WHAT'S NEW — meditation

LIVING THE GOOD LIFE: EIGHT SIMPLE STEPS TOWARDS SPIRITUAL GROWTH 63

With alarming news bombarding us every day: worldwide catastrophic events, illness, poverty, mental illness, death...how do we get to live a stress-free life? How do we make our life feel happy and fulfilled?

 

STEPS TO LIVING A HAPPY AND CONTENT LIFE

 

Spirituality in art, painted rocks collection by Christine Onward (for sale here)

 

Research shows that connecting with our innermost beliefs as well as actively seeking spiritual growth can help improve our quality of life.  

 

Here are eight simple steps to consider: 

 

1.SEARCH FOR INNER BELIEFS

Before engaging ourselves in seeking spiritual growth it would be wise to actually know what our beliefs are.

For some of us the answers to questions about own beliefs are easy to find. But for most people, the search for "core beliefs" or "spiritual truths" is often a long and challenging pathway.

Knowing your own beliefs will bring you closer to your inner self. It will elevate your spirit and make you feel fulfilled. 

Spirituality in art, painted rock by Christine Onward (for sale here)

 

2.CONTEMPLATE ON YOUR ACTIONS

The beliefs you have discovered within yourself should also reflect in your actions.

Have you taken time to pray, or meditate, or sit in solitude today?

Have you engaged in an act of knowledge? Or an act of kindness?

These are the types of questions you might want to ask yourself during periods of self-reflection.

The easiest way to acquire personal spiritual growth is to take a moment and reflect: is this the kind of life I want to live? Is this the kind of life that makes me happy or at peace? Are my actions reflecting my own beliefs?

Spirituality in art, painted rock by Christine Onward (for sale here)

 

3.SHOW COMPASSION

A deep connection with your own spirit can be achieved by empathizing with other people's pain.

Showing compassion and willingness to help others in their need makes us better people. 

As the Dalai Lama says, "Only the development of compassion and understanding for others can bring us the tranquility and happiness we all seek".

 

Spirituality in art, painted rock by Christine Onward (for sale here)

 

4.PROMOTE PEACE

Once you have attuned your actions to your spiritual beliefs, the pathway to inner peace and personal fulfillment becomes wide open.

It's you who can choose to understand, look beyond revenge and forgive, accept, emphatise, feel good about yourself and build hope.

Always remember that at any point in life you can make a choice. It's up to you what kind of choice you want to make. Consider peace and positive action first.

 

Spirituality in art, painted rock by Christine Onward (for sale here)

 

5.SEARCH FOR SOUL MATES

Spiritual growth often relies on the people we surround ourselves with. 

Search for the people who raise you up; the people who encourage you on your endeavours to become a better person; the people who, like you, promote good and positive action and actively search to make a difference.

No man is an island. Choose the people you want to share your spiritual growth with.

Spirituality in art, painted rock by Christine Onward (for sale here)

 

6.BE THANKFUL

Showing gratitude is the essence of your happiness.

There are always little things to feel thankful for; a new day, the sunrise, a memory, a smile, a hope.

There is no spiritual gathering within ourselves without being thankful for what we are, what we have, and what we can become.

Spirituality in art, painted rock by Christine Onward (for sale here)

 

7.BE TOLERANT

Evolution has taught us that no two people are the same. Our beliefs, behaviours, preferences, or hopes will always stand differently from one another.

Tolerance will teach us that, by accepting the discrepancies between us as humans, we can grow into better people. 

Tolerance is the key to inner peace, self acceptance and trust in our personal kindness.

Spirituality in art, painted rock by Christine Onward (for sale here)

 

8.QUIET THE MIND 

Whether you call it prayer, meditation, or quiet solitude, it is a golden opportunity to allow your thoughts to rest in silence.

Cutting out the relentless noise of the outside world and focusing on the inner peace of our soul are golden opportunities to grow spiritually.

Spirituality is so much an act of inner peace and acceptance, it is only a moment of silence it needs in order to grow and flourish.

Rock collection by Christine Onward. More details Here

 

YOU MAY ALSO LIKE TO READ :

Articles by Christine Onward

LIVING THE GOOD LIFE: SIX REASONS WHY YOU SHOULD SURROUND YOURSELF WITH ART

CREATIVE HOBBIES AND HOW THEY CAN IMPROVE YOUR WELL BEING

 

WHAT'S YOUR BLUE? 19

Christine Onward talking about symbols of the blue colour in rock painting

Colours allow artists to express their ideas and reveal their inner self. For every rock painter colours not only evoke a certain mood, elicit a certain response from the viewers, but also work subliminally to create and send a particular message.

