Jane Hinchliffe - Embrace THIS Moment

'fresh eyes'

The LORD is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth.

Psalm 145:18 NIV

When I suffered from depression and before I became a Christian, I saw the world as drab and 'grey' most of the time. Yes, I loved being in nature, looking at beautiful flowers and being with my loved ones but something was instrinsically missing...

Then one day, when I had hit rockbottom I did what I had never done before and that was to reach out to God and ask for His help.  I didn't know what to expect, I just knew I was digging myself deeper and deeper into a hole I could no longer climb out of.  I don't know what made me do it, except desperation, it was not planned, I just found myself saying a prayer out loud on the kitchen floor.  It was a cry for help and to this day it still amazes me how my life was transformed (and still is) so profoundly. 

So, when I say I now see the world with 'fresh eyes', I mean my 'vision' of life, my thoughts, my reactions, my whole way of being was renewed.  I no longer saw with my limited vision but instead through the Holy Spirit. I was being 'worked on' from the inside out (and it's a lifelong process).  This happened almost immediately after I asked for help and has stayed with me ever since. Not only does everything literally appear brighter, more colourful and beautiful but what I 'see' reaches my heart in deeply profound ways. 

He reveals deep and hidden things...

Daniel 2:22

With all of these wonderful changes taking place I felt I needed to express my joy, gratitude and love through my first love - Art.  I might never have returned to it had I not uttered that prayer from the kitchen floor about seven years ago.  For years I had been struggling to find 'my thing', my passion, my gifts and my purpose...

Count your blessings one by one...

Approximately four years ago we bought a little dog named Mia and that's when I started using my camera extensively to help capture beauty from my walks.  Since then it's morphed into capturing simple moments from my day, self-portraits, everyday moments with family (as well as birthdays, Christmas etc)., cooking and whatever else captures my attention. I'm never without a camera and I think it's another way for me of counting my blessings that pour continuously into my life.

Of course, becoming a Christian does not remove all worries, challenges, upset, trauma and struggles from life - that's not what it's about.  It IS about giving thanks, having a personal relationship with Jesus, having faith even in the dark times and being willing to act on faith and share with others. 

With my experiences, the tragedies and the anquish I have gone through and now with a strong faith, I have a neverending desire to tell others my story and in doing so, hope it helps other women.  That's why I offer one to one mentoring via Skype and also why I am dedicated to encouraging women to venture into creativity as a way to heal, a way to connect God and to transform your life.

So, as I sit here typing and watching the trees in the garden swirling about with bright, dappled sunshine sparkling between the leaves, I wonder if you are feeling burdened, defeated, lonely or just exhausted. 

My prayer for you is to hand over your problems to God - small or big it doesn't matter, just do it... - don't wait for the perfect moment, the right time is now...  Don't worry about the words sounding 'right', just speak from the heart and He will hear you...

Jane xo

 

 

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Budding artists in our midst!

I held my first children's painting lesson on Saturday! 

There's so much pressure on children these days and painting (and creativity generally) can be an invaluable way to destress and have fun. 

In the photo above, both boys are drawing pictures of birds which will then be painted in acrylic.  They then want to hang their creations in their bedrooms!

Of course, children don't usually have long attention spans, so they drew for about 20 minutes and then we talked briefly about the particulars of acrylic paints and thereafter delved into playing with the actual paint!!! Yay!

So in the photo above, they are mark making and trying out different tools - experimenting.  We talked about colour, opaque versus transparent, colour mixing, neturals, had a go at spraying paint with water directly on the canvas, stamping, using fingers/hands, flicking paint with a toothbrush, using a roller etc. 

What made it for me, were the sounds of sheer delight coming from these children!  Their faces were animated and alive with JOY! 

They seemed to love the freedom and release of doing what their intuition was asking of them.  Not worrying about the 'outcome' of the painting but just having fun.

The energy from these guys was electrifying, truly amazing! 

So, next lesson we'll continue with their bird drawings and then do a bit more self-expressive stuff as well! 

So, watch this space AND our budding artists!

Jane x

 

 

 

 

 

Goings on in my corner...

This week I've kept going with my healthy juicing and smoothie making... 

