Spring Waterfall

Normal Who?

Anybody out there struggling to be normal, please stop and question that…

Are we really here to be someone else's idea of who they think we should be? To conform, be standard, usual and typical as defined in the dictionary. To do what’s expected according to them…whoever they are? Personally I don’t think so. I believe that we are here to discover and create ourselves. And we do this by knowing, understanding, loving, honouring and embracing who we are. I feel we are here to connect to the very deepest parts of our-selves, others and the world around us.

I do not say this lightly and I have had many of my own struggles with “normal” in my life but I am happy to say I choose to keep leaving them behind. I have shed many skins burnt by the fires started by significant others. All layers put upon me in one way or another. What is normal for a child who has learned that there is no-one to trust, no sense of safety in their world? What is normal for a child who has been abandoned by those they need the most when they most need them? What is normal for a child who cannot open his or her mind to learning because day-to-day life feels like a matter of survival and nobody is helping her with that?

I struggled for a long time to know and care about me, to come to terms with a painful childhood and childhood abuse well into my adult life. This affected me in many profound ways, one of the most significant being that I had no idea who or how I could have ever been had that never happened to me…and I will never know, that I let go of a long time ago. Then I went within and found my out the other side.

I have discovered this…One of the greatest joys in my life is a deep sense of connection in my heart and spirit to all that I am because of all that I have been through. I have learned to walk with myself in my darkest hours in a way that paves my path forward with love and courage and lets the healing in. Sharing that journey and experience with others not only sets me free but others also.

So I will continue to live and share my truth, my story, I will continue to feel my feelings, think my thoughts…The good, the bad and the ugly, the beautiful, brave and scary, I will leave no parts of me behind for fear of being judged, I will not hide pieces of me away because others do not understand. Instead I will continue to embrace all of who I am, how I am and why I am…Me.

Choosing to live with an open mind and an open heart and to acknowledge the things that make us different, respect the diversity amongst us and the cherish the gifts of humanity that come in all kinds of packages. I will honour every part of me and encourage others to do the same, and I will never, ever be normal, no thank you! 

Melanie Lee

Introspection Melanie Lee

'Introspection' ink and watercolour on paper by Melanie Lee 

A2 in size = (60cm by 40cm) original for sale unframed…$300

Contact details to purchase @agirlintheworld.org

Lori

Abstract Play - acrylic on paper

Eye See - ink and watercolour on paper

TREE watercolour and ink

Exploration…watercolour and ink

Colour My World

Black & White

The Storm Within

Into the Deep

Abstract Sundays

Freedom Wall

This is my loungeroom wall :-)

I decided I needed a wall space. 

So this 2 and n half by 2 metre wall in my lounge room was perfect.

A space to wander and roam,
 through my abstract feelings and expression.

My freedom wall, my place to play.

Play with colour, play with scope.
A creative space to find freedom from self.

Turn off my brain, tune into my spirit.

I love colour, love the feelings it evokes.
I especially love the freedom of abstract painting.

It has more a life it's own than any other, particulaly a wall work of art.

My whole body is involved, bend and stretch, reach for the stars'

This is a work in process, a process that involves play and more play.

Play is such an important part of component of creativity...and so I give myself to the wall.

You can find out more about me by clicking on my name...Melanie Lee

The Hummingbird

Girls Got The Blues

I Believe We Can Fly

Flow Power Neon

Flower Power

A Girl In The World book written and illustrated by Melanie Lee now available

Click here to purchase A Girl In The World

You can now buy the book at

http://thecreativekind.bigcartel.com

http://agirlintheworld-org.blogspot.com.au

organisation that champions children's wellbeing and welfare throughout the world.

Tree of Colour

Freedom Art Exhibition Amnesty International

Time will not erase me, nor will distance, indifference and denial…take from me all things outside of me and even all the parts of me you see, but you will never claim my soul. Cover my mouth and bind my hands but you will never silence me or hold me down for I am eternally free…inside of me there is a garden you will never enter, not with your force nor your brutality, you can bury my body but you will bury never my spirit...Inside of me there is a garden and I am eternally free...Melanie Lee, Artwork for Freedom Art Exhibition, Tap Gallery Darlinghurst in support of Amnesty International.

Abstract Bliss

Love Peace Joy

Carly's Tree

So Be It

My Girl

Flowering

Flow

PEACE One Day

Lost For Words

Colour My World With Truth

Tree Create

Colour My World With Peace

Tap Gallery 2011