'Manomaya'- Meadow Painting

Title:   Manomaya

Size:    76x76cm (30"x30") 2cm deep Panel

Medium: Oil on cradled panel

About this painting: 'Manomanya'- encompassing the processing of thoughts & emotions. 

A rich, layered painting of a garden meadow in Autumn. Full of warm colours & glowing tones, it bring a sense of comfort & balmy cosiness to a room. 

The painting explores the dirrent seasons of a womans life & how acceptance brings peace.

Over the  two weeks of solidly painting Manomaya from dawn till late night, I became totally engrossed in the process of layers of Natures Autumn colours.
Whilst painting, I was deeply immersed in thoughts of how our thinking affects our wellbeing & revisiting long held learning I had integrated into my life decades ago. I realised recently that for the 19 years of wonderful single motherhood my focus had been 100% on my son. These years have been my greatest joy but now he is at Uni my day to day life has changed massively.
I became aware that I hadn’t invested any time in myself, which is totally understandable, nor had I carried on my journey of personal & spiritual growth. As I painted, I remembered how much thoughts & emotions we experience affect the energy flow in and around us, which then affects our energetic and physical health.
Becoming aware of how my thoughts, judgements & emotions, as they come & go, affect me & working out what triggers me in various situations was something which was always an integral part of me… but I had let it slide away while my priorities changed. Now, as my time is my own again I am loving falling into deep thought, meditation while painting & re finding my connection to the energy of Nature, the Universe, my best self… whatever you choose to call it.
Listen to audiobooks of both old & new ideas, taking time just to be silent as I painted is bringing back a balance & process which gives me a level of inner peace which I thought was lost.As women, these different seasons of our lives hold such wonderful gifts of understanding & empowerment. Each holds its own teaching & wisdom. Each can be embraced joyfully & we can flow from one to another in gratitude, grace & peace if we so choose.
Re-finding ways of quieting my chattering monkey brain, clearing out thoughts which do me no service, finding solace & connection in the silence created is like being embraced by a dear old friend I had forgotten I knew.These journeys of ours through life’s phases & changes can be so vital & so powerful. If we just let ourselves be open to them, without fighting, just accepting.