Spring Reflections

Spring Reflections, my new painting, is an image taken from the speeding auto-train taking us from Florida to Virginia. The best things about this trip were that we didn’t have to drive for three days, and the images I captured from the train.

Trains go through some wild territory. For example, the land is swampy, unlivable, unwalkable, thick with wild plants, wild creatures, bloodthirsty bugs, brush fires, and unknown perils. But the train is there. Going from town to town, these mostly are sparse places where no one wants to or can live.

I’d seek the water. In addition, any water pulls me in to see it thrive in these unruly places. Only later can I review what I’ve discovered since the train is shooting at breakneck speeds, intent on meeting its schedule. Rocky, rough, and scary, this train ride is like the roughest 17 hour ride at any theme park. Afterward, finding a bed that didn’t move was heaven.

But the images were great! Far better than I had imagined. Most were not blurry at all. I trusted the iphone to do its job. Plus, there were colors, sundrenched forests, reflecting streams, rivers, and lakes that shimmered with light. No highway or road had the view from the train. Also, these were one of a kind treasures of a memorable trip home.

Spring Reflections made me reflect on myself today.

Our land is tones of beige, brown, and ocher, with every shade of pale green imaginable. Plus, each unique tree paces itself and buds at a different time. Shoots bring the promise of coming flowers, while the stone wall shines with crystal shards between the moss. The Sun and Moon hang low in the trees. Long shadows are cast. Creeks ripple with life as they course through the woods. It’s the quiet time of hidden growth. This is a transition time between the seasons of barren and full. The ‘in-between the worlds’ moment of gestating dreams, ideas, and choices.

For me, it’s a time of simplifying my life, unsubscribing, and canceling. Spring cleaning means deleting and clearing all distractions that keep me from living life.

Time is too precious to waste on distractions.

Then I read, ‘that our duty is to disappoint as many people as it takes to avoid disappointing yourself.’ Wow. I never thought of the things I do quite in this way before. Especially as an artist. Too often we seek our value out there, from galleries, juries, ‘Likes’ on social media, and buyers.

The question becomes, why do we do anything in this world? Does the world always dictate where we fit in, where ‘our place’ lies? The real question is what do you Value? What gives you pleasure, what feels good for your body and soul? Not disappointing yourself shifts everything. Now, you’re living to be your truest self, to follow your passion and be alive again.

I value my time, energy, and creativity. Therefore, all the ‘have-tos’ will be put on a short list to be accomplished a little each day. Above all, they are not to take over, overwhelm, or take away from my walk in Nature, making new art, or listening to my inner voice for inspiration. My priorities will be me today in this precious moment of time. How about you?