48"W x 53"H, mixed media, illustration board, grommets, wire on canvas, patina edges

ART INSPIRATION // 
Control. It can bring us comfort but it man, can it get us in trouble when we seek it in all aspects of life. When things are uncertain, outcomes unclear and courses of action unknown, it can be disconcerting. Letting go - the opposite of control - can be an extremely difficult path to follow. It can easily be mistaken as giving up, which cannot be further from the truth. In letting go, we remain open to all possibilities, and actually reduce our level of stress. Every day we are presented with situations in which we can choose to either grip more tightly in an attempt to influence outcomes, or have faith that things will unfold as they should. Esther and Jerry Hicks coin this philosophy as pointing our boat "downstream" - a beautiful analogy to describe what it feels like. Would you rather be fighting against the current or gliding effortlessly downstream? It's easy to say yes to the latter, but we've all had those moments where we want so desperately for something to happen, that we go out of our way to orchestrate and ensure our desired outcome to the point of exhaustion. Let go of the oars! In consciously making "downstream" choices, I am realizing that most of the time, control sets us up for disappointment, stress or frustration. All we need to know is what we want, but it's not up to us to control the "how" of getting there.

SYMBOLISM //
"Pointed Downstream" features layers and layers of rectangular shapes, each representing a singular decision. As the choices transition down the canvas and build momentum over time, they flow effortlessly downstream into a life of synchronicity and ease.

RECOMMENDED RESOURCES //
- Esther Hicks, Jerry Hicks
- Cathy Heller Podcast, Nov 11, 2021: