Mist

“The world is the true classroom.  The most rewarding and important type of learning is through experience, seeing something with our own eyes.” – Jack Hanna

Many of us must see something to believe it.  In a Photoshop world we’ve even begun to question validity of photographs that we see in the media.  Sometimes the only way to believe that something is real is to see it with our own eyes.  Questioning the reality of something seen by someone else is how we learn and grow.  Our brains are wired to respond to things that are visual which in turn induce emotion.  Therefore, we can believe that it’s real because we see it in its true form.

Some people will travel to the ends of the world to see a natural phenomenon such as the rainbow eucalyptus trees in Hawaii, Lake Hillier in Australia or the Grand Prismatic Spring in Yellowstone.  Seeing these beautiful forms of nature in real life can restore our vision on a much larger scale.

Renew your spirit today by seeing for yourself what the beauty of the world has to offer.

Explore the possibilities…

 

Convey

“The painter has the Universe in his mind and hands.” – Leonardo da Vinci

I am dedicating this month’s blog to Leonardo da Vinci as he was born over 560 years ago today, April 15^th.  His curiosity about life was impeccable.  His brilliance has been an inspiration and a mystery for centuries.

Imagine if Leonardo da Vinci was complacent with mediocrity and had given up on learning, seeking and discovering…

Da Vinci used the 67 years of his existence to challenge life as we know it today.  We may not be off the charts on the genius scale but how are we using our potential to innovate?

Many of us are content with just getting by on what we’ve been taught or what we read in passing on the internet.  We’ve taken shortcuts, and our challenges are diminishing.  Are we really using our potential to discover and create?  There’s an entire world of information and history, and our minds are unlimited!

Explore the possibilities…

Optic

"A human being is a part of a whole, called by us "universe", a part limited in time and space. He experiences himself, his thoughts and feelings as something separated from the rest... a kind of optical delusion of his consciousness. This delusion is a kind of prison for us, restricting us to our personal desires and to affection for a few persons nearest to us. Our task must be to free ourselves from this prison by widening our circle of compassion to embrace all living creatures and the whole of nature in its beauty." - Albert Einstein

Do you ever wish that people could see the world through your eyes, beyond reality?  If they took a peek into your version of the world, would they see beauty and exquisiteness or would they see desert tones and monotony?

This painting is about seeing the world through different lenses, not just focusing on what’s here or there but really examining all aspects of life.

Have you ever been to Venice Beach?  It can be perceived as a bit frightening.  If you see it through the eyes of an artist it can be fascinating, colorful, and intriguing.

Art, music and books are great for the purpose of transporting you to a different world.  I challenge you to pick a place, maybe an ordinary park or even just an aged building that you’ve passed by a hundred times.  Do some research and find out little-known facts about it.  Take some photos and give it significance.  Don’t just look at it in passing—study it, write about it, or paint it.  You’ll be pleasantly amazed at how your outlook will start to blossom.

Perception

“If history were taught in the form of stories, it would never be forgotten.” – Rudyard Kipling, ‘The Collected Works’

Each painting that I create tells a story.  It’s up to the viewer to create those stories.  I challenge you today to choose a painting and write a story about it.  Give it life.  Bring your experiences and imagination into it.  What lies beneath the colors?  What memories does the painting evoke?

This painting is called Perception because it rains with intuition and insight.  We all have a story to tell with a lesson learned.  The colors that stream through this painting create an elusive beginning to one’s personal story.  Fill in the blanks.  Live through this painting by creating its origin!

Explore your possibilities…

Angel Rising

"What the new year brings to you will depend a great deal on what you bring to the new year.” – Vern McLellan

It’s a new beginning!  2014 is a blank canvas.  Start adding some color and texture to it.  Make some memories and work on those unfinished projects!

This painting Angel Rising is very hopeful and the colors represent the transformation of life and renewal of the soul.  Choose some colors for your canvas today and create something fresh for this upcoming year!  Reach into your soul and find your mantra.  Begin and finish a task.  Laugh more, have a picnic or visit an art museum.  You’ll be surprised how enlightening the colors that you pick for your new year will motivate you!

Explore the possibilities…