''to the pure all things are pure''
                                              Jeanette Winterson

'Masks'   acrylic, pastel on paper

I have recently gone through a faze of fascination with Jeanette Winterson's writing. I found many treasures in her books. The quote above comes from the novel ''Oranges are not the only fruit''. It describes, to me a childlike state of expansion, an awe. It made me think of all those times I chose heart over reason, a gut feeling and got myself into trouble. 'Trouble' is a relative term though. And so, my 'troubles' were a necessary intakes of air. Without them life would have been 'safely' stagnant. 

In innocence, you might poke a bug with a stick, climb a tree, put your finger in a fire, tell someone you love them... being alive feels good,  you are curious.

One of the definitions of innocence is: lack of experience with the world and with the bad things that happen in life; purity
Purity is never preconceived.  
We have an instinct to protect what is innocent. Of course, there are some that take advantage of innocence, mistaking it for weakness. While innocence is simple it makes one vulnerable. While cultivating creativity takes persistence and courage, creativity itself is an invitation to play. It is an exercise in reconnecting with what is pure inside you, with whatever have charmed your attention..  
How does that tie up with the pictures here? 
These paintings all came through without a thought. They were not planned, premeditated. I have no commentary, mostly, because it is too personal. I love them, they were an exercise in feeling.  Feeling is not all that rosy sometimes. As humans, we do all sorts of things to avoid feeling, even though our bodies are designed to do just that. Feeling can be spectrum of emotion, from excruciating sadness to ecstatic joy. 
Showing someone your painting is showing them a part of yourself.
Handle with care. 

''Psychedelic moth''   mixed media on paper

Creativity is a playground. A place of infinite secret gardens. How often do we forget to visit ours, or discover a new one?
The unfamiliar can be uncomfortable. But empowering. 
It means having a go at being honest, simple, trusting and seeing what form the life itself wants to take, through you.  

''Gold 'n blue''   mixed media on paper