My digestive system is definitely adjusting now and I'm still enjoying the results!  The other day, I made a smoothie with avocado in it.  I wasn't sure how it was going to turn out and was hoping it would be ok.  Well, it really was - so smooth and velvety!  The other added bonus to all this effort on my part is that my waistline is shrinking slowly but surely.  Of course it's early days yet but so far so good!

 

Smoothie - melon, cucumber, celery, yogurt, walnut

 

On the artwork front, I've finished two new paintings and have really enjoyed the process!  The one below is called 'Beauty surrounds us' and is now available in my etsy shop.  The painting includes two of my favourite things - flowers (pink of course) and hummingbirds! 

This painting is called 'Count your blessings one by one'.  I love the colours in this piece and the cute little nest with two eggs nestled in it. I'll be listing it soon. 

Today I went into some woods nearby and came across some beautiful bluebells...  I just love them - they are so magical to me.

bluebells

Mia on our walk today

Mia was very interested in the tadpoles...

tadpoles

I hope you have a wonderful weekend...

Love Jane xo

 

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cleansing time...

After enduring long-term issues associated with my digestive system, I have once again decided to go wheat free.  I'm also juicing every day (once per day) using vegetables and fruit to aid weight loss.

I think my body is doing a bit of a detox at the moment as my digestive system slowly gets used to the changes. I've also felt a bit tired at times and again have put that down to my body adjusting.  

Our boys have been interested in the 'goings on' too and decided to 'help' with the smoothie making.

Here they are polishing off their scrumptious recipe...

So, hopefully my digestive system will feel cleansed and refreshed this next week. 

Take care of yourself...

Jane xo

 

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What I've been up to...

Had lunch with my Mum at the lovely Betty's restaurant in Harrogate.  I had a watercress and cheshire cheese quiche with various salads.  It was gorgeous!  It's lovely being able to have an uninterrupted chat with Mum sometimes!

 

I've started making smoothies again and am really relishing them.  This one contains baby spinach, half a banana, one apple, some cucumber and natural yogurt.  Just so refreshing!  I'd forgotten how good they are.

Here is my most recent painting which is just about finished.  This one is called 'Sweet heart of mine' and will be available in my etsy shop shortly.

So yesterday was May Day in the UK and our local village and school celebrates with maypole dancing, music, bouncy castles for the kids and lots of other activities.  It was a gorgeous day and was such fun seeing our boys and the other children celebrating.  The May Queen looked so pretty and so did the youngest children who were all dressed up too!

This photo shows the procession at the beginning of the celebrations with the Mayor in attendance!

Our boys mid-dance!  (They are both in the middle).

So, I hope you are having a good start to your week and take care.

Love,

Jane xo

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Fresh eyes...

Yesterday I had meant to carry on with a painting I'd started but instead found myself changing my website around (like you do!) and designing a new banner etc.  I hope you like the new look!

You'll notice under my name (on the new banner), the words 'seeing the world + ourselves with fresh eyes...'. So, you might be asking what am I speaking about?

About seven or so years ago, I was diagnosed with depression and eventually got the help I so desperately needed.  I had reached an all-time low and with two small children, I was finding life very challenging.  I remember slumping to the floor whilst my two young children were playing in the kitchen whilst I was just crying my heart out! Instinctively and totally 'off the cuff', I said a prayer out loud asking for help.  After that, things changed profoundly.  I found myself (literally) at the doctor's and talking with someone who seemed to know exactly what I was going through. That all happened within a couple days of that first prayer and marked the beginning to my healing and transformation.

It doesn't matter what anyone else's view is - I know God reached out because I called Him.  The treatment I sought was just what I needed and I know this was at God's directive too!  You might feel that the word 'transformation' is a bit 'over the top' but honestly, it's true.   

I'm not sure why I'm writing about this today but I feel called to share...  Maybe it will help someone else out there who is feeling depressed, alone and scared like I was.  

Just ask for His help, He's waiting and longing to hear from you.  Ever since then, I DO see with 'fresh eyes'.  It's changed how I see the world, myself and others.  That's why painting, writing, photography etc. are so important to me.  Those practices remind me of how blessed I am and the miracle that took place on my kitchen floor all those years ago.  I. was. saved.

Of course, life throws it's challenges at me and I stumble and fall but I look around me and feel blessed to my core.  I never thought that could happen for me but it has and YOU can feel that way too!

Love and light,

Jane xo

PS.  Click on the link if you would like to read about my journey with depression. 

