Thursday, November 19, 2015

A Milestone

As you know from my previous post, Daniel and I had a show of our artwork and the opening was last Friday. It was amazing! And absolutely so much fun! 
And as I get time to reflect, I realize it was so much more than that. In one of the quieter moments, I told Daniel that since our wedding day, this was probably the most significant event in my adult life. I was surprised when I said it, but then realized it was true. 
It was so much more than just showing my colorful art alongside Daniel’s exquisite watercolors. I spent the last six years following my soul’s urging to give it visual expression. When I finally decided to listen and stayed with it, I completed painting after painting, following my intuition and finally finding my own colorful voice.
Last Friday, I shared that with family, friends, students, some of Daniel’s fellow art professors, and the occasional stranger. And I felt not a hint of insecurity! I would say it was a miracle, had I not done a lot of inner work to stand strong in my own self.
Even with working on my sense of self worth, I wasn’t sure that I was up to public scrutiny of my art. Showing it online is very different for me than showing it all together in person. So it was a good thing I made a firm commitment when earlier this year Daniel and I planned to have a show together. That way I couldn’t bail at the last moment....
I called myself an artist before, but now I FEEL like one. 100 percent! And when several people told me how happy my art is and how it uplifted them, I knew that I am finally living my life purpose. Spreading joy and uplifting people has always been my wish, and even more so during these tumultuous times on our planet.
For over 40 years I have tried to find “my path.” I have had different careers, lived different places, had different interests, and nothing ever felt quite right. Or quite enough, I should say.
When I listened to the call to paint, I thought it was just another hobby I was going to try for a while. I never thought I’d find myself through color and paint.
Every painting I approach from a soul level. I never plan it, never do a sketch or figure out a composition first.
I pick a few colors and start dripping them into water on the canvas. When that dries, I try to look at it without judgment and wait for my intuition to guide me to the next step. Every painting is a new adventure!
I thought I could figure out my particular soul work with my mind, by reading books and thinking or writing about it, but that didn't work for me.
Painting the way I do helped me to get out of my head. I am a good thinker and analyzer, but my head was actually getting in the way of my heart and soul work. My art takes me into that space beyond words, which is where I found my path.
And last Friday, standing next to my extraordinary husband, I was brave enough to show it to everyone who attended our opening! And now my heart is filled with gratitude and so much love, especially for Daniel's unwavering support in my life's journey.

Silke

18 comments:

  1. Liebe Silke,

    ich freue mich über deinen schönen Post.

    Alles Liebe
    Elisabeth

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    1. Vielen Dank, liebe Elisabeth!! Ich freue mich immer ueber deinen Besuch hier! Alles, Liebe, Silke

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  2. Liebe Silke, herzlichen Glückwunsch zu deiner Ausstellung. Ich freue mich mit dir. Mach weiter so..

    Herzliche Grüße aus Essen von Brigitte

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    1. Herzlichen Dank, liebe Brigitte!! Ich hoffe, dir geht es gut!!

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    1. Thanks so much, Debra! I so appreciate your visits!!

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  4. Congratulations to both you and your husband. It looks like a successful show. I love your work and have followed your blog for years. I have watched your progress with interest and joy.

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    1. Thank you, Dolores! You have followed my blog almost from the start and I always love hearing from you!! Looks like you are doing some gorgeous quilting... xoxo Silke

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  5. Congratulations to you both! I'm so happy that you have found your calling with your art.
    blessings
    ~*~

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    1. Dear Laura, Thank you so much!! I'm so glad we connected in blog world!! xoxo Silke

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  6. Congratulations beautiful :) I am so proud of you! I love the fact that I have been blessed to see your journey to find your inner voice. And I love it! It is a beautiful voice. So wish I could have been there! Thank you for sharing amazing pictures from your great opening :)

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    1. Dear Annika! You have been a constant companion on my creative journey since the start. Your drawings and art have always been an inspiration to me!! xoxo Silke

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  7. Congratulations to you and Daniel! I understand very well how that day felt like the second most significant one of your adult life. I hope this was just the first of many exhibitions, so that more and more people can look at your beautiful, uplifting paintings (and buy some of them, too).

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    1. Thank you, Meike!! It really feels like a huge shift in my art "career." We'll see what happens next!! xoxo Silke

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  8. Congratulations, Silke! Watching your journey from that first painting has been so incredible and inspiring. I am so happy for you. Keep it up, your paintings are fantastic! xo Renate

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    1. Renate, you have been with me from the very start!! I remember the gorgeous jewelry you were making and your paintings as well!! I hope you are doing great!! xoxo Silke

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  9. So proud of you...I remember when you were wanting to start painting, from blog posts. You are a true inspiration and you both are an exceptional couple...much love to you.

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    1. Thanks so much, Suzi!! I remember when I was trying to make time for a little bit of creative playing during the day. Now I have to try to make time for everything else. Amazing what can happen when you allow change into your life!! xoxo Silke

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