By The Grace of Her

I’ve experienced a wonderfully uninterrupted period of reflection and creation over the past month. The sense of abundance and gratitude for such a period of art making is both exhilarating and grounding. I began walking every day as soon as I arrived simply because the surrounding area was so inviting and therapeutic. The trees, flowers, mountains and sky called out, pulling me to walk and relax there. Calling me to re-calibrate...

So I find solace in the company of nature’s unfolding and repeating cycles of growth. Mother Nature’s presence helps me to let go of over thinking and get back into heart felt place. This is where I want my paintings to come from, so this is where I go, just to let go and feel.

The intensive hours of painting in the studio I’m doing, especially working with oils means I need time to get fresh air too. The far off horizons give my eyes a distance to rest into.

I’m happy to find myself with three completed paintings which were a continuation of a body of work titled The Myth of Separation, that I started in London (2015). They are connected by the overarching theme of nature and the spirit of nature which I am inspired to express through feminine  iconography. These paintings are a way for me to explore our veils of perception as to who we are and how we consider ourselves to be, here and now on this life giving planet.

As I open up to an authentic connection with Mother Nature I feel more whole, nourished and grounded. I discover that there is an intelligence we can tap into, if only we let down our guard and our 'logical' preconceived ideas that our minds know best. We do not always need to be in control and knowing the way. We can learn so much from letting go and simply being curious to following a feeling which is good and yet the mind struggles to define. 

My first painting of the series, called ‘Awakening’, mediates something of the veils disappearing so we can see clearly the connectivity of all things. The figures dress with branches of tree and blossom flower dissolve into the sky. It is at once behind her and yet inside and of her…there is no separation. She is the sky, the tree, the flowers and the deer. She is within us, breathing us and we are here by the grace of her.

'Awakening' oil on canvas 2016

This painting is an invitation to us to reconnect and get back in tune with the cycles of nature. I wanted this image to capture the message of urgency with which we, as a collective need to restore the respect and wisdom to Mother Earth . We are the young, the bright young things and yet immature in our ways of using nature. We have forgotten the old gentle ways instead of incorporating them with the modern developments.  This juvenile Goldfinch, in flight through the trees, carries a single petal as a message of urgency to rewawaken to our responsibility in caring for the earth as a mother cares her new born child. Who takes without giving back? Where has our knowledge of gift making gone and can we reignite it for the future generation?

I have been learning more about nature’s cycles and intelligence through Treesister’s online workshop. Their courses aim to ‘Nourish the roots of creative social action- through cultivating feminine nature based intelligence.’

I find myself a part of a global network of women who are collectively engaged in a social experiment of our time. Their tree campaign aims to make it normal to give back to the earth and their practical hands on approach links with the courses they offer so that hearts, souls and nature all benefit, as one. This hums sweetly with everything I feel my paintings are about. It is exciting to be meeting these powerful and passionate women all doing their bit to make a global change from the comfort of their warm sofas or  al fresco balconies.

'Sophia’s Dawn', she greets the day and acknowledges the wisdom of the East. Her hair interwoven with the young saplings grow through the sky from their roots of the deep nutritious earth; connected and alive, shaped by the wind and sun, fed by the rain. 'Sophia's Dawn' encompasses the virtue of humility, integral to the spiritual well-being of humankind, natural world and the cosmos.

‘Hum’ is the third painting in this collection. She is much quieter and holds the space for the magic of the universe to unfold. She makes up the collection as she reflects and listens to the natural world around her. The wind gently whispers, the bee lets her know shes coming, the flowers crisply open and the mists cool and fresh rise from the warm and steadfast mountains. Inside her horns is another world. A world reflecting the one she is in…Full of life, ongoing cycles and unfolding magic.

I have recently started another collection of works which are on a bigger size canvas. I feel my arms fit it perfectly and enjoy working large scale.

The seed of inspiration came from a most mundane object.... the shape cut out from a cereal box! Its got me going on some new bee illustrations and opened up a whole reconnection to my love of Art Nouveau and native american medicine art. More on that in a few weeks...
I have painted one canvas so far but have just prepped three more for the creating... I've only six weeks to go until returning to the UK.

For now I will leave you with a link to Wild Soul Woman online course with TreeSisters. It is a free gift for soul nurturing and nature connection. Please take a look at the details of the course here and sign up if you feel it will serve you and your journey. Personally I am really looking forward to more meditations and learnings of the old ways.

