Friday, October 5, 2012

U2, Bravery, and Hares

Trixster
encaustic 30x30

I'm ready for shuffle
I'm ready for the deal
I'm ready to let go of the steering wheel.
I'm ready
 - Bono (U2-Zoo Station) - you can listen here

We're talking about Bravery in week 4 of my painting class.  This is a favorite song of mine from the Achtung Baby album.  It seemed to work here.  When you are brave, its OK to let go of the steering wheel and face the unknown.  I'm ready, ready for what's next.

I have written about bravery in the past.  Yet, I think being brave is one of those topics that can be revisited often.  Its one that if we allow ourselves to be comfortable in how things are going, it gets harder and harder to be brave.  The farther we get away from the edge where it takes a brave act to cross over, the farther we get from our authentic selves.  Being brave is not backing away from fears, but moving into them and beyond.  When you actually do move through the fear and break out the other side, the opportunity comes for your authentic self to shine.  Being brave opens the door to an aliveness inside.  It stirs things up, gets the juices flowing, ignites a fire.  Being brave is about moving outside of the comfort zone.  It means, trying something new, doing that thing that I don't really want to do or I'm afraid to do, or facing conflict or going into the studio without a plan.  I believe being brave puts you in a position to find how far you can push yourself and then reveals how strong you really are. Its surprising and uplifting to realize the power that we hold inside.  

Its a brave act to paint intuitively.  It is starting with nothing and embracing mystery.  Its trusting the process and just knowing that in the end, a painting will emerge out of the layers.  Its a brave act to keep going, keep layering even if the painting isn't cooperating at all.  Its brave to "just know" and believe.  Its a brave act to paint BIG, especially from where I started.

This hare painting is a brave act for me.  Its not like any other painting I have done.  Yet, it is so much me.   Where do the ideas come from?  When does it seem right to paint a hare and an upside down hare?  I can't explain it.  Did I see the hare within the layers and build from there?  No, not from an image within the painting, but in my mind's eye, yes.  I just knew I wanted to paint a hare in the lower left of the painting in just this way.  I followed the thread and this is where this painting wanted to go.  So, I'm not necessarily looking for an image to emerge from the layers of the painting, rather it is just a feeling as to which direction to go.  As I do the layers, and let go of the steering wheel, its allowing the door to open to something I would never have considered before.  Its then taking that something and running with it and following its lead.

I'm actually looking forward to seeing what the next painting brings.  It is a beautiful way to paint by just playing and letting things go without thinking.  Its a way to let myself just dream up something without worrying about it.  If it doesn't work out, its just one more layer.   I can say, that I was not expecting the deer or the hares to show up, I wasn't expecting to paint animals, I wasn't expecting how joyful bright colors are to paint with or how wonderful it is to paint BIG... so mystery is kinda fun.  And... painting animals goes all the way back to my roots as a kid.  Its where I started and now I'm returning home.  At least for now.

Friday.. you know what that means - Party Time!!

PS - If you are interested... This is what the Hare Totem means:
Hares are connected to both the earth element and to the lunar energies of the moon. The gestation period of a hare is 28 days, the same time as the moon. Hares are quick with the ability to twist and turn. As a totem or power animal the hare teaches us to aim for our dreams and not let anything get in our path.  The hare is an independent, solitary animal that often lives alone. In modern society the loners of the world are often frowned upon, but history has proved these types of people to be invaluable and they should feel a sense of pride within themselves.

Unlike rabbits, hares cannot be tamed (although there is a domesticated rabbit which has the name hare, but is in fact a rabbit). They have a wild nature to them. They are the totem of people who like to run free.

Hares have been associated with magic and the ability to walk between worlds and connect to the other world. The hare is a totem of mystery and misunderstanding.