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Thinking of YOU and hoping you are having a good start to the week...

Jane xo

 

Life's Distractions + Cherry Blossom

Sometimes it's easy to get distracted with life's problems don't you find? 

We can 'zone out' to the beauty around us and instead 'tune in' to our incessant internal chatter telling us to turn this way, that way and whichever way...  It's exhausting when we get on this rollercoaster! 

I feel like that too sometimes when I forget that life is precious, even when it might not seem that way.  I remembered to look up this morning and I'm so glad I did...  I love the delicate pinks on the blooms - they have an innocence about them that touches me somehow.  The sky was very 'moody', with some light rain falling.  I love the 'softness' of light rain - I feel soothed by it...

If you are feeling a little distracted today, I invite you to use your camera, sketchpad or journal and capture something you love today?  Just the noticing makes a difference - promise!

Take care YOU...

Jane xo

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Find out about more about my Mentor - Let's Chat Sessions.  Ideal for the topics listed below (+ others not mentioned):

- self-care and how to implement a practice that is right for you

- mid-life spiritual exploration

- juggling the demands of being a Mamma without feeling you are losing yourself

- birthing a creative project that is close to your heart

- using journaling as a way of discovering the 'real' you

- weaving creativity into your everyday

- using art as a tool for self-expression

- conversation about my take on 'intuitive eating'

- connecting within to the 'little voice of the heart'

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Golden Daffodils + Wordsworth

Golden Daffodils - Etsy Shop

I have loved painting the daffodils shown above.  To me they signify happiness, joy, laughter and hope!  All really, really good things...

 After having recovered from a virus, I am trying to catch up with home and work stuff and it's felt a bit overwhelming so far...  It's at these times, in particular, when I'm feeling a little 'wobbly' that I have to pay attention to my body, mind and spirit.

These days I do that by taking a nap if I need to, reading a book or writing in my journal.  The washing might have piled up (and other things) but it'll wait for me (oh, yes it will)!  I also know that it will be taken care of but not as quickly as I might have liked - this is ok too...

Painting these daffodils reminded me of the poem below by Wordsworth which so many of you will know.  I took inspiration from his poem and called my painting 'Golden Daffodils'. 

I remember being about seven and bringing a daffodil into school.  We were all to draw our daffodils and then write a poem of our own making below it.  Even now, this memory is very fresh and makes me smile and think of the little girl me. 

Daffodils

I wandered lonely as a cloud
That floats on high o'er vales and hills,
When all at once I saw a crowd,
A host, of golden daffodils;
Beside the lake, beneath the trees,
Fluttering and dancing in the breeze.

Continuous as the stars that shine
And twinkle on the milky way,
They stretched in never-ending line
Along the margin of a bay:
Ten thousand saw I at a glance,
Tossing their heads in sprightly dance.

The waves beside them danced; but they
Out-did the sparkling waves in glee:
A poet could not but be gay,
In such a jocund company:
I gazed--and gazed--but little thought
What wealth the show to me had brought:

For oft, when on my couch I lie
In vacant or in pensive mood,
They flash upon that inward eye
Which is the bliss of solitude;
And then my heart with pleasure fills,
And dances with the daffodils.

- Wordsworth

Hope you are enjoying your week in your corner of the world...

Jane xo

 

Spring Fever + 'Happy' Painting!

It's been a long, long winter in the UK... It seems to have been that way for many people it seems.  I think I've been so desperate for Spring to arrive that now the crocuses, daffodils and buds are starting to form, I have Spring Fever - basically, I. am. loving. it! 

This morning I saw five adorable fluffy ducklings with their mother...  Lambs were frolicking (love that word...), buds are well, budding!

Above is a painting I started today in a loose, happy, and expressive style.  I love to paint this way...

Here are some photos of daffodils that I picked from the garden to enjoy INSIDE!  You'll probably notice where the inspiration came for the jug in my painting from this photo below?

image courtesy of styleunveiled.com

image courtesy of Famous Artists - Daffodils - Berthe Morisot

What's inspiring you this Spring (or Autumn, depending where you live in the world)?  Why don't you bring a bit of that 'sunshine' indoors and either pick some daffodils from your garden, buy a bunch or have a go at painting or snapping some photos? 

Have a great weekend...

Jane xo

 

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