Each for equal, confident, empowered & authentic humans

Here I am striking the 'each for equal' pose to highlight the message of International Women's Day 2020 , The #eachforequal campaign asks us to keep this message alive throughout the year to make a strong collective statement to accelerate change for gender equality.

First celebrated in 1911, International Women's Day is now celebrated globally bringing focus to the achievements of women throughout history and in modern times, acknowledging their struggle to bring about greater gender equality.

As individuals we can influence change through our collective actions, conversations, behaviors and mindsets. A gender equal world can be healthier, wealthier and more harmonious.

Caroline Cunningham Artist, Author & Wellness Coach

"What can you do to make a positive difference for women everywhere?"

For my part, I am being the change I want to see in the world. I am committed to being a better version of myself, being healthier, more empowered, authentic and fabulous and I can help you to achieve this for yourself too.

I want greater wellbeing and empowerment

My journey towards greater wellbeing and empowerment began after burn-out from stress of every kind in 1999. By burn-out I mean, the moment when I fell apart, the pressure valve blowing, unrestrained sadness taking over, no longer being able to make it look like 'everything-is-grand' on the outside. I look back at that moment with humility and gratitude that I was forced to face my brokenness, my fears, my negative-thinking self. In the years that followed, I learned better self-care strategies, developed a positive mindset and a passion for living. I have faced my fears and achieved things I could never imagined back in 1999.

I am grateful to the men and women who provided guidance and support along my path to authenticity. I believe each person has potential to be a better version of themselves and my purpose is to help people who are serious about making that happen. It starts by looking within. Are you ready to take the test?

Are you happy with being you?

Take a moment to check-in. Close your eyes or look into a mirror. Are you happy with being you? What parts need healing and love? Do you sense a more powerful side of you that needs encouragement to come to the surface? Does that scare you? Are you curious to know your true self? Would you like some inspiration to set your true self free?

When I undertook this exercise after burn-out in 1999, I already knew I needed to change. At first I found this exercise difficult, nothing came but once I got past my impatience and allowed calm to prevail I started to get inklings of a part of myself that was seeking to be acknowledged. I stayed with those thoughts and eventually I sensed the power of being a woman, one who is strong and not afraid of what others think of her, one who is daring, confident and free.

"I quickly got my paints and brushes and created my impression of that powerful woman before she could become a distant memory. I called her Break True."

Caroline Cunningham Authentic Path Inspiration

Today, Break True is instantly recognised by people who have triumphed over adversity, people who have dared to step into their power. I have seen people stop in their tracks as they approached this art piece during my art exhibitions and one person even cried. Break True has become a symbol for transformation and empowerment and encourages you keep going on your authentic path. The journey never stops because our potential for improvement is limitless.

'Break True' is a limited editon giclee art print, presented on archival hannemulhe paper, complete with certificate of authenticity, signed by the artist and ready for worldwide delivery.

I want to Break True

Hands in Art & Healing

I’m blessed with two hands, they assist me in so well, especially in my work as healing therapist and artist.  Throughout my studies in both of these realms I took time to focus on their ingenuous make up and power.

Drawing the Hands

In my life-drawing classes at NCAD, our tutor constantly stressed the importance of being able to draw the hands. He would chide us about monuments and paintings we had not yet examined, in particular the statue of James Larkin (Big Jim) that stands in the main street of our capital city.  

‘Did you look at his hands?’ he would repeatedly goad us. Larkin is remembered for his role in fighting for the rights of unskilled workers. The sculpture, created by Oisin Kelly, captures his pose from a scene in which he was addressing a crowd.

I had often passed that formidable statue, one day, I stopped for a closer look. The outstretched arms of James Larkin certainly made a striking pose and his hands appeared to be holding up the sky.

So as to put an end to my art tutor's weekly taunts, I took out my sketch book and began to draw a quick impression. Now I had proof that I had looked at the hands of James Larkin. I put my sketch on the wall beside our other homework for class review. The tutor never asked us about James Larkin's hands again.

Now I had that I had looked at the hands of James Larkin.

Art of Caroline
Hands of Larkin
James Larkin O'Connell Street Dublin, Ireland
Authentic Hand | In Private Collection

Self-Portrait of My Own Hand

Part way through my art studies I had to under-go eye surgery for the removal of cataracts from both my eyes, as a result of my history of retinal detachment. I was optimistic as I had the best specialist and surgeon that I could hope for. Within eight days I had two surgeries, one for each eye, resulting in replacement of my natural lens with artificial ones.

Authentic Hand

There were many sensations as a result of my 'new vision'. It was an excitement to the brain to experience the vibrancy of colours that had been dissolving from my vision over time.

