I’ve been playing a lot with my art lately. For years I used acrylics and sometimes I’d add words to my art, but then I discovered mixed media and all sense of fear disappeared. Art was now fun, an adventure. The process of painting was now about discovering the painting rather than planning it. Adding layers, taking off paint, adding more… it was a way to build a painting. I did things a certain way for a while and now I seem to be moving toward change again, growing in my art, experimenting, and playing.
Art is a different way to express my feelings and thoughts and creative desires. In some ways, it is more freeing than writing. I was thinking of that lately while creating my latest batch of paintings and in doing so remembered a poem I wrote in my book, Yes You. It was about giving up the plans you have for your life and in doing so, allowing God to set you on the path you were meant for. Did you ever push and struggle with something and as soon as you let go and said to God, “whatever, I just can’t, I let it go” suddenly things happen. All that time struggling and when you finally “don’t care” anymore it happens, and happens quickly.
I feel that what happens in these times is you giving away to God’s will. And with God, all things are not only possible, but they tend to happen more easily and quickly than when we try them alone.
In my poem, “Soar,” I talk about totally giving up in every way, including the physical. Even then, God can re-energize us, help us become the people we were meant to be.
Soar
I begged my spirit to go on ahead
move on from this tired body,
seek out the one who understands
this long journey you’ve been on.
Feel what it’s like to soar.
My spirit traveled
higher than the clouds
deeper than the ocean
farther than my mind or imagination could comprehend.
When it had reached Him at last,
it felt warmth, peace, and love,
beyond anything
this old mind could imagine.
And yet, He said, the time isn’t right.
There’s more for you to do
before you finally come home.
With a wave of His hand,
He showed me my potential.
I felt both humbled and ashamed.
With His grace, He led me back,
and I could feel the fear, hatred, and cold
grow stronger and stronger
the closer I came to my return.
But unlike before,
I understood my purpose.
This time, I wouldn’t waste my chance.
Before I entered my body again,
He whispered,
“Feel what it’s like to soar.”
© Cherie Burbach, “Soar” Yes You, 2012
This painting is a reflection of playing around, trying different mediums, and using my poetry to help inspire my art. I wanted this painting to be light and colorful, sunny and encouraging.
