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.”
We talked about how I began my creative career as an artist, my creative process, how it corresponds to the theme of the show, Artificial Intelligence, and what it means to be sentient human beings. Then we opened the floor to questions from the audience.It was a beautiful, intimate experience that reminded me of how deeply grateful I am to have pursued art—because it opened the door for me to have genuine and deep connections with extraordinary people.
Read MoreThe canvas is the recipient of this moving energy, absorbing my emotions, and codifying my thoughts in physical form.
What results from this process is always a genuine surprise to me.
I must admit my unknowing.
Painting is very similar to life.
Yes, I am in control, but not in complete control of everything.
Read MoreI just want to take this week as an opportunity to share the Closing Reception of Sentience: Presence as a Way of Seeing, Being & Creating.
Closing Reception~Sentience: Presence as a Way of Seeing, Being & Creating Thursday November 5th, 2026; Mid Main Lofts 3550 Main St. Houston, TX 77002. 6pm - 10pm
Read MoreLast weekend was busy, busy-filled with lots of love, reassurance, encouragement, knowledge and inspiration. This blog briefly recaps last weekend and anticipated excitement for this weekend’s Bayou City Arts Festival.
Read MoreMotherhood has deepened my love for creating—bringing me back to how much I love the feeling of being—just being with art, and following where my senses take me.
I realize more and more, being an artist, is about being a human being.
Being open to the world around me, and being ready and willing to take it in…
Being aware of what thoughts, ideas, memories, images and emotions that arise within my body and psyche, and then, act on that feeling—through (ideally) an inspired, creative, or loving action—one that could be shared.
I hope to share, Sentience: Presence as a Way of Seeing, Being, Creating with you Thursday October 1st.
Read MoreI’m excited to announce that I have a solo show coming up, at Mid Main Gallery: Sentience: Presence as a Way of Seeing, Being & Creating.
This exhibition, features 20 new abstract paintings, and 3 sculptural, deconstructed paintings, that aim to induce the experience of Sentience—an extreme awareness of one’s inner thoughts, feelings, and sensations through the experience of abstract art.
Read MoreThere’s a finality that comes with the approach of an upcoming show…
One where an artist realizes that there’s no more art to make, no more final touches or additions to contribute to the works…
It’s time to stop.
Read MoreThere’s a lot going on.
It’s been wonderful.
I’ve hit the ground running, and am so excited for what’s coming up next!
Unfortunately, this post will have to be a teaser.
But stay tuned. There’s lots happening for the Fall. :)
More to come soon.
The small details in each section, I get lost in. These nuances add up, and become revealed to the viewer, as they gain closer. There are always infinite possibilities of how a painting could emerge from a session. There are so many minute decisions to be made and pathways to explore. This is what makes painting so exciting for me.
Read More“I always work on multiple paintings at the same time. It’s a way I keep myself from overthinking and becoming too attached to every move I make. It’s a great way to loosen up, release energy, create new work, within a positive flow. I find if I work too “hard” on a piece, negative, overwhelming thoughts could sneak in, and take control…and ruin all the fun.Here are a few studio pictures from this week, where I’m adding layers to my journal and some works on paper. “
Read MoreThe studio is the place where I typically work on larger, expressionistic works of art.
These works contain several layers of paint and texture and are created over large a span of time.
Each layer is all-intensive.
I move on to the next work as a layer dries in the sun for a previous work.
Read MoreSometimes, an artist should step away from the work, before they allow negative emotions and states of mind to transfer into the work.
This could lead to the work changing, and becoming a new expression that represents that moment, opposed to the overall intention and path that work was charting.
But sometimes, an artist must paint, to process this inner emotion.
Read MoreI believe art is a necessity.
We need laughter, joy, color, ideas and inspiration in our everyday lives.
Sometimes, we need to be reminded that life is for the living, and it’s meant to be enjoyed.
Art, does more than just beautify a space. It has a thoughtful, intellectual as well as an emotional energetic impact on the viewer, that can last longer than physically being in the presence of the work.
Art triggers ideas, thoughts and attitudes that make one question their current reality…makes one question what is truly possible.
Read MoreIn the studio, I’ve been getting back to work on my more expressionistic paintings, that contains numerous layers of texture and mark-making.
I’ve deeply missed this type of work.
Read MoreThis week, I delivered a donated work for an upcoming gala, scheduled for September.
Twin: Maximal is an original painting consisting of acrylic, latex and oil pastel.
It is the second half of a two panel series: “Minimal and Maximal.”
I thought it would be nice to highlight, Maximal, for this week’s blog entry.
Read MorePrecious moments happen everywhere, all the time.
New discoveries, inspirations, like the music and these photos, happen sometimes from random occurrences and inconveniences.
The gift, is to live with eyes open, prepared and ready to experience something special.
Read MoreAfter two and half months, I thought it would be nice to revisit my Artist Journal to show updates on my art pages. Drawing in my journal allows me to create without any attachment to the outcome. I love flipping through the pages, and seeing the progress over time. Because of this joy, I thought it would nice to share some of the art I see as I flip.
Read MoreA few weeks ago, my family went to the unveiling of a new, 30 million dollar park, Hill at Sims, in Sunnyside 5th Ward Houston.
Read More“Hill at Sims, a new 100-acre regional park, is located on the site of a Harris County Flood Control stormwater detention basin along Sims Bayou and Scott Street in southern Harris County.
My dad came in town from New Orleans, and stayed for a few days. My dad’s list of things to do, included: dinner at Pappadeux’s, Frenchy’s Fried Chicken, a visit to Half-Priced Books and Barnes & Nobles.Whenever we are together, a trip to a book store has become our tradition. And Half-Priced Books has quickly become a favorited spot.
Read MoreI came across a quote from Rick that deeply resonated with me:
Art isn’t in the tools, material, equipment you use. It’s in the way you see the world.”
The past few years, I’ve shifted greatly into being more contemplative about art, and open to seeing art, inspiration, in the day-to-day to fuel my creative practice.
I’ve come to realize that the true gift is being an artist, not just the work that goes into it. But also, what one does, outside of the work.
Read More
