Telescopic painting is a painting technique I caught myself doing the other day. To paint telescopically means that instead of watching the paint brush, your eye is watching the part of the painting where you wanted your brush to go.

I was painting the horizon line on my Star Struck Mermaid and instead of watching myself paint the line; I was watching the line an inch or so ahead of my brush.

As often happens while painting, I realized that this technique could also come in handy when living life in general.

Painting telescopically is not a natural way to paint though it can be easily learned. I imagine the same can be said for “living telescopically”.

A telescope is a device through which things far away are brought closer to us so we can see them better.

To live telescopically is to live with your desired future outcome in mind. Almost as if it were already true today.

Many people have wishes, dreams, and/or goals in mind for their “future self”. Having a dream or a goal is a great first step.

The next step, the telescoping step, is to live as if your dream or goal has already arrived.

Our goals and dreams become reality not because the future is changing, but because WE are changing. We are growing into the person who lives the dream or goal. Another way of saying this is that we become a “perfect fit” for our goal.

Depending upon your current mindset, this is either a giant leap or simply a slight shift in your perspective.

Regardless, play around with this thought to see how it feels.

What if it were possible to live your life telescopically with your mind’s eye trained on your desired outcome instead of on the way things are right now?

What if it is possible that by changing your perspective you can change your world?

Living Telescopically is not something that you “should” do. It is merely an optional way to look at life, one that my Star Struck Mermaid has been teaching me while I paint.

You might wonder what a mermaid could possibly lament, but if, like many women, you enjoy a new pair of shoes, this painting is self-explanatory.

The Mermaid's Lament celebrates whimsy, light-hearted fun, and perhaps a moment of sadness or regret ... one we can live with.

While we all have something in life we could "grouse about", why would we? Complaining rarely changes our situation for the better, and often makes us feel worse.

Instead, let's decide to look for the best life has to offer, no matter what our circumstances seem to be. 

Appearances can be deceiving. Artist and illustrator Rene Magritte once said, "Everything we see hides another thing."

What would this mermaid be without her tail but another woman with red high heels?

We don't really need another one of those, do we?

Let's all celebrate our own circumstances, no matter what they may be.

Last week I posted a heliconia painting in my eZine and asked readers to help me out with a title; more on the title next week. For now, I would like to share some memories from one of my students, Charlie Young. Charlie has been taking my watercolor class at Kaimuki for three semesters and has been making great strides in his technique and use of color. Go Charlie! Here is the painting and the thoughts he shared:

"Your floral painting triggered memories of when I was a kid running around the mountains here. I remember the bright flowers and plants among the tall trees, and hanging vines surrounding my many hikes with the guys on our "secret" trails; and swimming bare ass in the many cold streams in Nu`uanu and Manoa valleys.  

My mother was always afraid I would fall off trees or drown, so she always reminded me not to climb those tall trees for unreachable mangoes or swim in those dangerous streams. Whenever she asked, I told her “no” never did. Years later, my daughter told me that me mother laughingly always knew I did all those things with my pals because my hair would still be damp and my clothes muddy and soiled.

Before taking your watercolor classes and others. I ways intrigued with the thoughts of the artist behind their works.  I always wondered what their minds were processing as they painted, hour after hour.

For me, in the short time I have started in this field of art, painting and ceramics, I find my structured thoughts and rationale coming to a standstill, having almost no thoughts at times, and finding some kind of “feelings” coming into play; at times intermingled with some kind of vague memories about childhood. It’s almost primordial in a sense, many times triggering faint memories of my 2nd grade classes when the kind teacher put aprons on us, gave us paint brushes and paint, and patiently watched us children slosh paint all over the place, on the floor, walls, etc.

So far, that's what I am getting when I paint. I feel like a kid again.

Thanks for your guidance in this area."

You are MOST Welcome Charlie!!! Thank YOU for sharing your memories of times gone by.

In honor of my latest Pineapple Painting, "Growing Sunshine", here is my easy recipe meant to start your day with sunshine. You can see this painting in the Fresh Paint Florals Portfolio. Soon it will be on display at the Hawai'i Watercolor Society's 45th Annual Members' Exhibit.

Growing Sunshine Muffins

1/2 C Oil (I used olive oil, but you can use another light oil)   

4 Eggs 

1 20 oz. Can Crushed Pineapple in Juice, Drained  

1 1/2 C WW Flour (Unbleached or White Flour Optional Substitute)

3/4 C Sugar  

1 tsp. Baking Powder

1/2 tsp. Baking Soda

1/2 to 1 C Chopped Nuts 

1/2 to 1 C shredded Coconut (sweetened or unsweetened) 

Combine the first three ingredients in one bowl and combine the remaining dry ingredients in a second, larger bowl. Add the wet ingredients to the dry, and mix until the dry ingredients are just moist (do not over mix). Fill muffin cups 3/4 full and bake at 350 degrees for about 20 min. Check them in 15 minutes and again in five minutes to ensure they don't over bake. Cool on a rack before eating.