Blooming True in San Miguel de Allende

Although I’ve been home for nearly two weeks, I feel as though I’ve been floating through the pages of a magical realism novel — the kind Isabelle Allende or Gabriel García Márquez might write. I believe that Isabelle and Gabriel would agree that anything having to do with giving expression to your soul’s longing is, well, magical.

Greeting me upon my arrival to this week-long painting workshop with Flora Bowley was a beautiful flower name tag made by Rebecca Brooks who was the organizer for this enchanting adventure.

The first morning beckoned us to allow the magic of color to usher us through a portal to the land of Bloom True.

The circle is calling us.

The circle begins.

Flora demonstrating.

The blank canvas awaits.

Let’s start this painting party.

Day by day, layer by layer, color by color our paintings unfold.

Eyes closed — how liberating.

Let your fingers do the painting.

The lovely Flora.

We love watching Flora paint.

As I quickly used up my paint from my palette at the end of one day, I realized how much better it all flowed when I wasn’t trying to make something happen. Flora shows the difference by comparing another painting of mine that was more contrived.

Night and Day.

Meeting so many marvelous women is absolutely part of the magic.

Mati, Patsy and Flora

Rebecca and Angie

Rebecca, Silky, Mati Rose and Flora

A precious gem I bring back with me is a valuable lesson learned. I’ve been so steeped in being completely focused on the “process” with my expressive arts background that there comes a point to “commit” as Flora would say to what is working and keep expanding upon that. Isn’t that a metaphor for life!It is time for the circle to close. I bring make with me many magical treasures that will continue to blossom. One way to make magic a reality is to always listen to your soul’s longing!

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