This is only my second page in my art journal. A new creative adventure I’m dabbling in when I have time. I’m really enjoying it.

This little hummingbird I made during an online class with artist, Denise Braun, called Winged Messenger. This was my first attempt at painting a bird. While far from perfect, it really was all about being with that imperfection and getting lost in the page of journaling.

What I loved about this class, among many things really, was how Denise incorporates grounding and meditation. And I was blown away when she read a quote from Mark Nepo’s Book of Awakening that spoke to my all-time favorite quote: And the day came when the risk to remain tight in a bud was more painful that the risk it took to blossom. ~Anais Nin  

That quote has been prominently displayed on my website for over ten years now. No doubt I was meant to be in this art class with Denise.

The last art journal page (and my first actual page!) I shared with you I talked about how I like to come up with a quote or poem using the technique of blackout poetry. Just opening a used book at random and circling words that stand out to me. Then forming a sentence or more from that.

This time, I opened to a page in a book, but didn’t circle the words. Instead, I jotted them down in a notebook. Then took the words, added a few of my own and came up with a short poem.

It speaks to my love of the hummingbird and how my dachshund, Frankie, two weeks after she passed, I’m quite sure visited me as a hummingbird, hovering within inches of face, which I’d never encountered before with a hummingbird. I felt she was letting me know she was okay. I found such comfort in that.

And so this poem came to add to the journal page making it complete:

There is comfort in looking out my window

remembering the gift

of the surge of inspirational energy I felt

but for a brief, suspended in time moment,

before you departed once again

on your solo excursion.

Leaving me in the quiet

of essential truth

of what is real in my soul.

~Barbara Techel

While I felt out of my comfort zone painting that wee little bird, I took my time, trusting and enjoying the process. Just to be in a space of not thinking about my writing or worrying about my to-do list, was balm for my soul. It has me looking forward to more art journal pages ahead!

Wishing you a happy, creative, soulful weekend!

XO,

Barbara