Have you ever stopped to think about how much of life we spend doing? We’re rushing from one task to the next, checking off to-do lists, meeting deadlines, and chasing goals. It’s this constant hustle, this endless striving, that can leave us feeling disconnected - not just from others, but from ourselves. And yet, at the core of who we are, we’re not defined by what we do. We’re human beings, not human doings. That distinction is everything. And it’s the heartbeat of my art.
When I create, I’m not just painting for the sake of producing something beautiful to look at: my intention goes so much deeper than that. I want my art to be a sanctuary - a place where you can pause, breathe, and reconnect with your soul. It’s about creating a space where you can simply be. No pretences, no masks, no striving. Just love. Just truth.
This idea of creating a sanctuary for the soul through my art has been with me for many years and became even clearer to me during a recent retreat in Ireland with the incredible Lorna Byrne. It was there, that I learnt to listen more and question less. Lorna spoke about the importance of trusting that first thought - the one that often comes from our guardian angel - and acting on it without hesitation. How often do we dismiss those thoughts, overthink them, or let them slip away? She shared something so simple yet profound: “If you feel you’re being guided to sit in the chair, just do it. Don’t ask why.” That hit me deeply.
I realised how often I’ve filtered myself, hesitated, or procrastinated because I didn’t want to “bother” anyone or because I was waiting for the perfect moment. But inspiration doesn’t wait. It’s alive, it’s present, and it’s meant to be acted on in the moment. That’s something I’m learning to embrace - not just in my art, but in life. To question less, act on inspiration more, and trust. Trust that when I do what’s right for me, I’m also doing what’s right for everyone else.
When I paint, I try to bring that same trust and presence into the process. I’m not focusing on the outcome - I’m simply in the moment, allowing the process to flow through me. It’s a practice of being, not doing. And that energy, that presence, is what I hope you feel when you experience my work.
This idea of “being” versus “doing” is something I’ve been reflecting on a lot lately. It’s so easy to get caught up in the doing - especially when you’re running a business, learning new skills (hello, website updates!) and pushing through discomfort to grow. But even in the midst of all that, I’ve learned to trust. To trust that the Universe has my back, that I’m supported, and that everything is unfolding as it should. It’s not always easy - there are moments of fear, moments when I feel like I’m walking on the edge. But I know that the magic lies on the other side of that fear. And so, I keep going, one step at a time, trusting the path will appear.
This trust, this sense of being supported, is something I hope my art can inspire in you. I want it to be a reminder that you are never alone, that you are always loved, and that you have everything you need within you. It’s about creating a space where you can let go of the doing and simply be. To feel. To reconnect. To feel loved.
"You are Loved, Lavender" a soon to be released print on eco-friendly bamboo paper.
And here’s the synchronicity that I've just realised as I'm writing this... Lorna Byrne, calls her beautiful retreat in Ireland “Sanctuary” and I've always painted in order to create a sanctuary for the soul! And it only took me a few months to connect the dots!! 😂
Lorna’s work is all about connecting with angels and the eternal nature of the soul, and it aligns so beautifully with what I hope to create through my art. It’s this shared intention to offer a space of healing, love, and connection - whether through spiritual teachings or visual expression.
So, as you go about your day, I invite you to pause and reflect: Are you caught up in the doing, or are you allowing yourself to simply be? And if you’re feeling disconnected, overwhelmed, or out of alignment, I hope my art can be a touchstone for you - a sanctuary where you can come home to yourself.
Because at the end of the day, that’s what it’s all about. Not what we’ve achieved or acquired, but how deeply we’ve loved, how fully we’ve lived, and how connected we’ve been to the truth of who we are. That’s the magic of being.
Always sending so much love, Lisa
PS - I first read Lorna Byrne’s book “Angels in my Hair” back in 2010 and have re-read and re-listened to it many times - it’s full of so much love, courage and a lot of wisdom. Below is an early morning photo of Sanctuary, Thomastown, Ireland in April this year.
