West Meets East©

By Caroline Patrick

By Caroline Patrick

The Awakening

Recently I have had many email inquires about... THE... poppy picture I painted a few years ago which was featured in my Benicia, California store, CAROLINE’S ARTS AND FENG SHUI SHOPPE, located in the old historic Tannery Building. The painting was done quickly without much thought but became a conversation piece and symbol for “energy” in the building. The color red is a vibrant activation color used by the by many cultures to draw good Chi into their lives.

“Before the poppies,” came several hundred square feet of murals which Cynthia Giroux and I painted on the drab walls of the old building which was a landmark on the Carquinez Straits located near San Francisco. The owner at the time, Roger Steck, was the power behind the brushes that pushed us beyond our limits, to create a three-dimensional village of sorts which brought drew new customers into the building, which benefited the many retail shops under one roof.

We never knew what scene might appear next, as the subjects were born from the minds of those who leased their spaces. The original thoughts between Cynthia and myself were to imitate the outdoor water inlet, starting at Char’s Famous Hot Dog Stand creating a morning sunrise passing by the neighborhood pub, nail salon, beauty salon, Ti Chi and alterations (beautiful work). The hallway takes a turn at the painted bridge the unique “Cooper's Dollhouse” landmark store lives. Next comes Charlene’s Art For Children and Photo Studio at the end of the U and on the TURN is now Suzi’s “The Foggiest Idea” antiques and more.... and is a neighbor to “The Moonlight Herb Co.” and “Caroline's Arts and Feng Shui Shoppe,” which is now “Tiger Eyes.” Finishing up with a sunset that was planned at the coffee shop, which was originally Spud and Linda’s coffee and cigar store. Using the outdoor view as a “template” wildlife, ships and boats were decided upon. It was a huge project and took hundreds of hours. ........ Never say never, or God laughs when you make plans. Life changes daily and so did the scenery!

I arrived one morning to see beautiful painted cranes flying over our back waterfront studio we shared at the time. Inside the art-dance studio were arches and columns following the flow of the interior, which Cynthia had added during the night. They brought grace to the drab art and Ti Chi space. From then on it was a patchwork of creativity, which became a series of subjects. Each day revealed new surprises as the shopkeepers came to work! Vineyards, oceans, mountains, orchards, squirrels, Hansel and Gretel huts, bridges, color vortexes, Mt. Shasta, a mystical woman peeking around an ancient oak tree, and Chinese mystical mountains with bamboo were painted by me, while Cynthia formed billowing clouds and skies to compliment the scenery. “The Shoreline” restaurant at the front of the building commissioned Cynthia to do beautiful day and night murals with local cranes, water and lush green trees.

The building became a focal point for visitors, school children on field trips. Over 4000 visitors passed through the Tannery during the annual Benicia Town event. They marveled at the murals. My art students and any children walking through the building when I was painting, were encouraged to add their rendition of kitty cats, dogs and flowers to the walls and practice their techniques on the incomplete space outside my new shop and studio in the CAREER sector of the large building, at the front left Entry known as the Knowledge door to the structure. After class I would edit their efforts, but their energy was forever under the paintings and added to the unique togetherness of the old structure.

The recent email questions regarding the poppy picture which hung inside my shop titled “The Awakening” remind me of a couple of stories about the picture. The inquiry and comments were from a woman who purchased of a copy of this piece and how the image has influenced her Career and wondered how, when and where it was done. Here are a couple of stories about the poppy picture name “The Awakening,” a piece that activates Reputation and Career. The color red is also important for those who may need a jump-start in their Health, Career or Fame!

Story 1. The poppies have been a special piece and were in my gallery and Feng Shui Shoppe in California with a spotlight enhancing the picture. There are many stories about the energy of those poppies and the people who were drawn into the store by the red color. One man who only had a few weeks to live stopped to see it. His son whispered to me that his father always wanted to paint but never had the chance, as he had worked hard all his life to support the large family. I silently mixed puddles of watercolor as he talked. Next, I pulled out a sheet of paper and enticed the father to the side of the room where I taught classes, to watch me demonstrate a painting technique. When he got close enough, I placed the loaded brush in his hand and pushed down on the brush and his hand as I guided the stroke of a tulip on the paper.

I encouraged him to make a few more flowers while I continued to mix a greenish color on another brush. Globing (a professional word!) the green at the bottom of the page, I grabbed a straw and had him blow the paint upward toward the red tulips. The colors flowed together and voila – a picture emerged. I dried the painting with a hairdryer as the two men watched, matted the image and placed his masterpiece in a frame. The old gentleman walked out 15 minutes later with his art. Both men were crying.

The poppies brought them into the Shoppe!

Story 2. The poppy piece is called “The Awakening.” It was created quickly, and I never know what will happen, as I don’t plan the picture. I was asked to speak at a Napa Valley Home Show a few years ago, and they offered me radio interviews and a free booth for speaking on Feng Shui that weekend.

I needed a bright image to draw people to the Feng Shui booth. The show was huge, and I was lucky enough to be placed in a building instead of outdoors, as the heat was intense that weekend. The building was cool but dark. At the 11th hour my colleague couldn’t believe I had started a 36 x 48 canvas at about 3 p.m. the day before the show. She was packing Feng Shui items, little zodiac animals, crystals and golden Buddha’s, shaking her head in disbelief at my last-minute decision. “You have several other paintings that would work,” she pleaded. I painted into the evening disregarding her pleas. The image manifested itself while I held the brush almost if it had a mind of its own...... Magic, as many people told me, happened in that little Feng Shui Shoppe.

Used to my impulsive “art fits,” as Suzi called them, she closed the door behind her and went home. “The Awakening” was born within a few hours. I packed the piece on the top of the load in my car. The following morning, the poppies and I were driving toward Napa. The early sunrise was splendid and peeking over the famous vineyards as if blessing the day ahead.

Setting up the Feng Shui booth with my friend Suzi and her husband Dell, I placed the new painting in the “Fame” section of the space. Surrounding me as far as the eye could see were builders, garage doors, canopies, siding for homes and cute young guys pushing their construction products. Not the perfect environment for “balance and harmony,” but maybe the “guys” would attract attention.

The booth was packed for four full days. The backlit red poppies could be seen from the entryway. People would follow the Chi down the hall, not knowing why, but just the same, passing all of the other booths to locate and find the source of the energy........ Feng Shui was just then coming into vogue, and we were swamped with sales and booked consultations to last for many months.

There are many stories connected to this painting. The original is now for sale as I am ready to move forward, release the picture, open a new space and leave room for magic to manifest once again in my life.

Caroline Patrick, Feng Shui consultant/practitioner, teacher/speaker, Feng Shui artist and writer, lives in the San Juan Islands, off the coast of Washington. Her weekly newspaper article called WEST MEETS EAST is a popular Feng Shui advice column. She enjoys answering your questions, when possible. Some questions will be chosen for publication with the permission from the reader. Enjoy her new 5 Element attached-folding cards which can be used as a Feng Shui enhancement or correction in any space. Larger prints of several selected paintings are also available. For consultations, speaking/teaching engagements and art evaluations contact her at caroline@fengshuiartistry.com or visit her websites at www.fengshuiartistry.com and www.moongateschool.com.

Any suggestions given in this column are only for entertainment. Please contact your physician for any medical or herbal advice or diagnosis. Caroline Patrick is not responsible for any misuse of her advice or suggestions.