When
I was very young, my passion and desire was to play with colour, to
express my emotions through painting, to explore and experiment with
both to produce vibrant bold and brave images.
Then
I had to grow up and get a ‘proper job’. My spirit began to sink;
my passion for life began to fade my soul became quieter. I was
basically happy on many levels but not fully and not on all levels. I
attracted chaos and discord, frustration and stress.
In
2003 I had the opportunity to move and live overseas and so had the
perfect time to begin to paint if I wanted.
I
started to paint portraits, in bold, brave colours, in your face faces
that capture more than a likeness.
My desire to play with colour was activated, my spirit began to
lift and my soul began to sing. Within 1 month of completing my first
portrait I was commissioned to paint several. I started painting
camels and scenes from Arabic culture too. These were also popular and
soon I was receiving camel commissions!
I
was enjoying my journey back to painting, but I discovered it was more
than that, my whole persona, my identity was being activated, and I
was following my passions and dreams. It felt so right; it was
exciting, it was uplifting and rejuvenating. I felt like I was flying.
Forces and energy beyond me, beyond my capabilities seemed to be
working for me, I remembered back in 1986, one evening, what I can
only describe as God, sat on my bed and told me to stay as I had more
to complete, more to show, more to do. At that time I was given
dancers in my mind to sketch, I painted them in black ink. I realised
that now I was painting again; the dancers came back into my mind. I
believe the dancers are God’s chosen image for me.
The
dancers show how I feel about painting, about following my dreams and
passions. I believe they can also show others that you can do it,
whatever it is that makes your soul sing you can do! And once you
start to step out on the exposed and vulnerable road you will be
guided and supported by God. Your hearts desire is there for the
asking. God was waiting for me, yearning for me to ask for help and
make the step, God waits for everyone, every human being, we just have
to reach out and ask. It’s not been easy by any means but the
rewards are unbelievable.
I
have to paint, I particularly have to paint my dancers as they express
my emotions through painting, and enable me to explore and experiment
with both emotions and colour to produce vibrant bold and brave
images. This was what I had wanted to do, right at the beginning. But
I also feel that God wants them painted too, So that others can be
inspired to reach their full potential, to seek to live their dreams
and follow their passions. so
that we can see how joyful, how energetic and how uplifting a
relationship with God can be.
Isn’t it time we saw more of that rather than
just reflecting on the wars, torment and torture that various
religions are blamed for?
Jenni
Eden
