Poetry
An Emotion by Any Other Name
Book Review: Soul Alchemy by Elizabeth Foley
Soul Alchemy ~ A Vision Quest
By Elizabeth Foley
Genre: Art & Poetry
Purchase Soul Alchemy: https://radiantearthstudios.com/soul-alchemy-art-and-poetry
Artist’s Statement about Soul Alchemy
For me making art is a spiritual practice. It makes me feel alive, centered, and connected to something greater than myself.
Much of my work explores feminine archetypes from warrior and muse to medicine woman and inner child. Each painting is an expression of my own journey to reconnect with these parts of myself.
At the core of each painting is something I seek to discover, an intention I am exploring. What does my inner artist need in order to feel free to express my unique voice? What does the idea of the Muse mean to me. How do I access her inspiration? What would my life look like if I thought of myself as legendary?
As I progress through a painting I enter a dialogue with the emerging image. What message does it have for me each step along the way? What does the way that this layer or that drip of paint interacts with each other have to tell me about my inquiry?
Each brush stroke is made with intention. Dots become prayers. A line reflects a trauma or long held desire. Deeply personal symbols are created that reflect a broader universal language.
I believe that at the core of the problems that plague today’s world – human suffering and environmental degradation – is greed, apathy, and a lack of compassion. To solve these problems what we need isn’t just a legislative or a scientific response but a spiritual and cultural transformation.
We need to wake up to our interconnectedness with each other and with nature. To create real change we must awaken compassion, empathy, and understanding. I envision my art as one voice in a chorus of voices that will catalyze this shift in the consciousness in humankind.
My Review
I chose to read this book after receiving a free e-copy. All opinions in this review are my own and completely unbiased.
The paintings in this book are alive with vibrant colors. In one of them, She Who Calls Circles, I felt like she could actually see into my soul. There are so many details in each painting that you can spend a long time on each one trying to get everything out of it that the artist is trying to say.
The poetry that goes along with the paintings is also well done. It’s obvious that Elizabeth Foley is passionate about the strength of women and empowering ourselves to become the best that we can be. The poem below was my favorite because I found it inspirational. It accompanies the painting from the cover of the book.
I definitely recommend this book to anyone looking for some inspiration through art. It will touch you.
This poem accompanies the piece titled Elishaba ~ Visionary Warrior
You Are Legendary.
Dive deeper within yourself.
There are gifts awaiting you there.
Dive Deeper.
Inside you lives one who is patient and powerful.
One who is focused, fearless and fierce.
Dive Deeper.
Inside you lives one who owns her truth.
One who is boldly authentic.
Dive Deeper.
There are powers untapped within you.
Inside you lives a cosmic warrior
a visionary queen,
a healer,
a sage.
Dive Deeper.
Inside you lives one who is consecrated to the divine.
One who embraces determination.
Trust.
Trust a little more.
Trust even more still.
Trust your intuition.
Trust that you are on the right path.
Trust in your vision.
Trust that if you take the leap
You will come floating gently down into the valley of your dreams.
You are meant to show others the way.
You are meant to lead others to greatness.
You are meant to shine light in the darkness.
You are one with the universe.
You are a supreme being of infinite wisdom.
Facebook Group – Radiant You – https://www.facebook.com/groups/1506259369529561/
About the Author
Artist, Elizabeth Foley helps women feel more joy and fulfillment by experiencing creative expression. She offers online and in person workshops, retreats and one on one coaching. Elizabeth has been passionate about creativity since childhood and believes that we are all creative beings whether we claim the identity of artist or not.
Elizabeth is a painter, potter, poet and creativity coach. Currently her medium of choice is acrylic paints. Elizabeth studied fine art and ceramics at The University of Oregon and apprenticed to accomplished Oregon potter Gil Harrison. She has studied with award winning artists Shiloh Sophia McCloud and Amber Kuileimailani Bonnici. Elizabeth is a certified Intentional Creativity Instructor and a Cosmic Smash Book Teacher in training.
Elizabeth loves getting her hands dirty with paint, clay and in the garden. When she isn’t busy in her studio you’ll find her climbing a mountain or relaxing by a waterfall in her hammock. Elizabeth is grateful to make her home in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Asheville, NC.
Web-Foot Woe
Book Review: Tiny Poems for Gentle Hearts by Isabol Scheck
A collection of 150 poems for warming hearts and thawing souls.
My Review
I chose to read this book after receiving a free e-copy from the author. All opinions in this review are my own and completely unbiased.
Most of these poems are very short. They’re about love, love lost, loss of a loved one, and every once in a while, I found a gem that made me giggle like this one:
Poison dripped
from her acidic
lips,
since all he cared
for were her
hips.
I haven’t read a lot of poetry, but I’ve been reading more lately. I think if someone younger (teens or early twenties) asked me to recommend some simple poetry, this would be a good one to suggest.
About the Author
Isabel comes from England but lives in
Switzerland with her parents and her brother.
She works with children, which she adores,
but she also loves to write; especially poetry.
She uses experiences, images and people as
inspiration to create words. Isabel also loves
to express herself by drawing.
Book Review: Marc’s Message by Josée Therrien
Marc’s Message provides an exclusive and truthful sight of life and the world today. The author has shared her reflections on life and its challenges with poetry in the book.
My Review
I chose to read this book after receiving a free e-copy from the author. All opinions in this review are my own and completely unbiased.
Marc’s Message is a collection of poetry that is thoughtful and full of insight. Most of the poems are short, some haiku, and they’re all distinctive. A couple of my favorites:
Feeling alone
is nothing
compared to being alone.
Don’t let your dreams wake you.
Wake your dreams.
If you are looking for some unique poetry, Marc’s Message would be a good choice.
About the Author
Josée Therrien is a 24 year old Canadian author who started writing at a very young age, discovering ways to express her emotions and thoughts. She is passionate in observing life, which comes through in her poetry. ‘Marc’s Message’ is the author’s first creation; she is currently writing and preparing for her next poetry book.
Speaking to the media, Josée said, “Marc’s Message is dedicated to my father who was a great human being. He always dreamed of a beautiful life in spite of his struggles with manic depression. He wanted to see people love and care for the world and be true to themselves. I have kept his passion for life in my heart and in my poems.” She further added, “I want to convey a message with this poetry book. Life is very beautiful but sometimes it can seem dark, but enjoy it and get through it, for what awaits on the other side is a field of dreams.”
