My beloved responded and said to me, rise up, my love, my beautiful one, and come away. For look, the winter is past, the rain is over, gone. The flowers have appeared in the earth;
Shir haShirim 2:10 – 12
I am deeply in love and He has my whole heart. I am nothing without Him. It has taken my whole life to get here, this place in Him that is my home. I am finally free to rise up in my authenticity and be who He made me to be. Daughter, mother, sister, friend, artist.
From the dust of this earth I was created and imbued with a heightened sense of all I could see, hear, feel, smell and touch. Nature was my playground where I experienced freedom and love for everything wild and beautiful. A desire to create grew out of this and my hands became my most valued tools. There wasn’t any medium that I resisted and I found great satisfaction exploring most.
Coupled with my heightened senses were my emotions which ran equally as intense, and for most of my life, out of control. Without healthy boundaries and untold poor choices my life started a downward spiral that impacted many – not only me.
The art that flowed out from me clearly represented the state of my heart. Seeking to be loved I mimicked many art styles and produced commissioned art pieces to please my buyers. I never stopped to listen to the sad voice within me. Had I done that, I doubt it would have made any sense to me. I was lost to myself as an artist. I, Shiralee, was lost and broken.
It took the birth of my son to shift my perspective. Eight years into his life he became a catalyst to a new beginning for me. I was lifted out of the darkest pit of depression into the Light where my heart slowly started to heal. A new season came to life. The process of sanctification started within me. Letting go of the past and receiving my true identity was both a painful and exhilarating experience as I came to know that I am loved.
Fourteen years down the road and the landscape around me has changed. The process of sanctification still continues, and always will. I see and feel differently. I still need to reassure myself at times that my life hasn’t been a waste. So much more I could have achieved. So many more beautiful pieces of art I could have produced. So many more lives I could have touched. The dust has settled revealing a path I choose to be on. It’s narrow and one not many will choose. Walking towards the light, with whatever time is left for me, I choose to use my gift to honour Him, because I love Him. With all my heart.
I enjoy most mediums, but my heart is sold on charcoal and oils. I adore the freedom of expression they allow me. There is great satisfaction for me in energetic mark-making combining different types of brushstrokes from very loose to fine and detailed. My colour palette is mostly limited, contrasting light with darkness. My images are built up with many layers and I’ve let go of trying to control the flow of paint on the surface of my canvases. Writing and scratching into the wet paint surface is also sometimes part of my process. I collect all sorts of ‘tools’ to work with, and some of my favourite brushes are the very old ragged ones.
My current work is more about expressing an emotion or an idea, as opposed to attempting perfection in my technique and limiting my subject to portraiture as I used to do. Now I’m listening carefully to my Beloved’s instruction and pouring my heart into whatever and wherever He leads – making art which flows authentically from Him. My work continues to grow, just like me.
My intention with most of my work now is to bring an awareness through it that there is another way, a road less travelled – an ancient path that leads to unimaginable freedom. I want to fulfil my life’s purpose and make a difference through my art. I’m in the process of allowing my heart full expression through the colour and marks I choose to make on canvas or paper, painting only for Him. It is an honour and privilege that I am deeply grateful for.
Thus said Yehovah, stand in the ways and see, and ask for the old paths, where the good way is, and walk in it; and find rest for yourselves.
Yirimiyahu 6:16
Photography [traceyraeimages] Fine Art Photographer