Letting Light In: Musings

"Forget your perfect offering/There is a crack in everything/That's how the light gets in..." Leonard Cohen sang. Amen, Leonard, amen. In the making of art, let there be the delicious serendipity of imperfections, of flaw and flow. When you learn to truly 'see' and feel another human being, a work of art, a song...you see with new eyes. Flaws are something we all have, yes. But when you see the light, your heart, your mind, your soul expand to new heights, endless journeys and paths. As an artist, I choose not to concentrate on every tiny detail.

My work is not intended to be perfect, nor do I want it to be. It's my job to open minds up, to let others know it's ok to be flawed, to be wonderful just as you are. Art is like that. Life is like that. Like ourselves, when we focus on what's wrong with something, that's all we can think about. We put limitations not only on ourselves, but those around us. Celebrate what is different, flawed, and yet sparkles. See that beauty.

This painting is almost done. She's very imperfect, and I'll refine her just a bit more before yelling "FINISHED!" However, I love her bright colors, the symbolism of birds, flowers, life...her expression. The tenderness, the contented self, the whole essence of her spirit. Instead of seeing her flaws I see her light. She creates a glow, a good vibe. I'm not seeing her nose is a bit crooked, hair out of place, or such. The essence: that's what the artist perceives and is driven to present whether in song, paint, music, sculpture, writing: the ESSENCE. Isn't that what truly matters?