The Soulful Artist

The Hand Dryer: Day 1 of 28 Days Of Love

R. Wallen, R.N.

February 2, 2021

Day 1 of 28 of my 28 Days of Love!

As I was practicing with watercolor, I had an hit to paint my hand. In the process of painting, my paper started to curl up and coincidentally my ear started to ring … and then I heard it … The deep, throaty, belly laughing and it triggered the memory of a conversation that my BFF MQ and I had many years ago, during a crazy night shift

For those not in the know, MQ (Michael Q.) was not only my mentor, he was my work brother (I joked that he was my work dad, but I was too old – lol), my confidant, my friend. He is the the ONLY reason I became an Emergency Room Nurse. If not for him I don’t know where I’d be in the world of nursing.

The reason why I bring up my friend is because I remember he was laughing so hard he almost fell out of the chair. He said, in his deep Michael voice while laughing uncontrollably, “You know how you know you’re getting old? When you wash your hands and you go to dry them under the air dryer and your skin starts moving and shaking all over the place!” (Insert more laughing.)

It was the curling up of my watercolor paper that brought up the memory of my friend. I miss everything about him, and I’d give anything to make more memories with him. But the memories I have are all amazing and beautiful and funny!

Cherish the people you love, for tomorrow isn’t promised. (Insert sigh.)

My “challenge” for February is 28 Days of Love. I know, cheesy since it’s the month of love, Valentine’s month. It’s my favorite month. The challenge is to create or paint every day, and to write about the people, places, & things I love. 28 days. Sounds easy enough, right? Aye, these “challenges” are gonna be the growth of me! (See what I did there?!)

Bonus Day: Day 31 of My 30 Days of Creativity Challenge

R. Wallen, R.N.

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January 31, 2021

Day 31 of My 30 Days Of Creativity Challenge.

Bonus Day!!!

My journey to become an artist was not a linear one. My attempts as a child to discover what I liked and what called to me where thwarted by one who felt I possessed no talent in art whatsoever. So even before I could get started, I had already failed.

In life there will always be someone that will always find something about what you’re doing to be “wrong.” They’ll always have something to say, and maybe even try to talk you out of it. Listen to me when I tell you that it took me a very LONG time to learn that this had absolutely NOTHING – not a damn thing – to do with me, and everything to do with whoever it is who is trying to sabotage you.

There are those who will tell you that what you’re doing is not possible, that you’re too old, or that what you’ve created isn’t any good. Some will act well meaning, attempting to give you “sound advice.” They believe it can’t be done because they themselves are not attempting it, nor will they even ever try. It’s beyond their wildest dreams.

It’s not their dream, it’s yours. Love your life. March to the beat of your own drum. Paint to your own heart’s content. Love yourself enough to try. I was 46 when I even dared to pick up a paintbrush again, and it was the BEST thing I ever did for myself! The joy that I have found by doing that has taken me farther than I ever dared to ever dream in my artistic endeavors. I am proud of who I am and what I have accomplished in this short period of time. I have stepped into and embody who I am, and I allow the fullest version of me to show up all the time.

To the naysayers I say keep your thoughts to your own self. Never discount the efforts that one takes to improve themselves or to discover themselves. Be an encourager. Help to elevate others, and be happy for their successes and accomplishments.

Impossible read differently reads “I’m possible.” And the possibilities are endless. Shine your light. Spread your wings. Go do your thing!

Just The Beginning: Day 30 of My 30 Days of Creativity Challenge

R. Wallen, R.N.

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January 31, 2021

Day 30 of my 30 Days of Creativity Challenge.

The last 30 days have flown by. Just … F L E W! Incredible! Today is the last day, although in many ways today is just the beginning.

It’s been an incredible day of painting and creating. I love it when I have days with no agenda. I love being able to just relax and be where I am.

In the last few months, I’ve made some huge changes in my life to make more time to follow my highest excitements, to do more of the things that light me up. What I once believed was my mess, has become my message. (Insert E X H A L E here.)

In the world of Human Design, I am a Generator. It’s my nature to do the things that light me up. It is my nature to follow my highest excitements. It’s my nature to use up ALL of my energy and to exhaust myself doing these things! When I’m in flow, when I’m over here shining my L I G H T … When I’m all LIT UP … My energy is palpable. My energy spills over. My energy has the possibility to light YOU up also!

I’ve been in flow! I’ve been enjoying myself, loving my time and space. I give so much of myself and this time here in my creative nest is MY time. It’s my time to restore and replenish. And it brings me such joy.

