Presence on Lake Superior
I was entering a new creative space. What was inside of me that wanted to come out so badly? Why did my spirit want me to go on this trip?
If you’re reading this and you’d like to know what happened before the trip, click here.
WHAT I THOUGHT IT WOULD BE
Before the trip I kept seeing the number three. Double and triple three’s would show up in the most random places and in every direction I seemed to gaze or glance. I’d get receipts with multiple three’s in the total. Since I was on a roll with the number 3, I thought it was a good idea to buy 33 canvases. The goal was to work on eleven per day. What would I be painting? I didn’t have the slightest clue, but I trusted that whatever it was would come to me on the day I started.
On March 23, 2021, I packed up the car and headed to Lake Superior in Duluth, Minnesota. I had with me art supplies, music, photography equipment, food & drink, items for an alter, my walking stick, a few crystals, and an 8x5 ft. piece of orange chiffon cloth from the fabric store. It was a two and a half hour drive to get to the resort. When I arrived, the first thing I did was walk up to the water to say “I Am Here” and took in her beauty.
I didn’t do much the first night. I settled in, had dinner, and a glass of wine to unwind. The next morning I would begin the first day of painting.
WHAT It turned out to be
Day 1
I had a gorgeous view; a corner suite along the shore. With a view like that, I woke up before sunrise to start a time-lapse video from inside the suite. I wanted to capture footage of it going from total darkness to light. (see video below)
I wanted the first day to feel ceremonial, so I wore a black dress, put on a little make-up (aka mascara & lipstick), and orange face paint. I wrapped the orange chiffon material around the dress and my body in a few different ways. It was a special day.
I was feeling nervous and panicky as the time got closer for me to start painting. I still didn’t know what I was going to paint. I talked myself through it, though. I knew that I had ancestral and spiritual support, and there was no way I could mess it up.
There were two canvas drop cloths stretched across the living room floor. One was 6x9 ft and the other 9x12 ft. Music played in the background while I painted. It helped me to feel connected to what I was doing. I took a few dance breaks to move energy, to celebrate the day, and to celebrate the fact that “I Am Here”.
Eleven paintings? Didn’t happen. It wasn’t that simple.
Day 2
I noticed that my mind didn’t wander as much when I painted. It was like some sort of flow state.
I focused on finishing the paintings I started the day before. I’d have plenty of blank canvases to work with when I got home.
Before bed, I was called to meditate and do some prayers and energy healing concerning my body. I remember I had a lot of mucus and phlegm going on at that time.
Day 3
I woke up feeling magical, like my cup was filled. I pulled a card from Joanna Schmidt’s Reclaiming Center oracle cards below. During this time I was also on a new and healthier food journey. I believe the card was confirmation and guidance around getting rid of the mucus and phlegm, and reminding me to be aware of how I was breathing.
The water was calling me on this day. It was the end of March in Minnesota, so it was still cold. I had my big coat on and winter boots. I packed a towel, the crystals I brought with me, and my walking stick.
I found the perfect area to pray, meditate, and give my offerings to Lake Superior. I blessed my feet, my walking stick, and one of my crystals (orange calcite) in the lake. I threw the black heart shaped crystal out into the lake. I’m happy I listened to my spirit and came to the water. It felt good. It felt right. It felt healing. I felt present.
When I got back to the resort, I continued where I left off. By the end of the night, I had finished the last painting.
Check-Out Day
Meet the I Am Here Collection below. I’m looking forward to telling you more about her. I’m creating a book that focuses on the paintings and on the wisdom & knowledge I’ve gained since then, along with messages and guidance around being present.
Stay tuned!
Peace & Love,
