AVM Hawkins exploring New Orleans art galleries.
“The inspiration to be an artist is not merely to survive on one’s art, but to live the life of an artist — to live a life fueled by inspiration and to seek it in all things. To express freely, across all mediums and creative forms.”
Inspiration can be found in a cup of coffee or in a child’s eyes. It lives in the embrace of a loved one or the experience of live music. Art is everywhere — it lives in everything. The key is to be open to find inspiration and the willingness to receive it. An artist, merely codifies it into physical form.
To be an artist is not only to create, but to live life fully.
Pursuing the things that bring joy, enthusiasm and inspiration, while also expressing love, kindness and compassion for one another fuels art.
Living life fully, experiencing all emotions, good and bad, and deciding to channel these emotions into something creative and productive transmutes energy, however dark or difficult into something pure, truthful and beautiful. It provides us the opportunity to share it communally with one another, exposing our vulnerabilities to realize we are not alone, but are one.
Memoirs are writings and photographs by AVM Hawkins that fuel her creative endeavors.
“ My vision of living a life of an artist is fueled by living in a state of seeing constant inspiration, with a preparedness to express that inspired thought or idea on paper, or in some physical form.
When I see this vision in my mind’s eye, I feel euphoric. I want to jump to my feet and find a journal, a fantastic pen, and live that scene in real time. Reenact being an “artist” in real life.
I am like a child again. I am my original self again. My mind open with wonder and imagination. My body pulsating and radiating pure joy.
I don’t question my desire. I don’t question my feelings. I don’t question my thoughts or my actions. I instantly exude and embody the energy of a creative person, not because I want to prove anything to anyone, nor requiring permission or validation from my peers, but only because it brings my heart joy.
This is what I seek everyday. This is inspiration.
’Memoirs’ is a blog where I seek inspiration and document my reflections as I live and create.”
For me, this is what I’m seeking with writing this blog, and also, what I’m seeking everyday as an artist—when I’m in or outside the studio. Being an artist and pursuing as many moments as possible creating art, is really all about seeking to live as many moments as I did in Spain. Carefree, for the most part. Grateful, with a silent, present mind. Perfectly at peace to be in solitude yet open to experiences.
Read MoreMy husband and I share a an upcoming wedding anniversary in August, where we tied the knot in my home town, New Orleans. I couldn’t help but reflect upon a deeply favorited work I created last month: a commissioned umbrella for a New Orleans wedding, which of course, concluded with a celebratory second line of the wedding party and guests, with the new bride and groom leading the way.
Being from New Orleans, I know how special this commission was. This umbrella was not only going to be a work of art that would be experienced and enjoyed in real life, in real time, but also serve as an incredible relic to remind the viewer of how much fun, love and joy they experienced that special day.
Read MoreYou never know where inspiration may come from.
Through this particular edition, I’ve found a quote I particularly liked, and a poem (that was etched into a home) that was very fitting for me and deeply inspirational.
I share them below.
Read MoreThe ability to add texture to a painting, conveys the sense of time through the many layers that cultivate the piece. To add implies growth, but to take away aspects of this texture expresses weathering through hardships, developing strength testified through the visible scars on the canvas.
Read MoreMy work is evolving. Changing and transforming. And becoming more confident, expressive, and unapologetic.
Less cute.
Less trying to conform.
Less, creating for an audience in mind.
I guess it’s partially because I no longer have the time or physical and emotional energy to be anything I am not anymore.
Read MoreThe beautiful thing about painting, is that the more layers, paint, and history a work has, the cooler it becomes.
There are no mistakes.
Each action leads to the next, building upon the other, until it is ready to emerge.
Read MoreBoth paintings, completely different, were inspired by the same commission.
Their pathways become clear as I paint, and pursue further.
I love the wide brush strokes of Unified, and how their colors have a clear separation, an own identity to them, yet compliment each other so well.
Read MoreSeeing Levanter, was like, visiting with my older self. Yet, through this painting, it seems like, my older self, had a message for me.
I walked closer to my work, and read the words that I’ve written in the painting. And found them to be the reminder I needed:
Read MoreThere is definitely a transformation going on. And I am here for all of it.
Transformation is always first, an inside job.
It usually takes a long time before the fruits of one’s labor to become seen.
But, nonetheless, the transformation is happening.
Stay strong.
Keep going.
Read MoreEach moment, we are creating memories, that we will remember and forever cherish.
Memories that form us into who we will become in the future.
Memories that we will call upon during times of sadness or stress.
Read MoreIt is a gift to wake up before everyone and enjoy this quiet time with the invisible web of peace and love that surrounds me. In these moments, I feel calm and safe.
Read MoreLike everything in life, there are phases and seasons. Nothing is forever.
Change is ever constant. Life is always moving forward.
One of the best advice, I’ve received as a mother, is to enjoy each moment and each phase because the time goes by so fast.
Well, now, Harry is getting bigger, taller, and transforming into his own person. And now I get to spend this time in the studio, thankfully, with him.
Read MoreMark laid out a blanket, and opened up a lunchbox he packed for us, consisting of animal crackers, salmon, bagels and brie, with ice cold water.
It was a quiet moment. We did not talk much. But the silence was peaceful and natural.
We just took in the warm, breeze, and the combination of the tranquility of nature and the hustle sounds of downtown Houston.
Read MoreLive music, during the lunch hour.
The crowd silent, all eyes, energy and attention present.
What does music do for you? What is it about a composed song?
This moment, with everyone transfixed and in tune, with this shared experience…all of our souls connect, reminded of our true nature, that stems beyond this world of tribalism and survival.
Moments like this, reminds us, of why we are alive.
Read MoreI made a post recently, about how being joyful and having gratitude can at times feel counterintuitive, especially during times of sorrow.
But hearing this bird begin its morning routine greeting the sun with a gift— a sweet gift for all who were near could enjoy. It made me question my own attitude for this new day.
Read MoreEvery now and then, Harry strays away from his coloring books to contribute important crayon and scented marker contributions on my abstract works in progresses. Many of these contributions are graciously welcomed in the studio, while I try to ensure safety of the works that I desire to preserve.
Read MoreI’ve always been an admirer of street art.
I love seeing walls that contain years of decay, and the several layers of shredded poster art, deteriorated over time from the natural elements of the environment , the weather and with the adding and subtracting of new media.
Read MoreThe feeling of “it’s done,” isn’t always so clear.
When I am unsure, I have learned to stop, and allow the work to sit—often times in the background.
My unconscious mind, is still contemplating the piece, considering which move, if any is next.
Read MoreThere is something calming about these two works…and also cold.
I’ve had more some people comment to me that these two works look like “ice caves.”
And ironically, there is something very peaceful about ice and snow, and solitary about an ice cave; but it’s also not for the faint of heart.
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