The Journey Within

4 Dec 2019
Met up with a artist today and had some coffee talk. We were reflecting and sharing some ups and downs of being a artist. Skills and techniques are important whether you are doing fine painting or abstract works but this is not the vital element for you to move forward as a artist. It is the overcoming of the our negative thoughts whether it is a ‘battle’ or ‘warfare’ (depends how big or small) or even ‘spiritual warfare’ that many artists have quit. Skills can be developed over time but having the ‘mind of Christ’ are developed through every day’s trials and victories when no one is watching.
Just like the different animals in the painting, we need to be a lamb to follow and learn in certain paths…. some seasons we need to be humbled to hitch a ride when we are tired. There are times we have to be strong for others… and there are times we have to take the lead. Understanding the season and times to posture ourselves will be a good start to begin any endeavor.
What role are you posturing yourself for the path ahead?
I am more like a tortoise now hitching a ride, grateful for the the strength of others have extended to me. You know who you are. THANK YOU.

17 th June 2011
In order to discover new possibiities in the outside world, we must first explore our internal world.
When we begin to work on something entirely raw and new, something unprecedented, we have to switch from a mode of familiarity and certainty to a place where risks, exploration, resistance to conformity, learning to learn are allowed to take over.
When I began as a painter, it started as a hobby, something I have always wanted but could not find time to do. Once I embarked on this journey, I realised I need to struggle with many conflicting thoughts and feelings; embraced and rejuvenated by many other emotions with refreshing ideas ALL AT THE SAME TIME!  It is both confusing and paradoxical. No wonder artists gave the impressions that they are either ‘weird’ or ‘crazy’. Through it I have learned how to face fears and uncertainties, employ new tactics, ideas to engage my imagination and creativity from within to overcome each obstacle. This period of incubation & illumination is a necessary phase to prepare each new painting. At the end of each artwork, I felt as though a battle has been won with birth of new ideas with wider & more relaxed understanding of human nature. This experiential process of generating is called creativity.

There is indeed transformative power behind any creativity initiative :
What we find inside us is more valuable than what we produce for the external world.
It is reconciliation of God and His creation.