Art is therapeutic and colour heals - bringing home an original painting by Belinda will light up your living space with a daily explosion of life & happiness. Belinda Fireman's colourful, inspiring art is guaranteed to lift the spirits, generate positive reflection and make you smile.
People who have bought Belinda's paintings say they can't stop looking at them, that they derive joy from them each day. Her paintings make wonderful, enduring and meaningful gifts.
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This painting began as a collaborate effort with the brave people who stopped by to help me out at the last FosterMAK show.
One of my favourite things about painting live is encouraging people to use a paintbrush, especially the ones who say, “You don’t want me… I will ruin your painting!
But the best thing, by far, is sharing the canvas with children who fully embrace the title of ARTIST. There are many elements of this painting that were done by the children who helped me out that day, just as much of my art is created by the child within me.
“Self Love”, 24″ x 24″, acrylic on cradled wood panel, $720. Purchase here.
In my quest for self love, I often believe that I need to do it alone, without any help. Eventually I remember that this is impossible, and it is not desirable. Having friends to call, to hug, to listen to me, to laugh with, to remind me of my self worth, to point out my mistakes before I make them – is invaluable to me, and I am grateful to have so many in my life.
There is a hole inside me.
It wanted to be filled, and I have tried to fill it.
I’ve tried filling it with other people’s words, other people’s actions.
I’ve tried filling it with my own affirmations, my own actions.
Nothing worked.
It’s still there.
Day 98: The hole. #selflove365
I always thought the hole needed filling.
It doesn’t.
Excerpt from “The Book of Awakening” by Mark Nepo, April 8, p. 116, Red Wheel/Weiser, 2000.
“In keeping the center of the I empty,
the miracle of life can enter and heal.
It’s not by chance that the dark center of the human eye, the pupil, is actually an empty hole through which the world becomes known to us. Likewise, in a spiritual sense, the I is the empty center through which we see everything. It’s revealing that such a threshold is called a pupil, for it is only when we are emptied of all noise and dreams of ego that we become truly teachable.”
Even with the hole, I am whole.
For the last few months, I’ve been thinking about teaching, but not getting down to work and actually planning a class. As a professional procrastinator, this is nothing new. A few days ago, I was asked if I would teach a class about the Self Love inchie project I have been working on. I said, “YES!” and jumped right in. I love getting that kind of kick in the butt to get me moving!
I’ve really enjoyed collaborating with Michelina Bamford at Wolf Willow Studios, and I am super excited to share this project next week!
Here are the details!
Belinda Fireman and Wolf Willow Studio present a romantic evening of appreciative, fun, adoration and art for the most deserving and important person in your life – YOU!
Based on Belinda’s compelling 365 art projects, this accomplished artist will share her annual endeavor to shine more light on her soul via easy, colorful, meaningful practice. After an informal presentation and demonstration from Belinda, students will be creating their very own “inchie” art pieces that reflect and acknowledge their own beauty! (Absolutely no artistic experience is required to love!)
Please learn more about Belinda and Self Love 365 here: http://belindafireman.wordpress.com/2014/01/28/self-love-365/
Our Self Love Valentines celebration will be complete with the addition of a selection of beautiful teas and chocolate from local proprietor, Naked Leaf Teas and maybe even some special gifts and surprises!
Please bring: Your commitment and favourite drawing supplies.
Conscious Investment: Includes supplies, treats, support and LOVE!
$25.00 online registration, or $30.00 at the door.
*Space is limited! If not registering online, please confirm your attendance to create@wolfwillowstudio.ca
“Do I love myself? I wasn’t sure with the voices in my head telling me otherwise. With the hopes of growing more compassion and gentleness towards myself, I chose to commit to a practice of drawing one thing every day that I love about myself”. –Belinda Fireman
To register online, please follow this link:
http://wolfwillowstudio.ca/new-products/self-love-365
After taking on the 365 Project last year (one self portrait a day for a year), I wanted to continue with some kind of daily project. I really loved the rhythm created by having something to do each day, the creativity involved in making each photograph unique, and the collection amassed (and sense of satisfaction at having completed it) at the end of the project.
I considered doing some kind of gratitude project, like Lori Portka’s “A Hundred Thank-Yous”, where she created 100 paintings for people she treasured in her life. At some point, I will do a similar project, but what occurred to me is that I need to love myself before I can really love and give to others in such a big way.
This is a question that has been on my mind for a long time: Do I love myself? Sometimes it feels like the answer is no. The voices in my head are so nasty sometimes, so critical, that it hardly feels like love. On the other hand, I go out to dance once or twice a week, I am doing the thing I love the most (painting), I go to the gym every other day, and I eat relatively well (but lets not get into food now, because food is my go-to source of love when I am down). Those things all sound like I take care of myself, that I am doing things that show love for myself, right?
This is where the critical voices come in, saying, “You aren’t doing it right”, “You still aren’t good enough”, “If you loved yourself, you would just know it”, “If you loved yourself, you wouldn’t need to do this project”.
Bullshit.
And so, Selflove365 was born. I am drawing something I love (or like) about myself in a 1″ x 1″ square per day, every day of this year. The first 15 days were pretty easy, but then it felt like I could hit a wall soon, and run out of things I like. So far, I haven’t, and if that happens, surely I can still find something, even if it’s my fingernail. I sit at my desk and allow it to come to me, rather than planning ahead, the same way that I paint.
I’m curious about how or if I will change by the end of the year. Two of my friends have joined me in this project, one of whom is sharing her squares (as I do) on Facebook. Will you join me? I also post my squares everyday on Instagram. Tag your photos with #selflove365 so we can encourage and support each other!