Where was I? We spoke last during a never-ending election. Is that even over? The past month has felt like a collective inhale held for too long, and bit by bit the breath is being let out.
In my last journal entry, we dove into “Jardin de Flores”, a piece that illustrates harmony between darkness and light and how we can do the same. The only way out is through and that starts with SURRENDER.
What is surrender? Usually defined as giving up, in the case of this conversation, I am referring to stillness in the face of chaos.
CHAOS.
Chaos is the worst. It’s uncomfortable, sometimes excruciating, and always exhausting. We try to fight it, do everything in our power to restore order, but usually more chaos ensues. The beauty we so desperately desire and that which seems lost in chaos can be found again in stillness. When our outer world falls apart, there’s an inner world we can retreat to and even create to our liking.
The muses that make up my collections were manifested in life drawing classes. For those that don’t know, life drawing is the foundation of artists, where we study and interpret the human form. Models pose for hours with some breaks in between. Being an artist, however, doesn’t allow for breaks. As a constant observer, most of my drawings came to be from quiet moments. Modeling for artists is chaotic. Posing in the nude for a room full of strangers, dissecting every inch of your body while trying to hold the same position for what feels like an eternity is no easy feat. So when there’s a break, the model surrenders to the sweetness of doing nothing, restoring energy for the next pose.
The Contemplation Collection is a series of drawings made during those quiet moments. Muse #1 is a reminder to keep STILL. Muse #2 is a reminder to CEASE fighting against whatever chaos we may find ourselves in. Muse #3 reminds us to PONDER and check-in. Muse #4 is a reminder to REJUVENATE and bask in the stillness while coming home to yourself. That’s what surrender does. It brings you back to yourself. My preferable way to do that is to put pen to paper and journal my way back. It’s a great way to get grounded in your body, get present, and connect your mind and heart. It dawned on me that creating a journal collection would be the perfect gift to inspire stillness and wellness during these darker, colder months. Chaos comes and goes but never without trying to swallow you up in its mess. Whether you’re looking for a book to record your innermost personal thoughts in, or just somewhere to jot down your ideas and desires, everyone needs a sturdy journal, a place to check-out and check-in and come home to yourself. I really do hope you can find the beauty in stillness.