I’m thinking of another challenge to do for February. Maybe something that focuses around love since it’s the month of love. Eh, who knows? There are so many options. I have a lot running through my brain. One day to think about it and come up with a plan!

Until then, enjoy all my creations for today! By now, you can probably tell what my favorite colors are – blues, teals, purples. I got so much done today as I listened to podcasts and music. My heart is happy. As it should be.

The Ripple Effect: Day 29 of My 30 Days of Creativity Challenge

R. Wallen, R.N.

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January 30, 2021

Day 29 of my 30 Days of Creativity Challenge.

It’s hard to believe that the days have flown by. We’re well into the last few days of the month, of my little challenge. I’ve learned a lot about myself – some things never really change, same but different. Take my love for sending out mail.

I have ALWAYS been one who love receiving mail addressed to me. When I was a youngster I had penpals and we wrote frequently, and I was a military brat, moving frequently so I made a lot of friends. People rarely write anymore, let alone send out letters. But, me, I still love it, and I still send out cards just because, and for birthdays, and whenever I feel a hit to send one out. I love sending out tangible love – something that people can read over and over and recall feeling loved and cherished.

My favorite holiday is coming up. Valentine’s Day. I know it’s a cheesy holiday, but I love it because I like hearts ♥️💙💜 and just letting people know that I love and care about them. So I made a few Valentine cards to mail out in a couple weeks.

Here’s the thing … there’s a ripple effect that happens when you transfer what you feel in your heart to another. My hope is that when the recipient of my tangible love feels the love emanating from my hand painted, handwritten note that they take that love and send it out into the World, and the recipient takes the love they feel and sends it out, and that recipient takes the love received and sends it out, etc., etc., etc., and it multiplies over and over and over. Exponential! Maybe if we all just took a moment to let each other know that we cared, the world would be a better, kinder, gentler place to live.

Send out some love. 💗💗💗

That’s Life: Day 28 of My 30 Days Of Creativity Challenge

R. Wallen, R.N.

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January 30, 2021

Day 28 of my 30 Days of Creativity Challenge.

I meant to post this yesterday and … I totally zoned. I’ve been working and I just got busy once I was finished. I painted and then had to hurry and shower to leave for work in time. I could’ve planned better. But the truth is, I’m human. I forgot. No one was injured. Life is still good. Life goes on. There’s no need to dwell on what’s already been done. We move forward and extend ourselves the grace we deserve.

That’s life. So I’m a day late. You’ll get another post later!

Connection: Day 27 Of My 30 Days Of Creativity Challenge

R. Wallen, R.N.

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January 28, 2021

Day 27 of My 30 Days of Creativity Challenge.

It rained all night where I am, and we had wind gusts of I would guess 40mph. Our power has been out since last night around 2330, and it’s been out ALL day now. It’s been a quiet day for my little family and I – we’ve been reading, doing puzzles, and just being together.

I think about how everyone talks about “Social Distancing” these days. 6 feet apart, blah, blah, blah. What we want is not “social” distance, we want actual PHYSICAL distance. We need our social circles, we need connection, but it’s the physical distance we should be striving for.

Check up on your people. Check your friends, your elderly parents. Socially, this isolation has been crazy and many are not able to handle it. It takes a few moments to send a text, or better to make a call so they can hear a voice. With technology we can even FaceTime or Zoom with each other. Make it a point to check up on each other. Our mental health is as important as our physical health, especially in this time of “Physical Distancing.”

My little painting today reminds me of the little rainbow shimmers that are brought on by and left after a good rain storm. Little promises of better days, better times to come. Believe in that!

More Than Meets The Eye: Day 26 of My 30 Days of Creativity Challenge

R. Wallen, R.N.

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January 27, 2021

Day 26 of My 30 Days of Creativity Challenge.

I am more than what you see. What you see is a mere glimpse of what I allow you to visibly see.

I have been mistaken for looking intimidating, not approachable, hard. I will admit that I do prefer this persona. It protects my energy.

What’s underneath, what I’m protecting is a heart that loves fiercely, a mind that thinks at the rate of a million miles a minute. The world can be a cruel place and I reserve the right to protect myself. It takes awhile for me to warm up and to let my guard down. I operate from a place of love, and I give love freely if and when I feel safe.

Don’t ever think or believe that you know anything about me. I’m selective about what I share and with who. There are only a handful of you out there that I feel completely at home with. I will share what’s not a secret: I’m super funny. I love my children more than any other humans. My heart belongs to my husband. I prefer to be alone with my people than with a gaggle of people. If I love you you’ll know.

