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Describing Life’s Journey and Experiences Through Art

Vanessa lemen.

Saturday, November 19th, 2016

I’ve held on and let go countless times, And the balance between the two has always found its place. I’ve found myself blindsided by what later seemed obvious, And soared high above snakes who have slithered below. I’ve scrawled out magic memories in the form of scribbles That leapt from the page and took form as a lump in my throat.

I’ve walked on tightropes with my mouth erased, And painted it onto another to speak for me.

I’ve seen faces in all of the trees around me, And heard the applause of their dry leaves when it rained.

I have floated through time, ventured in space, And walked in places it seems that time has forgotten. I’ve been lost and have lost. I’ve come back from the void To a place that was familiar but suddenly not the same. I’ve shed tears in the happiest of moments, And stood stoic in sadness, been numbed by betrayal.

I’ve stowed away life lessons in my thinking cap, And found most answers in my unconscious riffs. I’ve wandered aimlessly with beings great and small, Adventured with creatures sensitive and fierce. I’ve laughed with them in the shadows, Howled with them in the light. I’ve held signs in crowds, roared among the tribe.

In the most silent of moments, I’ve heard truth speak. I’ve hibernated for what seemed like eternity, And then awoke to shout from the mountaintops. I’ve shared strides with characters from all walks of life, And journeyed with those who defy gravity. I’ve danced with fire spirits. I’ve bonded at bonfires, Lifted by the power of human connection.

I’ve lost my breath under powerful waves, and reached the surface thankful for air.

I’ve sung with clowns and clones and wind in the branches, Flown with birds and planes and cats.

I’ve felt the heaviness of darkness, And have reached out to the most colorful of lights.

I’ve witnessed dry fields turn to flames, then black. And in those fields, I’ve run through grass tall and green again.

I’ve traveled to worlds that have only machines, And to worlds where no machines have ever existed. I’ve listened to the tales of wise monkeys, And swam in the veins of their ancestors.

I’ve grown roots and floated from limbs. I’ve seen devastation, witnessed growth and renewal. I’ve watched the sleeping breath rise and fall quietly in the chest of the ones that I love and have grown old with. I’ve been rescued and nuzzled with those whom I’ve rescued Who remind me to rest, to play, to listen and hold true. I’ve visited the spirits of those who’ve passed on, And met new souls that possess magnetic energy.

I’ve been lifted up and loved, sung harmonies on long road trips, And been comfortably quiet in shared spaces. I have fallen, I’ve been broken. I’ve risen, and I’ve healed. I have been powerful and powerless, Larger than life and microscopic. Often times, I’ve been invisible. Some adventures have been heavy, Some have been as thin as air, And most have defied the boundaries Of the years that define my lifetime.

And so I will continue to paint what life shows me…

Posted by Vanessa Lemen | Saturday, November 19th, 2016

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Vanessa Lemen is an award-winning painter based in Carlsbad, CA, with works exhibited and in private collections internationally. Her paintings are layered in subtle allegory, with an explorative process that intertwines realism and imagination to depict humanity, metaphor and story. Her work has been published in the Illustrated Limited Edition books: The Left Hand Of Darkness by Ursula K LeGuin and A Scanner Darkly by Philip K. Dick, and is published in such art books as Spectrum and Infected By Art, and has been featured in articles in magazine such as American Art Collector, ImagineFX, and Poets And Artists. Vanessa is represented by Rehs Contemporary Galleries, writes monthly columns for the Muddy Colors blog, and is an educator who mentors privately, teaches classes online, and instructs at workshops across the US. Her work has earned her The Chesley Award and other awards in publications such Infected By Art, a Spectrum Award nomination, as well as Art Renewal Center’s ARC Salon, and participation in the International ARC Salon Exhibition. Described through metaphorical imagery, it’s excerpts from her personal journey and reflection that she credits most as the inspiration for her work, and rolling with the unexpected as the very nature of her process. Much like the spontaneity of a dialogue, the marks on the surface are what evoke a response and then a discovery, and a possibility of something new to form. Each piece she creates seems to come from a chaos, and in it, she is able to create a place of reflection and curiosity, a balance of the deep-seated and the unknown, with areas of rest and of movement that intertwine to form a calm amid the chaos.

