Levanter

Levanter, 2021, AVM Hawkins, Alchemy; In a private collection.

I recently visited a dear friend and collector’s home, where I was able to visit with one of my older paintings, Levanter, from my Alchemy series.

Alchemy was a series that was inspired by the book, “The Alchemist,” by Paulo Coelho.

Levanter, was a direct interpretation of the book, the most representative painting from the entire art series.

I love the book, The Alchemist, and revisit it often, for it contains little messages that resonate at the most important times in my life.

I had a moment to visit with the piece, by myself .

It’s always nice to see a work I’ve made, that I’ve haven’t seen in a while.

It’s like seeing an old friend you love dearly.

You are reminded of the past, recalling cherished experiences, all of them flashing before your mind’s eye rapidly. And then, simulaneously, you realize how much you’ve grown since the last time you saw them.

Seeing 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:

“A man or woman sets out on a journey, dreaming of a beautiful, magical place, in pursuit of an unknown treasure.

At the end of the journey, he or she realizes the treasure was with them the entire time. "

I’ve seen this piece many times before when visiting this friend’s home. Yet, this time, I drew nearer to it, spent a few minutes with the work, and these were the words that I rediscovered within it.

They were the exact words that I needed to receive that day, and to reflect upon this week.

Here are all the words contained within the work:

Levanter

Inner Guides,

A man or woman sets out on a journey, dreaming of a beautiful, magical place, in pursuit of an unknown treasure.

At the end of the journey, he or she realizes the treasure was with them the entire time.

Follow the omens.

Omens are the language of God.

Wishing you a wonderful day.

Always,

AVM