How I Manifested First-Prize in XV Florence Biennale

Last week marked a huge milestone for me. A moment where my dreams and manifestations aligned, and I received something that my past self has worked so hard for. 

As you may have seen online, I was recently in Florence exhibiting at the esteemed Florence Biennale. This 8 day exhibition showcased over 550+ artists, 1500+ exhibited artworks, and featured Tim Burton as an honoured exhibitor. The venue was full of incredible artists and artworks, and I found myself deeply inspired by the people I met and conversations we shared. This, alongside being in the energy of Florence itself, was simply magnetic. 

Curator of the biennale, Giovanni Cordoni, personally reached out to me and sent me the invitation to participate in the XV Florence Biennale, the theme being “The sublime essence of light and darkness’.  Given this theme completely aligned with my own work, I responded with a full-body yes. Every participating artist competes for the Lorenzo il Magnifico prize in each category - sculpture, installation, painting etc. 

It is with great honour that I share with you that I received the Lorenzo il Magnifico First Prize in Painting for my artwork, Lament For The Returning Heart.  

For me, this moment is about so much more than the award. To me, it represents a time and place where beauty, craftsmanship and spirituality are honoured. Being the birthplace for the Renaissance, Florence is a city where the spirit of beauty has lived on and been celebrated for centuries. Where the masters are praised above all. To have received this award in the city of Florence is a moment I will forever cherish.

If you have followed me for a while, you know my opinion on the deficit of beauty and craftsmanship much of today’s contemporary art - feel free to read more about it here. It’s for this reason that Florence really resonated with me. My psychic told me in 2021 that my work would be incredibly well received in Europe in the coming years, and that’s now become my reality. The main gallery I work with is based in Madrid, and now Florence has awarded me the honour of winning painting.

So, as the title asks, how did I manifest this? 

From the time I graduated art school in 2015, all I have created in the studio has come straight from within. I’ve had tunnel vision for my work, consciously not taking inspiration from other artists, and letting my intuition guide every artwork. Every brushstroke. I worked full time hours in the studio painting from the beginning, then extra hours building my business behind the scenes. I studied business to make sure I would profit from my art in my lifetime (not when I’m dead), and stayed faithful that with enough time and dedication, everything would pay off. There was never a Plan B. I made sure to perfect my craft and set myself up for success no matter what. I felt called to create in this lifetime, and continue to pour my passion and soul into everything I do. Everything I do is with the upmost integrity, from the quality of materials I use, to how I show up for the people I work with. I hold extremely high standards for myself - not from a place of perfectionism, but because I maintain a growth mindset. I choose to be the best version of myself. And create the best possible artwork that I can in my lifetime. 

I write down everything I want to manifest, including this. I wrote at the start of this year that I wanted to manifest a major global exhibition or fair, and received the email 2 months later. I created a work that was raw, emotional and true to my journey, and poured everything into it. Days and nights working, waking up and painting in my nightgown with my cup of coffee. When I’m birthing an artwork, I exist for it. 

The things that pay off in life are things we do with the right intentions, showing up to the best of our ability, and getting clear about what we desire. I was actually planning on heading home mid-biennale but ended up cancelling my flight so I could attend the award ceremony on the final day of the biennale. I meditated, and said to spirit, “Let beauty win. Let mastery win. Let spirit win.” Without the intention for my own to take the prize, but so that whatever painting was awarded had these qualities. Why? Because we need this shift, we need a major correction to happen in the art world. 

One thing to note is that artists are often expected to be humble about their victories. To show an abashed attitude when receiving compliments about their work or diminish their talents. If you’re not humble, you’re labelled as arrogant. And throw a woman artist into the mix and this expectation is heightened. I have many emerging artists that follow me, and I’m here to say enough is enough. A tradesman is entitled to say they’re the best at what they do, expected even, and nobody bats an eyelid. But if an artist says they make incredible art? We get the opposite reaction.

I’m so proud of the incredible art I create. I’m so proud of the woman I’ve become. And I’m so honoured to have received this recognition and know my hard work is paying off. Not just for myself, but for others as well.

We are all the light to someone else, it’s up to us in which direction to shine it.

xx