Aquarelle Way of Life
Art Monday Series
Post 1
My aquarelle paintings are the best
expression of who I am. And this article is not about me, but about the journey
to self – mine just happens to be the art.
You know those people who were painting
like young kids and that is all they every wanted to do, and when they grew up
they became artists, because everyone, including themselves expected that?
Well, that’s not me. I had an absolute admiration for people who had the
talent, and the appreciation of fine art for as long as I remember. I was taken
to fabulous art exhibitions when I was a child – those are among my most
cherished memories. And somewhere between my own and the artists’ imagination –
I got transported into the world of intense beauty, exquisite details captured
and immortalised. I appreciated the art far before I was aware of any concepts
and definitions. I saw the higher self through those paintings and I was
captured by it forever.
I didn’t paint even as a hobby, although
technical and perspective drawings were something I excelled at. Yes, I studied
interior design prior to the introduction of the CAD programs, or even the
computers, into the classroom. My design concepts were done in watercolour and
I never took it anywhere further, even though I got distinction upon
distinction for every assignment I ever did. It just wasn’t on my radar, I
guess.
The Idea
Little Background: My dad was excellent at
pencil and charcoal drawing and he did some aquarelle paintings before I was
born, and when I was very little. These have always intrigued me because I saw
such talent in them, and I did question my father why he stopped painting. He
said although he loved it, he had hands full with work commitments and raising
my brother and me together with my mother. So, family time came first, he
didn’t have any time left to pursue this love of his for painting.
So, years later, when I had my two kids and
they were still very little, I thought if I learn to paint, then I could get my
dad excited about painting again! It was a magnificent beginning to the biggest
self-discovery. I had no expectation to be good at it, just a pure wish to
learn. I bought books, read them cover to cover, studied the subject of
aquarelle, and started practical exercises suggested by these great artists.
Because I had no preconceived thoughts, the learning process was not meeting
with any backchat. It was amazing to start seeing the world in a different way.
Although, I discovered this was not unlike the way I am already looking at the
world. That was the biggest revelation of all.
When my parents visited for our family
holiday, I surprised my dad with all the paper, paints, brushes and enthusiasm.
He did not need persuasion! We had so much fun painting together in what was my
creative space in a large, light filled conservatory. And we have kept painting
together ever since.
Fast Forward 20+ Years
In our family home in the Serbian
countryside my dad has built an artist studio for me and we had enjoyed so many
exhibitions together, even entered competitions. Our first joint exhibition was
titled Shades of Love, which is the best description of us. One of my paintings
won 1st Prize in the October Salon of amateur painters of Belgrade (category
watercolour medium) with over 3000 entries and a professional jury of five
artists. They said: It had the most
original idea and it was executed cleanly, highlighting the best qualities of
the aquarelle style.
My dad’s painting was highly commended in
the first ten that same year! My parents were present at the opening night of
this five day exhibition event, where they announced the winner on that first
night. My mother said she nearly fainted when they called out my name. No one
was prepared for this, and they had to accept the prize on my behalf and give a
word of thanks, etc.
Pure Joy
Here is the key and the point to why I am
telling you my story. I put my heart and soul into everything I do, my friend -
always and in every single thing I do. But when I paint, my heart sings in
concert with my soul! There isn’t anything that brings me closer to myself, to
my inner being, to the creator who is expressing all the beauty of being in
that moment through me – than when I hold my paintbrush loaded with water and
paint, ready to start its dance of washes on the clean white paper. That whole
process involves all of who I am, and in those moments I truly exist as the
truest expression of who I really am.
In life, you really do find what you are
looking for. Make sure you are looking for what is the essence of you. What fills
your heart with joy like nothing else – that is what you are meant to do, my
friend. I wish you the joy of finding and doing that very thing happily
forever. And remember, it’s not so much looking for that you should focus, as
much as listening to your intuition, for the intuition will always guide you to
what is the right thing for you! Do whatever it takes to be in concert with
your inner being, because nothing else in this life will produce lasting
happiness.
Remember – You Are Safe Here
This is the sacred place between our souls. Thank you for sharing your visions, dreams and ideas. Your courage to be vulnerably seen will always be respected, and you will be treated with nothing but kindness and compassion. ♡
P.S. If you want to see those two paintings that were in the competition, here they are. Enjoy!
P.S. If you want to see those two paintings that were in the competition, here they are. Enjoy!
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