I can be both protective and soft; fierce and loving; spiritual and skeptical; put together and all over the place; an asshole and one of the most loving people you’ll ever meet.

You, too, can be both. And you, too, are more than meets the eye!

Exhale: Day 25 of My 30 Days of Creativity Challenge

R. Wallen, R.N.

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January 26, 2021

Day 25 of My 30 Days of Creativity Challenge.

Ever notice sometimes that you’re holding your breath? You feel as if the other shoe is gonna drop? Or feel, I dunno … like things are too good and it’s an “ominous sign?”

My one swipe painting reminded me of this. Of someone looking for forgiveness. Or someone waiting to exhale.

For years, when I was young, I felt as if I couldn’t exhale. I’ve always been a happy person, but others felt intimidated (?) or threatened by my happiness and would find some way to make me feel bad. That caused me to shrink and feel as if I always had no reason to demonstrate my happiness. I even remember someone, some girl in one of my classes in high school, ask me, “What are you always smiling about?” She didn’t ask it as a question, she asked it in a way that was sarcastic and snotty, as if by my smiling threatened her. But I didn’t know better then, so I stopped smiling and even felt as if I walked with my shoulders slumped. I let the words of a few people affect me.

Made no sense. I was so bothered by these people’s thoughts that had absolutely NOTHING to do with me. It took me a couple years, lots of soul searching and lots of conversations with spiritual mentors to figure this out.

And … I exhaled. Ex-fucking-haled. I took my power back and my life changed.

If you’re waiting to exhale, I give you permission to let your breath out. You’re not bound. You owe no one anything. You owe yourself everything to get out of your own way and to live a life that is true to you.

Breathe. Forgive yourself.

Better Than My Dreams: Day 24 of My 30 Day Creativity Challenge

R. Wallen, R.N.

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January 25, 2021

Day 24 of My 30 Day Creativity Challenge.

I never know what I’m going to end up with when I start a painting. I’m not one of those artists that can picture something in their mind and get it on the canvas. I’m one who starts painting and who is amazed at what appears because it’s usually better than anything i could’ve ever imagined.

I feel like my life is like this. When I was younger, I couldn’t really envision how my life would be. I mean, I always knew that I wanted to be married, a mother, and a nurse. I knew these things since I was 8 years old. I knew, I just didn’t know the who or the how. It didn’t matter thought because I knew it would happen. And it did. Aaaannnnd …. it turned out so much better than anything I could’ve asked for because I trusted and I because I knew that it would happen. My life isn’t perfect, it’s far from but it’s still a good life.

My paintings are the same way … far from perfect, but still a good painting. Still a beautiful painting.

Tell the universe what you want. Be specific. Even if you’re unsure, you still know the basics, and you know what you don’t want. Trust that what you get, the life that you create will exactly be what you want, and need, and it will be better that what you could’ve dreamed up!

Manifesto: Day 23 of My 30 Day Creativity Challenge

R. Wallen, R.N.

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January 24, 2021

Day 23 of My 30 Days of Creativity Challenge!

My life is much different than it was 10 years ago, heck, even a year ago, or a week ago, and even yesterday! I’m always ever evolving, yet I’m still very my simple, cooky self. I know that better things are coming. I believe that because I FEEL it down in my soul. I feeeeeel it in the stirring of my soul.

Meditation is huge for me. So much wisdom and answers have come to me from this place. Aside from my meditation practice, I also do my Morning Pages every day without fail, movement or exercise, and painting or creating. All of these allow for me to a state or the zone which is important when you want to enter flow state. This is such a cool space to be if you have ever experienced it before. So much can be achieved here. I receive many of my answers here, I’m relaxed, and I’m truly happy. Meditation and my gratitude practice has been a game changer for me.

I believe that the time I spend lost in thought while I’m painting, doodling, or whatever allows for me to get lost in thought and activate and engage the right side of my brain. The right brain is where our intuition lives, where our creativity stems from. When you stimulate your creativity and get it to flow, it’s proven that it allows for ALL 5 “happy hormones” to flood your body, and have a lasting effect far after you’re done creating. Dopamine, norepinephrine, serotonin, oxytocin, endorphins … these are your happy hormones. Harnessing and utilizing your creativity is the easiest and fastest way to get in the zone and to release these happy hormones.

I’m gunning for a life that includes more time for my creative spirit. So … my manifesto. I’m happy now. I was happy then.

If you’re interested in how meditation, creativity, and morning pages can change your life let me know. I’ll be glad to walk that path with you and to lead the way.