self discovery

Goddess Paintings Now Grace My Studio. They Have Much Wisdom to Share.

Posted by Barbara Techel
Goddess Paintings Now Grace My Studio. They Have Much Wisdom to Share.
artwork by: Barbara Techel

I did it. I painted three large paintings (24 x 48). I kind of can’t believe it.

I always said I couldn’t paint. But then one said wonderful artist, who I also happen to call Mom, inspired and encouraged me to give it a try.

The day spent with my mom a few months ago learning how to do what she calls “paper towel” painting is a memory that fills my soul with love and joy.

“Paper towel” painting is mixing acrylic paints together and then dabbing a scrunched up paper towel into the mixed colors and dabbing it onto the canvas. The ground, middle, and sky portion of each of these paintings is this technique.

I was inspired to do these tree Goddess paintings after seeing another painting that incorporated this idea.

My Joyful Pause Studio where I teach SoulCollage(r) workshops and where I happened to have a very long wall I needed something for was where I knew I wanted my Goddesses to reside.

It’s a space where I want to continue to welcome women to take time for themselves, tune into their own inner wisdom, create, and discover new things about themselves that I hope will help them to live a more meaningful and joyful life.

I felt a wave of emotion surge through me when I hung the last Goddess painting on the wall yesterday afternoon.

It took me some time to complete these paintings and at times I was frustrated. But it also made me think about this new place I’m at in my life which has been something I’ve envisioned for a long time.

Just like times I was frustrated thinking I didn’t know where I was headed, but could sense a new path wanting to emerge, I knew I had to have patience and trust in the process.

Just like doing the paintings. And just like SoulCollage(r) teaches – trusting in our own process-moving to the rhythms of our own inner soul whispers is what I believe we are all being called to do.

I also find myself fighting the urge to say my paintings are not perfect, they could be better — that I am not an artist in this sense.

But I know these are conditions I’ve been taught to believe about myself. And I know they are not true even though I must fight the urge to think so.

I am not perfect, nor do I want to be. I want to continue to grow and learn. I am an artist. I am a Goddess.

A Goddess who wants to continue to stand in her feminine, artistic, womanly wisdom and open her arms to other women seeking to embrace the power of their inner Goddess.

And together we will form a circle of love, joy and peace that will radiate out into the universe and set the planet aglow.

Now didn’t I tell you? These Goddess have much wisdom to share. I, for one, plan to keep paying attention.

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If you’d like to learn more about my workshops, I have a special page set up on my website for information. You can learn more here.

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Tap into Your Inner Wisdom. Live a More Meaningful Life.

Posted by Barbara Techel


I’ve often talked about SoulCollage® here on my blog – a creative collage process that helps you tap into your inner wisdom.  I’ve found that when I really listen to my intuition it helps me live a more meaningful life.

One of the reasons I became a SoulCollage® facilitator is that I want to encourage others to tap into their own inner wisdom and discover how they too can lead a meaningful life.

I put together this short video explaining a little more about SoulCollage® and would love to have you join me for a workshop at my Joyful Pause Studio or online.

My next Introductory to SoulCollage® workshop is Saturday, April 9th at my home studio, Joyful Pause. Space is limited. Register early. Hope to see you!

Register here today.

The Magical Connection Between Inner and Outer Worlds

Posted by Barbara Techel
The Magical Connection Between Inner and Outer Worlds
My Horse SoulCollage® card

Most days, as part of my morning ritual I shuffle my SoulCollage® card deck (I’ve made 43 cards so far). I either silently ask a question about something I’m struggling with or just ask for whatever guidance I may need for the day.

As I shuffled my cards today I was thinking about how excited I am to facilitate a retreat with a friend at her horse farm this summer. And the card I pulled? One of the cards I made with horse!

This was a card I made when I was training to become a SoulCollage® facilitator in November 2014. During a meditation, Horse came to me in my heart, but only revealed part of herself. I was surprised by this and kept waiting for her to come into full view, which she never did during that meditation.

Perhaps it was a clue that down the road I’d be coming full circle with the medicine of Horse and co-facilitating this retreat I’m doing.

But it was the perfect example of what I just got done teaching in an online workshop with my friend, Dawn, and how our outer world oftentimes reflects what is going on in our inner world.

I also pick an animal card each morning to not only learn more about different animals and their teachings, but to have as my guidance for the day.

I recently bought a new deck called the Druid Animal Oracle Deck by Philip & Stephaine Carr-Gomm, so I’ve been pulling a card at random from this deck lately.

This morning my energy was feeling off because of a few things I am disappointed about. After shuffling the cards for a few moments the card I pulled was Fire Dragon.

Hmm, I thought. Interesting.

A few thoughts from the booklet about Fire Dragon that made sense for me today–

  • Fire dragon brings courage and an increased ability to overcome obstacles and to find the energy to cope with life’s problems.
  • Whether you have too much or too little energy, developing a harmonious relationship with Fire Dragon will help you.
  • If you lack energy you may need to ask the dragon to give you a little more of the treasure he is guarding.

I placed both my cards on my altar in my writing cottage as reminders of the teachings.

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As I signed on to check my Facebook account the first image I saw was this that said, “need a dragon?”

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I’m really beginning to see more and more how our inner and outer world really is connected. I’m finding that it’s really just making a conscious effort more often.

I think too often we think there is going to be some big, flashing neon light telling us exactly what we need to hear — but what would be the fun in that if we were always handed the most obvious answers? Though yes, I, like you, do wish that would happen at certain times.

But I find that when I’m open to the subtle clues that come, it sure does make life much more magical when these happenings occur!

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