Anne Deidre Smith   I have always had an interest in art. I studied art in college, focusing on the history of art. I spent summers working as a Museum Guide for the Nantucket Historical Association. After having graduated from college with a degree in Art History, I began to paint as a form of expression. Most of my images come from within. When I am able to translate feelings like despair or pain into an image of Hope, Faith or Love, that is one of the many joys of painting. My experience is that we can create Heaven on Earth. This has been a personal reality for me as I have overcome depression, anxiety and have connected with my life purpose after many years of struggle. I would like each and every one of us to feel our own sense of worthiness, to really feel the God in us and be able to be forgiving, grateful, strong...my writings are intuited messages for us each to hear and feel our own connection to the Higher Power, to know that we are not alone on our journey. Anne has been published in several on-line publications, featuring articles on spiritual intuition, the God Spark, and others still to come. She has been published in ezinearticles.com as well as spiritualtransformation.com, newageinfo.com, jtchandler.com, articledashboard.com and goarticles.com. Join the mailing list to receive her new articles, class schedule, and special savings. The mission of Inner Visions is to help make this a personal reality for you. When you connect to the Heaven, the Divine inside of you, and you remember your Divinity as being one with God, your life will transform and experiencing everyday miracles can and will occur.  http://www.innervisionsgallery.com     Pageonelit.com:Where did you grow up and was reading and writing a part of your life? Who were your earliest influences and why? Anne Deidre Smith: I grew up in Hopkinton, New Hampshire. I have always been an avid reader, and always wanted to write. It was difficult to express myself. I often imagined becoming a writer and consider it a true joy and miracle to have this ability now. My parents were my earliest influences in terms of a good work ethic and developing perseverance. My brother was very influential as he was an exceptional student, kind and supportive. Pageonelit.com: Why do you write?  Anne Deidre Smith: I write to help others by sharing my experiences. I realize now that the difficulties and struggles I have gone through have meaning. I am grateful for the opportunity to provide encouragement and inspiration as we are all on this journey together. Pageonelit.com:  In your new book, "INNER VISIONS THE HEALING PATH OF ART", you start right out of that gate describing yourself one year ago as one who had "hit rock bottom..." Explain. Anne Deidre Smith: I had "hit rock bottom" during that period of time as I was overwhelmed with anxiety and depression. It was paralyzing. I had difficulty leaving my house and was barely able to function. I was overtaken by fear. I see that now as a period of a "dark night of the soul." It is my understanding that it is a crisis of faith, a very real feeling of sink or swim. It is the dark before the dawn. Prayer and meditation finally pulled me out of this state of mind. Pageonelit.com:   What is your personal definition of 'Creativity' - No peeking in the dictionary -- Through art and painting, you found a new self - Explain. What motivates/inspires you to paint? How has your painting changed? Anne Deidre Smith:  Initially I experienced creativity as a means to express myself. Through prayer and meditation it is now more of an experience of co-creating with God. I continually ask to align my will with His will, as I now understand that this is the truth of my Higher or Pure Self. Painting has given me an inner confidence. As I completed each work, I would know what it was about. Every painting has a message of inspiration. Although I understood the meaning and messages of each painting, it took many years to connect with them with a sense of life purpose, that is to share them. I began to paint in 1992. With each painting I poured out my feelings of despair and after completing each one I felt better. I see now that the despair was the feeling of wanting to connect with my life purpose, and of feeling incomplete. Initially I was motivated to paint to feel better, as each painting had a message of hope. I am inspired to paint now, to express joy and offer this hope to others. My painting has changed in terms of color; I use a lot of gold and silver. Many recent paintings contain angel wings. Pageonelit.com:  In  "INNER VISIONS THE HEALING PATH OF ART" you share many of your paintings. They are all great. My favorite is "Calm After the Storm" -- Talk a little about this painting and others in your book that are your favorites. Do you sell your paintings? Anne Deidre Smith:  Calm after the Storm was a pivotal painting. I had only been painting for a month, and was struggling with the process of trusting that I could paint. It showed me that with a combination of perseverance and grace, I could paint! It allowed me to trust that if I just kept going, an image would emerge. I remember hearing my inner guidance say "don't give up, keep going." I did and was filled with joy. I feel a lot of gratitude for "Thirst-The Soul is a Spiritual Garden" I had been painting for six months and decided to buy the largest piece of watercolor paper in the store-22" x 30". It was a little daunting, but I remember feeling the colors and being guided throughout the painting process. The message of "Inspired" is very meaningful as I remember still feeling unsure, even after having painted for seven years. I thought that I needed something outside of myself to make it real. I had found out that day that the painting class I wanted to take would not fit into my schedule. As depressed as I was about that I painted that evening. After I painted "Inspired" I knew that to be inspired came from within. We all have this inner power. I sell my paintings through my website at www.innervisionsgallery.com I can be contacted via email or phone. I have three paintings for sale on the Laguna Beach Gallery website at www.lagunabeachgallery.com. Pageonelit.com:  In "INNER VISIONS THE HEALING PATH OF ART" - You say, "Your pure self will always prevail." Please explain. Anne Deidre Smith:We all have a Higher Self. My friend, mentor and book publisher was Norman Paulsen, author of Christ Consciousness and Sacred Science-Meditation~Illumination~Transformation. He was an American Mystic. He passed away recently. Norman referred to this True Self as the Pure Self. My original manuscript referred to this Self as our True Spirit. I began practicing the meditation of Kriya Yoga that Norman described in Sacred Science on my own in 2004 and soon I was filled with wisdom, ideas and inspiration. I knew that I had a book within me and knew exactly what to write about. Our Pure Self is always connected to God. In each moment we can choose to respond with Love. This awareness is so helpful. We have free will. We can choose to react to life with our egos, however this often causes pain. We can always choose to respond to people in our lives with compassion. I have learned that my Pure Self will prevail, as I realize that I have a choice and Love is our Truth. Pageonelit.com: What did you learn from writing "INNER VISIONS THE HEALING PATH OF ART"? Anne Deidre Smith: From writing Inner Visions~The Healing Path of Art, I have learned to believe in miracles.   Pageonelit.com:  What's next? Anne Deidre Smith:  I am currently writing and publishing articles on the internet. This has been a rewarding venue as I have received expert author status. I will be holding my first seminar at a New Age Expo in July on How to Access Your Intuition. I am in the process of writing my second book, it is about everyday miracles. I also offer Intuitive Readings, Coaching and Intuitive Painting Workshops through my website. Pageonelit.com: What was the last book you read? Anne Deidre Smith: The last book I read was by Dr. Barbara De Angelis titled "How Did I Get Here?" I met Barbara at an event held by Mark Victor Hansen co- author of "Chicken Soup for the Soul." I signed up to work with her and it has been life changing. Her book is about spiritual transformation. Pageonelit.com:  Do you have any hobbies? What are they? How do they enhance your writing? Anne Deidre Smith:  I love to read and spend time in nature. I also love to cook and create recipes using fresh organic ingredients. Downtime and recreation is so refreshing and grounding. It helps me feel balanced and even more inspired to write.