Tree Dances

Energy created after singing and dancing
around a tree. (January 21, 2016)

A tree dance is a form of gratitude and reverence performed by dancing and singing to a tree or trees. I set an intention to connect lovingly with the tree(s). I bow and ask the tree if I can sing a song and dance for it. Sometimes I hear, "yes",  in that case, I start to sing and dance.

Sometimes I hear, "no". Truly, it can be.  When the answer is no, I ask, "what can I do for you?" Some trees and nature spirits want people to clean up the garbage in the area.  It only takes a few minutes and it helps all beings: trees, animals, insects, water, earth, air and even humans.  So I will totally cleanup the area.  Other trees do not want to have anything to do with people and the answer is "do not bother me."  When I hear that type of answer, I immediately say, "thank you for answering" and walk away.  I can try another day.

Lesson: Do NOT force your energy on anything or anyone.  This is important to remember always. (I did not expect to write that part but it is important to mention.)

Once I finish clearing the area I state my intention of gratitude and respect to the tree. I wait a few moments for the song to form and then I dance.  Each tree has its own energy and sense of humour. Yes it has a sense of humour especially for staying in one place for many years.  

For many years, I sang and danced around trees.
But this image is the first time I felt compelled to
draw the energy I co-created with a tree.
(September 2015)

During a tree dance, I allow myself to feel the energies completely.  This brings different sensation and images to me as I'm dancing.  Emotions of joy or sadness come up to be released.  I find that most times, I giggle or laugh once I finish dancing.  Some dances are 5 minutes while others can last over 1 hour.  

After I finish a tree dance, I take the time to listen for any additional insights that may come up.  Most messages are directed towards personal development whereas some messages are about bring more peace to the world.  For many years, I would only sing and dance but in September 2015, I felt compelled to draw the energies that I co-created with a tree. I did not realized how important this first drawing was until later.

Why am I sharing this now?   Well, it's a matter of process really.

The original image was created in pen and
in my journal on October 14, 2015.
I created this image on December 9, 2015.

I only shared my tree dances with a few people.  It was a private and personal experience.  However, I felt compelled to continue singing and dancing around trees.  

This was created on April 1, 2016.

Some energies required expression and documenting immediately so I drew them in my private journal.  A tree dance helps the person as well as the tree.  Trees live much longer than most humans and when we listen to the messages we can gain wisdom and insights to the patterns of life.

Drawn directly in my journal (April 16, 2016).

You'll notice that back in 2016, I decided to walk away from my tree dances because it was not what you would say, "normal."  But over the months, I felt a push to return to nature and continue to sing and dance.  I tried making art with nature instead.  Here are two pieces that I created back in August of 2016.

Beginning of August

Then on August 11, 2016, I called my father and we spoke for 4 hours.  I shared my desires to teach people and children about nature, fairies, angels, art, music and dancing.   My father told me to take a chance and trust myself.  "It's time to charge people for your work."  As we were talking, I created this art piece.

August 11, 2016

After getting off the phone with my father, I became fascinated by some rain.  You can see my reaction to it in this video.  Oh how amazing nature can be. You'll notice how my fascination changed to annoyance once I got the message.  Snort.  

                                   
                              

So the process is all about following the messages of your heart, spirit and the beauty of nature.  I realized that running away from a tree dance experience is not healthy for me or nature.  My guidance continues to lead me to sharing tree dances with others.  The image below came to me after meditating on the messages of the previous day.  Now is the time to share.  It's about a year later than August 2016 but it's time to dance again.

On August 12, 2016 this message and image came to me.

One more piece I want to share with you. This is Merry Bell and she is offering a rose to everyone.  She reminds us to be open to the love of spirit and our hearts.  "Follow that which makes your heart sing and shine."   

Let's dance together.  Sending you deep love and gratitude.

Being Creative

I find that my art is an extension of my emotions. Mainly my creativity comes out of "know" where. Snort... I meant to write nowhere but really it is about a knowing. It's a knowing that I have emotions to express in all their various colours and flavours. I believe that everyone has access to their personal knowing using their five senses (sight, smell, hearing, taste, and touch) and their sixth sense or intuitive self.  The inner knowing of all that is within and around us. 

