I had read a poem by D. H. Lawrence called “Terra Incognita” and had the book on my nightstand for several years. I had always planned to make a dress related to this poem, but never got around to it. As I neared the finish of this
sequence of paintings, I became determined to include this poetic vision in the series. They were very difficult to capture as the shape and energy of the fuchsias seemed to want to dance off the page. After struggling with their form and becoming frustrated with my inability to really capture their essence I decided to “let them be”. What a novel idea for me. The painting never really felt “done” and I finally realized what a metaphor this is for life. There is color and beauty all around us and we tend to pay attention to the downside or lack of perfection rather than celebrating what is really already there.
The message: The mysteries of life are available to us if we reach beyond our own self-limiting paradigms and open ourselves up to what the Universe wants for us. The task is to be willing to surrender to what is really needed and celebrate the wisdom that is beyond our own.
