Mixed Media Chakra Series Finally Finished!

Even though I haven't been posting, I have been working (or playing) with my art. Above is the final mixed media canvas in my Chakra Series called "Inspiration for the Journey." The title for this one is "Source's Wordless Web."

Even though I had the canvas painted and ready to go--and, that was after doing it once and then painting over it again--I could not figure out what to put on the canvas. I had the quote, which was either sent in an email I received or something I stumbled upon while being on the Net. It is a Rumi quote: "There is a Voice that doesn't use words. Listen." But try as I might, I could not figure out what to put with the quote or on the now purple-y canvas.

And then I watched the latest Dr. Who episode called "Vincent and the Doctor." The Vincent in the title is Vincent Van Gogh (whose name is not pronounced the way I have always thought it was!) and there was one scene where the viewer gets to see how Vincent sees. And that's what gave me the idea for the canvas. Note to blog readers: I urge you to see this episode of Dr. Who even if you are not a Dr. Who fan. I found it inspiring, touching, and beautiful!

The dark circle is actually a mandala I created awhile ago from a photo of a web with droplets. (You can read more about this mandala and the photo I used here. And the other mandala is inspired from my zentangle art. To me that mandala looks like a compass rose, which flows right into the idea of listening to a voice that doesn't use words for guidance and to discover the secrets of the Universe.

You can see the other works in my series here, here, and here. ;o) Since I just discovered that I never posted the first work in the series. I have posted it below. Right now, I am calling it "Your True Self."

Enjoy!

--Vicky :o)

"Source's Wordless Web"
"Your True Self"
Mixed media collage series, #5 and #1
Acrylic paint, paper cutouts, zentangle-inspired mandala, photos on canvas
Copyright © 2010 by Vicky Lynn Macchione

www.zentangle.com

Who or What Is Too Small for You?

...anything or anyone
that does not bring you alive

is too small for you.

--David Whyte

This collage is one of a series I am calling "Inspiration for the Journey." Each collage is a blend of painting, collage elements, and a phrase or quote. I chose the background colors to represent a chakra center. While this one uses green to represent the heart chakra, it also is special in that all 7 of the chakras are represented by color. You can see two other members of the series on my blog here and here. Eventually I will be making cards of each of the 5 collages.

I discovered this quote while looking at a blog. An artist had included David Whyte's poem "Sweet Darkness" from his book House of Belonging. The quote on the collage is the final three lines of the poem. When I read those lines, they grabbed me and showed me my own power and greatness (and not in an egotistical way). When I read those lines, I thought of how often I allow others (even those I love) to determine and diminish who I am and what I offer because I am swayed by their opinions! I also thought about how my heart feels when I embrace opinions or situations that are "too small" for me; it feels tight and constricted!

When I think about the quote, I often substitute the word "grow" for the word "bring" in the second line. If someone or something is not growing me alive, why would I waste my time being upset or concerned about their opinions or thoughts about me or my work? Why would I continue to engage in behaviors or thoughts that stunt my growth?

As you finish reading this post, take a moment and consider the question posed as the title of this post: Who or what is too small for you?

--Vicky Lynn :o)

"A Heart Grows Alive"
Mixed media collage
Copyright © 2010 by Vicky Lynn Macchione