Anna-Marie Raven ~ Evoking Art Everyday

live from the studio...

beginning stages of painting in progress ~ AM RAVEN ~ 4/11/12

a piece that I started months ago...

and has been on my art table dormant...

but very much alive there...

waiting for me...

whispering sometimes...

inviting me back to the flow...

tonight...

I am organically releasing and exploring this piece that has been on simmer for quite some time...

an inspiration that came to mind last summer...

that has been simmering in my head...

feels good to tenderly release and flow with...

here and now... 

no deadlines...

no expection...

just flow...

new year, new artwork, new heartwork...

new original artwork ~ AM Raven ~ 1/1/12

my gypsy soul is perched...

and ready...

so I am easing into this new year...

considering carefully all artistic opportunities that come my way, but holding my sojourn first and foremost in my heart...

last night, on New Year's Eve (truly no coincidence), I had a dream...that in it's own subtle way, was somehow reminiscent of "A Vision"...

and tonight...I painted...and interestingly enough, without trying, brought her forth again...

A Vision...

 
BARN OWL - original painting by Anna-Marie Raven ~ available in my shop as a fine art print.

first let me say that I fucking hate having to put a "watermark" on my artwork images online.  I want everyone to see the piece as it was created.  I usually don't even sign the front of a painting either because I do not want to take away from the integrity of the piece.  Sadly however, I've learned the hard way, it is necessary to protect my work.

So here she is, the work that was inspired by the vision I started to speak of here.

A VISION ~ by AM Raven

and I found myself in a grassy field, laying on my belly under a weeping willow...

I looked up and there was the most lovely barn owl in that tree...

looking down at me with compassion...

she swooped down silently and nuzzled herself into my neck…

tucked in the corner, tight, between my shoulder and my neck…

I felt her pure kindness & compassion…

she too, like so many, told me I was beautiful and loved...

however, this time, for the first time, I FELT it, somehow, she showed me what it felt like…

to FEEL beautiful and loved…

and then she moved in front of my face and lifted her wing, pointing down a path…

I made my way through a lush forest…

the earthly smells were so sensual and soothing…

the forest opened up to another grassy field…

the sun sinking deep into my bones as I stepped out of the forest…

and there you were…

you know who you are…

in that field…

smiling at me…

I felt tears in my eyes…

And a warmth in my heart…

Without any words from you…

For the first time in my life…

I immediately felt TREASURED…

A deep understanding and knowing filled my soul…

It has been a long journey…

But I am here…

And, you?...

Well, you know who you are…

It’s time for you too…

We are both ready to enjoy & explore one another…

Peace and balance…

Ebb and flow…

Step toward me…

hold out your hand…

and I will surely respond…

for even knowing little to nothing at all…

I know you…just as you know me...

you know?

