The Magic of Puzzles

I absolutely love puzzles. I’ve always been fascinated by how all those weird little shapes with odd bits of color and lines can be joined together ever so slowly and in an amazing transformation create a magnificent larger image. When I made a combination bunk bed/bureau/desk/shelf piece for my daughter it was very similar- starting with a vision- planning and adjusting- measuring, cutting, fitting together all the pieces to make a whole… simply delightful.

And of course being an artist I find the same satisfaction with painting all those little strokes, again adjusting/changing, and after much frenzied deliberation they come together like magic to create a brilliant painting. Kaleidoscope embraces this technique of choosing a more radiant palette, which engages our eyes by combining brilliant colors with a myriad of shapes.

Now I find that I am the puzzle!! -And that the many parts of myself as an artist and teacher have begun to merge into a new cohesive pattern. It’s like we have all these aspects of ourselves that have come into being over time and are now drawing closer together to create a fresh picture… still vibrating from past energies but now reacting to the latest input- just like a turning kaleidoscope. Brilliant, energizing, passionate and open to a new contribution by a simple twist of the tube!

Life in Transition

When I painted Life in Transition I was hardly aware of the deeper meaning and significance that such a title would bear. That was back in April shortly before our annual Mother’s Day Studio Tour. I remember the incredible energy I was trying to display in this magnificent beautiful old snag. There was a particular expression of release and fulfillment with sparkles of energy emanating from the snag as well as the surrounding trees. I was compelled to use warm hues that spoke of healing and rejuvenation.

Since then my own life has been in flux and I have found strength from this painting. For many years I have been juxtaposing a life of teaching and creating art. I have kept my artistic enterprise at bay while trying to keep my teaching career from lapsing. But now I am in a position to renew my focus on my art and with that comes a certain risk and at the same time an undeniable leap in faith.

There is a wonderful gift in every life transition and one of the keys to making a healthy one is your faith in yourself, coupled with the faith of your friends, of your family and your neighbors. Once you’ve made the commitment and fully believe that you are doing it… the rest comes easy… well sort of.

All transitions require time to adjust to…there’s a need for quiet contemplation, and letting go of old patterns, habits and attachments. It’s through letting the past go that we open ourselves for new experiences, thoughts and gifts of the spirit. And that is where the fun begins! When everyday is wide open to the positive energy of the universe… miracles happen. It’s actually a given for nature but as humans we get caught up in the melodrama of our life and tend to forget just what an incredible gift we have… what a miracle our body is, how amazing it is to think and share our ideas, and to have such feelings that are often hard to contain! Life in Transition expresses that incredible energy that is impossible to contain! In effect every day we have that chance to renew ourselves… and re-invent who we are… and it’s by having joyous faith in yourself and in the powers of the universe to bring it on that it happens.