But what are the messages, moods, and inner responses elicited by the blue colour in rock painting?

BLUE art on rocks by Christine Onward. For sale HERE

 

Today’s article presents a number of different approaches to the use of blue in rock painting. Rocks were selected from the approximately 200 painted rocks posted by the artists of RockStreet Collective to honour our most recent BLUE rock event.

 

Why do we use the BLUE colour when we paint on rocks?

 

*BLUE is used to suggest INNOCENCE and elicit CALM

      

Naïve art on rocks by artists Sussi Louise Smith | Pamela Campbell | Christine Onward

 

*With BLUE you can create sensations of FREEDOM and EXPANSIVENESS

  

Ocean theme in rock painting, different approaches by artists Kishan Patel | Leilani Holverson | Susanne Jensen

 

*BLUE is a universally soothing colour. Many artists embrace a blue palette to elicit CALM and MINDFULNESS

  

Mandala world in BLUE by artists Rachel Mitchell | Debby Hurst | Elena Marisol Gomez

 

*Beauty of nature and its fantastic livings are often represented with the use of BLUE 

  

A world of BLUE birds by artists Judy Smith | Aberline Attwood | 陳 泳澖 |

 

*Light BLUE is associated with TRANQUILITY and HEALING

  

 Soft BLUES to heal the soul- by artists Yvette Biedermann | Pascale Chevalier | Ralph Macias |

 

*You may use blue when creating art for those young at heart to elicit SINCERITY and HAPPY MOODS

  

Joyful art for the child in us by artists Christel de Laroche | Alex Jade | Danijela Milosevic 

 

*BLUE invites you to MELANCHOLY and RECOLLECTION

  

 BLUE dot art in rock painting by artists Lisa Orlans | Emily Clark | Sandra Silva | 

 

*Oriental cultures have used BLUE to express PIETY and STRENGTH

  

 The exotic world of the BLUE rocks by artists Yuk-moy Tan Tapia | Megan Wilhite | Shruti Rachael David | 

 

*Use BLUE to suggest PURITY and CONFIDENCE

  

The wonderful realm of wearable art on rocks by artists Lysa Mignot | Annalisa Cacciatore | Valeria Avossa | 

 

*All these symbols often intermingle to create calm and purity. If you want to join the art world of healing the mind and body, you can start by using BLUE

  

 Fantastic decorative art on rocks by artists Jessica Pederson Stumpf | Misty Day | Diana Lamb | 

 

In art, colours have endless meanings and significance which translates into rock painting. If you remember, a few weeks ago we looked at some examples of RED symbolism in rock painting. See article HERE.

If interested to be a part of our world rock painting family, you are most welcome to post your creations in our group RockStreet Collective. The BLUE rock event is still happening until the 21^st of July when the winning artist (featured on our Instagram account) will be invited to an exclusive interview on this website.

More artful blue rocks for sale Here

I will conclude my short description of uses of BLUE in rock painting here. The most amazing creation I wanted to introduce to you to celebrate the BLUE rock event is that of 5 year old Zarya, Elena Marisol Gomez's little daughter. I’m sure you’ll love her blue ocean, the sky with white clouds, the green beach, and the tomato bush in the corner.

Here ends RockStreet Collectives's BLUE rock showcase. I hope you had a peaceful BLUE holiday to the eyes :) 

The beautiful BLUE rock of Zarya 

 

 

 

Embracing life in meaningful ways - exceptional artist LIONA HOTTA talking about her artistic journey and the launch of an exciting new on-line learning opportunity 34

Dear friends,

Today's article will take you on a journey into the life of a once rebel "undisciplined" child who grew up to be an exceptional mandala artist praised for her talent all around the word.

As you all know, Liona Hotta's extraordinary art distinguishes itself from others' for its sensual explosion of colours, perfection of shapes, and the vibrant positive energy it contains. I hope you enjoy seeing part of her creations depicted in marvelous photographs throughout the article.

How Liona started this amazingly inspiring career not only as a painter, but also as a musician, here is for you to find out. 

