 Imagery of hands offering support in all directions has been evolving with me since the beginning of the pandemic.
As so much of the world that I knew, and the facades I identified with, began to drop away, I became inexplicably drawn to the circle and the color indigo as a means of self-soothing. Meditating on this singular shape and color was a way for me to establish a sense of certainty within myself, to feel anchored within the chaos and not-knowing that felt so overwhelming. The circle is one of the most ancient symbols used by humanity to communicate; it was utilized long before written language came into existence. As such, connecting with the circle connects us with the very roots of our evolution as a species: a sense of deep interconnection and belonging that has been with us long before we arrived. While the wisdom of the circle is both ancient and timeless, Carl Jung was the first westerner to observe and document how people naturally gravitate towards circular shapes during times of upheaval and transformation. He began working with the mandala as a means of understanding his own individuation as well as that of his patients. Resting within the mandala (Sanskrit for “sacred circle) allows both the viewer and creator to access a sense of calm within chaos; it is a powerful tool of the subconscious for calling back fragmented parts, of inviting wholeness and a sense of timelessness. Ancestral Study no 13, 7”x7” acrylic on paper. Influenced and inspired by late mentor Richard Yarde, a connection who years later is my greatest gift from my studies at Umass Amherst. This particular image is a representation of all 1024 hands that comprise the 7 generations of the 512 people that have formed and shaped your unique genetic imprint. You exist in the center of the golden Vesica Piscis. It is a portal into ancestry both past and future, spanning seven generations in both directions of linear time. Working with this imagery connects the viewer with the whole of humanity and what’s known as Seven Generations principle: a sacred philosophy honored by many indigenous cultures, a vital code of ethics that is crying out to be remembered.
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 Ouroboros is one of the oldest mystical symbols in the world. While the etymology comes from the Greek for “tail eater”, ouroboros has been depicted as early as 1600 BC in ancient Egypt and is even included in King Tut’s tomb.
The premise of a snake or dragon consuming its own tail symbolizes wholeness and infinity; it speaks to the natural cycle of destruction and creation, representing the unity of all things material and spiritual, which never disappear but perpetually change form. In Jungian psychology, ouroboros is an archetype of the process of individuation. One of Jung’s most frequently quoted phrases that I often reference in my teaching speaks beautifully to this phenomena: “Until we make the unconscious conscious, it will rule our lives and we will call it fate.” Individuation is the process of bringing the unconscious parts of ourselves to light; a welcoming in of all the aspects of ourselves that have been repressed or denied: individually, culturally, societally. Through this process of excavation, illumination, and integration of these denied parts- the self that feels inadequate, the self that feels ashamed, the self that compartmentalizes feelings, the self that feels like a burden to others, the creative self, the playful self, and so on...we call back our Soul’s divine birthright to inner harmony, wholeness, and connection to the unified field of Grace. This piece came to me like a flash of lightning and was completed over Easter weekend on 4/4. It features one of my beeswax ancestral mandala studies, heavily inspired by late mentor Richard Yarde, and includes 44 beings/88 hands- numbers that weren’t pre-planned, but ones that I learned afterward hold powerful vibrations of healing. 20”x20”, mixed media on canvas, 2021Ouroboros is one of the oldest mystical symbols in the world. While the etymology comes from the Greek for “tail eater”, ouroboros has been depicted as early as 1600 BC in ancient Egypt and is even included in King Tut’s tomb. The premise of a snake or dragon consuming its own tail symbolizes wholeness and infinity; it speaks to the natural cycle of destruction and creation, representing the unity of all things material and spiritual, which never disappear but perpetually change form. In Jungian psychology, ouroboros is an archetype of the process of individuation. One of Jung’s most frequently quoted phrases that I often reference in my teaching speaks beautifully to this phenomena: “Until we make the unconscious conscious, it will rule our lives and we will call it fate.” Individuation is the process of bringing the unconscious parts of ourselves to light; a welcoming in of all the aspects of ourselves that have been repressed or denied: individually, culturally, societally. Through this process of excavation, illumination, and integration of these denied parts- the self that feels inadequate, the self that feels ashamed, the self that compartmentalizes feelings, the self that feels like a burden to others, the creative self, the playful self, and so on...we call back our Soul’s divine birthright to inner harmony, wholeness, and connection to the unified field of Grace. This piece came to me like a flash of lightning and was completed over Easter weekend on 4/4. It features one of my beeswax ancestral mandala studies, heavily inspired by late mentor Richard Yarde, and includes 44 beings/88 hands- numbers that weren’t pre-planned, but ones that I learned afterward hold powerful vibrations of healing. 20”x20”, mixed media on canvas, 2021  Something I feel isn’t discussed enough in the “follow your dreams” space is the incredible amount of trust and faith in the unknown that this path demands. These are qualities that anyone hungry enough can develop within themselves. It requires:
-an acceptance of your worthiness to dream, -a willingness to show up for your dream, -a fortitude for taking action on the dream no matter the approval or acceptance from others, -and a tolerance for being square in the middle of the discomfort of having no guarantee of outcomes of the dream- simply doing something for the sake of how it feels to be connecting with that which brings you joy, meaning, or vitality. Many days this requires an hour by hour, sometimes even breath by breath reminder as we decondition paradigms of scarcity and not-enoughness, and recondition an inner knowing and sense of aliveness. It’s a discipline and practice that Elizabeth Gilbert says must be held both seriously and lightly. I love the paradox of this truth. >>>What else would you add to this list?<<< let me know in the comments. ---- Links to the beautiful acrylic painting originals of Southern Spain Mountainscape and Cosmic Saraswati Peacock as seen in image above from my home art studio :) I was so fired up to recently reconnect with my good friend Dr. Jonathan Pearlman on his podcast years after our transformation journeys began at Prowess Fit⚡️ This ended up being a very vulnerable and passionate conversation around how pursuing various passions helped me learn and integrate greater levels of awareness, aliveness, and wholeness through: -Fitness -Yoga & Mindfulness -Art & Creativity -and becoming an Outdoor Adventurer🏕 “Who am I in this practice? In what ways am I holding myself back? Who do I WANT to become?” and ultimately, “How do I want to show up for this life experience?” are just some of the questions that each of these practices has posed for me over the decades. Each modality has helped me learn more about overcoming my own self-destructive conditioning, and RECONDITIONING that which allows my soul to shine, through dedicated effort and purposeful practice, and we explored a lot of them in depth in this interview.🔥 We talked a LOT about mindset, and how our thoughts and beliefs shape our reality. This is the first time I’ve shared this openly about the shadow side of the journey, and what I learned through various dark nights of the soul: from feeling like an unworthy misfit in art school, to navigating grief of divorce, to managing my own fear and anxiety with COVID 🙄 I’m beyond excited for our next convo, simply for how amazing it will be to look back with even more perspective on all that is transforming within us right at this moment, even if we can't SEE it. 🌱🌸🌺🐝 It's amazing how so often, life only really makes sense in retrospect, and that's really where mindset comes in: it's about having trust and faith in the unknown, and finding ways to connect with what we love even when it doesn't make sense to our rational minds. I'm so glad we got to explore this together! 🦅🌈 Doctor Jonathan Pearlman D.C. specializes in the Gonstead Method of chiropractic in Dallas Texas and adds nutrition consultation (with an emphasis on proper ketogenic and whole food eating) with gut rehab as a Complement to the practice.
You can reach him through his website at: https://www.drpearlmantv.com/ Paramount Chiropractic & Wellness Office Located at: 1201 Richardson Drive, Suite 130 Richardson, Tx 75080 See his other social media at: https://www.instagram.com/drpearlmantv/ https://www.facebook.com/drpearlmantv https://open.spotify.com/show/1XFFXw8... https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast... #health #Wellness #plantbased #detox #headacherelief #Chiropractic #Ketogenticlifestyle #ketocoffee #exercise #art #inspiration #motivation My intention in creating this diptych was for each painting to achieve a sense of balance and unity, yet when joined together, expanding into greater horizons and possibilities: a mirror to inner growth❤  Crow's symbolism is as richly complex as the depth of its luminous black feathers. Archetypally, it is regarded as a gatekeeper between the known and the unknown, the conscious and the unconscious. Its home exists beyond time, within the very void of Creation. An omen of change, it speaks to the mystery of life's miracles, personal transformation, destiny, higher intelligence, and expanded perspectives.  Featuring a vibrant vista of Sedona Arizona, fragrant Datura (moonflowers) surround the viewer from vantage point of the South face of Cathedral Rock, looking out to Courthouse Butte shown in the center, which I learned from the locals is also known by indigenous peoples as the Council of the Elders 🌌
Shop prints here. 12"zx12" originals available for sale as of 2/21/21; email me for availability and pricing.  To sit in the center of this mandala is to connect with the constellation of beings that comprise the seven generations of ancestors who have shaped your very DNA; whose life paths echo in the very bones, tissue, and subtle body of your being, whose songs reverberate deep within the subconscious.  This fractal pattern appeared before me this past spring as I was meditating in my garden on the honeybee, specifically around it being one of the most ancient symbols associated with the divine feminine. That contemplation later turned into a mandala illustration of 108 Honeybees, which interestingly, became woven into the mandala you see here, as a visual representation of the feminine aspect of the bloodline. Mandalas within mandalas 🐝  Mandalas have been utilized throughout cultural traditions all over the world as pathways for honoring interconnectivity, dissolving the illusion of separation, and integrating one’s sense of self within the Universe. Swiss psychoanalyst Carl Jung also utilized the mandala in his personal work as well as with his patients in offering a “safe refuge of inner reconciliation and wholeness.”  