Painting – The Beauty & Unpredictability of Existence.

digital painting, 21 Comments
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“All truths are easy to understand once they are discovered. The point is, to discover them.”

– Galileo Galilei

A few months ago I found myself without the inspiration to create art. This was very uncomfortable. Days passed. Then a few weeks. Where had my creativity gone? Was it gone forever? On a morning walk I was captured by the beauty of a cactus flower.

“There is no try, only do.”

– Yoda

I didn’t feel like painting. I had a lot on my mind that I wanted to understand. But, I could try. One petal on the first day, placed in a wide open space. The next day I painted one more, and then two. Creativity returned in baby steps.

Each petal became a step in processing a lot of experiences that occurred over the last year. It was methodical and slow. After a few weeks the flower was finished. I added the sky. Now it was a bright flower suspended in infinity. I let it be for a while. Open. Cheerful, ready. I was ready too.

I included the cactus because it represented the mystery of some experiences (in my perspective). Or not yet understanding them fully. Nature provided the inspiration that a difficulty can also produce beautiful results, like the flower or a greater truth. I observed the lovebirds that happily choose the cactus as their home, prickles and all, and I added one to the painting. I thought to myself how beautiful and unpredictable life is.

Do not dwell in the past, do not dream of the future, concentrate the mind on the present moment.

– Buddha

Difficulties can produce awareness and wisdom if we chose to look deeper and find the truth waiting to be revealed. Maybe that is exactly what they are meant to do. This requires a quiet mind, and the practice of maintaining it. If we can get beyond reacting to how something “appears” and ask to know the big, big picture and the deeper understanding, we will see it. And we also find a renewed wonder, gratitude, and peace.

“Every wall is a door.”

– Ralph Waldo Emerson

And THAT is the story behind this painting. – Peace, and thank you.

  2. So beautiful! The flower especially is so alive. It’s hard to imagine that birds will nest in cactus!
    Touched by your story of painting your way out of a creative slump one petal at a time. Hope you’re on a roll now. 🙂

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply

    1. Thank you! For as long as I can remember, I lived and experienced life through a creative window. To have it recede was uncomfortable! However the return brought a broader and deeper understanding in the “big picture.” A valuable journey!
      Amazing to see lovebirds flying about, and a wonder that chose the cactus for their home. Then again, it has a great security system! 😊

      Liked by 2 people

  4. That’s a beautiful painting and story of how you did it! I especially like the last paragraph where you express an idea that I was thinking about but you worded it so well! About difficulties giving you awareness and wisdom if you look for the deeper meaning.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply

    1. Thank you Chris, I am so happy you read and connected to what I was experiencing and expressing! It can be a bit of a bumpy road in the dark for time…. and then, all the lights come on, and Eureka! 😁❤️. I am so grateful for your comment, thank you!

      Liked by 2 people

  5. I love your back story to this beautiful painting. It is stunning.

    Looking through your gallery, I loved the paint of the person standing on the edge of the universe looking out into the cosmos! Your work is wonderful!
    dwight

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply

    1. Thank you so much Dwight! That painting is one of my favorites ❤️.
      It is titled “Me Again’” because I personally spend a lot of my time standing at that spot asking for the highest truth available for just about everything 😁! This world can be a bit confusing at times….Thank you again for your lovely comment!

      Liked by 2 people

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