The hare is often seen as a trickster and to many people the trickster is seen as a negative trait. The trickster though may simply do things different to the norm. They may be the individual who stands out from the crowd and does things their way. The trickster is the one who will break rules and rebel; they are the sort of people that can create great changes within society. As with all attitude, the clue is how you use your power – the trickster archetypal can be cunning or foolish. They can be a power for good or a symbol of disruption. Tricksters often have two spirits that they present to the world. [They] can also be the hero. . . .
- Samantha Grayson

47 comments:

  1. Popping by to say I Really like this painting (:

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  2. Wonderful post and fantastic encaustic painting ~ Love the hares! ~ (A Creative Harbor)

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  3. I wish I understood the art of painting more....I suppose I could be brave and try it. I don't even know what to pick up to work with. Maybe later. I'm working on other brave stuff currently. Were you the one that wrote that brave is just one letter away from bravo? and if you do something brave, you get a bravo. If that was you I thought it was a brilliant thought, and if it wasn't you, you can just enjoy it.
    Hares right side up and upside down. I like the variety of colors you used and the different leaves on the upper left and lower right corners. Bravo!

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  4. Your brave hares are beautiful. So much prettier than plain gray. Love your painting.

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  5. Love the hares. You work is very interesting. Thanks for sharing.

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  6. Fab painting and loving the hares. Happy PPF, Annette x

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  7. Marji: LOVE your Trixsters (I'm very fond of rabbits)! ... and thank YOU for your message about 'BRAVE'. I need to be more BRAVE, thx for the push! I can't imagine starting a painting without a direction ... need to let that go :) thx again!

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  8. such a gorgeous piece
    wonderful that you followed your intuition and placed things every which way, it turned out wonderful!

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  9. Delicious composition with exquisite tones, I like these hares. A greeting.

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  10. I happe to LOVE hares and think it may be a totem animal of mine. Your painting is beautiful. Thank you for such a wonderful post and for your "animal Speak" information!Happy PPF!

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  11. I couldn't imagine this painting any other way. The two hares are perfect and create a striking composition. Your colors are gorgeous as well. Bravery is definitely working for you! :)

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  12. Love the Hares your post spoke to me as I am only just starting to paint intuitively.

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  13. This is without a doubt the best painting I've seen all week. Absolutely love it!

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  14. By the way.... I've seen quite a few paintings this week!!

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  15. "Being brave is not backing away from fears, but moving into them and beyond." This is so quotable... I love this! Your painting is simply gorgeous... and moving. I love your thoughts about painting intuitively... not necessarily seeing the image in the layers, but the layers inspiring you nonetheless. I really like this, very intriguing.

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  16. What an extremely interesting post and cute hares too. I always think of them as rabbits never hares. LOL. Happy PPF to you too.

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  17. Superb painting!! I love the details and wonderful colors! So beautiful! I look forward to your next painting! HPPF!

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  18. Love your painting and bravery and symbol of the hare!
    It is all so fascinating!
    ♥♥♥
    Happy PPF!!
    Mary
    Mixed-Media Map Art

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  19. I love this post, it's very timely for me as I have not been feeling brave at all and needed the reminder. As you say, bravery is a topic to be revisited again and again...so thanks for helping me revisit. I love the hare painting, its interesting and unique and it just works. Happy PPF.
    Rita

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  20. I really like your hares. They have such character and thank you for sharing your bravery it is amazing already the journey we have all taken. Andy (a fellow bloomer)

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  21. Wow...Wildly gorgeous...beautiful work..so very soulful once again..I love hares and their symbolic energy and magical essence..wonderful to read! This is such a stunning piece..you must be thrilled with it! I have had hare-spirit travel with me on some inner journeys..so i totally appreciate the energy of this work!And yay..for braveness..shine on and keep shining!our intuitive-nature is who we naturally are at the core..so being who we truly are..is being pure-intuition in motion..unveiling that essence more and more.. is brave! Enjoy all your creative adventures ahead...I look forward to more of your beautiful art!
    Victoria

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  22. What a truly amazing piece of work!! Not only is it spiritually beautiful, I love that you could hang it in different directions and it would give you a completely different look! The symbolism seems absolutely perfect for this piece. It almost has a ying yang flavor to it!! Your art always impresses me in every way, but this class has given you a new lease to discover a deeper side of yourself!! Just excellent all around!! Thanks for sharing this wonderful process and symbolism! Have a great weekend!!

