On my artist date today (a date with myself and art, outside my studio); I ran into an old acquaintance. It was a brief and lovely encounter. But what stood out to me, was when she asked me, “How are you?” I blurted out that I was in flux. When I saw her puzzled look, I quickly smiled to put her at ease, since the word “flux” sounds chaotic to some. Yet, it best describes where I am right now.
The word, Flux means “continuous change, instability; constant movement. I sometimes take the meanings of words from the dictionary and in order for it to have meaning and relevancy to my life, I add a spin on it. Flux is one of those words.
Why, because when I think of continuous change and being an adult, over 50, flux can be a scary word! The unknown is still scary to us of a certain age, because now when we come up against it when we feel vulnerable. Vulnerability means no defense mechanism and damn, that’s even scarier.
But I’m looking at this another way, flux as being vulnerable. Vulnerable is the beginning of being open to change, continuous change…flux. I am embracing flux, as a challenging, exciting adventure, for which in the middle of my life, I am so ready for!
Embrace your flux; you earned the right to be vulnerable, it may be leading you to a higher level of self awareness.
In peace.
P.S. Brene Brown at TED, looks at “vulnerability” and why it’s a great thing!
Susan Sorrell Hill said
Hi Indigene,
Yes, looking around my life, the life of many friends and family, and the world at large…I think "flux" is a very appropriate word, no matter how old we are (and I am "over 50" too)! Something is definitely afoot on the planet, and we are all being pushed and prodded to change in some way, or even many ways! Your lovely painting effectively captures the colorful drama of all of that…
Thanks for your appreciation of my "bee" painting! Having been an oil painter first and for years and years, rich color is essential to my idea of what makes a good painting, even when it's a watercolor. If you ever decide to try watercolor (I think you work in acrylic now??), the secret is "less water, and a consistency of a paint mix that is like olive oil" before you put it on the paper." I learned this at the great watercolor resource site, http://www.handprint.com
Best wishes,
Susan
Jessie said
loved the interview. Thanks for posting it. What is opening ourselves up to vulnerability if it's not creating and sharing our artwork? Each piece is a glimpse into the heart and soul of the artist. Your illustration is exactly that. A whirlpool of emotion with a peaceful core. Beautiful, well done.
Bella Sinclair said
Lots of energy in that brightly colored circle of hers. There is something magical being transformed in that state of flux! Reading your post, I'm reminded of crabs and how they must molt in order to grow. And during the molting season, they are so very vulnerable. But in the end, they will be bigger and stronger. Here's to embracing our flux!
yagmur said
you have so colorful vision