Sunday scribbles #11: First pictures framed and this weeks law of attraction.

It feels like almost every week there is something happening worth writing about. This is good, but it can make it hard to choose what I will write about now. Since I can't make a choice between two certain subjects I am going to try and write about both, whilst creating a coherent story. This last part is something I am startig to appreciate more and more when I read books, blogposts, or whatever kind of text. For almost half a year I have been writing only for myself. I bought a Moleskin notebook with one of the nicest covers inspired by Peter Pan. More on this in future Sunday scribbles, because Peter Pan is a subject I want to dedicate a whole post to. Once it's there, you'll understand why. When writing for myself I do zero effort to write with structure or create a coherent story. You should see my notes. Both structurally and visually it is as terrible as it is honest. For boosting creativity and calming your mind this works great, but for publishing not so much. With the visual part you can picture me writing on a bumpy bus ride in Mexico. Yes, I meant that quite literally. When writing these blogs however, I do try to put in some effort to make this as readable as possible, however that may be perceived. I find this a difficult thing to do, because I still want to share how I think, and when not keeping focus my mind does go off on tangents a lot.

Now to start the story off I can't not talk about my first two paintings framed. When I held my first vernissage at home, two of the attendees were my parents. I have to say that I am very fortunate that I have parents with whom I have a good relationship and I still often see. Please, if you do have this: don't take it for granted. In earlier Sunday scribbles I shared with you that I was surprised they bought two paintings. Something I didn't dare to expect, yet unconsciously expected, was that my mom wanted to frame both paintings. In the past, my younger brother made both paintings and sculptures in school, quite nice actually, and she also got those paintings framed. I think now almost everything on the walls are either paintings by him, by me, or pictures of my brothers and me. Pretty cool if you ask me. Now, she went to her frame maker, spent several hours there and chose two frames for her newly bouth pieces of art. Since they are custom maded, it did take some time for them to be ready, but this week the framed paintings finally arrived. And boy, what a sight it was. I am quite fond of framing paintings, because they add a certain vibe to them. This isn't always necessary, but it does give them an extra edge. Below this you'll find a picture. I really love the way they both worked out, but if I had to choose a favorite it would be the more artistic piece. Man, the thin red frame that company added to accustom with the subtle deep red color is so fucking cool!! Hats off to them.

The finished frame of the other painting is also really nice, but I am more in love with the position it got in the house. When making this one, I added a light gold color. Lately I have been using metal colors more and more, because the effect it gives is so amazing (and people tend to like those colors). In the picture below you see two photos of the painting. One is straight in front of the artwork, the other is taken more on the side. Since there is a window on the right-hand side, when the painting catches more direct sunlight than on the left-hand side, it literally starts to glow when you pass by. That is something I absolutely LOVE about these colors: it brings the painting alive in an extra sense of the word. A nice example of how your point of view literally changes the way you see or perceive something.

Now let's go a little deeper into this last phrase: "your point of view changes the way you see or perceive something". I strongly believe that when you do your best to envision the life you want, you can actually live the life you want. It all has to do with how you approach your situation. I have been reading books about self development for a long time, and something that has always been on top of my mind is the law of attraction. I am now finally reading the well-known book "The Secret" by Rhonda Byrne. Yes, there's also a movie about this one so if you have that in mind, you know what I'm talking about. The book is solely about the law of attraction and I've just read something I want to share as an example. When you keep complaining about stuff, often the things you don't want, you will attract those things. If you keep complaining about having no money, no inspiration, no motivation to do something, these thoughts will make it so that your situation will most likely get worse instead of better. In trying to change this, it is needed to think about having more money, more inspiration and more motivation. Envision it as if you have it already. I am not the best in explaining in full details how this works, but I strongly advise you to read this book, or any other book about the law of attraction. If you're lazy, just watch an hour youtube video or so. It will introduce you to the subject.

In making art I am following this principle in envisioning my life as how I want it to be. And I would be lying if I said this hasn't helped already. Examples are key, also for me when I read about more abstract stuff, so here's one for you. For some years I have been working as a host/model for an event model agency. Their motto is that they provide 'more than a face', meaning you are perceived as good looking, however you define that, and you have decent social skills which make attendees of events feel more than just welcome. Sometimes they work for galleries and I got the chance to work for an awesome gallery at the coast here in Belgium. The first time I worked there was october last year. Hopefully I can devote some Sunday scribbles to that day, but I am still waiting on approval. Since then, the right-hand of the gallery owner became a friend. I followed him on socials, and through his feed I came across the profile of a woman, an art collector who's into way more stuff than just art. Trying to describe this would maybe be an insult so I'm not going to do that (in the idea she would ever read this.. remember: dreaming and envisioning is allowed, please read about the law of attraction). Last month I worked at this gallery a second time, and this woman was there. A woman with a certain presence entered the gallery and I thought to myself: this has to be someone. You know this feeling when someone enters a place and you feel like he or she has to be someone, or mean something in your life? Well I had this feeling. I only recognized her the day after when I saw she was tagged in an instagram story. So we haven't spoken that day. Now, following her on instagram I saw she organized expositions in a church, renovated specifically to exhibit art. Really fucking cool. In being quite blunt, I texted her on instagram asking if I could put up some pieces of art during that specific exposition. I don't know if this is the way it works in the art world, but hey, if you never try you'll never know. I didn't want to message her through the right-hand of that gallery owned I know, because to be honest I really see this guy as a friend and I don't want to bring that in jeopardy by coming off as if I am putting on a mask for his contacts. We haven't known eachother for that long yet. Maybe I am overthinking this, but yeah, it is what it is. So back to the message. She kept me on read for several days, after which I still hoped she was just busy. And so came an answer, quite a nice answer though. Long story short: that specific exposition is full, but she wants to come over next month to see my work in real life. Pretty cool huh! Now communication to date isn't what I hoped it would be. It reminds me of my dating days as a teen where a girl left you on read for some time to play hard to get, what a time. Like it was back then, I am still thinking I will get something out of this, be it an exposition at that church, a contact, or new friends in this industry. Funny thing is that this week I had to work for that event model agency again. It was a wedding not too far from my place. Together with a colleague I was responsible for the parking lot and making sure no chaos occurred. In a stacked parking lot with only few places left, a car drove into the driveway and immediately I recognized who was in the passenger seat: that woman. This wedding had nothing to do with art or so, but she was there with her husband. Guiding them to their spot I couldn't resist myself but to introduce who I was. She hadn't seen me in person yet. We didn't have time for a conversation though, but it was really awesome to see her.

I do believe that thinking about stuff like this, envisioning what you want to happen, will guide you in the right direction. I don't mind that we didn't have a decent conversation. The fact that often in my life I have seen the law of attraction work, has been the greatest gift so far. I know this will help me in living the life I want, which I already feel I am doing right now. The same night I connected with someone else who is also into art, but that's going to be for another Sunday scribbles. For now I ask you to remember that the law of attraction exists, and that it is strongly advised to read something about it, or just watch the movie 'The secret'. I haven't yet, but for those who have yet to turn a page in a book, it can be a handy stepping stone.