Spring has arrived here in Oregon, and its beauty never ceases to amaze me. The other day, while out shopping, I was awestruck by the unfolding landscapes—each bend in the road revealed something new and breathtaking. The first flowers are beginning to bloom, while the trees burst into delicate shades of white and pink, filling the air with a sense of renewal.
We’ve also set up a wonderful seedling station with lights, which makes it such a joy to start plants early indoors. There’s something deeply rewarding about nurturing them until they’re ready to be transplanted outside once the frost has passed.
Beyond gardening, most of my creative energy has been poured into cooking lately, especially after a family member had an accident that required my care and attention. Still, I’ve been able to return, here and there, to my study of the 12 Kalis. The final four paintings are still awaiting manifestation, though finding inspiration in short bursts has been difficult. Often by the time I ease into the creative flow, time runs out. So for now, progress has mostly come in the form of sketches and playful experimentation.
That said, I have made headway with the 12th Kali, Kalasankarshini—the Kali who dances on Shiva in Kashmir Shaiva philosophy. My focus has been on rendering Shiva’s foreshortened figure, lying diagonally within the frame rather than across it. I’ve transferred my initial sketches onto canvas, setting the stage for further development.
In February and March, I also participated in a six-week art therapy course called “Holding the Difficult.” Guided by two therapists in a small group of three other participants, we met weekly to explore how art can support us through life’s challenges. It was a powerful reminder of the healing potential of creativity.
Art has been my companion in healing since 2009. Through intuitive expression, I’ve learned to explore my inner world and give form to what words cannot hold. Online art therapy courses deepened this journey and introduced me to the simple yet transformative power of doodling. Alongside deep trauma work, it has become a healthy way to process and release emotions.
If you’d like to explore how doodling can support your own emotional well-being, I invite you to visit my website and download my “Emotional Literacy Survival Kit” – free of charge.
And I’m happy to share that on Saturday, March 30th, I’ll be offering a free doodle workshop. It’s a wonderful opportunity to explore creativity in a lighthearted and supportive way. If you’d like to join, please register through the link provided.
Wishing you a bright and inspired spring,
Much love,
Claudia
P.S. My piece “Drowning” is being shown in the group exhibition “Personages” in Berkeley, at the ACCI gallery, which runs until April 5th. If you’re nearby and haven’t yet visited, I’d love for you to see it in person.
