West Meets East©

By Caroline Patrick

The Eyes Have It

Eyes have always fascinated me. I loved to look at them and couldn’t understand why some people in my family had brown eyes while others had blue. It was a self-made mystery, as I didn’t think to ask why, but I’m sure I wouldn’t have gotten as straight answer, if you get my drift. But recording these things on paper was an obsession and being prepared was a must. Whether it was a short stubby pencil from my Mother’s special dress-up church purse, or a colored crayon lodged into a pocket, I had something to draw with. Anything was my subject. From trees and birds outside the church’s open door on a hot summer’s day, to a forced pose of a chased, tired pet, I practiced recording nature to the fullest. Time stood still and breathing wasn’t necessary when drawing.

This first thing I drew on a bird, dog, cat or people were the eyes. If the eyes didn’t look right, I began again, sometimes lightly spitting on the paper, trying to make corrections, as Mother’s short stubby purse pencils had no erasers. I tried not to make mistakes, because wetting the paper usually spoiled the picture! Don’t ask me why her pencils had no erasers. I have no idea – and my Sunday school dresses had no pockets for my pencils. Paper was rationed at Sunday services, because Mama’s pretty purses were smaller than her weekday handbags. (Maybe that’s why I hoard art supplies as an adult).

I drew Jesus standing on clouds, looking very happy with nice eyes; in fact, I did a Jesus series, which I was very proud of, as the eyes were very bright and special. Mother liked these pictures a lot and said, “Oh Caroline, you made God look so real.” I was very puzzled by her statement and replied back in an annoyed whisper, “That’s not God, that’s Jesus,” I corrected. She only smiled and said we would talk later. Mother never wanted to get too deep into explanations.

My next masterpieces were of Roy Rogers and his horse Trigger. The eyes of the cowboy and his horse were full of excitement and always the color of blue, the opposite of my brown eyes. Most nights I prayed they would turn blue by morning, just like my father’s; but of course, it didn’t happen. Racing stagecoaches, pulled by herds of horses, followed my Jesus series. It wasn’t till much later an art teacher took hold of my wondering visions and brought me into “the classroom.” It was now time to back up, take a reality check, and learn shapes and how they fit together, the color wheel, proper tools of the trade such as grades of paper, canvas and paint.

Art continues to be a large part of my life. I now know eyes have many parts and pieces and, when painted properly, can bring magic to a painting. They also are associated with the Fame or Recognition area of the Bagua. Look to the far back middle of your home’s floor plan to find this section. Fire is the Element. If anyone living in the house has eye problems, make sure the windows, doors or walls are all in good repair in this part of the home. Also check the middle backyard for more clues, such as broken tree limbs, a falling-down shed, a hot tub which doesn’t work, or other things in disrepair. These “eye sores” can cause eye problems.

Caroline lives in the Northwest Region of the US, called The Puget Sound in Washington State. She is a Feng Shui Practitioner, writer, author and artist. She gives workshops in Feng Shui, Elements of Art, private mentoring for serious students, lectures and writes for newspapers. She combines teaching and traveling to other locations, here and abroad. Her 2007 schedule includes workshop and classes in the Northwest, Southwest, Midwest and Alaska. She is available speaking, teaching and consultations.

Please consult your physician for physical problems as this article only gives ideas and suggestions. Caroline is not responsible for anyone using these suggestions as information in treating the body, home, business, land and or properties.

Caroline Patrick Caroline's Feng Shui Concepts Mt. Vernon, WA 360-424-1501

caroline@fengshuiartistry.com www.fengshuiartistry.com www.moongateschool.com