The Light of Being is Visible.

An oil painting from my early 20s, earliest impressions, and some random advice.

Halo Cafe, Oil paint on board, Size: 8 x 9.5 inches
I made this painting in my early 20s. It was inspired by my delight in what oil paint could do and my experience of internal illumination. This tiny jewel of a piece came through as I was breaking out of a shell. You probably know the feeling. Our early 20s are an intense time of rebellion, change, and personal growth. Individuation is required. Painting made the process outwardly elegant for me. Here, the light of being is shining through from an interior dimension.

Generated from within, this light used to be visible to all. And truthfully, it still is. It lives within everyone, though seemingly hidden. I think Hidden in Plain Sight is a good description. Historically speaking, when the frequency of humanity fell below our ability to acknowledge the light, it became invisible. Then, separation increasingly divided us from ourselves and each other. The light is something to be aware of. Challenge yourself to look for it because it's everywhere, even in the darkest places.

Tip: We all know when the light is not there but also when it is. Whatever your dominant sensing method, you get it. The quality of frequency gets registered in your body. And judgment is not the path that leads the way. Paying attention to and answering to the light is. Choices can become so much less encumbered this way.

Artists love to work with the light. We seek it out, playing with it as color and form. We have many ways of playing with light.

Muse News, October Notes

From the earliest stages of my life, even before I could talk, I identified myself as an artist. I was mesmerized when my parents made marks on paper or even applied paint to a wall. Marveling, my tiny hands were not yet as coordinated. I wanted to do that too.

My senses were brand new to me, and I was curious. The same was likely true of you.

The colors, textures, and scents in our garden impressed me. Velvety rose petals, shiny tulips, the textures beneath my feet, it all had my attention. I noticed how sunlight lit everything up. Playing was simple, without rules or instructions. There was a soft freedom in it.

At three years old, direct experience was my teacher and those meaningful moments carried forward into my artistic career. Those early experiences were well anchored by enjoyment.

My first paintbox

I started out as an oil painter. Pre-teen, I received basic instructions and wood boards that became my first grown-up artworks. My mother's paint box held the magic tubes of color, the brushes, and the mediums I needed. My father supplied the wood. Believe me when I tell you, I had no idea what I was doing. But that was not a problem for me, probably because no one made it a problem.

My parents were busy, and I took their lead. I was busy too. Playfully serious in my artistic endeavors, I made several paintings that eventually hung on my bedroom wall.

Now, many years later, I still love oil painting. But these days I use watercolor much more frequently because of the toxicity associated with oils.

Random tips for visual artists

Choosing and handling materials is very much about understanding their physical characteristics and limitations. Just enough knowledge and instruction can help get things off the ground. Practice helps draw us to the practical knowledge we need. This may take the form of a teacher, samples, an instrument, a book, a mentor, a flash of inspiration, and usually all of the above, and more. Take time with what you’re doing and allow things to develop. Being an artist is not an instantaneous path to satisfaction. Be patient with yourself. The rewards are worth working for. Savor the process and you’ll learn in meaningful ways.

I always advise experimentation. Learn how to use your art supplies so you know what they will and won’t do. Follow basic rules like oil and water don’t (usually) mix. If you do break the rules, don’t do it by mistake. When shopping, avoid falling for marketing, the new great thing. High-quality materials are often more expensive, time-tested, and have less flashy packaging. Brushes are a big topic. The quality of sable brushes is not what it once was, yet they are still quite expensive. This is mostly an environmental issue but there are also good alternatives now. You can find recommendations for watercolor brushes in my online store. If you have questions, message me.

Look for the light. The veil is thin. Happy Halloween.

— Leslie

Exquisite Paintings on the Nature of Flowers is a body of work based on a sophisticated visual analysis of Nature's frequencies = LOVE. My long-standing body of work, ongoing and now in phase two, began in the early 1990s and is the culmination of a lifetime quest—a sacred journey into the heart of Nature, beauty, and healing the myth of separation.

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