Guided
Trust your heart to guide you
Do you remember a time in which you weren't sure exactly what you should do next? Maybe those around you were sure what your next steps should be, but you were experiencing uncertainty?
That felt like my experience while working on "Guided." I was so unsure of what to do next, if I prioritizing correctly, if I could be successful, and if it was the direction that I was meant for and WANTED. I felt a bit directionless and considered naming the series "guided without direction."
As I worked through this feeling and tasked myself on my art, I realized that in times of uncertainty my heart always seems to know where to go. If I quiet enough to listen, it will tell me. I wonder if you've experienced this as well?
Guided #1, 2021
"We are all just walking each other home" - Ram Dass
This quote is a favorite shared often by one of my long time mentors and a quote that I keep close by. If you haven't heard it before you might wonder what it means. If you think of life as a journey home, the people in our lives are walking with us along our journey home. It's a beautiful way to think about life and our interactions with each other.
Many times when we are walking with others, we ask them for their input on what path we should take. They are happy to help us, wanting what's best for us and deeply caring for us. But looking at others too often to learn what the right thing for you to do, can lead to a rocky path. While they walk with us, they can't walk for us and aren't able to hear what's in our hearts. A big lesson that I've learned in my life.
Guided #2, 2021
When everyone thinks of dahlias, they think of big, colorful blooms in a multitude of shapes and sizes. Little poms, larger than life dinnerplate dahlias, and all the ones between. Oh a whim I chose to photograph a bud, which ended up being a fitting subject matter for this series. Buds represent growth during our journey. Nutrients pour into the bud creating beautiful petals and the sunlight pulls it up toward the sky, unfurling it to the amazement of all who are lucky enough to see it. When we think about growth and transformation, we are thinking about our budding and unfurling.
While the dahlia isn't long lasting, we are continuously going through periods of budding and blooming all along our path home. May you keep walking your path, my friend. Even if you're not sure where you are headed. Let yourself be "Guided" by your heart.
With much love,
Erica
Guided #3, 2021
Collect
This title piece, Guided #1, is available for purchase as limited edition metal prints and fine art prints in the gallery store.
The title piece “Guided” is available in the wearable art store.
Flower Dahlia
Source Kindred Flower Farm, Washington, PA