    Hugs Giggles

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  23. great great write up! I have had occasion of being brave before and I always feel a bit sick beforehand LOL when I feel that way i know i'm on the right track :D I like the fact the upside down makes it look like a playing card- or tarot

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  24. Gorgous, I love your art and the thoughts and phantasie behind.

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  25. I love your painting and I love the process behind it. Bravery is my word for 2012, and sometimes it is hard to let go, but you have done magnificently x

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  26. I have really enjoyed visiting here again and I love your beautiful brave paintings! Your words are so lovely too, I feel very close to the hare as an animal, thanks for sharing with us all, continue your wonderful creative process and enjoy!

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  27. This is a beautiful painting. Really love it! I feel the same way about painting like this: looking forward to what the next painting or the next layer will bring. Completely different from starting with a plan, so much more freeing.

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  28. Your painting is fantastic, and I love the fact that you never saw the hares or had painted them before. If you're looking to attach meaning and symbolism to this new journey on, you really couldn't have done much better, hmmm?
    Your hares have very wise eyes, too.

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  29. I really like this Hare piece....just fabulous! Also enjoyed reading about the Hare Totem too. Thanks for coming by my blog as now I found your blog....have a happy weekend and happy PPF to you too!

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  30. Wonderful painting, beautiful richness and symbolism, and beautifully executed! HPPF!

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  31. love the texture and colors of this piece. so interesting to read your thoughts on bravery and intuition and how this painting was inspired. thanks for sharing!

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  32. I love them and all the info you shared with us regarding the Hare ♥

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  33. I applaud your bravery. I have done some things in art that were brave, took courage on my part. This is teaching me there could yet be more ways in which I can push myself to be even more courageous. Thanks for sharing all of this...the 28 days is also the menstrual cycle. For whatever that is worth.
    Two hares are better than one!
    The painting developed nicely and I love everything about it.

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  34. Thank you for shearing, your painting is beautiful :-)

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  35. Love the painting and the meaning of the hare. Your words on Bravery are inspiring. Both in my Artwork and in my life. I need to let go of the steering wheel!

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  36. oh this new piece is gorgeous!!!! I love it and what an encouraging and inspiring post!!!! Thank you for sharing this with us!!!!

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  37. Great painting! I like the way the hares are floating around at yet connected by their curvy shapes- and the contrasts of colour and texture between the background and hares. I love it if you shared in on Mandarin Orange Monday:)

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  38. I went Ooooooooooo over your header pic...captivating eyes! And as I scrolled I had to keep my Ooooooo alive...the hares are stunning! There's so much of inexplicable appeal to it. Nice info about totem hares that you shared. And I was quite surprised to see that we have spoken on almost the same theme in a different way :) Loved your writing about being brave...that's so very true!
    Following you, Marji :)
    http://deepazworld.blogspot.com/

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  39. This is a lovely painting Marji, and I love your words about bravery. It made me think. I don't think of myself as a brave person...I like my comfort zone. But, your words are so true, and something for me to ponder. For 47 years I've lived in one city and now, while it was "what I wanted" making the move to a new city was a bit daunting. Now, here I am...loving every minute of it here! Talk to me about bravery again when I have to drive in the snow. LOL

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  40. What an interesting and beautiful painting. How good that you just trusted the process... it was interesting to read about the hare. I didn't know that it is seen as the trickster as well, usually that is attributed to the coyote. But why not to another animal as well??

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  41. it's absolutely gorgeous! so dreamy and reflective.

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  42. wow wow wow! I love the painting and your brave words!

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  43. Love your definition of being brave especially this: It stirs things up, gets the juices flowing, ignites a fire. It is so true. Thank you for the great reminder. Your hare painting is just deep and full of emotions. Great work Marji!

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  44. Thank you so much for the explanation of the hares. I had no idea. The picture fits the description. This is truly amazing. Blessings, Janet PPF

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