I am planing to have all these new works avallable as signed prints about the end of July onwards but do let me know if you like to pre order.

Warm wishes,

xxx Charlotte Jane

https://www.lemonstoneart.com

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https://www.treesisters.org/wildsoulwoman

Awakening

"Awakening" Oil on Canvas 2016

Another cycle of Spring awakens. The mornings are getting lighter and my alarm chimes earlier. Every morning  another blue to  pinkish dawn light greets me. It is beautiful here, even though the almond blossom feels long gone, other plants appear on a weekly basis. The pleasure of collecting wild asparagus, rosemary and thyme fills me with such a joy, every time I walk. And recently wild chicory too!

My studio feels crowded. Ive got three large paintings well under way. One in fact I feel is finished.

I noticed its been a slow process of letting go these last few months, as the threads of my ideas initially woven together quite tightly have come out onto the canvas. The more I get into the work, the more confidence and excitement I have about opening up to a looser way of working. But I crave detail too. So it’s a fine balance.

So many layers, so many ideas, and each one is heard, considered, tried out and then possibly erased, or kept. It’s a symphony of chattering and conversation. Then a hush, and in the stillness something arrives. Space arrives, the painting breaths out and pulls me in. Then a sense of certainty arrives; it flutters in and alights on the canvas. Though even certainty can be flighty and may not stay long. A gentle cautious wrapping round of the magic glimpsed and a steady quiet step is the way to walk back into the painting. Im drinking lots of tea!

With each element of a composition individually waiting for my attention the days here in the studio get divided up with ease.  Today some of the hair and a tree in another painting, then perhaps the clouds in another…  The blending of all elements are considered simultaneously and more of a cacophony than a whispered conversation fills the space at times! Im meditating lots too and walking. It helps to quiet the mind and let the imagination settle a little into the heart. These paintings need the right environment in which to land!

Alongside my painting Ive been taking part in a women’s world wide webinar course based on the four directions of native American teachings. A truly wonderful gift to have taken part in. Treesisters have just planted over 31,000 mangrove trees as a direct result of their course ‘Embracing The Wild’.

 But more about that later

…The tangles of hair in the wind are calling and need colour and form, plus coffee is ready!

Love and Light to you all

Charlotte Jane xx

P.s If you want to take a look round Treesisters beautiful site please check them out here www.treesisters.org

The Space In between

Its been nearly two months since arriving in Spain and in all honesty I am only just really getting into the swing. Even though I've painted for the past four years it always amazes me just how long the preparatory work takes. Its the same with everything, Preparation is the foundation to a good creative outcome.

I'm enjoying taking my time with this series of works but there are feelings of such frustration when it can take three hours measuring and gridding up a large photograph! A process which then needs repeating onto the canvas.
Delving deeper into my painting practice and exploring the techniques of the Masters from the C14th and C15th is the main reason for change in pace though. I am learning to embrace a slower, more guided step by step approach which is in huge contrast to my Spontaeous Expression work from a few years back. I was recommended an excellent book by an ex painting colleague at Second Floor Studios, Ray Richardson, who suggested that I took it with me to Spain as a painting bible no less. Its been thoroughly read through in parts, especially the chapters on grounding and glazing.

The most interesting thing about the ground, using raw umber is the effects you can give space too as the painting moves on in stages. One of my mantras at the moment is to 'Give it space and Let it breath'. A painting needs this otherwise things get overworked and too tight. Its a challenge to allow the working of a painting to show through but more now I am embracing an unfinished style, at least in parts of the composition. There is something beautiful about seeing the ghostly pencil lines of some previously sketched trees and allowing them to be traced through the paint. More and more I hope to complete these paintings by seemingly doing less. Holding a wish to create images with a gentle indication of something that is left out, or yet to be seen.  Like a memory or waking dream where the recall is hazy and unfinished.

Every day I aim to take in something of my surroundings, for inspiration and relaxation. I've got in my minds eye a view of a corn field for one of the paintings in this body of work. Walking through the fields and seeing the horizon not only allows my eyes to readjust after concentrating all day, but  muscles need to let go of tension they hold in the simple act of painting. Its not always so simple, depending on how many brushes you end up holding in your hand at any one time!

So Im finding that the secret is in giving the work space to breath. And not being afraid to let it go for a few days without losing the creative tension. Trusting that I will keep hold of the thread and not let go of that quiet whispering inspiration and flow.  

Thank you

x Charlotte

If you like raw painting and quality, check out Ray's site. 

http://www.rayrichardson.co.uk/

www.lemonstoneart.com

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Mural Painting at Rustic Yoga Retreat

I've recently had the honor of spending time in the foothills of Sierra Espuna Mountains in Southern Spain, at a rustic yoga retreat nestled into the valley not too far from Murcia.  I was chosen from 120 artist worldwide who applied to paint a mural. 

The site, which is home to its owner Elliot for all year round and opened up for retreats just eight months of the year, is totally off grid and surrounded by beautiful countryside. Needless to say I spent as much time walking and taking in the breathtaking views as possible at the start and end of each working day.

This was my first time creating a mural at a yoga retreat. The overall design needed to be suitable to Elliot's personal visual taste for the homestead and also work for the various types of retreats and workshops held there from March to October. 

Even before I arrived at Bagend something resonated with me of the magic and energy of place; discussing ideas with Elliot I quickly understood the fairy tale vision he had. We would have two focal points in the mural, not only to make the most of time constraints but to allow for the character of the building (which included) two beautiful Moroccan lamps and an old medieval style doorway in the center of the wall, which we thought should breath in between the painting itself.

I was thrilled that Elliot liked my idea of a peacock guarding the entrance to the homestead. With their mesmerising green, blue plumage and graceful stature I felt sure that such a creature would reflect and accentuate the magic of the place. Throughout ancient history, mythology and spirituality, peacocks have been associated with immortality and protection. Symbolised by the many eyes of their plumage they are watchful guardians and protectors, especially over women.

Peacocks represent the vital life force and are connected with the Goddess Juno of the sky and stars. They are symbolic of renewal and rejuvination and link with the cycles of the moon. I liked that this animal could be a powerful visual connection to many aspects of yoga practice. 

Since being in Spain I have witnessed the amazing transformation of landscapes with the ever increasing pink and white flowers blossoming on almond tree groves. I really wanted to paint the blossom and so the idea for a tree came up. Now the veranda wall flows as part of the surrounding area which is bursting with plants, creepers and lemon trees.

 In keeping, it seemed, with the magic of Bagend, another dimension opened up as the shadows threw themselves across the mural one morning.  For a moment, trees and lanterns hanging just beyond the veranda became a part of the art. Elliot and I both agreed that the mural worked really well. That perhaps even the spirits of nature living there were just as pleased with it as we and his family of marmadukes were.

Changing light brings another dimension at daybreak.

Elliot and I would like to offer individuals attending Rustic Yoga Retreats at Bagend a special discount voucher at my online shop. Elliot has details when you arrive for your very special retreat. 

See for yourself what inspired Elliot to choose my work! 

www.lemonstoneart.com

www.rusticretreats.eu/

Please share details of Lemonstone Art and Rustic Yoga Retreats at Bagend with friends and family, who may wish to see and find out more.

NAMASTE!

Charlotte x

Letting Go and Having It All

Hello folks!
Well what a funny few weeks its been, settling into the Spanish, and rural Spanish way of life at that. Last year my mantra was Let It Go and this year I've been embracing Just Do It! But life has had other ideas, as it so often does, and the returning daily mantra for the moment is to let expectations go ... whilst keeping a gentle hold on the focus.
Now Im in the pace of things as they just are and accepting that its fine to slow down on the 'getting organised' tip.
Happy to say the studio is coming together and the idea for paintings are gently turning into a stream of pictures and colours in my minds eye and strewn about pieces of paper in the studio.  I most often work from imagination, researching image props for detail but for this series of works I have been creating the compositions on photoshop first.
So Im off to get a bus now into Castellon and collect large scale prints to start working from. Hope you like this image I took during a walk among the almond groves just a couple of evenings ago... its ok to be reminded to slow down once in a while when this is there to greet you. There is beauty all around us... if only take more time to see. Have a great week guys!
Bye for now xx

Im Starting A Blog.....

Hi Friends!

In six days time I will be writing my new blog from a town called Val d'Alba just north of Castellón and i want you guys to join me. I am going to Spain for time and inspiration for my painting project Ive called The Myth Of Separation. Its a working title that encompasses the love I have for a deeper connection with nature. And a deeper connection to the everyday mystery. I hope you like my blog and get to know me more over the coming weeks. See you soon. Bye!

Charlotte xx