I now could see details in the distance that I could't previously see with glasses. My near vision was also new. My brain was undergoing an adjustment to my new artificial lens. Curious about this, I devised a way to test my new sight.

I decided to paint my left hand from life. I painted with my right hand, opening all the tubes of paint before I started, ensuring that I could leave my other hand in place as much as possible, so as not to alter its position. I made some markers so that I could take necessary breaks and return to the exact pose.

That’s how my painting ‘Authentic Hand’ came about. I did not appear to be missing many details. In fact I could even see the veins beneath my skin, as it was quite warm in the glass filled conservatory where I had completed the piece.

Giving Thanks

If you are fortunate to have your two hands, I encourage you to take a moment to look at them more closely and give thanks for the purpose they serve in your life. Through all that skin and density of bone, blood vessels and tissue is the power to enable ourselves, to transmit care, to create wonders and to inspire others.

Do you need a hand choosing a colourful painting for your home or work space? Explore my online gallery, see something you like, get in touch, make it yours today.

Explore Paintings & Prints

The Moment of Break True

Burn Out Forces You to Stop

Sometimes when I tell people about my experience of burn or I relate someone else's story, I notice some listeners' discomfort and desire to distance themselves from the topic. Their comments suggest 'how could someone let that happen' or 'this couldn't happen to me'. And yet, people continue to fall into this trap of burn out, a state of complete physical and emotional exhaustion from too much stress or over-working, not minding 'self' or not addressing some trauma or need.

The fact is, many people do not recognise the signs that they are heading for burn out. Even if they do know the signs, they fail to register that the worst case scenario might happen to them.

From my own experience, burn out was a very distressing and humbling experience. I thought I was getting ahead by over-working myself but instead my depleted health forced me to stop and put me at the bottom of the ladder metaphorically.

My Terrifying Moment of Burn-Out

The year was 1999, I didn’t heed the signs that all was not well. I knew nothing about self-care or mindfulness back then. Mental health was a taboo topic. I worked day and night to keep up with my work as a teacher.

That particular year, I happened to have been time-tabled in a way that that meant every class I was given was doing end of year exams. The 'mock' exams were coming and all papers were elected to be corrected by teachers in the school, in our own time.

We all experience the demands and pressures of work from time to time but when aspects of our health and wellbeing are not being addressed, stress takes its toll. Truth is, I had been experiencing cycles of mild depression and anxiety for years. I had accepted these states as if they were part of my personality, that’s how misguided I was.

Finally, a wave of despair took hold. I was catapulted into a chaos of unrestrained emotions, it was both tremendous and frightening. I wept continuously for a week. Prior to that moment I had been supressing a deep sadness, afraid that if I cried, I might not be able to stop. I did eventually stop and that was when things started to change for the better.

Get Focused for Success instead of Burn-out

Breaking True

For the first time in my life, I dared to consider what I really wanted for myself. I left my teaching career (of Science and Maths) behind and moved to the city. Taking temporary office work meant I could use my evenings to explore other options such as finding ways to improve my health and wellbeing, while exploring the creative practices that intrigued me.

One morning, when I had the house to myself. I did something I hadn’t done since my teens. I got some art material ready and asked myself this question: 'Who is the person inside, who wants to be seen and heard? A blank canvas starred back at me. After some loose sketches and determination, I started to paint. I was amazed at what emerged.

Break True boldly stated her intentions through the blue and menacing swirls. She appeared fearless and strong. I felt her power as I painted her. It was just a glimpse. I was reminded of a quote by Mahatma Gandhi:

"All that appear and happens about and around us is uncertain, transient. But there is a supreme being hidden therein as a certainty and one would be blessed if one could catch a glimpse of that certainty and hitch one’s wagon to it. The quest for that Truth is the summum bonum of life."

Mahatma Gandhi
Gandhi, An Autobiography Page 250

The Importance of Seeking Authenticity

Break True had given me a glimpse of what I was to become. My transformation took time, as it does for anything lasting and worthwhile. Years later my refined version of Break True painting found its perfect owner, an inspiring woman who had also transformed herself and who continues to inspire others.

Break True is a reminder of the importance of seeking authenticity. By being more true to ourselves we make it easier for others to be themselves, eventuality we see the transformation in society.

Break True is currently available as a limited edition print. It is presented with a certificate of authenticity and can be shipped worldwide. It’s a popular art print with clients who have initiated the process of transformation in their own lives and it has been purchased as a gift to provide inspiration to people starting out on that journey.

Your Break True Limited Edition is Here

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