 

Mandala art by Liona Hotta | Instagram | Facebook | Pinterest | YouTube |

 

 

Who is Liona Hotta and how did she grow up to be the artist she is today?



I like to think of myself as a person who wants to express herself through multiple forms of art.

Since very young I loved singing, painting and dancing. These arts were very present in our home, and although we were growing up in a demanding agricultural community, all members of my family were or are still practicing some form of art. It’s no wonder that I ended up marrying an artist (photographer) and now we share the love for that art too.

Artist LIONA HOTTA (photo credit to photographer Tomoyuki Hotta)

 

As a little girl I was a rebel. Since I was a non-diagnosed dyslexic, I had to go through hard times being called a brilliant but undisciplined child.

I continue to be very untidy and unorganized. I always listen to my feelings more than my brain. Time has taught me though that I needn't apologize for my carelessness and better continue to listen to my heart.

This coming June I will be celebrating my 50th birthday and I am truly happy with who I have become and with what I do.

 

Mandala art by Liona Hotta | Instagram | Facebook | Pinterest | YouTube |

 

Apart from painting I also perform as a singer. I am blessed with the companion of a number of talented artists who play with me in our concerts.

Over the last 3 years our band, Liona & Serena Strings has been immersing in a Sephardic music project, with which we traveled and performed all over Spain, in so many beautiful locations and theaters. This year we also had the pleasure and honor to travel and perform concerts in India (Kolkata, Delhi, Goa) and North Macedonia. 

Liona and Serena Strings music band | Youtube | Website | (photo credit to Tomoyuki Hotta)

 

With such a busy singing career, and having to travel such long distances, how did you actually find time to start painting on rocks?

My romance with stone painting started when I was hosting intuitive vocal workshops.

I was looking for a way to make little personal presents for my students who were about to finish a course I was teaching. I decided to search for ideas on the magic internet and this is when I fell in love with mandala painting on little stones.

Mandala rock art by Liona Hotta | Instagram | Facebook | Pinterest | YouTube |

 

Has life changed for you in any ways since you started painting?

 

It did change tremendously.

At the beginning I was only painting at night. I immediately noticed that my sleep was improving as I was falling into it easily and peacefully. 

Later, as I was making mandala-dotting part of my daily routine, I could see how it was also helping me relax and center.

 

              Exquisite art by Liona Hotta | Instagram | Facebook | Pinterest | YouTube |

 

At first I was just counting dots. This came to me as a natural habit that originated in the need to assure symmetry while painting (I discovered I loved symmetry).

Soon I realized I was thinking of absolutely nothing while dotting - my mind was quiet for long minutes. It became my only meditation habit (oh, I’m such a restless person I could never sit and meditate like everyone else). 

Later I began listening to music, practiced guided meditations and affirmations while painting. Pretty soon I noticed how my whole life was changing - I felt more centered, calm, and able to better handle life’s hassle and challenges. Today I can actually sit down and meditate like the rest of the people... what a joy!

Mandala art by Liona Hotta | Instagram | Facebook | Pinterest | YouTube |

 

Starting with the 1st of December I hear you are launching a series of courses on-line about dotting mandalas with a brush. Tell us more about this upcoming event.

My most recent project is the online course “How to dot your mandala with a BRUSH"

A while ago I realized that the international dotting community is divided into those who dot with dotting tools and those who dot with brushes (and lately there is a third group rising of cone dotters).

Somehow there is (in my opinion) a misconception about brush dotting that it is hard, complicated or “reserved” for the “more capable” artists.

Firstly, I don’t think it matters what we create art with: dotting tools, brushes, sticks, fingers.. art is art.

Secondly - it's all but wrong - dotting with a brush is easy. It’s a technique, you learn, you practice and you do it (just like about anything else in life).  

This course is built to take you by the hand and step by step help you understand, practice, get confident and apply this technique. And I do not offer it as a replacement for dotting tools, but as an additional enriching way to add to your backpack of possibilities.

This is a 4 weeks course, with lessons dropping once a week, beginning with December 1st. All materials of the course are permanently available to signed up users. You will be provided with access to an only-member Facebook group for this course"s participants. We will have Q&A live sessions once a week during the course, and from time to time afterwards, when needed and required by the group members. 

I have opened enrollment pre-sale of this course (follow link HERE) .

