Lori has been doing the most amazing paintings as a grateful project. You can like her Facebook and check out more of her work.
Practicing Gratitude
Wow, all my paintings for my gratitude project are on my art table right now! I decided to get myself organized since I am three-quarters of the way through it.
When I look at this pile of goodness, I want to jump up and down and clap my hands and laugh endlessly. I CANNOT WAIT to give them all away! I want to start flapping my arms and spinning in circles around the table. Maybe even do cartwheels. This is a joy pile. A love montage.
I have never done anything in my life that has made me as happy as working on these paintings.
This project places gratitude front and center- in my mind, in my heart. This is where I want gratitude to stay. I have learned that being grateful is a practice. I need to keep it in my mind at all times or I can easily slide into ungrateful complaining about the little irritations in life.
I’ve also noticed a surprising connection between gratitude and fear. When I’m aligned with gratitude the fear often disappears.
In fact, it happened today. I checked our bank account on-line and noticed that there was only $64.00 in checking…$64.00! That was WAY less than I was expecting. Minor meltdown. Deep breath. Oh, okay, this makes sense. Lots of extra expenses I had forgotten about. Okay, now let’s transfer PayPal money over to checking. Thank goodness for the money I have in PayPal. Thank goodness someone created PayPal so people can conveniently buy my work from afar and have it delivered to their doorstep. It opens my market as big as the universe! Thank you PayPal. Okay, I also have two checks from my local cooperative art gallery. I’ll go to the bank today and deposit them. Thank you Cazenovia Artisans! I already went grocery shopping, kitchen is stocked. I am so grateful. Gas tanks are filled. Thank you.
One minute, “Oh my God, there is NO money!” Next minute, “I am so grateful for all that I have.” My fear turned to gratitude and appreciation. Thank goodness!
I have already decided that once this project is over and I hold the exhibition and have given all 100 paintings away, I will still continue this active gratitude practice in some way.
I want to keep my grateful heart.
Comments:
Jules commented on 15-Oct-2011 04:51 PM
This post is so powerful - and so true for many - well, me actually! How to turn around fear into gratitude. Lori inspires me so much, ever since I first bought a card of hers for my lovely hubby. The project she created is probably one of the most inspirational
hailey commented on 15-Oct-2011 11:07 PM
Lori this is the most amazing achievement. So many beautiful paintings!! Will be the most amazing exhibition!! Really love your work and your heart and the paintings you are creating. It is so inspiring!
Amy Gill commented on 16-Oct-2011 07:57 AM
Wow Lori! They are so pretty and colourful.
Georgia commented on 16-Oct-2011 08:40 AM
Oh my gosh, don't they look amazing? What an amazing job Lori has done and I love, loooooove all those colours!
Marcie Scudder commented on 18-Oct-2011 04:32 AM
This is so inspiring!! Love seeing all of those paintings amassed together like that. What a wonderful project!
Lori Portka commented on 23-Oct-2011 01:36 AM
Oh, my heart. Your comments mean so much to me. Thank you :) xoxo
Liv @ Choosing Beauty commented on 23-Oct-2011 01:58 AM
Oh, Lori, this is so amazing to see them in one place - WOW! And what a wonderful post. I was just hearing my dad in my head yesterday, saying what he had so many times over the past year: "Gratitude and fear cannot exist in the same breath." It is so
jen : painted fish studio commented on 23-Oct-2011 02:27 AM
the colors! they are so beautiful. i cannot believe you will be giving all of them away... how grateful the recipients will be! you are amazing.
Heidi commented on 23-Oct-2011 02:52 AM
So inspirational! I can feel the energy coming through the screen!
Debby Barnes commented on 23-Oct-2011 03:01 AM
GRATITUDE: See Appreciation, Thankfulness, Thanksgiving and all of Artist, Lori Portka's work. "...it is only with gratitude that life becomes rich." Dietrich Bonhoeffer You have made us ALL rich, Lori Portka. And you are loved. Debby Barnes
markie commented on 23-Oct-2011 03:06 AM
This image is Glorious! And, just the reminder that I need today. Thank you Lori.
michele clausen commented on 23-Oct-2011 05:30 AM
Wow Lori! The look amazing!
PAT LANGLEY commented on 23-Oct-2011 10:46 AM
This would make a great poster! All the beautiful colors. They look very special. Loved your words.
Elizabeth Cottrell commented on 27-Oct-2011 02:00 AM
My heart is full -- your honesty and sincerity are so inspiring, Lori. Gratitude is so, so powerful.
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