yes…you do.

~~~~~~~~~

She flowed so freely & has a depth that humbles me beyond words...

I love the inner knowing & peace that came from this work...

and while I do not know specifically "who" this vision represents, I am no longer anxious...I have peace now, and an inner knowing...I understand what loving myself means...a piece I was missing for so long...

love, love, lovin' this soul work...

(side note ~ I'll be updating my new shop this week with more of my work ~ be sure to check back) 

solo show up...

 
a crappy photo of some of the paintings in my solo show currently up at Amy's Place on Wickenden Street in Providence, RI. 

there are 23 paintings in all included in my solo show, "A Song for Nancy, A Song for David" which will be up through mid-October.

An out of town, artistic friend stopped by to see the show earlier this week...and I found myself a wee bit uncomfortable prior to his viewing of the work. The root of my discomfort being the fact that I know these pieces were not afforded the time & space necessary for me to really dig deep and honor them properly.

He laughed when I explained this and asked "why did you invite me to see them then"? 

I invited him because I find it a good check & balance...(sharing the work with someone I know who really gets art...who can distinguish between soul work & surface work and isn't afraid to call me on the carpet about it.  He is someone I can be artistically and personally vulnerable with and he will not judge me, but rather support me as a fellow creative soul and friend. 

So rare to find, such a shame I only get to see him briefly about once each year...fortunately, his timing is impeccable.

That said, getting ready for and releasing this show was good for me in many ways...there is much to be proud of...

I really enjoyed the process of creating a show to live in this space which has such a great vibe...and kick-ass food & smoothies...

over my shoulder Sunday...

 
studio scene sunday ~ 9/18/11

hunkered down in the studio today trying to stay focused to finish all the pieces for my newest solo show that I need to install on Wednesday...

honoring the work and the process, but still marinating in the vision I experienced 11 days ago...

longing to paint it out, that experience...

patiently putting it aside for the moment, to finish the task at hand, this show which also means so much for so many reasons...

I'll share more about both very soon...in the meantime, I must get back to work...

but today, for some reason, I feel compelled to let you know that I am holding the space for you all to have a beautiful Sunday...

whatever you choose to do with it...

even if you have no choice in what you will do today...

take a moment to embrace the day...

and honor it's beauty...

and your place in it...

Peace...and love...

to you. 

 

more than coffee talk...

 
my workspace this a.m. ~ coffee & a few of my works from the "Mother Africa" show.

If you know me, or have read my blog with any regularity, then you probably know that "coffee talk" with me is rarely overshadowed by small talk...

last night, as I was settling in bed with a book, an unprompted tear fell from the corner of my eye...

and as my brain was barely in the processing stages of wondering where it came from, a second one fell.

I must confess that more than a few tears have fallen today...sad tears, fearful tears...

why?

because I had the thought that when tears fall unconsciously, that maybe it's because there is something I am turning a blind eye to...

something I am hanging onto that not healthy...

because maybe unconsciously on the inside I know that it is not best, however on the outside I think it is better than nothing...

and maybe I am justifying it because I fear if I confront it, instead of promoting deeper growth, the outcome will reveal indifference...

or worse...release...

and I am scared...

that I'll be left with only myself...

 

live from the studio...

it's been awhile since I've shared a Studio Scene photo...

in the groove now, so thought i'd share this photo...

working on a piece that has been in my brain since last Wednesday...

it's coming slowly...

but it's coming...

and for that, I am very grateful...

workin' through it all...

 
painting in progress ~ 3/23/11 ~ original watercolor

For the past three days, I've been a little on edge...a little shaky...a little scared, and at times, a little pissed off.

An old love shared his concern for me today, from seeing bits and pieces of what I've been through in the past year, most recently some pretty horrific things.  He pointed out that these events would have most people on their knees.   He gently told me that whether I realize it or not, these things are all stress producers.  He said that I've always been a survivor, and the thing that he said that really stuck with me is he encouraged me to be "bland" for awhile.  Very thought provoking advice, certainly a different way of looking at how to work through things.

I think the main reason that I'm a little pissed off has to due with this blindsiding wave of emotion that hit me Sunday night and has been ebbing gently in and out since...this craving of sorts...to just be held by a comfortable soul...(does such a person even exist for me?).  I am blessing and cursing the man who opened me up to this desire and then took his life 1 week after I knew exactly what it felt like to be held in that way...the way I crave now.

Wrestling with the fact that before he came along, I was only craving solitude.  I was completely in control of my emotions.  I don't like craving something that is not available when I need it, (or think I need it)...it's fucking distracting and just plain sucks.

I wrote and posted a blogpost the other day, it was raw and open, and then juxtapost to my usual flair for being 100% percent open with my writings...I felt anxious about it and converted it back into a draft format so that it wouldn't show up for public viewing...wtf is up with that?

I was out all day today, and when I was driving back to this place...this place that I had been needing and craving since September (actually longer, but that is when I started to outwardly acknowledge and seek it), I had to put my foot down with myself and kick my own ass.  I have the ability to heal myself...I have this beautiful space...which is exactly what I was seeking...for God's sake woman, get the fuck out of your head and go paint in the space, your space...where no one can stand in your doorway anymore and cut you & your work to shreads.   

I need to embrace myself...and let that be enough when there isn't anyone else to be there with & for me.

I need to nurture myself, and encourage myself to reach inward to fill my soul.  For when I reach outward, especially in this tender state, I find myself in my old role, my comfort zone of being the accomodater...trying desperately hard to please others, at my own heart's expense. 

So, tonight, I am gently easing myself into painting in my new space.  This piece is one that has been in my head since January...finally taking the time to release it to paper now.  I have alot more to share about this strong, feminine feline...she holds the residue of my past and interestingly enough, the future of someone else. 

I feel that my work will change drastically in this space, but she lived in my head before I lived here...

so I guess, in some ways, she is my transition piece...

peace & love...AM

new artwork..."Reflection"...

 
"Reflection" - 2011 - 9 x 12 original watercolor painting by Anna-Marie Still 

 fine art print available here in my online shop.  

I painted this piece just as the New Year began, my first piece of 2011, oddly enough, before my world was turned upside down.  When I began it, my intention was to include it in with the pieces I am showing in the upcoming Mother Africa exhibit.  When the painting was done, it just felt seperate, so I put it aside.  It has sat on my worktable off to the side, and somehow, since my world turned upside down 12 days ago, it has been reaching out to me, trying to tell me something.   Here is what it speaks:

My heart behind this piece:

REFLECTION 

“Follow effective action with quiet reflection.  From the quiet reflection will come even more effective action. ~ Peter F. Drucker

The Blacksmith Plover is an assertive, conspicuous but also, wary creature.  This little bird hops into Crocodile’s mouth and eats the leeches which attack her gums, thus endangering her one great survival gift. Crocodile will open her mouth and wait for her ally, the Plover.  Although Crocodile eats birds, she never harms Plover.

 Plover reminds us that even when we are effective and efficient in helping others, we must be cautious not to give beyond what is healthy.  We must take time to reflect, so that we may center ourselves & remain balanced.  There must be a time for personal check & balance, a refilling of your own well, to strengthen yourself so that you are able and ready to give again when you see and feel the need arise.  

 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Where I am at today...

I feel like there are multiple carpets under my feet...

and as each one is pulled out, I stumble, and just as I think I might be able to take a breath...

another is pulled out from under me.

how many carpets can there possibly be I wonder?

and with that thought I long to lay down, curled up on a cool hardwood floor.

live from my studio...painting in progress for upcoming Mother Africa show...

...and fyi...yes that's the same mug as in my previous post from 2 days ago...however, it's not the same beverage...the cup has been washed since 2 days ago...in case you were wondering ;)