Painted leaves
First inspired by a friend’s gift, then carried forward as a gift to other friends… it’s as simple as feeling special.
I attended a weekend workshop in the spring about awakening to indigenous and and earth-based practices with a focus on embodied meditation. It was like going away on a Buddhist meditation retreat, except with more talking and sharing. The teacher spoke about altars. I looked at my not-really altar space and noticed a tiny painted leaf from my dear friend Marga.
I held it in my hands, turning it between my fingers, noticing its oblong shape outlined in golden paint, and faded pinkish color speckled with delicately painted gold dots.
It felt so special, the way she jeweled it and crowned it into being. I’ve kept it on my not-really altar ever since because I love it so much, and her, and how it made me feel special, too.
Then last summer when the pandemic seemed to give us a tiny window of reprieve, I went on a road trip with another dear friend, Sush to visit another artist, Cecelia in Durham, NC.
On one of the days we painted a collaborative piece in her studio, each taking turns on a canvas. They’re both painters, and I was wowed by what they did.
When I was waiting my turn, I was drawn to paint marks on the magnolia leaves that I picked up on our walk earlier. I chose copper and white and just started painting circular spiraling writing marks. I painted four leaves, and gave one each to Cecelia and Sush of their own choosing. Maybe it was my way of saying to them they are special to me.
I had been wanting to return to painting leaves for some time – to explore marks, asemic writing, and simple patterns for new healing chime ideas – and chose eucalyptus leaves, photinia leaves, and ginkgo leaves to explore the possibilities.
I was reminded of the story of how this all started – how I was inspired by something special from a friend, then carried that forward to other friends, and how it is again being carried forward to you.
May you enjoy the painted leaves.
May your inspiration be sparked, or give you joy in just holding them, or let the stories they hold carry forward into yours.
May you too feel special.
“Painted Leaves” was originally published as an exclusive post to my Patreon supporters in March 2021. Now it’s public and available to you, too!
And I’m excited to announce that since December 2022, I’ve switched to Ko-fi!
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A big shout out to my wonderful supporters! Thank you, each of you, for supporting my ongoing creative work – Julie B, Sharmila K, Sushmita M, Kori J, Marga F, Kara B, Kristina L, Laura C, Louise B, Beck C, Skip M, Chris Z, and Richie M. It means so much and I am grateful. I think of you as create these posts, what I write about and share, and I hope that it offers you insight and inspiration along the way.