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13 Comments

So much good stuff in this post! Feast for the eyes and mind.

Beautiful words and images Vanessa!!

Wow!!! Don't know what I enjoy more, the paintings or the words. Love this “I've listened to the tales of wise monkeys, And swam in the veins of their ancestors.” Swam in their veins!!!!! Excellent!

INspirador Vanessa

Beautiful…I've often thought of perhaps having a poem as my artists' bio, but not sure if that would be undertood well.

Hi David. From what I've read on MuddyColors and other 'authorities' on art portfolios / artist websites – it seems the general consensus these days is to have clear and concise information, with little to no flourish. That said, don't think it is a complete 'no go'. Cheers!

Thank you Nicolay! I'm so glad you enjoyed it!

Thank you, Brian! 🙂

Thank you! So glad to hear that you enjoyed both the words and the paintings. 🙂

So glad to hear! Thank you.

Thank you, David. Also, I'd have to concur with Nicolay on this one. Sometimes, there are certain projects, shows, or publications in which you can express yourself a bit more in a bio type of write-up, but most times those calling for a bio would like it to be clear and concise information. What I tend to do is do a bit of research on what the gallery/publication/event/website has already used for other artists – or just ask. On your own website, you can do a little of both. On my website, for example, I've posted on my About page two paragraphs that I've used in different occasions for other things. I find them both to be helpful information about me, but in different ways. You can also reserve a page for your writing, or include write-ups/poems along with your art (which I do as well, usually a couple sentences). I used to include a lot more, but always wondered if anyone even read it. More recently, I've been keeping my writing to myself.. but I'm starting to think to share it again. Anyway, thanks again, and I look forward to seeing what you might end up doing too.

Great, love the poems and paintings together. A bio really isn't the place for expressive flourishing but it needs to be put out there somewhere, as you said on your website for example. It really is an insight into you as an artist and despite talk of a painting or piece of art should stand on its own there is nothing as original as the insight of any individual artist. No one else can say it for you. BTW Vanessa, you paint some of the most graceful elegant hands. Often they are my favorite part of painting.

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7 Principles of Mastering the Art of Your Life Journey

Or is it really a pause? The moisture of the snow is welcomed by our dry earth and will only accelerate Spring’s awakening. It’s the spiraling evolution of nature’s cyclical journey.

Spring is my favorite time of the year. The rapid transition from brown to green bringing the dormant life of winter into fully blossoming colorful expression, is reflected in my own soul. Ready for warmer days, meandering walks in nature and the songs of returning birds, Spring abundantly awakens my body, mind and spirit.

I marvel at how in sync we can be to the natural wonders of the world. And I am thankful for the quieter pause of winter that proceeds the busier pace of Spring.

The rhythm and pace of our life journey sometimes provides pause – a natural slowing creates space for deeper thought and contemplation, and the birthing of new ideas. If we nourish those ideas with curiosity and care, innovation springs forth, likely followed by an accelerated spiral of new possibilities.

In awe, I honor three of my clients’ journeys this week – as they have found this accelerated spiral of new possibilities. They stepped into major life breakthroughs and transformations in the dawning of this first week of Spring.

In each case, it didn’t come easy. Their big ideas evolved through a lifetime of experiences. Sometimes difficult, sticky, bumpy life experiences. And in the midst of the imploding noise, they slowed down and took pause.

They sought meaning in their life stories. They paused in deep reflection of the callings they were hearing and reconnected to their very essence of who they are. They considered what they want to stand for and how they want to matter.

It took courage and intuitive trust that there might be another way. Each had to live in the realm of curiosity and explore their many “what ifs.” This reflection brought more pause in their journey.

And like the birthing of Spring, seeds took root. With clarity, these three brilliant women weeded the ideas that didn’t quite fit, making space for the right ideas to birth. Bravely giving voice to these new possibilities, the spiral of opportunity opened, supported by a spring fold of happenings that reinforced that, indeed, they were on the right path.

It’s exciting to witness and experience these purpose-driven journeys in action. To experience them all in one week, is a true gift that bears reflection.

What I have learned is that no path is a direct path. There are ebbs and flows in the rhythm. Sometimes the pace is slower and sometimes we move at a breakneck speed. And it is always exactly as it should be. Even when you’re in the midst of the pain and discord, life is providing you with experiences that will shape your future – if only you stop to tune in and become aware.

