Every once in a while I’m gifted with a painting idea “from the gods”. These gifts are rare and unexpected. They keep me on my toes, my energy high in anticipation, and my love for painting deep.

That’s the way I feel about my current painting, “Weaving a Journey”.

This painting began about ten years ago with my idea to show two hands weaving Hala leaves.

Hala Trees are common in the Islands. The leaves are thin, long, and flowing. When the leaves are woven together, it’s called Lau Hala. Baskets, hats, mats, purses, and many other things are woven of Lau Hala.

One of my painting mantras is to only paint what I know to paint. When I don’t know what to paint, the painting is put away.

When the initial phase of this painting was finished I wasn’t sure how to complete the rest. I put it into my flat files waiting for inspiration to claim me again.

Many artists start with a plan and do sketches before they start to paint. I’ve tried that method only to find all my inspiration and energy goes into the sketch, leaving my painting feeling flat.

There are more ways to paint than there are people.

It’s important to find your own way to paint and follow the path that works best for you!

To keep my paintings fresh and alive, I jump into them as quickly as an idea hits me. By the time I felt ready to finish this painting, years had passed.

I’m honored to paint a version of the story of the journey of the first Polynesians to come to the Hawaiian Islands.

One theory is that the sails of the double-hulled canoes that brought the people here were woven of Lau Hala. These leaves are long with rough edges that will “eat your hands” until callouses form.

To weave a large sail, a line of women sat close together. It’s important that the weave remains tight and even. When one woman would tire, another would take her place so the weaving could continue.

I painted the double-hulled canoe. The people paddling it were next. I was very nervous about adding them, and until I did, the painting wouldn't be finished.

Until a painting is finished, it’s just a piece of paper!

Yesterday while painting at the kiosk at the Hilton Hawaiian Village, I asked one of the bellmen to help me understand the ergonomics of paddling a canoe.

He explained the last person in the canoe steers it, so his paddle is upright. Every paddler keeps his face forward so he can see where he's going.

Then, brush in hand, heart in my throat, I painted the paddlers, one at a time, taking breathing space between the first few until I felt comfortable to continue.

I'll let the painting rest for the weekend before deciding whether or not it's finished. See for yourself and let me know what you think.

All that angst for a few simple brushstrokes!

Each week I write a weekly summit. I list my “Ta-Dahs” (accomplishments), my “things not done”, my AHAs, and things to do in the week ahead.

The ribbons denote my special accomplishments

To further keep myself focused, I record my deeds each day — it’s too easy to forget that I’ve done much of anything unless I record it.

Still, something’s missing. I can tell by the empty feeling that remains.

Purpose! The “why I’m doing or not doing something” matters. I long for a sense of meaning and purpose in life.

Yes, this truly IS a “first world issue”. My basic needs are met. I have food, water, fresh air, and shelter. I reach for meaning.

I seek happy accidents too.

"Don't Fence Me In" has been languishing in my flat files for a while — I finally finished it.

I chase the magic of wonder and discovery with each brush stroke.

Maybe that’s why I allow my paintings to linger rather than rushing to finish them.

Painting is a process of unfolding to all that the painting has to offer. I don’t want to rush it (and possibly miss it) by moving too quickly.

My brush strokes are applied quickly with a bold assurance that I may or may not feel.
Then I wait.

“Only paint what you know to paint” is one of my regular mantras to myself and to my students.

This means watching your painting and waiting.

Wait to paint until you’re moved to paint the way you’re moved to eat when hungry.

For some, the art of putting paint on paper or canvas is reason enough to paint.

Another painting that might be finished, was waiting for me in my flat files.

I want more. I want to feel enriched, enlivened by what the painting reveals to me through the process.

I look to the world in a similar way.

When I go for a walk, I look for clues that I belong in this world and on this walk.

A heart-shaped rock, a piece of coral, or a swirl in a tree, sends me love from the universe.

The cracks in the sidewalk remind me of a circus act or a tightrope walker and I’m cheered on to entrust my soul to the divine for another day, another painting.

Am I blessed or cursed to have this outlook? That depends on how aware I am each day and how I interpret what I see and feel.

Keeping a sunny outlook depends on me doing my inner work daily.

And knowing that some of my days are diamonds and some are rust. Just like everyone else’s.

I broke a tooth last week — no pain, just a broken tooth; so I went to the dentist.

