Your Own Place (Svadhishthana)

       There is a place hidden within me that I call my own.  A place where my happiness shines with a warm, orange glow.  It is the forest of pleasure that lies at the very center of who I am; a true and unspoiled oasis of the senses.  The torrential waterfall of imagination and bubbling thoughts merge with the mountains of creativity and joy to birth my own passion and intimacy.  It is a natural sanctuary where my Atman visits to sing and dance.  But with the flowing waters of emotion come the scattered pieces of what my awareness must put to shame.  I feel with all of my perceptions, every part of my being, until I can't help but absorb the shame and guilt of societal pressures.  I know, just as much as anyone, that hidden pain and sadness never go away.  I will push myself to express my dissatisfaction's so that I can find my own truth.  In doing so, I will find my freedom.  Sometimes it's hard to find the origination point of emotional upset, but I can feel within my being that there must be a deeply hidden place that stores these sentiments.  This place within is called the Svadhishthana.  It is the absolute foundation of emotional well-being, the energy place that whispers to us about how we relate to the world while we seek the formation of our identity.  It is the place where we FEEL.  It is where we enjoy ourselves and live in the moment, to experience the fullness of life.  Svadhishthana is the heaven that we hold within, and it is easily torn away by the world around our physical bodies.  On the one hand, we have ideas that bring us joy and partners who share our physical pleasure.  On the other hand, we have cultural struggles, societal coercion, and the gross misuse of sexual energy.  The culture we live in magnifies unrealistic images of sex, while other parts of the community condemn physical pleasures.  We live in a world where feelings are not valued, where ardor and emotional reactions are frowned upon, while abusive fetishes and the denial of one's own desires are a necessary sacrifice for "happiness".  The waters between normal, healthy desires and excessive, opportunistic impulses become muddy.  We are left in confusion of our true wants, in shame of our natural responses, and with a lack of fire for anything humanly real.  This disparity is what turns my own soul place into a hell of internal pain, addiction, and emotional instability.  This is where I feel the disconnect between my body and my feelings.  I learned not to trust myself and to deny my true desires.  How can I create anything of beauty when I am disconnected from my sensual self?  I love my body.  I enjoy my body.  I will walk with bare feet.  I will envision the orange glow healing the belly of my closeness.  I will do more of exactly what makes me happy.  I will allow my energy to transform the feelings within my body, to let go, to move, to feel the winds of change.  I will have healthy boundaries.  I will feel pleasure and passion with every breath that I take.  I will nourish my body while valuing and respecting my own needs.  My sexuality is sacred and my emotions are the language of my soul.  I am at peace.
Where's your secret place?

"Bohemian Goddesses" with guest blogger Caleigh Bird

       As a contemporary figure and portrait artist I feel that it is very important to be representational of all kinds of people and to celebrate our unique differences as positive rather than as an exclusionary negative.  Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and once one learns to open up their eye to the possibility of different being beautiful then the whole world lights up, literally and figuratively.
       In my "Bohemian Goddesses" series I am exploring women whose beauty transcends the (crumbling) traditional American ideal standards of perfection.  Namely, unique and exquisite women who are not primarily of Anglican descent.  Women who may have been marginalized in the past, but today are finding their own powerful voices and loyal audiences and are helping to create a more balanced, in tune, and accepting future.
       Growing up and attending art school in the Southeastern US, all of my art professors, live models, and almost every artist we studied, were of Eastern European descent.  Even when studying art abroad throughout France and Italy my experience was no different.  Although I enjoyed my time in Europe immensely and reveled in the priceless and near perfect paintings and sculptures at many of the world’s most renowned museums, I couldn’t help but notice that because of years and years of systematic oppression, beautiful culturally and colorfully diverse faces are practically nowhere to be found among the great art collections of the Western world.
       Still to this day this separation occurs in contemporary art, through no specific intention I assume, but as a continuation of the subconscious, yet perpetual, marginalization of our melanin rich and ethnically diverse sisters and brothers here in the US.  I believe that the modern art scene in general, from its exhibiting artists to its muses, should be ever more representational of all the unique citizens of this earth.  Lovingly painting these stunningly gorgeous faces as well as sharing a little bit about the actual women behind the portraits is one small way that I can help to spread a worldwide message of appreciation and admiration for one another.
       Along with craving more diversity in the fine art world, I have become incredibly inspired ever since my move to Hawai’i in 2015.  For the first time in my life I am living in a community that is not predominantly Caucasian, which at first felt foreign and exotic, but now just feels like home.  O’ahu is an incredible melting pot with people of every culture and heritage from around the globe, which, combined with the vivid and indescribably rich palette of the natural island, has my artistic heart soaring. 
       The final piece of the puzzle came into play as a result of being invited into the personal lives of many different women all over the world via social media and becoming so impressed by so much beauty that was unlike the beauty I was used to experiencing.  I felt compelled to celebrate and embrace these powerful living goddesses in a truly magical way.
       It is my wish that viewers of this collection will be left with the impression of deep respect and admiration that I hold for my muses, as well as for all of our sisters and brothers who are growing and blossoming and creating and thriving and transforming our world into a better and more enriching place.
       - Caleigh Bird
Where's your inner goddess?