I’ve shared an initial glimpse of what this project means to me in my story section titled “7 Generations” and will be revealing more as the messages continue to ripen. This is the most richly-woven tapestry of healing and inquiry that has ever come forth from within me to date, and what’s most exciting is it feels as though I’ve barely scratched the surface.  A year ago today I was in tears of joy at the post office with this Red Tailed Hawk Turning Phoenix painting, which was packaged with so much care and attention that it just barely made it into circulation 😂😭 This was created by commission for a customer who had found my work online and was looking to take bold action in honoring themselves on their path of recovery. Little did they know that at the very time they commissioned this work, I was deepening my own recovery path, as well.  I held the searing ache of leaving behind the patterns of familiarity; the courage to feel as deeply into the grief as into the new possibilities being created; the patience, grit, grace, and determination to persevere through the discomfort of separating from the known; and the faith to trust in the spectacular new vision that was being rebirthed. I painted for all of us with honor and love.  Little did I know just how much more universal meaning the offering from this rainbow messenger would take on in the weeks ahead. I feel so incredibly grateful to be connecting and co-creating through medicine that heals, honors, and inspires the soul 💜💕 🦅🌈
Shop Phoenix prints and Yoga mats in my Etsy shop. In early 2021, I created my own week-long creative immersion to synthesize the inner work I'd been exploring over the last six months with my soul coach. During my retreat week week, I set the intention of quietude: powering down electronics, music, podcasts, and cell phones so that I could really give myself the full experience of the inner listening available through a vipassana retreat, but in a softer, more feminine spirit that also allowed my creativity and sensuality to emanate as the Bindu. Combining my interests in art, meditation, expressive movement, the chakra system, sound healing, essential oils, and bilateral drawing, I began each day with breath work, aromatherapy, and journal prompts specific to the particular chakra I was exploring, followed by a walking meditation in nature to listen and connect with my inner guidance, along with preparing fresh, nourishing foods specific to each energy center. In the afternoons, I'd sit it in stillness in the center of the blank canvas, explore gentle asana warmup, and connect with the energy of color as I prepared my paints. After my mandala meditation, I'd take myself on a second integrative walk, come home, and meditate again before bed. Unplanned, this seven-day exploration culminated on my 36th birthday with the Crown chakra. While this experience wasn't without the challenge of self-discipline and stamina, it also felt incredibly creative and expansive. My dreams began arising to the forefront of my consciousness in a way I had never experienced. I began receiving messages from my dreams that came as vital pieces of the puzzle in my waking life, and I received new insights and inspirations for my creativity. I cannot recommend taking the time to create a home retreat more highly, even if for half a day. Sign up for my email list to be the first to learn about my upcoming at-home retreat offerings :)  Expressed in this first video, the Muladhara, or Root chakra, orients us in the sacred temple of our bodies. It is where we claim our sense of safety and security, our right to exist, and our right to have what we need to not only survive, but ultimately to thrive.
Learn more about the psychological benefits of bilateral drawing Chakra Sound Healings from Sonic Yogi Suggested reading on the psychology of the chakras: Eastern Body, Western Mind: Psychology and the Chakra System as a Path to the Self by Anodea Judith  It has been a ten year dream to paint dahlias that I grew from my own pollinator garden :) thanks to 2020 that dream came true! The camera vantage point is the view I greeted nearly every day since the pandemic hit and I got serious about my meditation practice. Meditating to the gentle pace of tending and witnessing a garden grow from seed and bulbs was incredibly healing.  I began this painting the day my heart got broken open over the summer. I didn’t realize what I was doing at the time, but I later came to see that it was becoming a meditation on personal resiliency, strengthening of self worth, and giving thanks for abundant healing Nature offers us, right down to the symbolism of the dahlia flower and succulent plants. Most of the flora was grown in my garden, and the turkey feathers were gifts I found on my walks in Swan Point Cemetery.  Bison came to me during my first visit to Sedona this summer and it has felt so good to open my heart to receiving its healing medicine of abundance, gratitude, and honoring the sacred. The turquoise beads came to me in a vision during a meditation.  By far the most technically challenging painting I’ve attempted, it feels so good to have stuck with it through all the uncertainty and barfy moments, lol! The magic of the finishing touches with those pops of sky blue and amethyst made it all worth it.
I feel so grateful to be sharing this art and these words 💜💜💜 it feels like I just completed a marathon! Prints available here. |
Joanna Elizabeth
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