Several comets collided in my universe this weekend and the energy is creating something new! Yesterday was the beginning of the Advent season, a time in our Church of preparation and anticipation. These four weeks before Christmas have always been one of my favorite times of the year. Advent often, as it did today, coincides with a cold front--which means warm fires and hot chocolate--significant changes from the generally warm sunny days we have here in South Texas.
Another comet came in the guise of Dan Brown's latest book. In reading it, I have begun to renew my relationship with the world of symbols and mystery and out of it have begun a new body of work based on the idea of "portals"... doorways to something beyond. I wasn't sure what the "beyond" was until Advent brought me its gift. I have had a long-standing practice of adopting a different virtue during each week of Advent. I don't know when this practice started in my life, but I remember someone making the analogy of practicing virtues to the discipline of exercise. A muscle will not be strengthened without either using weights or resistance. Likewise, we don't become better persons without exercising our "virtue" muscles. So, during the season of Advent, I workout interiorily by practicing virtues.
I think the portals in my work lead into rooms where the virtues live. What would the space look like if Magnanimity, for example, lived here? What colors would she choose? What words does she speak, represented by pattern and texture? During this Advent, I am exploring new virtues, trying on new behavior and, hopefully, making new art! I invite you to join me on this Advent retreat. I would appreciate your thoughts on the virtues and your insights into what a virtue room might look like.
MAGNANIMITY
I've chosen this virtue for the first week because I have been feeling "stingy" in my life. Stingy feels "narrow" and limiting, petty and reactive. I've been gifted with a usually upbeat and open personality, so this Scrooge-like view of life is uncomfortable and depressing. When I think of a magnanimous person, images of some of the older women in my life come to mind. There is a graciousness about these women and an acceptance of the persons they meet that is its own nobility.
Artists are often gracious with one another, but stingy with themselves, squandering precious studio time to be at the beck and call of anyone and everyone. I know I do that. I have to answer every call and open every e-mail immediately, loosing my art-focus each time. We are a scrimper and saver lot. It's hard for us to use expensive paints and materials with abandon simply for the sake of discovery. It's even harder for us to be lavish with our celebrations of successes and generous with dreams of our own accomplishments. Instead, we downplay each sale with worry that it will be our last. We look in amazement at others who make the magazine covers with their work or have a sell-out show and wonder, "how did they do that?" But we don't spend time imagining ourselves in the same position and believing that it can happen...and so it never does.
I'm going to spend time this week being magnanamous in my work, gracious in my thinking and generous in my dealing with others. I'm going to try to catch any stingness that might creep back into my life and banish it with a huge, yellow swash of paint--the good paint!
How are you magnanamous with yourself and your work? Your thoughts are welcome.
