“Whatever you can do, or dream you can, begin it.
Boldness has genius, power and magic in it.” – Goethe.
My passion for words and art emerged in 2009 when an insightful grief counselor introduced me to Expressive Arts therapy after the death of my husband of 42 years. Though it may seem difficult to imagine, such a tender and emotionally charged time can also be filled with a sense of self-awareness and personal transformation. With nothing to lose, I jumped right in. Sometimes the artwork came first, acting as a catalyst for my poetry, and at other times, my poetry inspired me to create a piece of story art. All of these endeavors helped soothe my wounds and put me on a path towards healing and renewal.
As a writer and an artist, I have successfully published my first book “Emerging Voices” which is a personal journal about grief and loss healed through words, art and journaling. Several of my articles and stories have been published by the Open to Hope Foundation, Author’s Den, Baby Boomer Women and More.com. In addition, my book, artwork and notecards are being shown and at art shows, several shops, and can be found on the Fine Art America site.
As I have evolved, so has my artwork and writing into “Story Art.” It is my new playground, a reflection of my spirit and my life’s journey. For me, as Vivian Green so poignantly said:
After All These Years
After all these years, I have knocked at my inner child’s door
and asked her to come out to play.
Although she was stored away and hushed into silence for a very long time,
she came out with an infectious smile on her face.
We decided to venture out, to live life fully -
to blossom and become one!
When my inner child dances, my feet move to a newfound rhythm.
When she steps on a crack, I step outside my bounds.
When she giggles, I laugh whole-heartedly and out loud.
When she loves, I become gentle and open.
And, when my inner child sings from her heart,
I sing from my soul.
As I hold her hand in mine,
the child within me has been transformed –
and so have I!
Laurel D. Rund
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