A State of Grace and Harmony: Painting a New Magdalene

Painting in progress — The first step: a drawing with oil paint on a 18”w x 24”h canvas.

Two sessions after the drawing. Still a long way to go…

I love painting when the day is bright, and there’s no limit on the time I can spend on a painting. This allows me to really connect and generate the state of joy that I want my paintings to bring to the people who see them.

I have many paintings and images of Mary Magdalene in my studio. I keep them close so that I can remember what I want to transmit through a painting, the way to paint, and how to achieve beauty.

I want my paintings to have a sense of harmony, a fluidity of color, a strong and expressive line, a peaceful and meditative atmosphere… I need to be in a state of grace and harmony in order for the painting to flow out of me.

To paint in this ideal state is a process. My day starts with centering, meditation and prayer. Then I write a few sentences or paragraphs in a journal. After that, I may spend some time drawing or organizing myself and write a checklist to make sure I don’t forget anything I really want to accomplish that day. By that time, I will get hungry and cook something healthy and delicious, usually enough to last for the whole day so I don’t have to think about food anymore.

Then it’s time to paint. I set up the materials and start. Then I forget about time until I’m done for the day. I usually don’t start painting right away, but that’s ok. I know that as long as I have the time, I can trust my soul to guide me to the painting at the right time. My entire being needs to be in harmony when I paint, so I give myself time to get in that state. The more frequently I do it, the easier it gets, but since I don’t have enough time during the week, I need to be patient with myself!

I believe that any creative activity can create this sense of connection, joy and freedom. For me it’s painting, drawing and writing, but I have also felt it, for example, when I am designing a program or planning a beautiful event. Seeking and finding this state is a way to create wellbeing and health in our lives, as well as focusing on what’s really important to us.

The items in my checklist come out of five pillars I identified as essentials to this wonderful ideal life I aspire to live:

Excellent food and nutrition
Exercise and flexibility
Meditation and prayer
Art every day
Business dream into reality

If I can take action, big or small, related to all these categories in one day, I feel accomplished.

For example, on an ideal day, after painting I might take a photo and share it, like today. If it’s a finished painting, I might prepare the image for reproduction and post it in my Etsy store, website, and facebook. Or I might work on a creative project, send emails, etc. Before the end of this perfect day, I take a walk and do some yoga or at least do some stretching. Then I rest.

There is one more item I need to add to the list above: •Gathering the Tribe. Life is so much better when shared.

I invite you to imagine what your perfect day would be like.

I invite you to accompany me on this journey of creating a more ideal life full of all the blessings that Mary Magdalene represents.

For inspiration, The Seven Powers of Mary Magdalene can remind us of the power we hold over our own lives.

What if we work throughout this year on envisioning that ideal life, a little each day. How much closer can we get to a different reality? I feel the Magdalene smiling right now.