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Have you ever had a period of time when everything seemed like it was coming together easily to the point you were hardly aware of where you were or what time it was, and the feeling of peace resonated throughout your body? Hopefully, we have all, at least, experienced this feeling at moments throughout our lives. Perhaps, for some of you, this state is more of a way of being than not.
Lately, it seems that I frequently have been "in the flow." I wake up ready to jump out of bed and get back to the creating that I finally put aside the night before to get a little rest in order to honor this physical vessel that is carrying me on this journey. Opportunities seem to present themselves to me daily, and I check my intuitive feelings to see which ones to take. Then, I move forward without worrying if I had made the right move or not. I trust that I am being led somewhere, and I am not afraid to see where.
As a door opens, I curiously walk through it without completely knowing what is beyond the doorway or where I will be led. I continually check how my choice feels to me. Often, I even observe how my body responds to it. Have I just stopped in my activity to wait with caution, or have I pulled back to keep myself safe? Am I taking that next step without hesitation because it feels comfortable, inviting, and safe, although new?
The next steps seem to be whispered to my consciousness. I am the driver, but an unseen force within me seems to be guiding my journey with wisdom and a plan that I cannot fully see. Often, others do not understand the sometimes surprising choices that I make, but I do not let their opinions affect me. Fear will not be a factor in the choices that I make.
From out of nowhere, it seems I have found the desire to paint. At first it is just for the experience of allowing my hand to move wherever it wants and create a visual product that is pleasing to my eye. My senses appear to be working in tandem to create something that they then enjoy. It is as if all my senses are working together to create an inspirational energy that can be seen and felt. No particular identifiable object is being produced, rather an abstract image that pushes the mind to let go of the need to define something.
Then, my painting desires seemed to be fed by the joy of creating something visual, for the majority of my work's result are intangible and unseen. Perhaps, I could create a visual representation of feeling, energy and expression as a tool for others to use and enjoy. Being a Taurus myself, I enjoy using and nurturing all of my senses.
I continued to paint. My painting seems to have a higher purpose behind it, and I trust that if I step out of the way and just be the channel, it will take on its own energy and do the work that it was meant to do.
One step led to another and before I knew it, my latest paintings had made their way into the 43rd Annual Aloha Show in Honolulu, Hawaii. They had found their way into public view, to find those who they were meant to find.
The rewards for entering this juried exhibit, my first juried exhibit, were abundant. Not only did I have the opportunity to meet and get to know over 50 amazing artist, I was able to see the inner workings of an art exhibit through volunteering for the show set up. I feel that I learned more in those six hours of working side by side with the leaders than I could have learned in years had I not accepted the invitation to help.
If that was not enough, I was moved beyond words - and this is not easily done - when I received the call the next morning informing me that one of my three paintings entered, In the Flow, had received an Honorable Mention, by juror Lawrence Seward, University of Hawaii Art Lecturer.
The icing on the cake was enjoying the evening at the Artist Reception, held in the amazing Honolulu Hale, the prominent and artist landmark building modeled after the Bargello in Florence and currently housing the Mayor's Office, with friends, new and old, celebrating creative expression and what can happen when you are "in the flow."
The exhibit gave me the opportunity to expand my circle of free spirits, as I continued to say, "Yes," to the opportunities that presented themselves to me. I was not afraid to share my rather unique work for fear of what others might think or say. I viewed it as an opportunity to have an experience that I chose to have.
Honorable Mention, works for me.
