Terra, The Forest Pixie

by Nancy Longman

To commemorate my first official soul walk, I created a painting. 

The painting, Terra the Forest Pixie, was created in layers. It evolved organically. Preliminary layers were words to express feelings when I was on the walk or maybe a song lyric that "popped in". Layers of color were added. Abstract and basic shapes representing beings or movement in the forest were playfully painted on the canvas. I was not focused on the outcome or product for the painting. Instead I allowed each layer to build on the last. Remembering my Soul Walk and using the forest as my muse. Curiously adding one next paint stroke or mixing another shade of green. Letting it all simply flow! Embracing the excitement of the unknown. 

Once I had filled the canvas with color and texture and shape I discovered the forest bather and continued to add elements that presented during my forest guide journey and the walk. Specifically, a frog: jumping for joy off the canvas, white moths that could mean new beginnings, a raven who is thought to symbolize wisdom, cunning and insight and a dragonfly who might represent change and joy and lightness. There were so many other friendly beings I encountered. 

Perhaps I will choose to add another layer. Perhaps I won't. Like the forest, this painting is ever evolving. I could not capture everything, and yet in this moment, all is as it should be with this painting -- like it was on my soul walk. 

The painting and the walk remind me that the forest, like life, is always changing. There is so much happening in every moment whether we can see it or not. You never know what you will discover when you enter the forest or add a layer to a painting AND I find so much excitement and joy in that! 

I wonder who will show up for me on my next soul walk…

Terra, The Forest Pixie is the Soul Walk reflection of Nancy Longman, FTS Certified Forest Therapy Guide, Guest House 2022 cohort.

You can follow her on Facebook @ Nancy Longman Art & Coaching