Full Throttle ~ let’s ride

Yep, that's me. On top of a hill and ready to ride!

                                                                              

Currently I am working on a painting that has taken me on quite a ride. It keeps changing ‘itself’ and now I am stuck. Regardless, I can’t seem to get away from the idea of movement. Keep going. Keep moving. Keep living. Go. Go. Go.

From about the age of eight, we went to the sand dunes 3-4 times a year. Riding atv’s (quads) and sandrails were included in most of our vacations. We would camp out in the sand, hang out with friends, enjoy huge campfires, and most of all go on ‘rides’.

Before I continue, please allow me to define ‘hill’ for the novice, in regards to the sand dunes. An average hill is a 30-50 foot high mountain of sand. So, imagine a three to five story building. I hope this imagery aids in my story.

It can be very easy to get stuck when you ride in the sand, especially when riding up a steep hill. Here’s the key….when in doubt, go full throttle! I can clearly remember my dad yelling, “Don’t stop! Give it more gas!”  If you stop or slow down too much then your tires get bogged down and buried in the sand. And let me tell you, that is the worst thing, having to dig yourself out of the sand. It is the most awkward balancing act, not to mention sometimes dangerous. I can’t tell you how many times a bike has rolled over a body part or two trying to dig myself out.

Now, there’s another part to that formula. As you are approaching the top of the hill barely turn your wheel to the left or the right so you are able to arrive at the top at an angle. Why? Well, first, this keeps you from flying over the top. Second, once you reach your zenith you are able to see what you have accomplished. And third, you are able to accurately scan the horizon and decide which hill you want to conquer next. And so the cycle continues…

Such is with life. Life is full of ‘hills’. Up and down we go. Sometimes we get stuck going up and sometimes we get hurt flying over the top.

Where ever you are in your ‘ride’ right now, don’t stop. Keep going. Keep moving. Keep living. Go. Go. Go.

On my descent...

I made it! Now on to the next hill...and the next...and the next...

Shazam!

Let There Be Light
3ft. x 4ft.

                                              

Shazam! It adds a sound effect to the movement of light. You can feel the speed of light waking up the darkness, it is so fast everything is a blur, your skin is rippling, you are unrecognizable, air is being forced down your mouth but you can’t breath. You are moving at the speed of light.

I had no idea what Shazam meant or where it came from so I looked it up. Check this out. A superhero that possesses the following traits:

Wisdom of Solomon.

Strength of Hercules.

Stamina of Atlas.

Power of    Zeus.

Courage of Achilles.

Speed of    Mercury.

This next painting is about a big idea. A grand idea, like a supernova ricocheting within your cranium. An idea that is overflowing with wisdom, strength, stamina, power, courage and speed, that is one serious idea. That’s the kind of awe-inspiring idea I’m talking about.

My original vision was more explosive looking, with many light points being emitted from one source. But I couldn’t shake the thought of  a “piercing idea”. Rather, I couldn’t shake the “piercing feeling”. An impression that penetrates your being. Something that has captured you and a thought you are unable to release. So I created one spoke of light being ejected from a source that is immeasurable.  

Light is constantly moving, it never stops, nor should we.  A worthy idea is similar. It is conceived, and then evolves, it is ongoing.

We are all superheroes in the sense that we are all gifted. Our gifts are accompanied with ideas. Allow your ideas to have a Shazam foundation and you will excel. What are your ideas? I am confident that you have some great ones. After all, you are the light of the world. It's time to let your light shine.