There is also an early bird price offer which will be kept open until Monday, November 18th. The course will begin on December 1st and last date to sign up is November 30th. 

All details are in the course sales page. Please email me if you any have further questions in case I missed any of them on my social media (support@lionahotta.com). I’ll gladly write you back.

Sending you all love and light,

Liona Hotta

 

I LIVE A LIFE OF COLOURS- ARTIST ALINA PRODAN TALKING ABOUT COLOURS OF CHILDHOOD AND THEIR IMPACT ON HER ART 155

 

I love Alina Prodan not only for what she paints. I love her because she only speaks with her heart, and there is this humble kindness and warmth in her words that always makes me feel I'm with friends, that I'm at home. 

 

Wonderful artworks by Alina Prodan | Facebook | Instagram |

I spent my childhood in a little village nearby the Carpathian Mountains in Romania. It was as beautiful as one can only imagine: little houses spreading along narrow roads, trees in every yard, forests nearby us, and the fields, green and yellow, vast and beautiful, as far as the eyes could see.

 

Each season in the village had its own unique glory, its own colours, smells and emotions attached; but it is the autumn colours that I carry with me all the time, their spectacular brightness and the multitude of colours everywhere around us.

Dot art by artist Alina Prodan | Facebook | Instagram |

 

My village colours had an enormous impact on who I grew up to be. Even now, the colours I choose for my mandalas come from those beautiful memories of autumn falling on us, the fields, the forests, the sky, or the clouds above us.

Exquisite mandala collection by artist Alina Prodan | Facebook | Instagram |

 

I’ve been painting since I was born. Most of my painting happened in my mind though, because I never had the courage to actually do it. I did enjoy watching art, visit museums, art galleries. That was all the art I would dare to involve myself into…

All these until 2 years ago when I took up painting mandalas on rocks and canvas.

 

Exquisite mandala collection by artist Alina Prodan | Facebook | Instagram |

 

For the last two years I have been painting mostly at night and during the weekends when I’m free from work. I love listening to music before and during painting. I like listening to Debussy – Arabesque and light incenses as part of my painting therapy. They help me calm down the noise of my thoughts and breathe again.

 

What astonishes me the most is how a colour can have such a powerful impact on us.

When I paint, my colour choices are influenced by my general mood to a great extent. I also consider the combinations of colours that are pleasing to the eye. The details of my designs are very elaborate, therefore every little line, every dot I lay has to be perfect. And all these because the energies I gather within my work have to spread charm, harmony and beauty to each and every one of you.

 

The stories are endless when it comes to colours and my art of cirlcles and dots. But I could sum them up in just these words: I LIVE A LIFE OF COLOURS. And you?

Toby, recently taking up painting, mostly on the indoor walls

CREATING ART TO CALM THE SOUL - Interview with Rachel Mitchell, Exceptional Artist, Rock Painting Innovator, Teacher, and Beautiful Soul 30

GLIMPSE INTO AN EXCEPTIONALLY PRODUCTIVE AND INNOVATIVE CAREER:

    Canadian artist Rachel Mitchell talking about new ways to create outstanding art on rocks

 

Wonderful painted rocks by Rachel Mitchell | Facebook | Instagram | Pinterest |

 

Dear Rachel, I need to say that I have been following your media accounts for quite a few years. I have since admired your ingenuity, your talent, and your energy to create the most astonishing works of art! How did it all start and where do you get your inspiration from?

Thank you so much to you and everyone for following my accounts! I can't believe I've been doing this for almost 7 years now, and for the last 4 years on a full time basis! 

At first I just wanted to get all of my creativity out and share it with whoever was willing to see it.

Now my passion is to also show others what I have taught myself, tips and tricks; lessons I have learned and mistakes I have made, as well as to  create unique rock jewels that everyone can love.

Dot art and shiny colours: painted rocks by Rachel Mitchell | Facebook | Instagram | Pinterest |

 

Colour is my eye candy. I'm inspired by so many wonderful artists and places I could only get the chance to see through the internet world. Pinterest has so many beautiful artists, ideas and creativity; It's one of my favourite places to get inspired. 

 

Over the last years your innovative work had a major contribution to the world of rock art.Can you tell us more about your ideas and how they positively changed the way we do rock painting these days?

 

I am always looking for ways to make my artwork stand out.

