Butterfly Watercolor postcard series
When I was in my early 20s, my best friend in the world became a shadow of someone else. She copied the way the person spoke, dressed, acted to the point that everyone around us noticed it. Although imitation might be flattering to some, if you really care about someone, it really isn't. Imitation can be the annulation of one's light and uniqueness.
Butterfly Watercolor postcard series
That's how I saw my friend: this beautiful star that had no reason to hide behind someone else's light.
It is this mass production of style and beauty that scares me the most these days. From South Beach to Boca Raton, I see a sea of mass produced "beauty" with no uniqueness to them. Each attracted to the fake light of neon and dying upon contact, instead of following the guidance of the stars.
New landscape watercolor block
One CAN look for inspiration, trade techniques, find new mediums, and deeply admire the light and beauty of another, but one should never aim to imitate, because then the light emanated is nothing but fake neon.
“Never be bullied into silence. Never allow yourself to be made a victim. Accept no one's definition of your life, but define yourself.”
― Harvey Fierstein
38 comments:
Very sad when someone doesn't recognized their own beauty and uniqueness. I see this quite often...
Stunning watercolors and brilliant words!
your butterflies are lovely
i have also experienced this with a few friends in life
it is uncomfortable in a number of ways
i enjoyed considering your thoughts
Well said my friend!
BTW... Love the new butterflies! Do you sell your paintings?
As Paracelsus said: "Be not another if thou canst be thyself." Words to live by.
Your words of wisdom couldn't have been timelier Ana, thank you.
That happens so often to young people. But we all have to be authentic to be happy. Sweet hugs!
I'm so far out in left field, no one but me wants to be me. xo
I'm lovin' your watercolor butterflies! Yes, inspiration is one thing. Imitation is quite a sad other...
Marvelous butterflies you have painted Ana. Wonderful
Lovely greet
marja
(marjascreativity.blogspot.nl)
Yes, I've seen this happening more and more....it's sad but also quite distressing. Each and every one of us has our own unique light, that we should allow ourselves the freedom to beam out to the world. But this fear of not fitting in, not conforming, is what keeps so many people from truly expressing themselves and their own inner light and their own, unique creative intentions into creative expressions.
That quote by Harvey Fierstein is so powerful, so important, and resonates deeply with me. Thanks for sharing that, plus your own musings and your own inner light that shines through in your art and your beautiful butterflies.
Ana, your posts are always so insightful and beautifully written. Please remain the beautiful, unique butterfly that you are! ♥
You art is always so uplifting and magical..this piece is radiant and spiritual..visually stunning! I love what you wrote..powerful and so true! we each are so unique..and it is our uniqueness that is so special and magical..we should hold onto that and shine it out loud! Beautiful..deeply insightful thoughts..hugs..you are awesome..and such a beautiful soul !
Victoria
How beautifully put...yes, sometimes it takes people a long time to realize that their authentic selves are valuable and worthy. Your butterflies are so lovely!! I'm glad you liked my butterfly, too. :)
Beautiful words Ana... gorgeous art... let the light of each of us SHINE...
Jenny ♥
Great post, well said. Beautiful butterflies who truly are being just themselves. Have a wonderful week. Take care.
I so admire how deep you are, Ana. And how much of an individual you are. It takes courage to stand apart from the crowd and be true to yourself. I think a lot of people get lost in the crowd because they so desperately want to fit in. Society puts that pressure on us and it's difficult not to get caught up in that. But I believe it's well worth the effort to stand under your own light and shine.
so often i think of flowers...not one of them tries to be like another. from the moment the spark of life ignites them they strive to be completely themselves. perhaps that is why we are all smitten with flowers, they are true beauty!
lovely thoughtful post thank you dear.
love your butterflies I especially find the second one to be very pretty.
Susan
Ana, I love your art ! It is so beautiful and delicate. You are right, we can look for inspiration but we should not imitate others without adding something of our own, otherwise we would lose our uniqueness and not explore our own potential.
have a nice day !
It's a shame when people try to change or alter their personalities in such a way that they destroy the very thing that was making them totally unique. Love that quote!
Gorgeous butterflies and I love he quote. :)
Well said, beautiful post, shine on. xxx
your butterflies are stunning! i love the colors! it is too bad when someone slides into the shadows to follow...it is one thing to do something similar to someone else after being inspired, but, sad when it goes too far and they lose themselves.
Lovely art work ~ divine ~ (A Creative Harbor)
That happened to me, around 8 or so years ago. A dear friend started doing whatever I did, and it was so disturbing I went out of my way not to tell her what I was doing or thinking. I avoided seeing her, and the friendship went on a vacation for years... Slowly we began to talk and message again, and it was hard, but now we are good again. Friendship is just as complex as adults as it is for children and teens. I have to admit that it is very hard for me to make friends now, but that isn't because I am unfriendly, but extremely private.
And I love your butterflies too!
It is human nature to want to be part of the crowd. probably some evolutionary safety in crowds thing, but tthat woman sounds quite extreme. I'd say to the point of it being a mental health issue. Your butterflies are so active today!! And as beautiful as ever!
This is beautiful Ana and rings true. B
Just when I think your watercolors cannot possibly get any more beautiful - you surprise me with yet another that takes my breath away.
Women in particular seem to be vulnerable to mass hypnosis. The mindless need to become what we think society wants us to be. All carbon copies of Barbie dolls with just as much substance as Barbie has packed away in her empty, little plastic skull.
It is a pleasure to visit your blog as much as by the quality and pleasure.
Your art brings so much happiness to me this morning, thank you!
"To thine own self be true." Shakespeare
I used to say to my children every morning when they left for school, "Be true to yourself!" (And they still remember that!)It's so hard to do, especially these days, but I think it's essential---for so many reasons.
I'm loving those butterfly postcards! I had a sudden vision of all the butterflies flying off the cards and ascending together into the big blue sky. It was beautiful! :-)
Beautiful colours Ana :) "Define Yourself"...I love that!!
I used to be one who imitated another person. I admired the girl so much that I just wanted to be like her. I thought being like her would make people like me more. But well it didn't feel good eventually, because I know I can never be like her at all. I'm glad I am learning to accept myself the way I am, because there is no one else who can ever be like me. We are all special in our own unique ways.
Love this post, Anna. And beautiful butterfly art <3 :-)
the two blue beauties bring you a new follower ;)
Well stated. And a good thing for me to remember as I do a drawing challenge with some others. And it's not my strong suit!
Beautiful butterflies and very true words!
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