Here’s the fourth and final abstract painting I did while in France for the month of August.
This one changed significantly through a few layers, with each one I experimented; what will happen if I do this? And then, this?
I began with water and Earth, as I did with each painting, connecting to the land. Then added a first bit of colour… Then, gentle additions…
Well, then I added another layer and the colours, that began as vibrant turne
d somewhat dull. Obviously, a warm clashed with a cool to make this muddyish mix. I felt like I was stirring the proverbial pot!
So, what was I to do? I chilled for a bit and felt into my heart. I contemplated where I was at that day; how I was feeling, what was I experiencing, and what wanted to be expressed.
This trip wasn’t all peaches and cream. There were some really tough moments mixed in. I had quite a significant setback physically during our travels to France, and what came with it was some very tender emotions, frustrations and feeling broken. There were indeed moments of overwhelm.
Paul was experiencing his own challenges;his Achilles inflamed again, enou
gh that he sacrificed running in a few races of the World Master’s Championships and cheered on his athletes instead. I know it was hard for him to be on the sidelines.
We had a couple of iffy moments, but we’ve developed a level of communication (while sometimes a bit shaky) and trust that have always served to get us through whatever trials we face together, and this trip was no different. I think we’ve proved to each other that we can be counted on, that we never let each other down when it counts, and that ultimately there is a great deal of love and respect.
So, I felt into Love, and I looked with Love, at Love.
I began to see a couple of hazy shapes and I outlined them very loosely, and they became like these Angel Lovers. I did not want to get hung up on design and definition as I’ve been yearning to be free of perfectionism, so I left them in this very abstract state.
At first, I felt embarrassed with the painting. I didn’t want anyone to see it. But, as I took it up to our room in the chateau and laid it next to the others, I developed a fondness for it, and dare I say it, I could imagine framing it and seeing it on a wall. The next thing I knew I was in love with it.
A couple of hours later, off we went to see a castle. It was on the top of a very steep winding hill I didn’t know how I was going to manage, but I didn’t want to wait at the bottom while the others went up without me. So, I reached out to Paul and he held strong, pulling me along side him the whole way up.
I didn’t care one bit how hard it was for him or me because all there was, was Love. When I saw this photo, it seemed like destiny for the painting I finished earlier to be called ‘Illuminated Hearts’. Even though we look tired and strained I can also see our hearts radiating vibrantly just like in the painting.
This piece would be perfect for anyone wanting to attract a soul partner or to celebrate an existing unconditionally loving relationship.
“Oh Beloved,
take me.
Liberate my soul.
Fill me with your love and
release me from the two worlds.
If I set my heart on anything but you
let fire burn me from inside.
Oh Beloved,
take away what I want.
Take away what I do.
Take away what I need.
Take away everything
that takes me from you.”
‘Morning Glory’ was my third of four abstract paintings I did while in France.
My post Thunderstruck by love in France shares snippets of our trip – a very basic overview with also a sense of how I connected with the land and the voice within, while in The Lookout I share more intimately how I was moved to express this voice – claiming more and more of my authentic self.
Our time in France was during a Venus retrograde period; a time of reflection and emotions coming to the surface, and boy did they ever. I experienced some magnetically moving moments of love filled with so much grace as I connected with this land and my heart, but there were times it took some really low low’s to overcome to get there.
It was so indicative of this whole year, powerfully transformative, love and gratitude, mixed in with a whole lot of challenging and overwhelming moments.
It’s interesting that when I posted a work-in-progress photo of this piece on Facebook, the responses back indicated that they felt it was a depiction of a sea or ocean – very watery. My reaction to that was, ‘no no – it’s not finished then’ because to me it held more elements than just water, which represents our emotions.
It needed to be touched or balanced with more depth; from Above and Below – a processing to move the emotions into something of more substance.
Here’s another view of Morning Glory – as it was drying with the sun shining upon it. The colours look richer here probably because of the dark stones reflection around it. Hmmm… I see a hummingbird in there, reaching for its nectar…
“The hummingbird spirit animal symbolizes the enjoyment of life and lightness of being.” ~ Spirit Animal
~ Morning Glory by Kiernan Antares ~
Awaken me, oh Morning Glory
to the essential harmonies of nature,
inspire within me a renewed sense
of soulful enthusiasm
and I am yours for the taking.
My offering to the seen and unseen…
May my shimmering brilliance and vitality
spread light like a flowering vine,
In radiance,
I speak my truth, I live my dreams,
I am Vibrant, alive, and fully seen.
‘Mountain Pride’ is an abstract piece I painted during my stay at a chateau in Moire, France. In my post ‘The Lookout’ I describe what it was like to take in the lay of the land; the richness and aliveness of it, and how I processed it into paintings, so I encourage you to read it.
It’s not uncommon for me, and perhaps other artists, to be inspired or influenced by events or experiences that have yet to happen. I believe that was the case in painting ‘Mountain Pride’.
At the end of the day when I uploaded my photos, something struck me as interesting. Now, with an eye for seeing the unseen, I immediately connected my painting to this photo I took of a good friend, who we traveled with in France. Doug, or Shaggy as he prefers to be called, is quite an interesting character and one of the kindest and most considerate people I know.
