Meet “Oscar.” As is so often the case, the story of how he came into the world is both about painting and about life.
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What else is new, right? 😉
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The theme is letting go and making space.
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Art (and life) is about choosing the things that are important (or beloved) and letting go of the rest.
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Of course it’s ok to hold onto something we truly enjoy. That’s a choice and it’s beautiful to identify and appreciate something that’s special to us and dear to our heart.
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But if we’re clinging to something out of fear … or not making space for something we *love* to come in by refusing to let go of something we only just “sorta like” … Well, that’s another story.
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(I sometimes notice people doing this with relationships, by the way.)
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I learned this from Flora Bowley, a beautiful artist and the creative catalyst to my making all of these paintings. She told me it’s important to let go and be brave and paint freely yet it’s also ok to hold onto part of a painting if it’s something I truly LOVE.
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It’s about balance and mindfulness.
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“Oscar” evolved in this way.
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A first iteration arrived intuitively, the suggestion of an owl in blues and greens that matched the deep night of the background. The pattern on his feathers and body were painterly and free. I really liked it.
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Note the word “like.” Not love.
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I clung to that blue-green owl for a good long while but always sensed that something more was possible.
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Here was my first clue:
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I found myself over and over again looking for validation. “Does this look ok to you?” I would ask.
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If I *truly* love something, I don’t need to ask a soul. I don’t care what anyone else thinks of it, I feel so strongly about it.
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But in this case I was looking for validation. That’s how I knew it was time to let go. I did not truly love it.
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So one day I finally got brave and I did it, adding the reds which covered up some of the details I sorta liked … and in came Oscar, who I absolutely *love.*
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When I looked at him before (the blue-green owl I was afraid to let go of) I liked him but I also felt uncertain.
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When I look at him now, my heart leaps. There’s no uncertainty, just pure joy.
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We need to pay attention to the things that make our heart leap and our soul sing.
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It’s so immensely worth it to get brave, take a risk … and let go of the pretty-good to make space for the even-better to arrive. To trust that something new, something you love, will be available to you.
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Has this ever happened to you? If so, I’d love to hear your story.
“Oscar” acrylic painting on gallery wrapped canvas
Love to you, my beautiful friend! With deep gratitude, all proceeds from my art go directly to my ongoing medical treatment expenses. ❤
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