Bohemian Goddesses

Caleigh Bird Art

"Caleigh Bird, a fine artist, blogger, and YouTuber, was born in Toronto in 1984 and was brought up in historic Charleston, SC.  Caleigh received her Bachelor’s Degree in Studio Art with an Art History Minor from the College Of Charleston and she received her Master’s Degree in Studio Art at the University of South Carolina in Columbia, SC.  Caleigh has also spent time studying painting at the Istituto Michelangelo in Florence, Italy as well as Studio Escalier in Argenton Chateau, France.  In 2015 she relocated to Oahu, Hawaii and is currently finding new inspiration in the lush landscapes and vivid palette of the tropics, as well as the culturally diverse population."
- Caleigh Bird

"White Woman Syndrome- This Woman's Journey Of Self Discovery" with guest blogger Ellie M. Bateman

       Growing up it was always my perception that I was a "white" child.  Being born in the heart of the nineteen sixties, even a child too young to verbalize it knew that being white spared you from being ridiculed and called unkind names by some of the other children on your block.  Around the time that I entered school I was starting to mimic parental behaviors, and fortunately my parents taught me that I was never to make fun of those different than myself, but rather to offer my friendship.  At this time began the early formation of character.  Fast forward many years; I am now middle-aged.  With both of my parents now passed away I feel compelled to understand my ancestral history all the more.  A generous gift from a wonderful friend allowed me the opportunity to discover the answers at Christmastime.  She purchased me gifts- one using 23andMe and one using Ancestry.  There were known factors, yes, and confirmation of my Native American heritage.  But I discover so much more!  All at once I know that I am of 28% African background, with most of that being from around the area of Kenya, and a trace of Ethiopian.  I am 12% Semitic, of a Spanish-Jewish line, 9% Lenape, and 5% Sioux.  I am not in fact a "white" girl, but rather a woman of many races who happens to be light complected.  What does this mean to me?  It means that along with the shame I carry that some of my European ancestors owned human beings and raped and otherwise tortured them, I also carry pride in the courage of my African ancestors.  It means that I am Jewish according to maternal heritage lines.  It means that I am of Spanish heritage.  Then there is my Native American heritage; such a rich and beautiful culture!  The most important thing it means is this: embrace all of it!  No matter what criticism it gets you from the racists and the bigots, for the women I came from were strong!  Sometimes if I listen in the silence, though you don't hear them, it is as though they whisper, "Find us!  Tell each story!  Because you are us and we are you!"  To every woman I say: take your own journey and find who you are!
       -Leslie Marie (Ellie M.) Bateman
What's your heritage?

   

Photo by Jessica Bigi

"My name is Leslie Marie Bateman, but some friends call me Ellie M. because my first name starts with an "L" and my middle name with an "M".  I like the nickname and invite new friends to use it as well.  My life is busy with budgets and dust rags and dishes.  Ode to joy!  My life is busy with gardening and reading and late night writing.  My children have red hair and tails.  The thing I value most is kindness.  I deeply love kids and animals and nature.  I am much concerned with the safety of women and children.  No one earns my trust if they don't give it as well.  I am a wonderful friend, or so I am told.  My wish for all?  Love and peace.  Go ahead and call me a tail-end baby boomer.  I don't mind, that is exactly what I am."  

-Leslie Marie Bateman AKA Ellie M.