Dear Friends of Adopted Life,
Since 1997 we have posted on this link a discussion of the emotional difficulties
faced by Adoptees, Biological Parents, and Adopted Parents.
There are many books and web sites that deal with the topic of healing
emotional loss, so there is no need to recount those very good descriptions.
My recent article to FAIR Families, a foster parent association in California,
also talks about some of these topics.
What I would like to talk about in this link is "Inner Freedom".
Freedom from the hurt, freedom from being a slave to our history or situation,
freedom our own repetitive thoughts, stories and feelings. This kind of
freedom starts from watching our thoughts and feelings, and not identifying
with one's "hurt story"; because we are more and we are now.
The ability to engage in life now, as it is, comes before words, that
is one reason that painting is so important in the process. Through painting,
meditation and connection with nature adoptees, birth parents and adoptive
parents can find inner freedom, and take true action from a bigger place
inside themselves. The below paintings are just a couple of examples of
an art exhibition that I have made to emphasize these topics.
I invite your comments at 
.
Healing Through the Experience of Painting
Nature
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Fields in Hessen
Size: 33 x 41 cm
Media: Pastel on velour
Year, Place: 2005, Germany
The beauty around us is startling and nature
itself feeds our body and soul. This is a way of being whole,
of being fulfilled, of being in-love with life! Man-made parks
are only a small start, but when one can really feel the depth
of nature in a place wild and free, and spend some real time there,
away from the people-centric world, that opens something new inside.
I find not only the landscape around, but my inner landscape that
is more than fulfilling. The looking for satisfaction to be delivered
from the other, goes away, as this inner fulfillment is found.
It is always there, waiting to be stepped into. Find the source
of love and fulfillment in yourself. |
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Sacred Place
Size: 42 x 61.5 cm
Media: Pastel on rough velour on wood.
Year, Place: 2005, Germany
After spending a lot of time in nature, I
felt no longer a looking at nature, but an integration and contact
between my "inner nature" and nature itself. This connectedness
is both a door to authenticity, connectedness to myself, and dissolving
of environmental alienation; in other words, belonging everywhere,
to myself and to the world. Outdoors painting was my favorite,
often hiking up hills and through the woods to get to the place
that felt right. Sometimes in the freezing cold or wind, sometimes
first climbing steep hills, or sleeping in the place over night,
under the stars; it is incredibly invigorating! Sometimes I finished
painting with pastels and felt so connected and just sat there
in the wind, or lay down exhausted, just looking at the clouds,
or the sun setting. This naturalness touches not only my work;
it touches my spirit. |
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Foster Girl, "I Love My Mommy"
Size: A3
Media: Oil Pastel
Year, Place: 2003, Germany
The little foster child or adopted child
may be inside you; you can reach inside and love him or her. |
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Moments
Size: 33 x 41 cm
Media: Pastel on Velour.
Year, Place: 2004, Germany
Through this media un-thought-about moments
can be captured and communicated. The heart speaks before judgment
gets in a word. |
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Sunrise at Llansteffan Wales
Size: 13" x 16.2"
Media: Pastel on velour
Year, Place: 2005, Wales