Transformation, 30 x 24 inches
Last week my daughter returned from Baron Baptiste’s Level One Yoga Teacher Training--16 hour days filled with meditation, yoga, introspection and sharing had a profound impact on her—a transformation. She had more self-awareness than I ever had in my early 20’s, and an overall calm. She was seriously contemplating who she wanted to be in the world and how she wanted to get there—and it had nothing to do with professional goals, but rather about her place in the world. I watched in awe and admiration.
Her process of transition got me thinking about my own transformations. In every case, those moments were sparked by painful life events. In the pain—the messiness of life—the true business of living and growing were front and center.
So growth doesn’t just happen. For most people—it’s the break ups, estrangements, illnesses and deaths, the losses—of jobs, dreams, homes—that force us to look for new pathways. And push us to grow beyond our routine ways of being.
To recognize that pain and suffering are opportunities is to know that when lousy things happen, you have the rare chance for making life changes. In every tearful conversation I’ve had with someone resisting the suffering in their life, I remind them—this is when the growing takes place. These are the moments where you define your life.
So this week, I created the artwork, “Transformation” as a tribute to that roller coaster ride that takes us on the dips and curves of raw and unexpected vistas of change…of choosing to take the risk of literally unearthing yourself, exposing yourself –naked--to being in new places, to doing it in solitude and yet having the courage to make that leap not knowing where you will land.
The process was particularly sweet as my daughter took a lot of interest in the piece. Initially, I had only inscribed the art with the word “transformation.” And then, uncharacteristically, she insisted, it needed more. She was certain, this art needed to say “Breathe into Transformation.” What a beautiful image…breathing into, opening yourself up to the journey with your entire spirit.
Transformation—the artwork-- represents a somewhat new direction for my art. While I cannot say exactly where it is taking me, my seat belt is on as I strap in for the ride. In its creation, I had Amos Lee, the Lumineers, Louis Armstrong, Josh Radin and a cast of bluesy singers along for the ride. My family remarked at the numerous naked bodies scattered in the landscape and yet, I only see a purity of form, color and quiet innocence amid the courage of my adventurer.
In hopes that you embrace your next opportunity for growth and transformation—Namaste’
Her process of transition got me thinking about my own transformations. In every case, those moments were sparked by painful life events. In the pain—the messiness of life—the true business of living and growing were front and center.
So growth doesn’t just happen. For most people—it’s the break ups, estrangements, illnesses and deaths, the losses—of jobs, dreams, homes—that force us to look for new pathways. And push us to grow beyond our routine ways of being.
To recognize that pain and suffering are opportunities is to know that when lousy things happen, you have the rare chance for making life changes. In every tearful conversation I’ve had with someone resisting the suffering in their life, I remind them—this is when the growing takes place. These are the moments where you define your life.
So this week, I created the artwork, “Transformation” as a tribute to that roller coaster ride that takes us on the dips and curves of raw and unexpected vistas of change…of choosing to take the risk of literally unearthing yourself, exposing yourself –naked--to being in new places, to doing it in solitude and yet having the courage to make that leap not knowing where you will land.
The process was particularly sweet as my daughter took a lot of interest in the piece. Initially, I had only inscribed the art with the word “transformation.” And then, uncharacteristically, she insisted, it needed more. She was certain, this art needed to say “Breathe into Transformation.” What a beautiful image…breathing into, opening yourself up to the journey with your entire spirit.
Transformation—the artwork-- represents a somewhat new direction for my art. While I cannot say exactly where it is taking me, my seat belt is on as I strap in for the ride. In its creation, I had Amos Lee, the Lumineers, Louis Armstrong, Josh Radin and a cast of bluesy singers along for the ride. My family remarked at the numerous naked bodies scattered in the landscape and yet, I only see a purity of form, color and quiet innocence amid the courage of my adventurer.
In hopes that you embrace your next opportunity for growth and transformation—Namaste’
My very rough initial sketch for Transformation
Added Note: Professional Photos of Transformation are now on the Portfolio tab and this quick phone photo did not do the colors justice--the lavenders dance in real life...Terry 8/23/13
