February has been a crazy month. Glad at least that it is the shortest one.

It started out really well with my art and a new abstract that I had worked on. It had some new elements that I hadn’t tried before, but even though the process was a bit scary, I pushed through anyway and ended up with a painting that was truly loved. And not just by me! It was based on the passages of Exodus that describe the instructions from G-d for the building of the Tabernacle. What has always struck me in this part of Torah is that His favourite colours are blue, purple, and crimson, and it’s repeated over and over, so that we get it. Added to these colours are highlights of gold, silver and copper. It’s like G-d wants to be sure we know this about Him.

I am always so astonished by Hashem’s artistic side and His desire to share that with us. It is a side that He has given to me. To express and be creative. So this abstract painting took up those same colours. Blue, purple and crimson, with gold, silver and copper highlights. And I suppose the process was scary because I was truly treading on holy ground. I was following in the footsteps of my Master. My coach told me the fear was a good thing, it meant I was headed in a great direction and there would be things learned. She was so right.

And no wonder the painting that resulted was loved by so many. There was the soul of me and the soul of Him in it. And I sold this piece almost as soon as I had posted it on social media; it found its new home all the way in Munich, Germany. It had resonated with so many people in so many places. I realize when we follow in Hashem’s footsteps there is a familiarity that binds so many of us together. We realize we are family. We are drawn to one another in brotherhood and sisterhood, as we are meant to. And this painting achieved that so well.

Which brings me to the latter half of this month. What a change…. I started a second painting, this one a landscape that is incorporating both my landscape style and my abstract method. I knew what I wanted to do and I knew what my next steps needed to be. Normally I’d have finished this piece a while ago. But it is stalled. And I am very , very slowly making my way through it still. It isn’t by far with the ease of the earlier abstract, instead it is proving to be a great chore. And I’m not even sure why. Just that I feel exhausted. And the creative flow is not there like it was earlier this month. It might have something to do with the upheavals in the world right now, I know those things affect me deeply. And it may be too that the first painting got so much of my creative effort that I am just tired. And that’s okay. Again, my coach helped me by giving me perspective on a week’s break or two being just that. A break. Not an opportunity to beat myself up.

Add to that my father’s passing at the end of January and I do feel very tired. Emotionally wrung out. I felt Dad very close through the process of the first painting. And I still do but… All I can say is I will continue with this painting. And it will be done in due time. But I am not putting any deadlines or pressure on myself. It just needs to come when I am spiritually and physically ready again. When I am filled up and ready to give more. Please stay with me on this journey, it has its ups and downs, but I am staying with it. And there is and will be more of the creative spirit given to me that will flow very soon. I know, because I am never abandoned by Him. I have so much of His image flowing through me. And He has so much more for me to do. Of that, I have no doubt.

Read my Latest Watercolour Blog Titled Ups and Downs..