At times, I suppressed my creativity because it feels too intense.  I have tried to hide my own creative spark which only causing me to become more stressed or sad. It even effects my physical body. Yet once I break free from denying my need to create everything flows easier and more fluidly. 

Here are some examples over the years of how I use my inner creative knowing to express myself.
  
On December 30, 2015: I pulled out the pencil crayons and thought I was going to make a picture of a flower. I did create a flower but I also created a sense of calm and relaxation. This picture is very dreamy and the lizard on the right side is making its way to the shade of the flower.  There is no need to rush as I explore the gentleness of my own inner journey.

On December 29, 2015: I was waiting for a bus which was taking a long time to arrived.  I noticed how people were complaining that they were waiting for over a hour.  I did not want to get involved with the complaining.  I decided to sing and gently sway to my own sound.  I noticed on the ground an "U" shaped twig and a spark of inspiration came to me.   I bend down and looked for other items that were close by.  All the surrounding sounds dissolved as I continued to sing. I created "Old Man Winter" winking at me. This image was about relaxing because everything is fine.  Really fine.  Once I took a picture, the bus arrived. How sweet is that?  I noticed that a few people walked over to see what I created.  Snort!  It's all good.

On November 30, 2015:  My partner, Tom, took me to the Paint Lounge for special date.  I had no idea what I wanted to paint.  I don't paint often yet I was excited to see what would come up.  I was enjoying myself dancing and laughing with him.  This is what I created. It looks like a happy dancing being!  Snort!

On August, 24, 2015: I could not go out until I did a piece of art.  My creative side needed to be expressed. I was unsure what I was going to do. Once I saw my silhouette on the paper, I drew a line to show it. Then a number of colours came out around it. There are many things I did not see with my bare eyes. Many levels of light and colour that wish to dance around me. What am I not seeing in my life? Am I recognizing all the blessings around me? If not, it is time for me to be grateful and acknowledge them.

Behind the Silhouette

On October 7, 2015, I had a vision of a bird catching a large fish. I couldn't let the image go so I had to draw it with the best of my ability. I was surprised about this one especially since I've watched the salmon run over that past few weeks. I've been cheering on the fish to make it over the waterfalls. When I had this vision, I realized that, "yes, the salmon will make it." Also that there are many opportunities for all to receive the blessings of the salmon run.  

Golden Promise

On January 12, 2015: The night after my mother's death. This image came to me and I could not sleep until I drew it. There is no title at this time. As I was drawing it I felt empowered and open to receiving new information. After drawing this I slept deeply.

On September 16, 2013: I started to doodle in my journal.  I found that once again, I was suppressing my need to create.  I created this image of inner knowing and peace. 

Along with this picture I wrote:

Whisper to me the love that you share. 
Voice of God is in the air.
Love between us. Love above us. Love within us. Love is love.
The time has come to be true. 
See the love: this is within you.
Wake and share your voice.
Wake and speak of choice.
We are love. Love is us.
Many voices all are us. 
Speak of truth.
Speak of peace. 
Speak of love that’s within you.
Love is love. 
You are us.
Pray for peace from the stars above. 
Love is love true and real.
Love is you. 
Love is us.
Hear the chorus filled with heart. 
It’s your choice to come to us. 
Be your truth. 
Be your love. 
Heart to heart we love you.
Love is love. 
Be that love. 
Open up to our love.

After viewing these examples that I've shared with you, do you recognize when you suppress your creativity?  If so, please share your insights with me. 

Much love! 

Vision Journey

There are many times when I go on mini vision journey.  I called them that because I ask myself a question and then visualize a place.  As I'm doing it I write out a quick story.

Here is the one I did this morning:

Where am I?

I'm on a beach. The waves are coming in a bit strong.  I see a dolphin in the distance.  It's asking me to come into the water. I'm wearing shorts and a top.  The dolphin lets me go on its back.  We encounter sharks but the dolphin is able to move fast and quickly out of their way.  The dolphin finds a bell on a rope and we jump out of the water together sounding the bell.

Months ago I drew this dolphin picture.

How interesting that was available for me to use for this posts!

