Open Up UR Eyes (48x72in) diptych
In March I had 10 koi in my pond—and now there are more than 20. Every day, I find myself lost in watching the new babies find each other, find food and find family with the big fish. In this covid mess of a year, nature has saved me. It’s soothed, amazed & made me feel somewhat grounded.
I haven’t been a carefree quarantine-er. I’ve been exceptionally careful & pretty much sequestered—this week I kayaked for the first time this season and it was a wonderful. I don’t feel so awful about slowing down—I feel curious.
The cancelled art shows and a few weeks of artistic numbness were ultimately a catalyst for exploration. Without the pressure of painting something that might appeal to others, I set out these last weeks to paint something just for me. And I wanted it large. I wanted to go to my next level of creation—unsure of what that meant.
My mantra: “but, do YOU like it…are you going far enough…PUSH HARDER.
Giving myself permission has been a gift. Many days I left my studio, anxious—unsettled and unsatisfied with where I was—my usual process. But I kept showing up with the thought my work was going to get to new places, if I allowed it to.
So here is Open Up UR Eyes (48x72in diptych). Putting it all out there. Exploring what life is offering me now. Not sure where the journey takes me—but doing my damnest to find the treasures along the way.
As usual, I found the lyrics from Imagine Dragons (once again) inspiring: “I had to lose my way to know which road to pave.”
Of course, this journey is in the backdrop of our clusterf*ck of tremendous turmoil. Outrageous callousness…suffering and death.
But in it, I am acknowledging the hope that has also risen to the forefront: Commitment to push forward for human/civil rights. For reforms. A push for integrity in a sea of dishonesty and fraud. Reforming who we are as Americans.
I don’t know what lies ahead—because who knew this year would bring so much uncertainty. But I do know that sometimes you must hit rock bottom to rise back up.
Today, I choose to see the beauty. Or at least create some beauty—as I process the chaos and my own anxiety. And in my art and with my voice, put it out for continuing sharing as an act of healing & camaraderie.
And wishes for finding your own beauty today. Noticing. Sharing it. Creating it. Namaste.
DETAIL SHOTS BELOW:
In March I had 10 koi in my pond—and now there are more than 20. Every day, I find myself lost in watching the new babies find each other, find food and find family with the big fish. In this covid mess of a year, nature has saved me. It’s soothed, amazed & made me feel somewhat grounded.
I haven’t been a carefree quarantine-er. I’ve been exceptionally careful & pretty much sequestered—this week I kayaked for the first time this season and it was a wonderful. I don’t feel so awful about slowing down—I feel curious.
The cancelled art shows and a few weeks of artistic numbness were ultimately a catalyst for exploration. Without the pressure of painting something that might appeal to others, I set out these last weeks to paint something just for me. And I wanted it large. I wanted to go to my next level of creation—unsure of what that meant.
My mantra: “but, do YOU like it…are you going far enough…PUSH HARDER.
Giving myself permission has been a gift. Many days I left my studio, anxious—unsettled and unsatisfied with where I was—my usual process. But I kept showing up with the thought my work was going to get to new places, if I allowed it to.
So here is Open Up UR Eyes (48x72in diptych). Putting it all out there. Exploring what life is offering me now. Not sure where the journey takes me—but doing my damnest to find the treasures along the way.
As usual, I found the lyrics from Imagine Dragons (once again) inspiring: “I had to lose my way to know which road to pave.”
Of course, this journey is in the backdrop of our clusterf*ck of tremendous turmoil. Outrageous callousness…suffering and death.
But in it, I am acknowledging the hope that has also risen to the forefront: Commitment to push forward for human/civil rights. For reforms. A push for integrity in a sea of dishonesty and fraud. Reforming who we are as Americans.
I don’t know what lies ahead—because who knew this year would bring so much uncertainty. But I do know that sometimes you must hit rock bottom to rise back up.
Today, I choose to see the beauty. Or at least create some beauty—as I process the chaos and my own anxiety. And in my art and with my voice, put it out for continuing sharing as an act of healing & camaraderie.
And wishes for finding your own beauty today. Noticing. Sharing it. Creating it. Namaste.
DETAIL SHOTS BELOW:
