January Recap :: New Art and Paint With Me on YouTube

Shannon Sorensen January 31, 2022

Why does January always feel like it stretches out forever? I know it’s not everyone’s favorite month, but I do always look forward to this time of year. I enjoy settling into a more quiet rhythm of life. It feels like a non-stop marathon of THINGS TO DO between the start of school in early September through the flurry of the holidays. Time stretches out a bit wider and further in front of us through January. It might make you feel a bit restless. I invite you to settle into it.

Find Your Sacred Flow

I love that this is the card I pulled today. Finding your sacred flow can mean a lot of things . For me, it means finding my pace of creating art, my pace of living, and honoring it. My sacred flow is slower than it used to be. It’s more flexible and lighthearted. It’s more playful. It’s allowing the creativity to flow through me, through art, through my words, and trusting that I don’t have to know where I’m going at all times.

This means…

Trusting my intuition.

Growing more comfortable with saying no.

Committing to my art and making time to play, explore and evolve.

Enjoying being myself, as I am in any moment, be it serious, silly, thoughtful, sad, curious, introverted, extroverted, energetic, sleepy…

I’m done with fighting against the current of my soul. I am moving with it, embodying my whole self, and enjoying the ride.

January Recap

For a slower month, January was full of good things. It started with prepping and hanging 12 pieces of art at Balance Massage and Wellness Center here in Newington, CT. My art will be on display there through the end of March 2022.

Click through to see the virtual gallery:

I made four new pieces of art that I am in love with for many different reasons. I painted my first big painting, which is 24”x36”. I made a new digital artwork for the first time since last June. Then I painted two smaller pieces, two days in a row. Each piece woke up something new and exciting in me. I am finding my style and voice as an artist, which is an incredible feeling.

Click on each image to pop out and see bigger:

I hit record last week on my 4th painting, and got a new process video up on YouTube! I was hoping to do this with my big painting, but I wasn’t well prepared for how long the painting would take and how to capture that scale of a project. So I’m taking baby steps back into the painting video world, instead of biting off more than I can chew at this point. I hope you give it a watch, subscribe, and hit the thumbs up! I plan to do these at least every other week going forward.

In addition to all of that, I am planning on a shop update later this week, as I have about 16 new pairs of painted earrings almost ready to go! So keep an eye out for the date and time, which I’ll share across my social feeds, and get ready to shop some wildly funky new pieces!

Thanks for catching up with me here! Wherever you are, I hope you have a beautiful week!

Shannon Sorensen is a self-taught contemporary abstract expressionist painter based in Newington, Connecticut, specializing in vibrant artwork that evokes feelings of places you have seen in person or in dreams, inspired by music, poetry, memories and meditations. Fine art prints of select works are available through her art store, and shop other printed home goods and accessories at Pixels.com.

Follow more of Shannon’s day to day creative living on Instagram.

Check out painting and creative living videos on Youtube.

Week of January 10 Sacred Creators Oracle Card Reading

Shannon Sorensen January 10, 2022

Take a moment to pick a card (or two or all three) that you feel drawn to: left , center, or right.

Once you have your card chosen, read on to see your pick revealed, and some words of wisdom and guidance to take with you into the week.

Look at the art, the colors, connect with how the card makes you feel, not only in message, but visually as well.

Ready?

Here are your cards…

SHIFT THE WAY TO NEW POTENTIAL

The words shift is prominent here - that is the main message of this card. It’s time to make a shift and try something new in order to head in the direction you desire. Change up your process, reach out to a new contact, be forward in asking for new opportunities.

A shift needs to occur when what you’ve been doing isn’t working, and you are feeling stuck. Where do you feel stuck? Maybe you just need a little wiggle to get free, or maybe you need a more substantial pivot.

The green on this card feels like growth, fertility, and possibility. “Potential” - what could happen.

The image evokes movement. You must shift, you must move. You cannot stay where you are, stuck, blocked or behind a wall. It’s time to narrow your path and proceed more directly.

THE NOW

Your presence is requested…in the now. The design on this card feels like an alarm clock to me, signaling that it’s time to wake up, stop dreaming of what’s to come, or lingering on what has passed, and come into the present moment.

When you find yourself drifting, sink into your body. Wiggle your toes. Take deep breaths and tune into each of your senses.

The color of this card says “lightness and clarity” to me. Shed distracting thoughts, habits, worries and clutter from your days. Creating clarity in your mind or surroundings will help you to more easily center yourself in the present moment.

The softness of this card’s color also says softness and ease. I’m feeling the word “grace” - give yourself permission to lighten your load.

ONE STEP AHEAD IS ALL YOU NEED

Don’t get ahead of yourself. Focus on that first triangle, the solid line. That is your direct next step. The next right thing., One day, one hour, one thing at a time.

Are you a planner? Some people find comfort in planning out every hour of their day, or every step of a project, starting with the end result they desire.

What happens is that there’s little room for flexibility. And we’ve learned these past couple years that we need to be flexible and open to what is ahead, which might be a moving target, or a goal much further in the distance than we realize.

So focusing on that one next step is your guidance for now. Don’t even think or look ahead. If you’re like me, you’ll get pulled out of your focus, distracted and overwhelmed.

Learning to be ok with taking one step at a time will help when your path goes in an unexpected direction, or takes on a new timeline.

And because you’re focusing on where you are with your current step, you’ll find more ease and lightness in “going with the flow” as it comes.

Did these cards resonate with you? Let me know in the comments if it was helpful or inspiring - or not! :) If you want to get these posts sent to your inbox, sign up for my weekly emails for more updates and creative living inspiration!

Moonday Guidance :: Sacred Creators Oracle Card Reading

Shannon Sorensen October 4, 2021

I recently purchased Chris-Anne’s Sacred Creator Oracle card deck to use as a tool from which to draw creative guidance and wisdom, and to practice quieting my brain and listening to my intuition. I love the design and art on the cards, and the simple messages that allow space for reflection and inspiration.

As part of my creative practice, I hope to share a weekly card reading here. I’m a beginner, so I invite you to grow on this journey with me! Let me know in the comments if any of this helped or resonated with you.

Close your eyes and take a deep breath, and ask the Universe what message or guidance you may need today.

Shannon Sorensen Creative Studio_Sacred Creators Oracle Card Reading_Oct 4.jpg

I decided to pull two cards, because you never know, sometimes one message doesn’t resonate with me. Today, however, the cards worked in tandem to deliver a power-packed message.

First, what does your soul say? This card is about turning inward and listening to your deepest wants, needs and desires. It’s about focusing on yourself, which is not easy! You’re encouraged to resist any feelings of guilt in this self care practice. You do so much for others. Consider this your signal to pursue what is written on your heart. This is encouraging not just reflection, but action. Your soul already knows what you want. Are you willing to listen?

I hope so, because YOU ARE EPIC. The message is right there. You know it. I know it. The Universe knows it. You are not just next level - you have incredible gifts. No one has your heart, your voice, or your spirit. All these dynamic pieces combine to make YOU - this incredible, epic being. The Sun doesn’t doubt it’s brightness, it’s warmth, or it’s power. It simply shines - every single day. And we reaps the benefits of standing in the presence of that power.

Rise up and SHINE, friend. The light, warmth, and power you emit by embodying your gifts will elevate those who need your energy.

Shannon Sorensen is a Connecticut-based artist, writer and creatrix who shares wisdom, guidance, insight and inspiration for infusing more creative living into each day. She hosts the Creative, Happy Life Podcast, her Creative Living Youtube channel, and hopes her work inspires others to explore their creativity and do more of what they enjoy as part of a creative lifestyle.