Large whales come to watch the show.  A seal is sitting on nearby stones and rocks.  The dolphin allows me to sit for a bit to speak to the seal. 

“Dear Seal, what is your message for me today?”

The seal starts to bark and slap its fins together. “Thanks for the show. It was wonderful to see you having so much fun.  Why don’t you put on another show?”

“What do you mean? What type of show?”

The seal points to string around him, “Take this.”

Also I drew this seal months ago.
It was available for this post too. Snort!
I added the string and took this picture.

The seal says goodbye and leaves me on the rocks and waves from the water.  I’m left on the rocks by myself with string.  I decided to make a game with the string.  I drew a few string pictures.  

From my journal.

Then I jumped off my bed where I was writing a grabbed REAL string.  Here are the pictures of what I created. 

Playing with string!

Heart with an inner spiral.

Sierpinski Triangle

Just for fun!

Star of David with an inner Spiral.

A smiling guy wearing glasses.

Sailing with Love!

 



I needed help taking these pictures!

Oh how fun!  I'm planning on going on more vision journeys to see what else comes up for me.

It's really exciting! YaHOOO!!!!

Exploring Life Through Art

I haven't posted for a while.  My life seems to keep shifting and changing which is a good thing.
I am writing privately about my mother's death but I'm not ready to share openly my feelings or thoughts about it.

However, I do want to share some art that I created since last summer.  I continued to work with pencil crayons and created these two pieces.

Embryo

Cultivation

Over the months, I found working with soft pastel to be quite fun.  I allowed the colours to flow and I created this.

Dancing

I decided to try using darker colours.  I moved quickly with this piece and it formed into something I did not expect.

Couples Dance

After creating the two piece above, I try to consciously create flames.  I had no idea how it would work.  I added layers of orange, red, and yellow.  Once I stared into the flames, I saw a pair of kind eyes coming out of them.  That's why I drew eyes in the picture.  When I stared at the piece after it was done, I felt overwhelmed with emotions.  I could not look at it for the longest time.  It was too surreal.  I realized later that it was about passion with compassion, life force and love. 

Compassionate Eyes

Weeks went by and I focused on studying Life Skills Coaching. After a week of intense learning, I took time to do more art.  This was created.

Removing the Clutter

During the Fall of 2014, I attended a college program and had no time to do any personal writing or art work.  I focused on the studies where most of my writing was geared to assignments or presentations.  Of course I wrote in my journal but that's for me. 

On January 11th, 2015, my mother passed away.  At my mother's funeral, I sang a song I wrote back in 2014, "Watching Over You". (Again, this is all I want to share about mom's death at this time.)

Weeks after my mom's death, I pulled out the art supplies and went to work.  This piece took time to create.  At first, I thought I was creating a peacock yet something else emerged.

Eyes on You

At the end of the January, I was debating continuing my classes. I was not sure if it was the right direction for me.  I decided to stay on course.  I wrote in my journal during that time.  I wanted to make a tree that shown my roots and new directions.  I found that my art decided to morph into something else.  Whenever I create art, morphing art normally happens.

Untitled Piece

I have more art pieces that I created during that time but they are not completed or do I want to share them at this time.

In July, I started to do art work again, which I want to share.  I found that nature really calls out to me.  I had some amazing experiences with dragonflies and wanted to draw one.  This is what was created instead.

Rebalancing

Recently, I visited the Petroglyphs Provincial Park where I saw two feminine symbols that inspired me. This piece below is my most recent creation.

Taking Root

I'm sure there will be more to come, until time next.  Much love! 

New Art

Over the past few months, I pulled out my old pencil crayons and computer paper.  I began drawing again.  It's very therapeutic for me because I get moments where I must create something. Once my hand touches a coloured pencil, I can release the tension in my body.  At times I step out of my comfort zone and scribble allowing whatever to form.  I surprise myself with the shapes and colours that are presented to me.  Other times, I decided to rip up my work.  It is want it is, my expression in that moment.

Thank you for taking the time to review my art.

Blessings, Naomi

Muscle Memory

Sometimes your body holds memories of your childhood and sometimes it's ancestral. If you breathe in new life, how does that effect your muscles? Are you clearing personal and ancestral energy? Are you feeling that it's outside forces affecting you? If so it's time to look deeper within.

