Embracing the Contrast
The Art of living joyfully through diversity
“Harper” by Heather Hanson
The mental dialogue
A peek into my thinking - a portion of my internal conversation each morning while working in corporate:
standing in the closet
“What will impress, but at the same time help me not stand out? Be subtle, yet striking? I love the red, but I better go with the black. That's what everyone will be wearing; it's totally safe.” ugh.
Sitting before the makeup mirror
“I wish I didn't have to do this each day! It's expensive, it takes so long, and feels like a total waste of time. But if I walked into the office without makeup - oh the horror!” for real?
While drying my hair
“I wonder if there’s a way to shorten this routine! What haircut is trending that would allow me less time with this dryer? Something that blends in, but is still me. Hmm…. “ wowza.
Imagine all of this before 7:00 AM? Exhausting! yes, indeed it was.
fitting in - learning to eschew our differences
“The Grace of Beginning” by Heather Hanson
From birth, we’re taught that being different is a bad thing. That “others” - those over there who appear “not like us” - are the ones to stay away from. We even have categories and names for them: loser can be any member of an opposing sports team, sinner for someone from another religion, enemy for the members of another political party, illegals for those daring to cross a border and other names I won’t go into to describe any other race, sexual orientation, gender…this list is endless.
Honestly, how many ways can we define “others” and double down on the fear - thus ensuring we do everything in our power to comply with societal norms?
It begins with what seems innocent enough
I remember in school arranging with my friends what we were going to wear the next day. I recall wanting to wear a skirt, but knew if I showed up as the only girl in a dress I would totally stand out and be laughed at.
Fast forward into adulthood: you would hope this stops, but the fear is just getting started. It becomes more subtle (or not?!), as we are all adults now and “fitting in” conversations become the undertone of all interactions (ever been in a meeting where you were afraid to voice a different opinion? Or ask a question for fear of being “different” - forbidden!).
“The miracle of art lies in its ability to reflect the diversity and contrast that exists in our world in a way that people can interact with. It’s a subversive, beautiful companion in the drive to light the world with love. ”
The silent understanding: colors are out (black is always safest), styles are whatever works in the corporate environment (suits for the professional, khakis and those horrid golf shirts for the casual), and asking any “dumb” question in any meeting (that we are all also wondering by the way) paints you as the different one who doesn’t “get it.”
And these are all the “innocent” examples.
Walk through a bookstore, scroll through your emails, and don’t even get me started on social media! - and you’re hit in the face with all of the guidance on how to fit in: makeup that blurs your wrinkles and ensures you stay looking forever young; 10 ways to reduce your waist size after 50 and fit back into the perfect size 8 (when do we get to stop?); sexy clothes that will attract your next passionate romp-mate (really?); family dinners sure to please even the pickiest of eaters (I’m so past that - check please!).
All guidance on how to not shake up your world, society, cultural “norms.” How to keep everyone comfortable by embracing your sameness - homogeneous looks, conformable actions, analogous speech - the list goes on and on and on. What to wear, what to eat, where to shop, where to go on holiday.
And even more insidious: what kind of life to lead, what career to have, what "should" bring you joy, who to love, how to pray.
the miracle of art
The miracle of art lies in its ability to reflect the diversity and contrast that exists in our world in a way that people can interact with. It’s a subversive, beautiful companion in the drive to light the world with love. It mirrors the variety of life and the array of human experiences with a stroke of a brush, a splash of color, or a unique design.
“A Promise of Opening” by Heather Hanson
When I reclaimed my Truth, that I am an Artist, that I am one-of-a-kind, that I am the only Margaret Heather Hanson who will ever exist, I was able to go full bore on embracing my quirks, my penchant for saying hello to the butterflies, my love of bright color and Star Trek.
In essence: I learned to wholeheartedly accept my contrast with the world, allowing the miracle of my individuality to unfold, creating a joyful life and wondrous art.
Let’s break it down, and you will see how what attracts you to a piece of art - the use of divergence in design, value and color - is what pulls you in, makes you gasp with wonder, shed tears of joy, and breathe a sigh of relief that you are truly, fully seen.
I submit that the art is reflecting back to you the answer you’ve been searching for: that your very own unique beautiful True Self is begging to be let out, and if you set them free to skip and play, you will be living a life even more powerful than the artwork you so admire and love.
“Your very own unique, beautiful True Self is begging to be let out, and if you set them free to skip and play, you will be living a life even more powerful than the artwork you so admire and love.”
inviting contrast in design
Design, the arrangement of visual elements within an artwork, is a powerful tool. Different design choices can evoke various emotions and create unique visual experiences. The angular shape might evoke feelings of tension or excitement, while a fluid line might suggest tranquility or grace. Embracing diverse design styles and techniques fosters creativity and innovation, just as embracing your own unique tastes and preferences nurtures a varied life filled with possibility, joy, and play.
“The Goddess Brigid: Grit” by Heather Hanson
I remember a moment when, after struggling with hair, I decided to abandon having it resemble anything in life and tried something completely different. I picked up an old credit card, dipped it into an outrageous color, and dragged it from top to bottom directly over my attempt at curls. The result was a breakthrough, and the contrast in design left me thrilled - I loved the effect! This experience in turn made me braver in future paintings, and gave me courage to take more risks out in the world (yes a miracle - who knew creating was so powerful?)
