© madelyn mulvaney
There is no doubt in my mind that I stumbled upon Madelyn Mulvaney’s blog Persisting Stars through some sort of grand celestial orchestration. There are times when the incessant click click clicking on various blogs and links really pays off … and my maiden voyage into Maddie’s world was definitely one of them. The moment her images appeared on my screen accompanied by her words, I felt I had just been introduced to a kindred spirit. Faithfully reading her blog for over a year now, my life is enriched beyond measure every time Maddie posts. It was such an exciting moment when she agreed to share her words of wisdom and gorgeous imagery with ArtOneMent. Feast your eyes and soul below, and don’t forget to visit Persisting Stars for even more soul candy!
© madelyn mulvaney
Maddie, when I read your blog, beautiful color and detail immediately emerge that are easily overlooked by a hectic race through life. Have you always been one to ‘stop and smell the roses’?
Oh yes. This is a natural marvel of being a child which I never lost ~ It is a constant nourishment for me to wander, unearthing small wonders in my life as I gather up the day. There are such startling gifts in simple moment’s that are actually uncommonly special.
‘Yes’ and ‘Possibility’ are two big words in the Persisting Stars vocabulary. Can you tell us what these words mean to you?
It is through my writing and my images that I have shouted ‘yes’ allowing my intentions, my yearnings, my dreams to guide me ever forward. Here lies the magic of self expression, whether it be in writing, in art, in music…in daydreaming. It is so present, so potent…so seeded. When I think back to when I began writing on my blog three years ago, I had no idea of the l i f e of self expression. I did not know it would encourage me one word at a time (before I was even ready to take the actual steps in my real life) to map out my dreams for how I wanted my life to look. Art in all it’s forms of self expression is vital…it is movement…and is, in itself, a living thing ~ and therein lies the possibility. Everything is possible in this world without exception.
What is your supreme inspiration?
Love. It is all there is that matters. It is what everyone really wants.
Symbolically, I feel love resonate through the gorgeous and essential rhythms of the natural world…springtime (of course), the changes of the moon, the tides of the seas, the chatter of rivers, language of leaves and the constant and eternal presence of the stars. Sacred. Love is supremely sacred. I am deeply moved to illuminate love.
© madelyn mulvaney
What is your creative process?
I used to feel that I stumbled into creative births through happy accidents but now I feel my process is profoundly guided in an intuitive way. My deeper consciousness beckons me through many ‘stirrings’ whether it be a song, a color, a mood from a poem, the color of the moon on a summer evening, the line of the ocean waves ~ or a strange rolling alchemic mix of many elusive and surprising details.
I desire a stillness and light in my reflection in order to birth something so satisfying and beautiful in my writing and images and yoga and mediation are keys for this in my process.
Almost all of my productivity occurs in the early morning hours ~ I am so at home in the peaceful canvas of the first burst of day with a French press filled with coffee, a curious outlook and hopeful energy, the lovely morning light in my studio.
Nature is powerfully connected to the rhythm of how I work as well ~ when I have a bit of a block or frustration I am compelled to return to nature whether it be a walk on the beach, in the woods….sitting on a blanket in the park or on my front porch in the evening staring into the starry sky. In the rare instance that this fails me, ensconced in a café with a strong coffee and almond pastry works wonders as well.
When I am ‘on’ in my bursts of inspiration in my studio I love to write to music ~ my best writing seems to moves to rhythms. Lately I am listening to soul, jazz and classical music.
Perhaps my best work, most intimate and moving has been birthed when I was suffering the many small deaths of an ordinary life ~ the loss of love….a personal metamorphosis of growth, a scary yet sublime leap of faith, self doubt, loneliness etc. Lately however, possibly for the very first time, I am creating wonderful images and writings coming from a happy heart, a lightness of being. This tickles me to realize this. It feels so transformational somehow.
In the end as I contemplate this question….in the end it really does come down to passion most of all. I am passionate, I am alive, curious and moved to share myself in an expressionistic way in any way possible.
© madelyn mulvaney
What gift do you give through your art?
I hope I gift people the simple realization that anything and everything is possible and we all deserve to experience and share happiness and love.
You are making a large contribution to empowering creativity through your blog, e-courses, and your personal work. How do you weave all of these threads together with a personal life that exists between blogging, shooting photos, teaching and collaborating?
I have a very deep online life that shares so many facets of my creative self but truly my most intimate life offline is quietly protected. For me this is the only way I can exist. Keeping the sacred ‘sacred’ ~ giving my life protected space to keep it ‘real.’ This is all part of the journey of honoring and being true to myself.
Did you undergo the proverbial ‘journey’ about sharing your life with the public? Or was it a natural step forward?
Now, This WAS a happy accident! I originally started a blog about my yoga practice and very quickly all this other ‘stuff’ began spilling over and out onto the ‘page’ so to speak. It took me completely by surprise but I surrendered to this outpouring and need for self expression.
© madelyn mulvaney
Do you still have the first photograph you ever took?
Yes! My Mom has it stored away somewhere ~ but my first photo was a picture of my dog Seamus when he was a puppy sitting in the backyard.
What advice can you give to artists who may feel a bit overwhelmed in the arena of marketing their work?
Believe in yourself, your voice, your unique way of seeing this world. Honor your deepest beliefs no matter what anyone else says. Get it out there! Start a blog, open a Flickr account ~ share your work and open yourself up to an artistic and enthusiastic audience.
What is your personal archetype/mythology/totem?
Joseph Campbell described myths as ‘music we dance to’ even when cannot name the tune, a lovely way to allude to a pre~existing force of nature. I believe I am the Lover with my expressive symbol being Water as a symbol of rebirth and a strong life force.
What does ‘a blissful planet’ mean to you (words from the ArtOneMent purpose statement).
A blissful planet includes everyone to live in peace, freedom and acceptance where all have a voice, are loved and heard and creatively contribute to the manifestation of higher consciousness.
How can Conscious Creativity help raise consciousness and wake up the planet?
In our personal and soulfully unique outpourings of creativity we can soar to the highest manifestation of consciousness and love, for everyone.
What is your role in that?
By simply being true to my self ~ expressing myself truthfully and with love and sharing it in our universe, hopefully uplifting and inspiring collective consciousness through my unique way of illuminating love and beauty.
© madelyn mulvaney
What is your personal definition of ‘Consciousness’?
Consciousness is the mysterious force of soul/god/world which we all collectively share access to which longs for the highest manifestation of love.
Any advice for challenging moments (a.k.a opportunities for growth) like writers block or a clog in the flow of imagination?
Returning to nature’s measured heartbeat so you can be gently receptive, quietly thoughtful. Find stillness, a quiet corner, a beautiful meadow and go for a long walk. Visit art galleries, go to an outdoors concert…be present and get out into our beautiful world.
Stumbling upon your blog was a very important moment in my life, and helped propel me toward my own vision – founding ArtOneMent. On Persisting Stars, I see courage, vulnerability, creativity, passion and delight all rolled into one person’s words and images. I am not alone – your blog has quite a following! How does it feel to know that you are an inspiration to other artists?
Humbling ~ completely and beautifully humbling. Endlessly surprising, a blessed gift of which I am so grateful. I want to serve, make a difference in all ways I can.
When is your next enrollment deadline for your e-courses?
It has already begun and you can register on my website 
http://www.persistingstars.com
© madelyn mulvaney
