change or clear them. Art for me is my saving grace.
This was a difficult painting to do if i ‘thought’ about it. The writing came through so powerfully, I kept hearing ‘JUST DO the painting’. Don’t think. That’s as Scary as some Ghosts! I really ‘thought’ I knew what the background should be. As I laid down colors, it became something else. As this background was drying, before I worked on the Face, I even turned it over & painted what I thought it Should be. But I returned to the first one. The Face appeared for me, the eyes first, then everything else. Her presence dictated the rest, the ghostly images of a town, a bridge, the waters of memory, the symbols, and then the people. Never did I see this end piece in my mind. Never a complete Bolt of Inspiration, but all definitely coming from some other worldly place, the puzzle took shape.
Days of writing ideas at dawn, reading inspired texts, sleeping on it, gathering faces, playing with color, layering with apps, contemplating my wounds, led to the blog that ultimately led to this painting. Each entry, sketch, and spontaneous thought was a piece of the puzzle. It finally came together when I Did the painting.
Inspiration is opening to the unknown, allowing pieces to flow through you, and taking notes along the way. It all is leading to something far beyond the little thinking you. “Facing Life: Ghosts Within” is my souvenir of the journey.
So don’t sit & think! Nothing happens then. Listen and record your Ghosts. Gather your pieces. Keep Doing Something about it. They will tell you when you HAVE to Birth the piece. It gestates, grows, shifts, and moves, but when it’s ready, don’t hesitate. Art can be your saving grace, too.

Great info! I have been thinking too much! Once again you have inspired me to write, check in with my SOUL! I know “art is my saving grace”! THANKS FOR BEING A MUSE! Barbara
Doing is everything ! Enjoy it all!