Joy of Intention with Alena Hennessy Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, 'Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous?' Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone.
And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others. --Marianne Williamson The theme you choose may change or simply elude you, but being your own story means you can always choose the tone. It also means that you can invent the language to say who are you and what you mean. --Toni Morrison Life always bursts the boundaries of formulas. --Antoine de Saint-Exupéry ~Welcome Video + Meditation ~ Password for above video: welcome Hello dear lifebookers! I am so pleased to be here with you all. My name is Alena Hennessy and as you have gathered in the first video, I live in the lovely Blue Ridge mountain range in Asheville, NC in the States. I have been practicing art full time since 2005 with some strokes of good fortune and grace. Everyday I am grateful for this opportunity to share my joy and expression with the world. I wish the same for you. So today I would like us to explore creating a life-affirming piece about you based on conscious language practices, manifesting principles, as well as (and most importantly) how absolutely utterly fabulous you are. Did you know that? Because I certainly did. After you have taken some quiet time and done the meditation, begin by taking out a journal. Date your journal entry at the top. And now we are going to clear space. Do this by taking 15 minutes to do a free-write, allowing your consciousness and subconscious to release any doubt or negative thinking that could be stored
away in there. The mind stores messages from our society, family, and so forth like a tape recorder, that once programmed, will repeat thoughts that are simply not reflective of our truth. It is my wish as a guide to remind you of your exquisite beauty how unique you are and to approach your writing and art-making to release what no longer serves you, the stuff that is weighing you down. How can you truly take flight if you are carrying all those untruths around? So let it out dear ones, release and let go. You are a brilliant multitude full of light, stories, and your own personal wisdom, creative urges, and longings.
When you have completed your clearing, lets begin to create some intentions. Begin to ask yourself the following questions: If I could come up with one word that I would describe this year for myself, what would it be? What truly turns me on? What is my heart longing for? What brings me real joy? Then begin to create statements in the present tense. Use words such as I am or it is or this is or I call in and so forth. Create your conscious language practice, which holds so much power (as all things we create) in this journal entry. Close it with a touch of gratitude, thanking yourself and the universe for this time you have given to your dream-work. When we write out, draw out, paint out, speak out these words to ourselves and the ethers, there is a magic reflection that occurs. It may begin to happen right away, it may take a little time to unravel itself, however, the universe works as a mirror so that energy and intention that you set forth needs somewhere to go. So sing it out clearly and joyfully even if it feels a little awkward at first. Let your voice be heard. Go easy and graceful, but go go forth to your dreams.
The above piece incorporated the use of sticker letters for the text. And now we will create: Materials Needed: Your variety of Brushes (a foam brush is nice to have too)/scissors/water cup Several India inks and/or Acrylic inks. Black is nice to have for contrast. 3 6 acrylic paint colors.
A tiny bit of decorative paper. Gel Medium or Gel Medium/Varnish. I use Liquitex brand. Several paint pens. I like water-based Sharpie brand or deco-color. I also like to use black. A few gel pens (I like bright colors that pop against the darks and neutrals). A watercolor pencil or two. Extra fine Glitter. Oil paint stick (optional). ~Art-making video~ Password for above video: ShineBright Some reminders: 1. Begin working freely, tighten and refine as you wish, as you go and build layers. 2. The use of Black (and some white) creates contrast in a painting. When contrast is created, colors will pop out against the neutrals. 3. Watercolor pencil can be used to lift wet areas of acrylic and leave marks and lines. This adds texture and depth. 4. Think of a fun shape or motif to represent your soul. You may draw this out in your sketchbook beforehand. 5. Add a few repeated shapes that are cut out from decorative paper (I like to use handmade paper, such as the Lokta brand from Nepal). Add a thin layer of gel medium underneath and over the paper. This again, creates more depth and intrigue. 6. The acrylics paint well over the inks, just make sure everything is fully dry before painting. You can add more ink over the paper, or even some over acrylic, as you need. Dance between the layers; work freely, quickly, then refine with details by using the paint pens. 7. When the paper is fully dry, add your intention or positive belief statement with paint pen. You can draw out loose lines with watercolor pencil to mark where your text will go. 8. Add a touch of glitter to wet paint to give your work that extra sparkle! 9. Continue to add little shapes and other fun repeated details with gel pen and/or paint pen. 10. Spray varnish when complete or leave as is.
Some notes on lettering: Practice your lettering in your sketchbook until you get your style down. It does take time. The way I personally like to letter is the draw out faint lines on the painting, in watercolor pencil, pencil, or light marker, in an loose fashion (not trying to make straight lines in fact, I purposely do the opposite), then begin to letter above each line. I even sometimes work back and forth between
cursive, capitol letters, small letters, and so forth. Then, I go back over all the lettering, to create thickness on certain parts of the letter, as soon in this photo above. Remember, lettering is personal. You will find your own way! Enjoy it dear ones! Even make a series if you would like, as these look gorgeous framed as well. I so very much look forward to seeing what you create. Also, I have my own year-long painting e-course that is going along swimmingly in fact its kind of blowing me away. You can learn more about it here as folks are still signing up everyday.
All my love, Alena Hennessy Love is what we are born with. Fear is what we learn. The spiritual journey is the unlearning of fear and prejudices and the acceptance of love back in our hearts. Love is the essential reality and our purpose on earth. To be consciously aware of it, to experience love in ourselves and others, is the meaning of life. Meaning does not lie in things. Meaning lies in us. --Marianne Williamson