Stories while Spring painting

In the moment thoughts and connections while creating

As an ever-curious coach, artist, and connector, it has been fascinating creating in public. My most fascinating experiences have been through this process — interacting with others while doing art, music, performance, group sports and collaborations. It is immediate, anything can happen, and is something I am comfortable with and passionate about. In coaching, much of the clients’ experience is process focused — a discovery through emotions, patterns, perspectives. As a life coach with a yoga and mindfulness background, being in the moment with clients and moving them from the present, forward, is powerful in them living a more fulfilling life.

Excited to begin my adventure, I took my paints, a big canvas, water and snacks and jumped in the car and began driving. My intention was to stop when inspired and create a Spring painting. I wondered; would others join me in this process?

My first stop was on Riley's Lock Rd., one entrance point to the C&O canal. I parked my car across from a beautiful forsythia bush in front of me. Taking my canvas out of the car, I saw a woman quickly walking down a long driveway from her house at the top of the hill. She asked me what I was doing. “Painting Spring, I said.” She told me that my car was on

her property. Apologizing, I moved it, as she walked back up the long driveway. I wondered if

the forsythia were on her property, and decided to take my chances, adding strokes of brown

and yellow to my canvas.

My next stop was at a scenic overlook on my way to Frederick, Maryland. Looking out,

I saw big pods, dried flowers, twirling vines, all mixed together. I couldn’t decide if there had

been a fire that swept through the area, as a grey ash color covered everything. It looked

surreal and beautiful. I began gathering the giant pods, dried flowers and took the vines, tying

them around the stems, creating an in the moment dried flower arrangement.

Next stop, Harpers Ferry. I spotted a beautiful cherry tree and parked right across from it.

Pulling my paints out, I began to add twists and turns of the branches to the canvas and then threw paint, trying to capture the energy of the light pink blossoms.

The next day, Kensington, Maryland. Inspired by a tall, unusual, shaped cherry blossom tree

with winding and twisting branches, almost like dancers, moving in different directions. A woman strolled by stopping to say that she was glad I was painting in this spot. I asked if she would like to add anything. She preferred watching and told me that when her children were young there was a tree just like the cherry tree, hanging over their porch. She and her children would have dinner outside, and blooms fell like snow, covering them as they ate. She smiled sweetly as she shared her story with me. Asking about her children, she told me they were grown now. Beautiful memories, she said.

A woman walked by with a baby carriage. I asked her if she wanted to add something to the painting.

She smiled and said she didn’t want to mess it up. I assured her it was fine- she could just add a touch of paint using a color she liked. I didn’t convince her. And I completely understand her hesitation. It got me thinking about how when clients want to create change in their lives, it is a process. And how taking steps to do new things support creating bigger life changes.