Halfway through my first day of high school, at the tender age of 14, frightened and overwhelmed by my own small feelings, I was ripped away from them when a slender hand slipped a note onto my desk during English class. I looked up to see a beautiful stranger attached to the hand. The note said, "I like your laugh."
From that day forward, the presence of Vivian George in my life continues to uplift and inspire me. Even when she is away, in my heart, she is my confidante, and I speak to her often. With the spirit of her presence in my life, when we are able to get together, as we have not lived in the same state for almost four decades, it is like we never left each others' side. We immediately pick up where we left off and each leave the encounter re-energized and inspired.
There is a mystery here about spiritual intimacy that cannot be denied. We have allowed it since our paths combined. Over the years, we cultivate it, appreciate it, marvel at it. There are times we include it in our life’s work. She makes an appearance in my first novel, Remember Me as the recipient of the main character's letters, acting as a mirror character. Her wedding gift to me, a painting, is now included on her website: viviangeorge.net
Someday, I hope to include myself in her Tuscany Workshop, but unfortunately, not this year. Here are the details for anyone interested. Believe me, you will be transformed:
The Inspiration of Art
A Painting Workshop In Tuscany with Vivian George MFA
Dates: May 21 - 31, 2011
Colorado artist Vivian George finds her inspiration in nature. "Nature has all the components that are in painting - rhythm, color and harmony. Individually and together plant forms show energy and light, texture and pattern, repetition and color; and when confined to the flat, square format, their geometry is revealed," she explains. In this workshop, Vivian works with each participant individually to find his or her vision. The colors of the late afternoon sun on the olive grove, the repeating patterns of a hillside vineyard or the symmetry of a narrow drive bordered by native cypress . . . each person's view is different and leads to a unique interpretation.
Artwork by Vivian George. Many thanks.
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