Abundance

Andrew
Skype portrait
black marker on watercolour paper
10 x 12 inches
Barbara Muir © 2009
(My brother lives in a beautiful
location on the Gatineau River)

Thinking about Louise Hay last night lead me directly to
the concept of abundance she introduced into my life.
I've never met Louise Hay, although I'd really like to.
When my first son was a young boy, and I was about
to have my second child, she rocked my world with
that concept on her tapes and in her books. The idea
that we already have everything we need, moves us
out of the idea of want. That doesn't mean that life
will always be easy, far from it. It means that if you
need something, it will come to you.

Another writer recommended sitting down with
your journal and writing down a question. Then if
you sit for a minute the answer comes flying in. I
think that this works for art. Alyson Stanfield in her
Art Biz Blog is always reminding us to go back
to the studio. That's because she really does understand
the psyche of avoidance, which is the complete opposite of
abundance. But I say sit with that too. Write down,
"Universe, why am I avoiding my painting, that I
love so much?" And when the answer comes roaring
through your brain, down into your hand and onto
the page, you'll know. And then you'll start.

Louise Hay teaches us, as does Julia Cameron in The
Artist's Way, to recognize abundance when it's in
front of you. These spring days seem like an ode
to abundance. It's been cold here, very unusual
in June. But many of the spring flowers, which I love,
are more brilliant and lasting longer than last year.
The Irises, are just gorgeous -- a whole flood of purple
ones look to be about five feet tall, and beautify a corner
on a busy street near here, just by the bus stop. That
abundance is available to everyone who passes by
that garden.

Tonight's drawing is a Skype portrait of my brother,
Andrew. I started it the other day, and thought I'd
gone too far, but I just needed to spend more time on
it, and get it done. My brother is one of the people
I am incredibly grateful for. He has helped me so
much in my creative life.

Have a seeing-the-abundance-all-around-you day.