Do you believe in Subliminal Messages?

"Queen of Diamonds" mixed media on 20x20 canvas

During the 60s and 70s, people looked for “conspiracy theories” and evil in almost everything: text books, novels, advertisements, political innuendo and subtleties. Truth was becoming nebulous and personal; "What is true for one person may not be true for others."

Personal superstitions contributed to this fever and a growing disbelief in absolutes. Well, guess what? They’re still doing it today and in much the same way. I viewed an analysis of an automobile commercial that was supposedly pumping out subliminal messages big time. There was talk about the devil, global governance, and how we were all being dragged into the abyss because we're a captive “couch potato” society.

I don’t know whether their conclusions are true, false, or absolutely ridiculous, but I will try to watch and listen more carefully to what I see, read, and how I become involved if only to be aware of the influences that surround me each day.

   

(I received ideas from these "Harlequin photos/prints above)

I admit, I grew up in a protected environment. For the most part, my upbringing included these admonitions: “Look for the good in all people; Accept people the way they are, and Don’t be judgmental.”

This advice has served me well even though, in the beginning, it made me somewhat naive and trusting. I learned the hard way that there is evil in the world, and that there are people out there who would take advantage of you to satisfy their own needs.

It's good to be aware of this fact, but not to the point of disabling your ability to enjoy people and to experience trust and love in a close circle of friends. Sometimes that means walking a precarious line between doubt and clarity. Experience provides the added ability to “trust your gut (intuition)” and to live without fear.

Some people search for truth in convoluted and confusing ways. They trust in authors and writers they may not know anything about. Instead of going to people they trust and asking for advice, they put their life in the hands of complete strangers.

("My Granddaughter served as my model)

Instead of looking back at what has happened in the past, they struggle to interpret what is going on today. I will say this about those who believe in God and in the truth of the Holy Bible: they seem to be more anchored. They allow absolute truth to guide their decisions.

If that isn’t you, please share with us here what “anchors” your life and makes you feel secure and confident in your decisions. It would be great if advertisers, authors and artists would share how you feel about the power of subliminal messages. Do they work?

Above all, make your life count for something. A life with “meaning” is filled with joy, peace, and accomplishment. How you achieve this becomes your own personal journey of discovery.

("Loved these eyes!  Decided to add them to my painting)

America doesn’t need Major Surgery; She needs Forgiveness to Heal her Wounds

(Here's my main model, my granddaughter)

I’ve decided that it’s very hard to think creatively when you don’t feel well or you’re in pain. Some may say that getting your imaginative juices off your own problems and onto something fun makes them better. But if you’re miserable, it’s not going to cut it for long.

The good thing is I’m starting “one week after surgery” on Monday, and it can only get better from here. People tried to make me feel better before surgery by saying it was going to be a “snap” and comparing it to the old way of incise, cut and mend. I suppose their right. But arthroscopic surgery is still surgery. Once my body gets the message that it’s so much better this way, maybe my bowels and my stomach will come along for the ride.

(I'm going to change direction of her eyes, make them lavendar and purple)

I had an arthroscopic rotator cuff repair a few years ago, but I’ve yet to forget the weeks and months of physical therapy it took to get me back to normal. Sure the incisions cover less ground so the healing is quicker, but the reason for surgery, repairing a tear or removing an organ still takes a lot of internal healing and re-directing before things get back to normal.

I’m still trying to function creatively in the mean time. I had a request from my granddaughter who is a working girl, an actress, and a creative person in her own right. She wants to use her favorite color purple in various shades to enhance a living room dominated by grays, whites and black.

(I may use black or purple stripes on her costume?)

Using a portrait of her with a Harlequin theme seemed like the winning combination. I haven’t had any feedback from her at this point in time, so I’m winging it until I do. I’m also continuing to work on my India family portrait which was interrupted by my surgery.

A lot has happened in the news of late, one of them being the removal of the South’s Confederate flag. Living in Florida has somehow immunized me against what the flag stands for to some people. For me as an artist, it was a colorful statement of the South’s unique heritage.

I worry that this decision will have a domino effect on everything else that reminds us of something we don’t like. Will statues of the Founding Fathers be tampered with because they once owned slaves?

Sometimes history is a good reminder of what we stand for and of who fought beside us. Black soldiers fought side by side with Yankees in the Civil War and with other American’s in the Revolutionary War. African Americans have also risen to great heights in every other war we’ve conducted.

(Love black 'n white checks -- a checkerboard?)

Arguments should represent not just one side in a debate, but both sides.  Before we start changing history, let us remember what Dylan Thomas penned long ago to his father who was going blind: “Do not go gentle into that dark night” lest we “throw out the baby with the bath water,” or cut America’s nose off to spite her face.”

(Lower quadrant of drawing --- my shadow on canvas)

Top upper quadrant of drawing. Working Title:  "Queen of Diamonds"