Can you see him in this painting? I kept this impression to myself, until I posted the painting on Facebook and left a comment for Shaggy. Happily, yes, he did see it and is adding this piece to his art collection!
So, why would I paint this? What was I thinking or feeling at the time? Sadly, I did not write down what specifically I was experiencing during its painting, but I do remember that I was filled with grace. I do remember that Shaggy and I shared a common bond of basking in the sunsets and alerting each other to possible beautiful shots awaiting.
I do remember that we also shared some quiet contemplative mornings together, separately but in each others space, so to speak, with coffee, journaling, and enjoying the fresh air. I do remember a nice talk about life at a cafe in Paris together.
And, I do remember connecting deeply to the spirit of the land and the human spirit, and on this trip there was an abundance of loving kindness, camaraderie, support, cheering each other on in triumph and being there when things got tough.
Now, of course this painting has an element of cosmic connection, which I think is perfectly perfect for my reflections on this piece and its relationship as or to the Yogi Warrior:
“Here is where you live. Come inside.
Touch what is not, and then this is.
Raise dust in both worlds.
Then the going goes the same:
Pain, difficulty; peace, pleasure.
But you are beyond those four,
Beyond the winding way.”
~ Rumi
You are the Yogi Warrior and you carry the Medicine Way within you, for you walk in reverence to the preservation of all life, as you pursue your heart’s calling – your destiny. A yogi warrior knows his purpose in this life. He knows how to utilize his talents and abilities in service to the greater good and when he fuses his passion with selfless service, he inevitably becomes a teacher, leader, guide, and mentor to others on their journey.
The great mountain and the zenith sun remind you of the goals you wish to accomplish. Mother Earth opens her lands for you to walk your noble journey.
~ Mountain Pride by Kiernan Antares ~ SOLD
Abstraction on Canvas Paper, 12″ x 16″
Copyright 2015, Kiernan Antares, All Rights Reserved
Ah… none of my photos do any amount of justice to the magnificent scenery of the Beaujolais region of France, where we stayed for the month of August.
None captured the simple need to sit and gaze, to sit and gaze and breathe it all in for days on end.
My intention for this trip was to unplug from social media, from being influenced and swayed by what others are doing, to rest and rejuvenate my heart, and to listen, really listen to the voice and stirrings within.
At some point as an artist, and I suppose as a person in general, there comes a time to take all the technical aspects you’ve learned in how to express yourself and set them free, with loving gratitude, and then open the door to let the wild and truly authentic you enter.
Painting abstracts has become that doorway for me this year, and getting away to just be, without any expectations was the most delicious experience to nourish this need, this yearning to explode on to the canvas with the colour and light of my soul and spirit.
I spent days lounging, tanning and swimming – oh the sun felt so good on my back and I could feel my bones soaking up its powerful rays by day…
and its healing grace by evening with friends…
There is such yin and yang evident in the world, in every way of living, of being, of doing. I’ve been learning that these differences are necessary and healthy to balance and compliment each other.
Paul and I are similar in some ways and different in so many others. He needs to keep busy and focused on building something spectacular, which he does with grace and devotion (and I respect tremendously), whereas, I need lots of solitude to connect with the spirit of life so that I can paint and share it as an artist and writer. Different, yes but complimentary. The trip filled both our needs, and our love had a chance to thrive in France, for which I am eternally grateful. (Oh look… check out my silvers!)
This trip was filled with so much heart and inspiration. It was also filled with some challenging physical setbacks, opportunities for growth and experiencing the power of love as a transformation force.
It was filled with laughter, support and sharing…
Some girl time…
Some chilling cafe time…
There was visiting with the Black Madonna of Lyon time…
Visiting an old castle…
now used as an art gallery time…
There was the magic of Paris time… the City of Lights, which captures and excites my heart with every visit…
Some gallery time, where I got to see one of my favourite’s, ‘The Dance Class’ (a thrill to satisfy my ballerina heart) by Edgar Degas up close at the D’Orsy Museum…
and yes, some painting time…
Where I got to feel the heart of the land, the heart of spirit, the heart of my soul and listen deeply to its urgings…
On the left: Mountain Pride – SOLD
On the top right: The Lookout – SOLD
On the middle right: Morning Glory
On the bottom right: Illuminated Hearts
I’ll be posting these pieces separately on my blog
Being away for so long really felt like a reset and the unplugging a necessity. This really has been and continues to be such a potent year for reflection and releasing what no longer serves, for seeing where my heart is still closed, seeking spirit’s guidance to open it more, and for preparing for new beginnings.
In fact, to help in all this I am doing a major decluttering home project. Anything and everything that no longer sparks joy is being blessed and released. Then, taking it a step further we’re making a renovation list to give our home a good refresh and reorganization to support our joyful inspired life’s vision.
Shaking things up good!
I celebrate LOVE in all it’s high’s and low’s. I celebrate the POWER of LOVE as a force of healing and grace. I celebrate the truth’s that connect our heart’s to each other and the ONE. I celebrate the gifts that lie within each of us.
I celebrate my continued passion for painting and serving the world in my inner transformation, joy and fulfillment.
I’m a writer, poet, editor and artist. I’m here, in this space, as a scribe; sharing stories, dreams, storms, waves and windows. If poetic leanings, the creative calling, and all things writing interest you, please join me.