As everyone might already know, I use a lot of metallic paints and glitters. At first I wasn't very happy with they way they shined, as I wanted my stones to be as bold, colourful, and sparkling as possible!

I saw what resin did to paintings on canvas and fell in love! I was a little scared to play with it at first. I made a few mistakes, but the result was exactly what I had been looking for. It was magical!!!

Bold and beautiful: rocks by Rachel Mitchell | Facebook | Instagram | Pinterest |

 

As for my DIY fine lining brush, it has helped so much!! I had spent so much money on brushes over the years! I would purchase every fine brush I could find and it never did what I needed. Lines were always too thick or too sloppy, and I felt that I would never learn the magical techniques of the big artists, their fine lines and details.

So I took scissors to my brushes!! As a child, I used to take scissors to my dolls' hair (and sometimes my own) and it had not turned out well! Now, however, my brushes have never been so awesome! I was no longer wasting my hard earned money on expensive brushes for my line work. This helped me so much - I had to share!

Here s a link to Rachel's tutorial on how to prepare your brushes for fine lining on rocks: https://youtu.be/URuCcQfG020 :

 

I use a variety of dotting tools, what I find work best are Nail dotting tools, with two different sizes on each one. They are perfect for most dots but you can find great things around your home for dotting as well. For instance knitting needles, toothpicks, sewing needles, the opposite end of your paint brushes have different sizes to play with as well!

Wonderful painted rocks by Rachel Mitchell | Facebook | Instagram | Pinterest |

 

The hits on your YouTube and Facebook tutorials are sky-rocketing these days. Tell us more about these tutorials. What are they about and who are they addressed to?

Just over a year ago I began sharing rock painting tutorials and it was terrifying!! I am still not very good at editing, still learning every single time I post something new. My favorite part of a tutorial is painting the stone. It could take a couple of hours to paint a stone and a full day (or longer!) to just to edit the video and have it ready to post on YouTube.

Sometimes I lose bits and pieces of my video that were really important so I end up having to redo the whole thing. Editing tends one of the most frustrating and time consuming parts of my career. However, when I think at the amount of people I'm helping, it makes it all worth it!

Each tutorial is edited with love and sometimes tears, but they are made for all those who want to create beautiful things.

Here are some of my favourite tutorials you might want to have a look at:

How to resin your stone: https://youtu.be/76K9Exf-v6Q

Sunflower on a Santorini stone: https://youtu.be/b2ES1l0-KtM

Zentangle paw painting on a stone: https://youtu.be/p8KjekWjAhI

Painting a dotted dragonfly: https://youtu.be/0iWQXZb6T9g

Some of the rocks you might want to learn to paint: Rachel's YouTube account Here

You are offering so much to the other fellow artists: beauty of art, inspiration, and enormously useful ideas. What do you expect in return?

We need to have more positivity and beauty in our lives. From kids to seniors, I want people to know that they have this creative vibe running through them!! You don't have to go to an art school to be an artist. Painting is extremely therapeutic, it calms our soul, and it gives us a healthy outlet. 

Art with style:  painted rocks by Rachel Mitchell | Facebook | Instagram | Pinterest |

To end here, I know it's a difficult one, I would like to ask you who are the artists you mostly admire and are thankful to?

This is so hard to answer because there are just so many people I admire and so many artists that deserve recognition. These are only a few of my favourites: 
Bob Ross (of course),fellow Canadian artist Elspeth McLean,and Australian artist Ben Heine.

 

WEDNESDAY SNAPSHOT - Annalisa Cacciatore - Unique wearable art with a Mediterranean touch 8

HAKUNA MATATA from Italy

This Wednesday I'm taking you on a Mediterranean ride to beautiful Annalisa Cacciatore in Florence, Italy. Annalisa is a wonderfully talented person, mastering the art of rock painting like rarely seen in our days. She is known worldwide for the exquisite quality of her painted rocks in the form of wearable art. More of Annalisa's creations for you to admire and enjoy are on Hakuna Matata Italy on Facebook and @ hakuna_matata_italy on Instagram

I hope you enjoy all Annalisa's works of art inspiring:

HARMONY

ELEGANCE

MEDITERRANEAN VIBES

STRENGTH

and JOY

 

A world of harmony and colours by Annalisa Cacciatore | Facebook | Instagram

You can discover and enjoy more art on rocks on our Facebook group, RockStreet Collective.

More painted rocks for sale are HERE