Finding Your Inner Phosphorescence

Last month, I had an unintentional retrospective exhibition at Benedict College that included works over a 20 year period.   It was unintentional in that I thought it was scheduled for 2011 not 2010 so I scurried around to gather up enough work for a cohesive show.   Dreading the thought of showing “old” work, I was delighted during both of my gallery talks that these young students were fascinated by many of my older works focusing on Lilith. 

Lilith, Adam's first wife had a strong individual voice and  definite opinions!  She was too much for Adam and he banished her from the Garden. These college students and I had lively insightful conversations about Lilith and how her powerful, strong, independent voice got her into trouble.  Lilith symbolizes what many feel our world needs more of today.

Inspired by this, I decided to revisit some of the archetypes of the sacred feminine.   This weekend I finished a painting for Vista Lights, entitled Lilith’s Reclaiming.   This idea of reclaiming and moving our voices forward continues to be relevant.  Our voices as individuals, as members of a community...when do we speak out-loud and when do we acquiesce our voice?   What causes us to fold inward, to loose trust in our uniqueness, our inner knowings?

  
  

  

This work by Leslie Dill, I Heard a Voice #1, prompts the viewer to root around for new ways of thinking about voice and hearing.  What are your associations with these words?  What kinds of outer and inner voices are there?  Can we use other senses to hear?  How are voices related to our soul?   Can we hear even though no words are spoken?  Can voices in our dreams have relevance in our lives?

Who are the poets, the dancers, the musicians, the artists who nudge you forward in life?

Mary Oliver is one of mine...

This Saturday we will explore the idea of moving our voices forward in the  workshop,  Finding your Inner Phosphorescence through Word and Image based on Lesley Dill’s Exhibition I Heard a Voice currently at the Columbia Museum of Art. 
 

The genius of others, their words, their poetry, fuels  Lesley Dill's creative fire, inspiring her, leading her closer into her own essence as well as inspiring her visual imagery.   One of Lesley's favorite poets is Emily Dickinson: 
 

"PHOSPHORESCENCE. Now there's a word to lift your hat to,

to find that phosphorescence, that light within, that's the genius behind poetry."  

That is the genius behind art.   The art of continual becoming.