Pursuing my passion has evolved from a self-fulfilling dream to a means of communicating and connecting with a larger, global community. As I develop my work I become a vehicle for exploring the imagination, finding joy and inspiring others. Art is a universal language, my way of expressing a vision that sometimes cannot be put into words. Discovering your style as an artist is one of the most difficult things to do, and in this past year I have found my voice on paper. A recognizable mark, set of glowing colors, and other-worldy imagery. Gardens of plant-like forms have grown into life-like worlds of tentacles, spider-legs and feathery wings. As a friend of mine kindly wrote "Looking at the work can be a meditation in itself."
Staying positive can be the most difficult challenge as we face rejections, disappointments and change. Just as I am ready to perhaps give up on all this hard work, I am reminded to keep going, to persevere. One morning in the fall, I was commuting on the train, sketching a new idea for a print. As I reached my stop I folded up my little black sketchbook, until next time. As I walked to the stairs an older business man caught up with me and tapped me on the shoulder. I thought that I had dropped a pencil or my metro card. He simply said "Your work is really beautiful." I was taken aback by the sincere, unexpected compliment. It made me realize how many times people have approached me to share their thoughts or comment on my work. My sketches have allowed me to make connections with people from all walks of life, single moms with their infants, homeless men with a hat full of change, or a young high school student. Everyone seems to see something different in my imagery… a garden of mystery, seemingly harmless, with a dangerous twist of vines and thorns.
Seeing the light at the end of the tunnel can be next to impossible when we aren't reaping the rewards of our labor. But putting something positive into this world is an accomplishment in itself. There is more to life than going through the day to day motions of earning a paycheck and finding stability. It is this pursuit of passion that must be valued and nurtured. As we come closer to achieving a purpose in life we have more to give others, more to contribute to the world. We must learn to accept change and the inevitable ups and downs… so flows the current.
The song "So Flows the Current" by Patrick Ohearn was the inspiration for this post: http://www.patrickohearn.com/CDpop_up_soflows.htm
Happy Holidays and a Happy New Year! Thanks for following the blog and continuing to support my work.
~ Rochelle