When I listen to my quiet inner voice - the one that tells me to add a curve here, put a smaller shape there - it's the same voice that whispers go ahead, dance in the aisle of the grocery to that really great hit by KC and the Sunshine band - and who cares if anyone sees? (who builds the Ingles playlist on Tunnel road? It's genius!). I must confess that I do look around before I twist my hips, but maybe someday I will stop looking?
Celebrating diversity in Value
In the realm of art, value refers to the lightness or darkness of colors within an artwork. Contrasting values create depth, dimension, and visual interest in a piece. This visual diversity can symbolize the diverse perspectives and experiences we encounter in life.
“For the Sake of Beauty” by Heather Hanson
When I was going through my Spiritual Direction training program, I learned to face the shadow aspects of my inner world. To befriend them, to fold them into myself, hug them, forgive them, and release the negative story around them. To know that they were keeping me safe at the time they were needed. That the "Challenger" in me, (I lead with enneagram 8) was necessary at the time, and now it was ok for her to put down her dukes.
I remember during one meditation, seeing my challenger standing there in my mind's eye. A little girl, dressed as Wonder Woman, with boxing gloves on. Hands on hips ready to take on the world, and anyone who might hurt me. I told her it was ok to rest, hugged her and welcomed her into my heart.
The values in our lives - the dark and the light - reflect a life well lived. The same is true in the art principle of Value, and it is actually the principle I embrace the most, as it adds depth, dimension and intrigue to my work. It is a testament to the beauty that can emerge when we welcome different aspects of self and others into our lives.
“When I listen to my quiet inner voice - the one that tells me to add a curve here, put a smaller shape there - it’s the same voice that whispers go ahead, dance in the aisle of the grocery to that really great hit by KC and the Sunshine band - and who cares if anyone sees? ”
Embracing boldness through Color
Color is one of the most powerful tools for conveying emotions and setting moods in art. Using a wide range of colors allows for greater expression and representation of diverse narratives. Embracing differences in color can mirror our acceptance of cultural diversity and individual uniqueness.
When I create, I allow the color to set the intention of the painting, knowing that whatever palette I choose will drive the feeling and emotion that the viewer will experience. As my intention with each piece of art is to provide healing energy, the palettes can vary and are critical, and over the past few years have definitely reflected my own inner journey.
“Hear Me Roar Before the Silence” by Heather Hanson
Last year for example, I did a tremendous amount of deep soul excavation, exploring my unconscious patterns, identifying and releasing my limiting beliefs, and the palette I worked with was very dark - purples, greens, blues but each to the point where they were nearly black. I also used reds, oranges, yellows in stark contrast to the darkness to reflect the light that was burning through me. It was a study in highly contrasting color, very dark, and very light, and the low key was something I could not shake no matter what I put on my palette! So instead of fighting, I simply allowed the colors to play out, and the result was a series I titled "Unbecoming" and will forever reflect what I needed at that time: excavation of darkness that must be brought to the light, released and ultimately forgiven.
The resulting artwork was transformative, its meaning and impact enriched by the intention of the color palette and the stage of the journey I was experiencing while painting..
“Express your own unique beauty at each moment. Know that authenticity isn’t a ‘trend” or a “next thing to do” but what we were born to do. To be.”
Welcoming Differences in Life
Being open to diverse perspectives and experiences enriches our personal growth and comprehension, and once I did this work for myself, a deep well of appreciation, generosity, patience and love became available to me.
“Here I Stand” by Heather Hanson
My experience of life manifested in a way I could not have predicted, the shift in perspective immense. As I walked out in the world, I looked at the people around me and thought wow, we are all here on this journey! We are all here struggling to figure out who we are in this world.
And oh, the clarity! Knowing that each person sets their own course, has their own journey, and that the life adventure is theirs to define. It’s never for me or anyone else to dictate (and that includes our children!).
Allowing for diversity, embracing the contrast, in life and art, has led me to a place free of stress, anxiety and loneliness, and opened a world of forgiveness, play and joy, abundance and wonder.
The invitation
“I Will Not Play Tug o’ War” by Heather Hanson
I invite you to embrace your differences. Your contrast in the world. Unlock your potential and allow for the possibility that anything can happen. Express your own unique beauty at each moment. Know that authenticity isn’t a ‘trend” or a “next thing to do” but what we were born to do. To be.
Get curious. Dance in the aisles. Ride the grocery cart down to your car (but watch for parked vehicles!). Skip down the street. Giggle with a snort (this is when I know I am really tickled).
Give your wrinkles free reign on your beautiful face. Eat a bit of cake on your birthday and buy a bigger pair of pants if you need to (sweatpants anyone?).
“What would you wear, eat, say, or do if you listened to that small still voice inside, and let your unique, glorious Self out to play?”
You will feel the liberation coursing through your body, and nobody can make you stop.
Art demonstrated this to me in a miraculous way, and I know that the more I listen to myself, the more I allow my truth to flow out on the canvas, the more beauty I will create in this world.
Because creating beautiful works of art becomes a natural outcome when we embrace diversity and contrast in the creative process called LIFE.
So I leave you with this question:
What would you wear, eat, say, or do if you listened to that small still voice inside, and let your unique, glorious Self out to play?
Sharing with you in light and so much love,
Heather
