From the Outside Looking In

This painting comes from a time of deep self-reflection. It represents the characteristic of self-awareness or, as I call it, from the outside looking in.  I needed to get a clearer view of what direction I wanted my life to go and who I was becoming. There was not necessarily turmoil or changes going on in the outer, physical world, but more of a feeling of unrest and discontent within myself that drew me inside to search for answers.  I needed to find calm in order to listen.  For me, water is calming and rainshowers cleansing.  As seen in the painting, it is as if the viewer is looking through a rain-soaked window.  This represents both calmness and cleansing as well as the blurriness I was trying to see through.

This painting is part of my collection and my book titled, “Exposed: The Naked Truth on Beauty.”  These paintings are representations of the inner characteristics that I believe truly beautiful women possess while also portraying the physical attributes of the female body.  Below is a poem that coincides with the painting.

Self- Awareness

I know who I am.

I know my capability and competence,

just like I know my limitations and weaknesses.

Therefore…

I know how to build on my strengths and improve my flaws.

I know my path and what I want my future to look like.

I know the obstacles I must overcome and the dreams I want to achieve.

Therefore…

my choices are more focused and my decisions supported by reason.

I know my passions and foundational values,

while remaining aware of held prejudices and unenlightened views.

Therefore…

I grow my character through education and openness to new perspectives.

I know Self-Awareness is not easily approachable.

She demands us to confront the good and bad in ourselves,

with requirements of deeper thought and time for self-reflection.

She does not allow us to dwell in the past by asking ourselves,

“Why am I the way I am?”

Her focus is to change our future.  We must instead ask,

“What kind of person am I?” and “What kind of person do I want to be?”

Before,

I understood that I am who I am, and You are who you are,

because that is the way we were born to be,

but now I know I have more control of where I will go

because I am more aware of what it takes to make me, ME.