New Beginnings

Whenever I see the robin, I know spring is finally here. It's when the earth starts her exhalation, it's when the sleeping world opens its eyes to the new beginnings.

Many times in life we are challenged with things, perhaps challenges that bring to the surface the very things we have long since buried. The robin reminds us to address these issues (or they will continue to repeat themselves until we allow renewal to occur). It reminds us that in order to make room for the new, we must shed away the old. We cannot internally evolve at our absolute core if we do not allow these layers
to be stripped away. Instead of resisting the transition, flow with it. It brings forth a better version of our true selves. In turn, as a collective conscious, we all become better.

“The human being must be born twice. Once from his mother, and once from his own body and his own existence. ”

— Sultan Valad

Prints are available of this piece. Inquire via email at Shannonjobarts@gmail.com

Change In Season

It is a transitional period in many lives; a new chapter in the book of life, graduating from another life lesson and moving onto the next one. More often than not, these lessons can be difficult and they will repeat themselves until we learn what we're meant to.

Artwork by Callie Howell of Callie Howell Custom Art. Callie is available for commissions and can be contacted via Calaxyary@facebook.com

Embrace the changes; flow with them instead of holding onto the things that hold you down. I know for certain, if one tries to hang on too long, the force of flow will become too great to fight anymore. Had the letting go taken place when pressure was first felt, we would all drift off in much better shape. Ignoring the pressure to move will only leave us beat down and utterly exhausted.

For me, it's been a fall kind of season. Giving away this piece of art today is rather symbolic to my life. It's time to let go of that season in my life. It is now winter in my world and it's a time for rest and rejuvenation, a time to rebuild my strength so I can be healthy and prepared as I transition toward my new beginnings.

Heather Rise found today's piece of art at VPD Studio in Milbank, South Dakota.

Love

Love in its truest form, knows no bounds. It is not circumstantial and it does not follow rules. It knows no such thing as distance, space, or time. Love transcends any and all limitations human beings have tried to place upon it.

When I created my Free Art Friday piece last week, I had one particular thing in mind and that was freedom to love and be loved without fear, discrimination, or judgement. However, one should recognize that before this can be expected of or asked of from others, it must first be sought and found within. Once self love is obtained, it begins to radiate outward and we begin to attract what we truly are. When we love ourselves we send love to others. Think of it like this; Imagine a stone being dropped into a pool of water. That stone represents love and the water rippling outward represent the effect love has on its surroundings. This is when we begin to transcend the fear, judgement, and discrimination of self and others. This is the moment when shame is replaced with pride.

The love revolution begins within.

This Free Art Friday piece was taken home by Lo Mayo of Bloomington, MN.

Kintsugi

We are all imperfect beings. Our cracks and broken parts are what make us beautiful. Within these cracks and wounds we are able to fill ourselves with the gold, just like the mended pottery, kintsugi. Our very own stories of self-destruction and self-healing are truthful pieces of a past which should not be hidden. We are all damaged in the most beautiful ways.

Derek Carstensen, CEO of Hong Thai Restaurants, with one of May's Free Art Friday winner in Maple Grove, MN.

Shadow Self

"Shadow work is the path of the heart warrior"- Carl Jung

This is about taking the mask off. I don't mean for the one worn for others, rather the one worn standing in front of the mirror.

Each of us have dark parts to our being, parts we choose to hide away. We hide them because we do not want to see them or accept them as part of our truth. I almost threw this piece away, when I stumbled upon an article written by Mateo Sol called "Shadow Self Embracing Your Inner Darkness" - I immediately recognized everything written within it as something I have been thinking heavily about as of late. Tonight I challenge you to face your dark; the shadow of yourself. Until this is done we will continue to see these truths reflected back to us through other people. It will be ugly, dark, and frightening all while beautiful, illuminating, and courageous. Be brave enough to remove the mask.