Josephina Art
The name Soul Massage came to me in 2003 in a moment of connection with the deepest essence of who I am. My rational mind couldn’t argue with this name that my soul chose for my physical expression in this life time. I understood without thinking that this word did not only imply a massage of the physical body, but also everything and all that touches the soul. Which could potentially be the making of art, counselling, psychotherapy, connecting with nature. In short: everything that moves the soul.
After 15 years of practicing the art of KaHuna massage during which I learnt to connect with another person and thus with myself, my awareness of the soul I am expanded in a continuous process. We all have our own path to travel and there is no right or wrong to the path, only what works and what doesn’t work. I needed to connect physically to other people through giving massages, to learn about the energetic connection we all share. The one spirit that we are.
The longing for a direct connection with God became my hearts yearning. This process was slow and steady, giving me experience after experience of feeling myself in the greater picture that is life. The expression of my soul in every interaction became the most important thing in the world. Allowing others to express themselves authentically became the most rewarding experience. The more I could express myself freely, the more I could allow others to do the same.
Working with the elderly inspires me. I connect with each soul, beyond the physical appearance of the body and the mind that is disconnecting from rational awareness. The creative arts allow people to re-experience themselves as a whole person, if only for a moment in time. I see how the brain communicates with the hand that touches the art materials. In and out of consciousness the person living with dementia becomes present and connects when given the opportunity to be creative. Bringing joy and laughter, music and expression to this populations has become a great joy for me. All the while, I continue to grow in consciousness myself. The desire to express myself in artmaking is continuously growing. I find myself deeply inspired at times and the need to put an image, a felt experience, on paper becomes urgent and undeniable. Those paintings that are born out of a spiritual connection with the subject are energetically charged. The viewer must feel it too because these particular paintings always sell quickly. The paintings that are born out of thought processes, do not have the same quality. From touching people physically, to touching people emotionally and spiritually through my art, is the journey I am on. I don’t know what happens next, I go with the flow. And I enjoy to grow as I go. My art is a massage for the Soul, yours and mine. A movement of deep connection with the essence of our true Self, of the God and Goddess within, of the Source of the Universe. When the viewer is touched by Art, the soul is moved, it opens up and relaxes. The experience is one of Wellness and Joy. Great Art is a recognition on soul level. Great art is not necessarily aesthetically pleasing to the eye, but it certainly moves some part of you. When the heart is moved, the soul dances for joy. People who say they are not creative just have not given awareness to their deeper self, which is the power of creation. They may be solely head focused or ‘living in the head’. Suffice to reorient yourself towards the heart and become aware of the greater reality that is life. This will open up a new universe of multiple possibilities and beauty never seen before. Once you experience this beauty inside yourself, in your ‘inner-verse’, your eyes will become attuned to see the beauty around you. What a joy to behold.
My dream is to paint from that place of deep spiritual connection with the source, with love, with God.
I paint for myself, but the joy is immense when I touch others through my work, to the point they want to buy my painting.
A selection of my latest Artworks
“City lights” acrylic on paper #josephinasart #acrylicpainting #acrylic #abstractart #abstractpainting
My daughter found a turtle shell in our dam. What a delight to paint it. #josephinasart #turtle #paintedturtle #acrylic
This is probably my first abstract painting that i really like. A small work of layers of paint on A4 watercolour paper. I have difficulty with coming up with titles for my work though. #josephinasart #abstractpainting #abstractart #abstract #acrylicpainting
‘Sacha, Charly and Watson’ watercolour and soft pastel. #josephinasart #dogs #watercolour #softpasteldrawing
Art is very good for my health.
And yours! If you think you cant paint....collage! Find random words (or images) that touch your soul and make up a conversation between you and yourself. You may be surprised how deep and meaningful such a conversation can turn out to be; give you clarity in who you are; what your values and beliefs are. This activity takes you away from the outside world (where a lot is happening right now that you may not like) into the inner space of your being, a place of peace and tranquility. A moment of reflection. A moment of joy.
Post your collages in the comments so we can all enjoy each other! May you be well, may you be happy 😘 #arttherapy #collageart #collage #words #wordsofwisdom #innerwisdom #innerwork
Sunshine coast Sunrise, acrylic on board 75x50 cm #josephinasart #acrylic #sunrise #sunshinecoast #abstract #abstractseascape
‘Summerfield’ acrylic on board 75x50 cm #josephinasart #acrylic #abstractlandscape #abstractlandscapepainting #colour #zuidlimburg
‘Afternoon in the botanical garden’ acrylic on paper A2 size. #josephinasart #acrylicpainting #botanicalgardens #trees
4 Beach scenes Watercolor studies. 20x25cm on Arches Aquarelle paper #josephinasart #watercolor #beach #figurativeart
I ve been practicing watercolours the last two weeks in preparation for my upcoming trip to the Netherlands. I aim to do one little sketch a day for 30 days. A lot of fun and challenging at the same time. All works are A5 size. swipe to see all pages. #josephinasart #watercolour
Fairy orchid, australian bush flower. Commissioned work for Naughty Naturopath Mum #josephinasart #acrylicpainting #bushflowers #commissionedartwork
‘Japanese cat’. Commissioned painting from a client in the Netherlands. Acrylic on paper, A2 size. #josephinasart #blackcat #acrylicpainting #commissionedartwork
‘Love in the field’, acrylic on canvas 75x60 cm #josephinasart #arttherapy #fieldflowers #redpoppies #acrylicpainting #flowers
Playing the blues in abstract studies, acrylic on canvas paper 40x55 cm #josephinasart #abstract #blue #arttherapy #acrylicpaint
Its with immense pleasure that I work at the Queensland Art gallery in the Art and Dementia program.
Groups of up to 7 participants from nursing homes or respite services come to the art gallery where -after enjoying morning tea in the cafe -they will view 2 artworks in the Australian collection with a guide. The guide actively engages the participants in conversation about the artworks. Often a lot of reminiscing takes place.
Then I walk them to my art table, all set up invitingly with sensory materials and examples of what one can do with the materials provided. The participants have a choice in what they would like to create with paint, crayons, collage, or a combination of all the above. They get to give a title to their work and we show it to all.
Sometimes it takes some prompting to get them going, but once the first pencil strokes are on the paper, off they go! #arttherapy #artanddementia
Finally got to paint what i wanted for a long time. And the painting sold immediately... #josephinasart #arttherapy
A selection of my Intuitive Art
Intuitive art is a spiritual, connected art process that allows the art to lead the way as images form through the layers of paint and a variety of other media. Intuitive art is a process of creating art using an inner awareness that is heart centered and does not rely on analysis or head based questions.