"Unified" - Art Donation & Highlight

Early this week, I delivered an original painting, “Unified” as a donation to the Barbara Bush Houston Literacy Foundation as an auction item for this year’s Gala.

I am very proud to donate this work to help raise funds for this cause.

I recently attended a book reading, where I learned how literacy is directly proportional to incarceration rates.

The ability to read and write, is something I don’t often think about… and unfortunately, is something I tend to take for granted.

Yet, literacy is vital for learning, personal growth and the expansion of a one’s belief in what can be possible.

Our ability to read and write is how we codify and transfer knowledge—and this ability is so very powerful and vital for our success as a species.

I was very happy to learn more about this foundation and the former First Lady’s passion and commitment to this cause.

Unified is a painting that was inspired by a commission.

I was commissioned to create a tranquil abstract painting containing muted tones of coral, white and browns.

No harsh colors.

No red.

But a soothing palette for the painting to be placed in the Collector’s bedroom.

To allow for a free flow of ideas and a wide horizon to experiment and explore, I painted on three different canvases keeping the commissioned criteria top of mind.

By working on multiple works at the same time, I was not blogged down with the magnitude of weighing each brushstroke.

I was free to do what I do best—paint.

Unified, process photo. Artist: AVM Hawkins.

My process is very unconscious.

I try not to think as much as possible when I paint.

I gravitate towards certain colors and materials naturally and allow myself to experiment and explore with each painting—following the flow, following my curiosity and seeing where the painting will lead me.

When over-thinking comes into play, it can be debilitating—creating too much pause, where doubts creep in and take hold.

I work best where there is little attachment to the outcome.

For this commission, I gave myself freedom to not overly focus on one work.

By working on multiple paintings at the same time, I gave myself freedom to trust myself and to not second guess each decision.

In the end, this approach allowed for the best and most appropriate work to emerge, step forward and make itself known, as the “one.”

The other two paintings “stepped back,” ready to be reengaged at a later date.

I continued on with the commission and then returned to Unified some time later, picking up from where I left off.

Unified, an original painting by AVM Hawkins. 2025.

There is a sense of wholeness—of peace and rest with this work.

The name was inspired by the combination of color blocking with a slight blending of these colors.

Each color way—pink, coral, brown, beige and ivory—have a distinct self, yet also meld together easily and organically.

Their identities still intact, yet all cohesive as one.

There is a holistic vibration with Unified, symbolizing alignment and a feeling of being enough—complete.

There’s a soothing nature to this work.

It is my hope that this painting induces the sense of safety that allows one to rest—to relax, and rejuvenate—instilling the means to become whole again, full with energy and vitality for the current moment, and each new day thereafter.