Would you like to co-create a masterpiece for yourself?

“A good painting to me has always been like a friend. It keeps me company, comforts and inspires.”
—Hedy Lamarr

Click on the image to read the article.

"Canvas Rebel" interviewed me for their magazine. Their first question was, "What’s been the most meaningful project you’ve worked on?” Hands down, my most meaningful projects are commissions. I walk my clients through an in-depth process to create a canvas filled with layer upon layer of artful alchemy infused with my client's joys, hopes, and dreams. The reaction of every client has been priceless. They are overwhelmed and often moved to tears of joy. I'm grateful to be trusted with their most precious feelings. This is the best and most fulfilling work I've ever done.

My client, seen here, is adding a secret note to her husband. This adds to the meaning of the piece.

One example was a surprise anniversary commission. My client wanted me to create something special for her husband. He mentioned a sketch I posted on Facebook of a Rickenbacher 4001 bass. He told her that this was his very first guitar. When we started discussing the project, I asked her how many bands her husband played in because I thought putting all the band names around the guitar would make it more meaningful and personal to him. The whole family helped get me intel by asking him one evening at dinner to share all the names of the bands he'd been in over the years. His wife came over and painted a private note to him in the underpainting. She shared his Spotify playlist with me, which I always ask for. It helps me to get into their specific zone. This was the first time I had an extensive listening experience with the band Dream Theater. Ultimately, when my client revealed her surprise gift, her husband was utterly overwhelmed. Priceless.

Here is the almost final painting with names of all the bands he was in as well as some secret additions to make it more meaningful.

If you'd like to schedule a free 15-minute information session to learn about co-creating a commissioned piece of transformational art, click the button.

I hope to see you soon. Wishing you and yours a fabulous February!
Love,
Leslie
xo

Five things you can do to shift negative thoughts to positive.

“If you look at what you have in life, you'll always have more. If you look at what you don't have in life, you'll never have enough.”
—Oprah Winfrey

Field of Possibilities is an acrylic painting that connects you to the powerful beauty found in nature. Connecting to nature fills you with ease and joy. This is a painting of Wightman’s farm in Morristown, New Jersey.

What do you want out of life? Focusing on what you want your life to be rather than what it isn’t, has the power to release a lot of negative thoughts. It shifts your thinking from stress, anxiety, sadness, worry, guilt, resentment, blame, frustration, dread, or lack to possibility, hope, ease, and happiness. 

We live in strange times, and it’s easy to get caught up in all the negativity flying around. Gaining clarity can help us shift from fear back to ease and joy. First, we must remember that negative thoughts aren’t facts. They’re just thoughts, and thoughts don’t exist outside of your mind. By accepting them as thoughts, you’re telling yourself that they’re not real and that you don’t have to act on them. That helps you to stop obsessing over them.

What else can help you release negative thoughts? Try these tips:

1. AWARENESS The best way to understand our feelings is to feel them once we’re aware of them. The first step towards changing any behavior is becoming aware of it. Acknowledge your emotions and make mental shifts over time. A meditation practice can be super helpful to become aware of your inner dialogue. 

2. TAKE CHARGE Emotions don’t just happen – they originate from thoughts, beliefs, memories, and experiences. Tell yourself a different story concerning those events if you want to change your emotional state. You get to remember things any way you want. Remember it from a positive point of view, one that uplifts or gives you hope. A belief happens when you tell it to yourself repeatedly. Tell yourself something good and create positive affirmations

3. NO JUDGEMENT Let go of judgments. It’s easy for us to judge others and ourselves. Instead of comparing yourself to your peers, list the good things about yourself and your life. Replace the negative thoughts with positive ones from your list. Think of the positive traits you or the other person may have.

4. GRATITUDE For me, the best way to move from negative thoughts to positive ones is by practicing gratitude. I use a technique called the "Gratitude Formula" from the book by May McCarthy with the same name. This helps me conquer anxiety, move through procrastination or blocks, release fear and sadness, and embrace possibility and hope. The Gratitude Formula is a practice that makes way for joy. Read about it in this article, Strengthen Your Ability To Perceive More Joy.

5. ART! Lastly, to stay in that place of gratitude, place visual reminders in your home to help you stay uplifted and inspired. Beautiful and meaningful art on your wall has the power to move you emotionally. It helps keep the focus on beauty in your world and in your life. The more you see beauty, the more beauty you’ll see, and that’ll kick negativities ass!

Commissioning a piece of art adds a meaningful focal point in your home to connect you to uplifting and joyful emotions. I created this piece in 2021 for my collector's stunning home.

How do you deal with negativity? What helps you to banish negative thoughts? Please share your tips in the comments. That way we can help each other to shine.

Stay positive and enjoy all your days, whatever comes.
Love,
Leslie