I consider myself blessed to be a part of these women’s journeys to living their life purpose. Reflecting in my own moments of pause this morning amidst the quiet backdrop of snow, I realize that these women are mastering the art of their life journey. Here are some of the lessons I have learned amidst their journeys, my journey and the others that I am fortunate to be a part of:

Embrace the Pause. Take time for you. Ask yourself inspiring questions that lead way to reflection. What are you learning right now – about you? About your life? What would your 70 year old self tell you today? What makes your heart skip and jump? The gifts begin to flow the moment you ask the question.
Trust in Your Path. Trust that you’re in exactly the place you are meant to be on your journey. Even if you are having a series of continuous Groundhog Days occurring in your life, consider what lesson you’re supposed to be learning right now – what life lessons are you missing? What are the missteps that you keep making? Is there a pattern that needs reset? Or perhaps, it’s merely a pause for you to grow and evolve into your next Spring of life. In any case, explore the meaning. Grow, and your path will shift and move. There is meaning and reason for where you are today.
Know Yourself. And I mean who you are at your very core. The person that has evolved from childlike wonder to the person you are today. You’re not a job title. You’re a lifetime of experiences that has shaped you. You’re rich full of talents that are meant to make a difference in this world. Live into that gift.
Choose an Abundant mindset. The energetic blockage that scarcity thinking brings to your journey will only attract more scarcity. If you’re feeling stuck, chances are you are feeding the scarcity wall in your life. Stop! Make a conscious choice to breathe life into abundant possibilities. Give thanks every day for the abundance in your life.
Get inspiration. Spend time with people who help you grow and expand. Read books that uplift you and push your thinking beyond the place it is today. Take a walk in nature and reflect how Mother Nature’s journey can be reflected in your own journey. Spend time with a child and relish the world through a child’s eyes.
Experience life full out. Be furiously passionate about how you spend your time. Don’t let a mundane life of electronic screens dull your senses to the wonder of our world. Find adventures – whatever your adventures look like. Laugh. Spend time with your best friends. Shine your light onto the world. We want to experience you in all your glory!
Engage your courage. A purpose-driven life takes courage. It takes stepping into spaces you never thought you’d go. When you step out on the edge of your comfort zone, and move beyond, just small step, by small step, you grow. You open doors to possibilities that never would have surfaced if you stayed small. You will thrive in your gifts.

As I close out this week with joy for the breakthroughs these courageous three have made in their journey just this week, I ponder what breakthroughs will be in store next week? As I consider the possibilities amongst the many brilliant women gracing my client list, I know more are in works.

I smile, relishing in my own spiraling journey of life – and I’m grateful. Grateful that I can share in their journeys. Grateful for my own life lessons that unfold alongside their journeys. Grateful for the abundance in my life. Grateful for the dawning of Spring and the new birth that comes with it. May your world be filled with as many wonders.

Want some help mastering the art of your life journey? Grab one of my limited Yes-to-You Strategy Sessions and we’ll plant the seeds of the life before you.

Thanks for saving me the rest of my life to enjoy. Sometimes, it takes a whole lifetime to learn what we did in 6 months and some never figure it out.

With the New Year’s weekend under our belt, I’m certain many of you have pondered upon New Year’s resolutions. This tradition of taking stock of our paths and setting goals at the start of each year is often that milestone that launches new direction into action. New career paths, new life:balance goals, new health programs – we tell ourselves that this is the year.

Yes, it is the title of my favorite book that I’ve read many times over. But at this moment, it…

As we begin to see early glimpses of spring approaching – warmer days, snow melting and green sprouts peaking from…

I love the song from the Sound of Music – My Favorite Things. “Raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens, Bright copper kettles and warm woolen mittens,” brings a smile to my lips, as I find myself attempting to sing in tune – which for anyone who knows me well, knows that I don’t… really. Of course my favorite verse is “Cream colored ponies and crisp apple streudels,” given my love for horses and wonderful food.” As 2010 winds down, it’s a perfect time to consider your Favorite Things.

Do you have a Personal Power Photo that inspires you? If not, take time this week to shoot your own…

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