“I want to know the details!” she said.
When we share the latest excitement or event, in our life- we girls
like to know the details- everything from what you were wearing to,
what were every nuance and emotion that was felt, seen, heard and
experienced. We like details and as an artist I find that I am also
attracted to expressing the details. And yet, it is easy to get
distracted from paying attention to details; our lives are so full and
moving so quickly.
Lately I have been spending a lot of time trying to stay in the present
moment. It helps me calm my fears about what might happen in the future
in these very uncertain times, and it also helps me stop re-living the
past of which I can change none. What I am discovering by focusing on
the present is an enormous amount of detail. The intricacies of this
Universe are amazing. Each pebble on the beach, fence post, flower and
person on this planet has it’s own details that are completely unique
to only that one object or being. Extend that idea to the Universe
beyond this planet and it just gets mind-boggling! Yes, there are many
people, stones, flowers, etc. and each category of being has many
similarities within itself and we often have a tendency, maybe for
expediency to lump all people, all fence posts, all stones together
without distinction. However when you take just a single second to look
at even just two of any category together, it will become very obvious
that there are vast differences between the two. I am discovering that
when I explore those differences and details, that I am also
discovering that incredible sense of creation and intricacy that is
part of every single molecule in this Universe: The artistry of God.
The pattern, geometry, and composition of nature rivals any artist’s
work and has often been the inspiration for many an artist. I love
flying over land and paying attention to the texture and natural
composition created by water patterns and rock formations, often times
even man-made fields have great compositional elements that we cannot
see from the ground. Mother Earth, herself, can often be seen as the
inventor of abstract art as well as incredible geometric accuracy.
So how does all this relate to living in the moment? Consider the last
moment you actually paid attention. What were the details? Did you
notice the air temperature, the color of the sky, the shirt that the
person you were with was wearing? Not just the generalities, but the
fabric texture and touch, how the light played on those people and
objects that were present. Did you pay attention to the composition of
the scene, how the components fit together, light, contrast, color,
visual balance or tension? - Sounds like a work of art? Now you are
getting the idea.
Each moment we are present is a work of art. All of the components are
there and I believe it is our job, particularly as artists to pay
attention and bring it to the attention of those who do not know how.
Yes, we are by nature, more aware of detail and that is one of the
gifts we can give those we encounter- by sharing the details of our
surroundings we are giving others an opportunity to go beyond what they
might otherwise see or know. And this enriches their lives and may even
teach them to be more aware in their own life experience.
I use my chosen medium to experience awareness and to also bring
awareness to those who encounter my artistic expression. I take this as
a sacred task and I feel honored to be given the abilities and the
desire to be able to do this.
Living in the moment becomes an opportunity for discovery and sharing.
My art is growing in new directions and as I become more aware and
centered in the present, I am given more opportunities to grow and
explore which can only add to this glorious tapestry of life.

peace