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Every Storm has a Key to Wisdom
I painted, and then repainted this piece six times, and then I quit counting. I would give it up and then come back to it many times. The little bird with its fine feathers lifted by the winds of the storm is the only part that remains intact from the original. This is how the piece finally received its name; Retrograde.
A great deal of information about mercury in retrograde can be found on several sites. During a retrograde I try to find the customized clues within the storm of confusion. If the universe is putting in a great deal of effort, then shouldn’t I as well? Just short of dressing up and with the best of intentions I approach retrograde as a grand yet uncomfortable opportunity. I vow that my sense of humor will be my perch. I try to remain steady (and laugh), knowing the clues will arrive like random puzzle pieces smacking me in the forehead. After a lot of bruising the pieces will begin to assemble themselves, just about the time I find my perch being torn from its roots and I am not laughing anymore. Note; trying to force or reshape the puzzle pieces to fit together and into an insight is not recommended; I have tried. And then…it happens, the pieces become a key to a valuable revelation about life and I didn’t die! Yea Mercury in Retrograde.
Magical realism is a natural and favorite way for me to create. I have always wanted to see beyond what we perceive with our eyes, and paint what is occurring behind the scenes. My definition of magical realism is painting life through a mysterious lens, revealing an “interior” mystery using magical elements to make a point about reality. This is my painting illustrating mercury in retrograde. It will end on August 2nd. The next retrograde is October 31st through November 20th. Oh goody, we do get to dress up!
Thank you.
Liza Hartman Design 
The bird is lovely, and you have captured that fine lifting of the feathers. I don’t understand the reference to “mercury in retrograde”, though.
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Thank you, http://www.mnn.com, “Mother Nature Network” has a good definition; “Three or four times a year, planet Mercury is said to go retrograde — that is to say it moves in an opposite direction to planet Earth. Planets move from east to west around the sun, and when Mercury turns to move from west to east instead, that’s when Mercury is in retrograde. Many refer to this time of year as simply Mercury retrograde…astrologers believe that during this time, it has an effect on life here on Earth, specifically within the realm of communication and technology. In astrology, Mercury governs communication, travel and learning.”
Generally at this time many people feel that communication is challenged and chaos is at a heighten level. Check it out, its very interesting!
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Was this past week one of those times? Seems like it….everyone has come to me with their problems and it has been a chaotic week.
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Even though the title of this painting is “Retrograde,” inner storms and chaos does seem to be arriving for many of us in waves recently. One goes out, another rolls in! Quite challenging, yet, I find the storms can bring valuable information about my own life, like an “upgrade.” In these difficult moments we will look for a anchor to steady us. You might be an anchor. I have a good friend who gave me some great advise about helping others with their problems; “Your job is not to solve the problem, it is to ask the right questions.” All of us have our own answers inside already. The task is for each of us, and sometimes with the help of a good friend, to get the light to come on, the “Ah hah!” moment. The answer will then be perfect, and our own. Congratulations for being the one to perform this service, and offer this gift, lol. Ask the right questions, and they will discover their own information, and the storm………will pass. Thank you for a comment and question!
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Thank you- I’ll have to remember that. ☺️
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Amidst the chaos and winds of change, the bird carries on with a contentedness knowing this too will pass. Wonderful work, Liza 🙂
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Thank you Phil, and I love your description of the painting! You have summed it up perfectly.
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Your artwork is wonderful, Liza 👍
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That means a lot to me, thank you so much!
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Yet another beautiful painting with a deeper meaning to the subject 😁😇
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Thank you so much Elaine!
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I always keep Mercury Retrograde marked on a calendar or piece of paper nearby. Each period is like an exercise in sharpening my communication skills. There is no assuming in what others say to me, or the meaning in those words I convey to others. I feel as though there is a sigh of relief when the retrograde passes, although one should never really relax and think that others are intuitive to you. Your painting conveys the mood of Mercury Retrograde quite well. I see the bird calmly taking in everything around it, as if to say, “what should I make of all this?”
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You have expressed and given such helpful insights so perfectly and profoundly here, and I am so thankful for your comment! This is very heartfelt, practical, and thoughtful, just like your beautiful photos. Thank you again.
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And you wrote; “… although one should never really relax and think that others are intuitive to you.” For me, this too, is so very true. Thank you again for your insights!
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This is just pure perfection. You are unbelievably gifted.
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Cindy, thank you so much for your kind words!
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Reblogged this on From 1 Blogger 2 Another.
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Wow, thank you!
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This is a highly imaginative piece of work. Through this painting I can feel the creativity that the world needs today. I am an architect myself, so I have some interest in paintings. The choice of colours is truly expressing magic. And I like how you have composed various objects which are seemingly unrelated to each other. For example, the moon, the bicycle, the jigsaw puzzle pieces, and the key. All these objects might not relate to each-other in our real-life, but the way you have composed them it has a feeling that they fit together quite well as a backdrop of the bird.
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Thank you! Your comment is one the best I have ever received! Thank you for taking the time to examine the painting and commenting. Mercury in retrograde is something I hear a lot about, mostly as a challenging time for many, however it could also be a great opportunity to let go of anything in the past that haunts a person. I tried to illustrate that in this piece. All of the items go flying by as “clues” to a personal revelation, each are pieces to a puzzle in the bigger picture of knowing who we really are, uncovering our best selves. In those times it can feel like (for me I know) being in an emotional storm, but terrific when I clue in. Thank you again for your wonderful comment!
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This sounds very interesting! I will have to search more about it.. Thank you for exposing me to such an interesting topic.:) I have learned something new today from you. 🙂
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Thank you, I love that!
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