University of Tehran
While in Iran in October, I had the opportunity to share my work and participate in a demonstration with a group of second-year art students from the University of Tehran. It was a lovely day, with the sun out, and after meeting the students, I felt the enthusiasm and positive vibes emanating from their presence. They brought their own paintings from outdoor work they had done, and I randomly gave them some insight to use as tools that I believed would inspire them to continue in their version of the art world. There were about twenty students who joined me, along with their professor and his assistant. We wandered the grounds of the University, as I was looking for something that would strike my fancy to paint. Not surprisingly, since I always gravitate toward trees, there was a lone tree with a shimmering light that caught my attention. I wanted to demonstrate the relationship between warm and cool colors in creating a good color perspective, so this seemed like the perfect tree to use as an example. The crowd and I had a stimulating interaction during the demo in the late autumn morning. It was after the demo that I reflected on how decisive decision-making, in the stroke of the paintbrush, can lead to a painting that I am proud to show on my walls, and even more proud to share with others who will enjoy it. It also dawned on me how decisive and sound decision-making can also affect every aspect of one’s life. It is not who is lucky and who is not fortunate, but rather it is how one mindfully navigates the decisions we make on a daily basis. I am happy that I decided to spend my morning at the University with so many talented students.
