“The Enter Series is the first set of paintings created after the birth of my son. The first set of paintings created as a mother.

No one could have prepared me for how much, I would change.

In my personal life and in my art, I am rediscovering myself and learning about who I am now.”

“I kept having this reoccurring thought, “it’s impossible to be stressed here.” There was this instant connection and closeness to nature, but not just any kind of nature. Paradise.”

“I’ve come a long way. And somehow could not see what I now see right before my eyes in this photograph: An Artist. A beautiful woman, inside and out, who was in her element, and had the potential to be so much more than what she initially thought was possible.”

“One cannot plan these discoveries.

One can only be blessed through the grace and frugality of the gods. To increase one’s odds for success, a mere human can only explore, attempt and fail as much as possible.

Luck personified.

International, the series, was born.”

“I am constantly questioning whether I am on the right path, and whether I am making good decisions to grow and improve as a professional artist. I am always trying to learn from my peers, fine tune my approach so that I can grow and become a better professional. Many times, I place way too much emphasis and focus upon what my peers are doing, and then miss out on doing what I do best— being me.”

“Luckily perfection is not the goal, but being together is the achievement. The memories made, the moments together, the love that sustains, is what’s its all about.”

Its always interesting to look back on my journey and see how far I’ve come and how much I’ve grown. Looking back, also helps with motivation to keep pressing forward, even through life changes and life challenges. I’ve come too far and have achieved so much to turn back.

I felt like a ghost in my studio. Aware of the nostalgia of my first time there, but knowing I no longer relate to the older version of myself. 𝗕𝗼𝗹𝗱 & 𝗕𝗲𝗮𝘂𝘁𝗶𝗳𝘂𝗹 represents my growth as a woman + artist. It encompasses the silent confidence in my inner being, I once did not have, but now, cannot proceed without. It represents the wisdom that comes with experience + the courageous pursuit of one’s joy. ⁣

“Upon pursuing art as my career, the word “𝘈𝘭𝘸𝘢𝘺𝘴” has been my tag line. It is how I close my emails + handwritten letters. I find it to be such a powerful word. “𝘈𝘭𝘸𝘢𝘺𝘴” represents eternity; an element or essence of being everlasting + ever present, constant + consistent. 𝗔𝗹𝘄𝗮𝘆𝘀 is what I strive to give, exude, and live in my daily life.“⁣

I was recently asked this question,” How has having your child changed or enhanced the way you look at making art?”I have been reflecting a lot on how I have changed since being a mom, especially as an artist. I was so grateful of the opportunity to really reflect and give a thoughtful answer.

Here is what I wrote:

Prosperity is a word that everyone would love to replicate within their own lives. Usually associated with money, prosperity and the color green I think are best connected to the sensation of abundance and infinite serenity found in nature, found in pondering the grandiose essence of each leaf in a tree or each blade of grass in an endless field. The ability to slow down from our fast-paced lives to enjoy the beauty of our world, and to soften the rancor of our loud minds, to just sit and be in awe is prosperity. ⁣

With “Born Free” I distinctly remember the feeling of painting for three full days back to back, and not having any idea of where the painting was going. Although I have experienced these feelings many times in the past when painting, that unnerving feeling of not being in control reemerged. Fear that I am a fraud. Worried if the art I’ve created in the past were mere moments of luck. Fear of not being in control. The unease of not achieving what I want at the exact time and way I want it. Like always, eventually, I had no choice but to surrender to the flow of what the painting was always destined to be.

Sanctuary provides a place of sanctuary for my mind—a safe place to mentally escape the busy, noisy world of my thoughts, routines, and action item list, guiding me gently into a tranquil mental + spiritual state. Art has the power to affect us emotionally, transform the energy of the room and also the energy of a person. It is my hope that Sanctuary provides a safe haven for those seeking an internal rejuvenation + recovery, before seizing the opportunity of a new day.

“Enter” represents an inflection point in my life and in my art, signifying a newfound inspiration and approach. Validation is now internally measured based on personal satisfaction and purpose, opposed to critical review. Art created for an audience of one, opposed to the audience of all.

Found.

A large scale painting, created outside on my workstation while pregnant with my son.

Each painting is like a photograph. It captures a snapshot in time. When I look at a piece, I rarely see the work; I see a memory of who and where I was at the time of creation. I remember the why I was there. I remember what I was doing. I sometimes remember what I was feeling during that time.

“It is a full-circle moment like this, where I remind myself, I am actually doing what I thought + said I was going to do. I am actually living in real time, what I once dreamed of. Life can be so distracting + challenging at times, where I can easily forget how I am living my actual dream, now.” - AVM Hawkins

⁣Although cold, sometimes even with freezing temperatures, this winter season is an opportunity to clear our minds, free ourselves from limiting thoughts + ideas, and shed the things that no longer serve us— where we can step forward into a whole new being. ⁣⁣

Being a new mom has deeply inspired so many ideas in my head + pent up creative energy in my body, just waiting to be released. I am so very excited in whom I am becoming, and stepping forward into being.” - AVM Hawkins