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.”
Live 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.
Read MoreWith a large scale work, there’s lots of space to explore, to expand, to try different things. But with a smaller work, one must have a vision; and in my case, one must take time to see what will come of the piece.
This time, may seem inefficient; but it’s so important. Time informs us. Time gives us unique and a broader perspective.
Ideally we grow wiser, possess clarity, and then confidence to pursue further.
Read MoreThis morning I was inspired to read a few pages from Norman Vincent Peale’s The Power of Positive Thinking.
I added this book again to my Audible daily reading list, and decided to pull out the book as well to read the physical copy along with it.
Read MoreEvery now and then I switch up my coffee game to this classic: Bustello dripped coffee, black; and 3 -4 teaspoons of brown sugar. My coffee is strong, yet sweet, where I can really take in the natural flavor of the coffee itself.
I tend to crave this version when I am feeling active, ready to be productive that day.
And today was no exception.
Read More“I hate wasting paint. Enter rusting ironwork that decorates our backyard fence. Time for a pop of color. :)
I decided to use some left over paint colors from working in the studio to touch up some faded yard decor. “
Read MoreOne of my favorite things, that make me so happy, although, requires lots of clean up… is my son establishing various "art installations” around the house.
Lately, my son pulls out all of our aluminum mixing bowls, of all sizes and arrange them in different patterns on the kitchen floor.
Read MoreWhen naming a piece, I wait until it's completed and give it a name that resonates with me for that particular work.
With my paintings, I sense their energy. Each have a distinct personality that I desire to absorb and incorporate into my psyche.
Read MoreWith this process, there will be brand new works in the very beginning stage of its development, then many in that awkward, early stage where it does not resemble anything of beauty or order. There will be works that are maturing, forming their own personality, providing my subconscious ideas of where that painting desires to go, and who that painting desires to become.
And then, sometimes if I am lucky, I receive the sense, that the painting is finished.
There is nothing left for me to do.
I just feel like it is, what it wants to be.
Read More“Not in a million years would I have imagined I’d be an artist, painting seriously. And I could have never imagined how special it would be to share that with my little one.
Last night was a full circle moment, a connection with a dear loved one, who has passed on; but is still with me, inside of me even, reminding me, I can do anything.”
Read More“(Almost) every morning, I make my favorite cup of coffee: Bustello with a caramel almond creamer, frapped, with brown sugar. My coffee is strong with just enough sweetness, like a cafe au lait from Cafe du Monde, but just without the chicory. I make me and my husband a cup. Some mornings I switch it up to make my coffee black with brown sugar, also, very delicious and perfect on the days when I’m really tired in the morning. “
Read More“Art is life. Art is literally all things small, often free, immensely beautiful things we actually take a moment to breathe in and experience fully with all of our senses.
It’s my goal to find at least one moment like this per day, to experience, enjoy, reflect and share.”
Read More“I often tend to create designs and contemporary paintings that are purely abstractions, without reference to form. But lately, I’ve been stepping outside of my comfort zone, taking my abstractions a step further—incorporating references, symbols and figures. Here, in “A Starry Night in Houston,” I embrace my free, improvised style used in my international series and added emblems that represent Houston’s connection to science, space and technology. I wanted to expound on my style to give the viewer clear symbols to identify in the work, as their eyes travel around and about the painting.”
Read MoreOshun is the ultimate deity. A mother. A woman. A Goddess. I loved going through the process of creating Oshun, reflecting upon her and myself. She is not much different than you or me. I hope that by gazing upon her, she reminds you of your inherent, born-given beauty, power and divinity. There is no action to take nor thing that must be done to receive this. It is you.
Read More“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.”
Read More“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.”
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