My newest Reflective Art Journal is at the printer right now and will be back in my hands by next Monday, July 6th.  This issue is called Sacred Poetry: An Invitation to Write a compilation of some of my favorite Poetry Party prompts, edited and presented in a way that will continue to inspire your own writing [...]

Posted in zine journal | 1 Comment »

Welcome to our 37th Poetry Party!
I select an image and suggest a theme/title and invite you to respond with your poems or other reflections. Add them in the comments section and a link to your blog (if you have one).  Make sure to check the comments for new poems added and I encourage you to leave encouraging comments for [...]

Posted in Poetry Party Invitation | 26 Comments »

I am heading down to St. Placid Priory for our annual Oblate retreat which I am helping to facilitate. 
Come back on Monday for our next Poetry Party!

Posted in Fun | 2 Comments »

Be. Here. This Moment Now is all there is, don’t go seeking another. Discover the sacred in your artist’s tools, they are the vessels of the altar of your own unfolding. Look at this cup of holy water, washing clean the brushes. See the blank page, awaiting your blessing. Gaze on the colors before you, [...]

Posted in Monastic Spirituality | 8 Comments »

I have had the gift of spending the last week by the sea, a time of retreat, rich reflection, and abundant blessing.  Today is my birthday and we head back home.  I take with me a gathering of gifts, some of which you will find below here.

All photos taken this last week on the Sunshine Coast [...]

Posted in Visual Meditation | 11 Comments »

The Gifts of Morning:
Sun rippling across the sea,
calling me to rise.

© Christine Valters Paintner at Abbey of the Arts:
Transformative Living through Contemplative & Expressive Arts

Posted in Photos, Poetry | 1 Comment »

This week was the Abbey’s first Photo Party and there was a lovely gathering of images.  Thank you so much to everyone who participated and shared their photos and art in honor of the Summer Solstice.  The winner of this week’s random drawing for a copy of Illuminating Mystery: Creativity as Spiritual Practice is isa.  Send me your snail mail [...]

Posted in Cycles and Seasons, Photos, Poetry | 2 Comments »

Last weekend I was down in Oregon for the last weekend of a training program I participated in all last year on the Art of Supervision of Spiritual Directors.  It was a great program and supervision is one of my professional growing places, something I believe deeply in, not just for spiritual directors, but for [...]

Posted in Art and Spirituality | Comments Off

Poppies greet morning
with orange wonder and mirth,
I begin to bloom.

-Christine Valters Paintner
***
Make sure to visit this week’s new Photo Party!
***
© Christine Valters Paintner at Abbey of the Arts:
Transformative Living through Contemplative & Expressive Arts

Become a fan of the Abbey on Facebook, follow this blog on Facebook, friend me on Facebook or follow me on Twitter

Posted in Photos, Poetry | 2 Comments »

I am working on putting together the Summer Reflective Art Journal.  The theme is Sacred Poetry: An Invitation to Write.  It is a compilation of the best of the Poetry Parties in a portable (and gift-able!) format.  Pre-Order now (with shipping in early July) and receive a discount price of $12.50 each (regularly $15).
While you’re [...]

Posted in zine journal | 4 Comments »