The following original drawings were created for the Musical Stories which were published as our first collection in 2003 under the title of “Never Sleep.” We’ve included a brief description of  what each drawing means to us related to that part of our journey. Just one glance and the memories come flooding back. Simply click on the drawing to go directly to the original story and lyrics along with other related links.

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This drawing is about integration. It’s a graphic depiction of our harmony, our efforts to integrate ourselves and work more closely together. We used the architecture of Antoní Gaudí as a model. For us, he was a genius and beacon of creative integration, blending his artistic expressions with his philosophies to celebrate his faith through architecture.

 

This drawing is about integrity. We were focused on creating a partnered life built on a rock-solid foundation. That goal has kept us centered and determined to overcome our frailties no matter how slow the process. Intention creates the path for moving forward.

 

This drawing is about grief. Loss and recovery are companions for all of us. They’re unavoidable, This sketch shows a sad child, peering through a window, looking for consolation. At the opposite end of the spectrum is the lonely parent of adult children, seeking that same comfort and consolation. In the silence of a once-vibrant and active family home, rooms feel empty and echo with memories when one of us leaves.

 

This drawing is about quality time with loved ones. In this nighttime drama between a father and young daughter, we see the importance of being together even if only sharing adjacent quiet time and place. Hidden within simple rituals, bonds are forged.

 

This drawing is about the importance of the physical places in our lives. There are specific environments that resonate with us. We can be mysteriously drawn to places where we thrive. These are sacred outposts. For us, Tuscany tugs at us, invites us to feel something ineffable, magical.

 

This drawing is about sharing. Turning inward , being selfish closes the door on relationships. For added security, we might even dead-bolt the access. But rather than locking others out, we discover that we’ve actually locked ourselves in. When we realize that relationship is everything, we remove the locks and throw the doors open to possibility.

 

This drawing is about freedom and balance. For us, freedom can only exist in the presence of choices and so there are always boundaries—fences and gates are necessary to define our freedom. Beyond a fence, there’s always another perimeter, another boundary, another fence. When we accept that notion, it can be extremely liberating.

 

This drawing is about self-realization. We struggle to gain enough distance and objectivity to see clearly—losing and gaining perspective. Most issues exist due to immediacy, too much involvement. When we zoom out to see the broader picture, issues may magically disappear.

 

This drawing is about grace. We’ve been shocked at how many times in a day grace is extended to us, without our realization. Grace is a silent miracle, a forgiveness, a subtle shift that offers us a tiny reprieve or an opportunity for closeness.

 

This drawing is about captivation. Barcelona, Spain has drawn pilgrims and art lovers for decades. The magical and surreal architecture of Antoní Gaudí invites immersion into a visual delight that captivates the imagination.

 

This drawing is about the power of simplicity. Modern lives are extremely complex with many moving parts. Simplicity is the counterbalance. Our days were filled with self-generated complications. Once we realized that complexity was self-made and a choice, we learned that simplicity is too. We picked simple.

 

This drawing is about the nature of dreams. Is my dream about an image held in my mind? Is it about achievement, acquisition or recognition? What about sleeping dreams?  Perhaps “my dream” is uniquely held inside. Maybe it’s my true purpose, waiting to be uncovered or created. Or maybe, it’s as simple as just being. “I am.”

 

This drawing is about being awake and aware. Once we decided to change course from what we had always done in our normal lives, we “woke up.” We decided to invest in each other, to create a different kind of togetherness. The possibility of a new partnership meant more potential. We imagined that our combined energy could be more than it had been individually.

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