Interfacing With the Universe...

When two things... or people interface... they are in the act of a mutual linking... interaction one with the other. Whether that act of interfacing is either accidental... or driven by one of the pair... the final act of their linkage or interaction is determined by mutual agreement to move forward.

When two people... even total strangers meet... someone must initiate further action between the two by some response that is both recognized by both as nonthreatening... worthwhile and authentic in purpose. If these conditions are met in the minds of both individuals... then the initial interaction can proceed into further conversation ... and even towards the building of a long term and lasting relationship. That is a simplified... yet human example of how interface can occur. Some might define the initial contact as an act of Fate... or Karma... or serendipity. As humans... it is always one of our basic needs to classify and define what is at first new or unknown to us. That act... in a small manner offers comfort I suppose.

We all accept the term and existence of "The Universe" as scientific fact... and grammatically defined the term as "the whole of all existing matter, energy and space." But the question remains, as to how one brain can perceive and deal with that and seemingly limitless expanse and concept of existence. Many people ... including myself, have given a large amount of time and thought to try and get our heads around that term and concept. And in my own case... "being of little brain" in comparison to these greater minds, I have rather generalized the term "Universe" when I refer to it... as a rather large and unending "Creator" of successions of opportunities that one can choose to respond or not to during our daily and earthly lives. In my own way I personify the term Universe.

I dearly hope that my delving here into metaphysical things doesn't discourage or offend any of my readers. That surely is not my purpose. It is like all other posts that I write... an open opportunity to share and compare our thoughts, as well as our art and processes. In the last post I mentioned that canvas "L'Heure d'or" was special to me personally... and that I had always been at a loss to understand why it stayed around for so long... for over eight years.

But after witnessing the joy that the lady who purchased the piece shared with me in the studio, this act supplied a sort of comforting answer and closure for me. Her email of this morning... further revealing her pleasure in hanging it immediately upon arriving back home in Saskatchewan... even before she unpacked... further amplifies my joy... and the belief I have that paintings we commit ourselves fully to... will find their home "on their own steam"... as The Universe provides opportunity to release them from us. The Universe comes to your door knocking... but only after you have gone out in some fashion to the Universe beforehand.

Too often... we become discouraged and caught up in the value of immediate sales as a measure of success and acceptance. Too often... we yield or bend our principles and goals in favour of trying to procure these latter two by jumping about to "catch" the market... and in so doing... I think that we surrender that inner sense of accomplishment and worth that can only be felt by true... creators.

Yesterday... The Universe and I interfaced again briefly... and two other smallish plein air works that I truly enjoyed making found new homes... after many months of being moved and shuffled about in the Gallery. The one piece... "The Jumble" a plein air effort of 10x8 inches was fun to paint... rather like doing a jigsaw puzzle. Many noted that it was jolly... and fun to look through the maze of branches. That was exactly how it was created... painting using the negative spaces... as opposed to making it a tedious drawing exercise.

During the late afternoon, a wonderful family of four entered the Gallery... each member setting out to look about... independent of the other three. The young woman... whom I would judge to be in her mid twenties made her rounds twice and kept bringing both parents around for a conference at several pieces of various sizes. Finally she approached us at the counter and announced that she would like to have "The Jumble." That painting was waiting for her... and that meeting of the two gave me great pleasure.... far beyond the money value.

As it turned out... she had just graduated from Queen's University in Kingston (the Alma Mater for Allison, Andrew and myself) and was moving to downtown Toronto to begin her first job and this purchase was to be her first art purchase... for her first apartment of her own! Her parents added a second small 5x7 inch piece "Retired and Forgotten to round out their visit with us. Even their choice it came to be revealed was not based only upon the beauty of the painting alone.

They run a B&B closeby... and they produce maple syrup on the property. I have for a long time slowed my van as I pass their lovely yellow Cape Cod-style home on the Bass Lake Road... thinking what a nice subject it would make. Now... I know the owners... and have an open invitation to visit. What a wonderful gift back from the Universe... to meet such a wonderfully wholesome family... bound together... by genuine love for each other and choice.

I learned further from my conversation with her brother... just graduated from school as well that he was taking a year off from planned future studies, before heading off to teachers' college to work with children with special needs... using his interest and qualifications in psychology as a springboard. We shared that background interest. My teaching career... for the most part, dealt with the neediest of students.

No matter what your sense of spirituality might be... or whether it differs from what I have posted here... my hope is to encourage readers to pursue their own visions... never surrendering to not doing your best. But mostly... I simply wish to offer that belief in one's self is primary in succeeding at anything in life... and most especially when it seems the Universe and "You"... are not interfacing.

Sometimes... one has to go out to meet the Universe... to explore... to find new ideas that the Universe can offer. This can be accomplished by trying a new medium or technique... or painting en plein air... without regard for painting a masterpiece. Simply filling ones senses makes us come alive and opens our eyes to new and refreshing truths that help us to grow and sustain our creative spirits.

This next weekend, I will be at a three day 1st Annual Paint Out organized in Rockport, Ontario on the St Lawrence River... under the auspices of the International Plein Air Painters, a worldwide organization for plein air enthusiasts.... see http://www.ipap.homestead.com/ of which I am a new member. Check out there site for details and events scheduled. The area is hardly new to me..

My family cottaged at this very area each summer for over fifty years. I worked in this quaint river village... and know and feel about it deeply. That area forms the core of my own Universe... physically... spiritually and artistically. I think that this "going out" to be with like-minded plein air painters will result in some great paintings... and new relationships! Stay tuned.....

Stay the courses! Reach out! And SMILE... even "whistle while you work... and you'll be surprised... at some unpredictable moment during that hard work... The Universe will indeed SMILE back upon "You"!

Good Happy Fall Painting to all !

Final Food For Thought:

There are no shortcuts to any place worth going.