Stede Barber, Painting Light in Oils and Mixed Media – Art for Heart, Home & Soul from United States

 

Stede Barber bio photoWhat Inspired you to do a Soul Art journey?

I’ve always felt that my creativity flowed from a wonderful, special place, somehow connecting me with a high, loving intelligence. I was working on my Doctorate focusing on Art as an Expression of my Soul when a friend told me about Laura. I immediately joined her Soul Art community and began the Soul Art Certification program. I especially love listening to Laura talk about art & creativity. I integrate the Soul Art process with my own creativity, and continue to experience upliftment and gentle wisdom through this process.

How would you describe your creative process?

As a professional artist, I slip into my creative flow pretty easily…my portal can be as simple as picking up a paintbrush! I love preparing my materials and building anticipation for my creative time. I keep a journal handy. Often a quote, a speaker, photos, books, scenes in nature come my way and spark what happens. I have thousands of photographs I’ve taken which capture moments of magic…it’s the magic I reach for when I paint.
Then…I listen. I will get a sense of what to do first and as I follow along step by step, something emerges. It’s like being on a treasure hunt, where the treasure is every clue I successfully receive. And then just as intuitively, I know when a piece is done.

What insight did you receive from your Soul Art?

For this July 2022 journey, I started out with a lot of tears of both sadness and relief…I worked between 2 pieces, and prepared a sheet of paper for a third, which remained open at the end of the session. When I started, the sadness dissolved into flower petals in one of the pieces as a base coat on the other “main” one was drying. I was fascinated to see each step of my “main” piece evolve…my hand, holding the curve of my pelvic bone…a flower, leaves…each thing came to me one at a time, first to draw, then to color.
As I wrote with my pieces beside me just before sleep, this is what came to me:
My intention was about enjoying, thriving, sharing, overflow… key words were art/love, celebrate, and rest.
“I am abundant. I am overflowing with goodness. I am unique, but I am not separate. I am unique AND I am part of the whole. The rich fullness of me is what allows the whole to be fulfilled. As I thrive, so does the whole. This is true for all…this is how the oneness is healed.”

What is the most important thing you would like to share about your Soul Art experience?

For me, Soul Art is a beautiful way to experience my natural self, to build connection with and strengthen confidence in myself and my intuition and wisdom. Art is a gracious, loving teacher and guide. And just like any relationship, it thrives with love and attention; just like Spirit, it will not impose itself, but must be invited. And hey…it’s a lot of fun!!!

Learn more about Stede Barber

Website: https://www.StedeBarber.com