When I arrived, I was asked to sign a warranty. I haven’t had major dental work done in years so this was new to me.

The warranty included stipulations about the patient holding up their end of the bargain — like having check-ups twice a year.

This got me thinking about having my own personal warranty.

How do I ensure that my outlook stays “sunny” or that my body functions optimally? What good habits do I have in place and what habits might need updating?

My morning ritual is to read something uplifting and then to write in my journal. I've recently added writing to my Inner Wise Self as well.

After that my days are a bit scattered. No two days are alike. Some days I teach in the morning, some days I teach in the afternoons. Some days I sell art at the Hilton Hawaiian Village. Some days I run errands, or have a coaching call, or do paperwork, or marketing.

How would it feel to create a tighter schedule for myself? "Scary, icky, no thank you", are my initial reactions.

I have lots of excuses for NOT creating a tight schedule: I like my freedom; I prefer to “go with the flow”; I don’t like being hemmed in; I’m a “Horse” (Chinese Astrology) and a quadruple Aquarian (Western Astrology).

I believe in small changes, so I’ll start small. I'll begin by setting my timer so that I don’t spend more than 20 minutes at a time on email or Facebook.

WIN! I can do that easily!

Another change I can make is to consciously set intentions for myself, both for the entire day and for short segments of time throughout the day.

For example, I intend to paint with abandon and joy in my heart. OR I intend to feel joyful as I do x, y, and z (those tasks less fun than painting).

Setting intentions creates a roadmap for the day.

By consciously setting our intentions, we have increased awareness of the processes in which we engage.

Set your intentions in the present tense. Start with the way you intend to feel today, or the way you’ll feel when a task in front of you is completed. Focus on whichever of those feelings feels best.

Intentions can be a bit of a reach, but only a bit. You want them to be believable!

Now that the Art of Aloha Cruise: Discovering Paradise Inside and Out is open for sign-up, we're beginning to set our intentions for the cruise — private, personal, and group intentions.

The energy is building to make this an exciting journey for all of us.

There's room and time for you to join us. Click HERE to download the pdf file of information. Fill out the last two pages and follow the directions to enroll. Please email me if you have any questions. Please note: To fill in the registration form on a computer you will need to use Adobe Acrobat Reader (free) or Adobe Acrobat.

AARGH! I did it again! I turned my joyful expression, my passion, painting, into WORK!

This happened to me once before, about ten years ago, and it was devastating! This time I caught myself and am taking steps to get back to PLAY. Phew!

Changing habits and practicing new ones requires taking baby-steps. My first baby step was to take a walk (DAH!). This is the first thing that captured my attention on my walk.

Look at ALL of the texture. What do you think this is? Do you see the upside down heart?

The very first thing that caught my eye was the trunk of a palm tree. I'd never given them much thought until I REALLY LOOKED AT THIS ONE on my walk.

My world changed within the first five minutes of that walk! Wow! Just look at all of that texture and movement and LIFE FORCE in that tree trunk!

Okay, I got a bit excited.

I know that to make changes we need massive amounts of self-love and tenderness, with bits and pieces of tough love sprinkled in for balance.

I’m not fond of regimentation. Even though I know that following a schedule can increase productivity, I prefer going with my flow and following my impulses.

I also have to remember that I make my living from my art and that means I have to paint and sell art REGULARLY (as in a lot).

The trouble comes when I can't think of what to paint (yes that happens).

To me there's a real difference between painting for the sake of painting and painting something that I REALLY REALLY REALLY WANT TO PAINT!

There are two paintings here, side-by-side. It's the beginning, not the end.

All of my coaches tell me to schedule my “FREE-” or “DOWN-“ or “PLAY-time” first, before I schedule in other commitments.

Scheduling PLAY first does NOT come naturally to me.

“Downtime” is time to just sit and listen — or to “get bored”. You can lie down, but you don’t have to. You can close your eyes, but you don’t have to.

The only thing to “be done” is to release control
and surrender.

Oh, THAT’S ALL!

Surrendering feels scary, so I’ll start small. I’ll start with five minutes a day and work up to more. The important thing is to start.

I will breathe more deeply and consciously unwind, releasing my clenched fists as I breathe.

Go ahead try it.

It really does feel good — at least in short spurts.

Still a work in progress. It's a triptych, meaning in three pieces, still needs some love.