Unfolding

Crossing of Paths

Exploration

Untitled at the moment

Art of Creation

I have a series of pictures and videos to share but as I'm looking at them, I'm wondering more about the Art of Creation. 

We create every day, the moment we wake up.  What we decide to wear is a creation. What we decide to eat is a creation.  How we speak to others is all a form of creation stemming from us.  Does this relate to the pictures below? Yes and no. 

Yes, it does because these items represent things from my mind and heart.
No, it does not because these items are limited forms and only samples of creation.

Boy, I didn't expect to write that. 

Why share at all?  Well, every piece is part of a whole.  Here I go... one piece of art or creation, for that matter, is a stepping stone and act of communication beyond the written or spoken word.  At times, my writing skills are... let's say, a work in progress.  But, through a stroke of a pencil, pen or brush speaks volumes.  A message is relayed and emotions are provoked, each person sees and feels what they need at that time.

You'll notice below a few pieces of work from my youth to now.  The message has changed over the years as my method of communicating was affected by my beliefs.  I felt that creating must be specific, and have meaning behind every point.  I realized that creating anything was the point.  Sure, I had the intention to make something "pretty" or "beautiful" but I became frustrated more than inspired.  I had to let it go.  Let go of the outcome, the expectation that it should be "beautiful."

No matter what, keep creating.  You'll never know what will form unless you try.


Toy Bunny
In my teens I had time on my hands to create.  I love stuffed animals and I sat down to draw this Easter bunny.  I never took an advance art class but I tried working with shadows to create depth and form for this cute bunny.

My Hand

In 2009, after a year of separation from my partner, I was looking for my voice again.  My love of music lead me to a vocal teacher.  After a wonderful class, I drew this on the subway on my way home. I wasn't sure what I wanted to draw. But, this is what I saw.   It's was a long time since I used this skill of drawing.

 

 

Can't You See

I was feeling down and needed some inspiration.  It was a cloudy day in the fall of 2012.  As I started to walk a tune came to me.  I was lucky I had my camera. 

 

 

Beaded Butterfly
A good friend gave me seed beads.  I decided I wanted to create something beautiful so  I found a website with patterns. It was the first time I worked with wire, and it took me days to make this. I then gifted it to another friend. I put a lot of love into this beaded butterfly.  (I also created a number of earrings and bracelets which I gifted to friends.)

 

 

Sensations

I wanted to create a short video for the poem 'Sensations' from my chapbook entitled Turning Pink published by A Beret Day Book, The Ontario Poetry Society, September 2011.  I've added images from the internet and my vocals to compliment the poem.  (I'm not totally happy with the song but it is what it is.  I didn't know that I could create a video but worked it out.)

 

 

Flash Web
This image came to me in a dream.  I call it the "Flash Web."  Not all of the components of the dream are in this drawing but it is complete as it is. There are many areas of life that lead you outward but only one is clear to come back. I normally would avoid using colour because I was afraid of blending them. But I took a chance and used pencil crayons.

 

 

Out of Frustration
I was creating something out of clay and it didn't line up. I became extremely frustrated and angry with myself.  I pushed it back into the dusty corner at which it came. Oh... that's my art.  The chaos within my being. I wrote in my journal .. oh, why can't I create. Why?  Answer:TRY again.

Out of my frustration I ripped paper. Oh it felt sooo good. Why fight the urge to create? Everything is a creation. Out of my frustration I made this. Layers of paper, torn and reborn. Layers of creation and I could always add more. HA!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Polymer Clay

After creating the above picture, breathing and a whole lot of yelling, I tried again at blending polymer clay.  It turned out fine. 

 

Releasing the Seed

More dream work art, I see images of two hands which are different colours that represent love and healing. 

 



 

 

Spirit's Voice

This piece came to me as I was singing a healing song for my friend in distress.  I started with the heart.  I used both hands to draw this image.

 

Spiral Flower Dream

My dreams are full of colour and images.  I wanted to document it on paper with colour instead of just writing it out.  It started out grey but as the dream progressed colour emerged creating a personal mandala.