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 about 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.

Back to the Introduction                                       Forward to the Drawings Portal – Swinging Statues

This drawing is about integration. At the time, we were trying to describe what harmony looked like as we tried to integrate ourselves and work more closely together. It’s the project of a lifetime, inching closer and closer, step by step. We used the architecture of Antoní Gaudí as a model. For us, he was a genius and beacon of creative integration who left countless clues along the Way.

 

This drawing is about integrity. We were focused on creating a partnered life built on a rock-solid foundation. As lofty and unreachable as that goal was at the time, it has kept us centered and determined to overcome our frailties no matter how slow the process. All we can really do is insure that we’re moving forward with integrity—to last a lifetime.

 

This drawing is about grief. Loss and recovery are companions for all of us. It’s unavoidable, ranging from an unthinkable tragedy to the sadness of having children grow up and move away from home. Here, we find ourselves in the silence of a once vibrant and active family home. The rooms feel empty and echo with memories of years gone by as we long for just one more moment together—one more conversation.

 

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. Hidden within simple rituals, we are bonding whether we realize it or not. In our busyness, it’ the children who have the wisdom and determination to stay close.

 

This drawing is about the importance of the physical places in our lives. There are specific environments that resonate with us, and perhaps we don’t even fully understand why. In any case, it’s as if we’re mysteriously drawn to sacred spaces where we thrive. For us, Tuscany seems to be written into our genetic code, pulling and moving us to fulfill our destiny.

 

This drawing is about sharing. It is all too easy to slip into a level of selfishness that closes the door on relationships, and sometimes even dead-bolting it securely. Curiously, Instead of locking others out, we have actually locked ourselves in. When we suddenly realize that relationship is everything, we remove the locks and throw the doors open to real 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 activate our freedom. We thought it was possible to just leave, only to continually find other fences and gates. Now we are learning how to create and appreciate our own boundaries, thrilling in the “walk atop the pickets”—loaded with more than enough creative expression and sense of freedom to last a lifetime.

 

This drawing is about self-realization. We struggle to gain enough distance and objectivity to see clearly. It’s an ongoing fluctuation of losing and gaining perspective. Most of our issues exist only in close proximity. When we zoom out, they tend to magically disappear. The good news is that the phenomenon of being too close is something we can control—within an instant if we get good enough at it, persistent issues clear.

 

This drawing is about grace. We have been shocked at how many times in a day grace is extended to us and we don’t even realize it’s even happening. Grace is one of those silent miracles that is the unseen essence of our lives together. It literally binds us to one another—the active ingredient that propels love forward. Truly amazing!

 

This drawing is about captivation. We have had our share of captivating moments that literally swept us into a different way of seeing. The incredible region of Barcelona, Spain, specifically the places graced by Architect Antoní Gaudí. We first became immersed in that magical world in 1972 and have been drawn to it ever since.

 

This drawing is about the power of simplicity. Our lives are by nature extremely complex with way too many moving parts. Simplicity may be the only way through without being consumed by the overwhelming details of it all. Let’s face it, simple is easy and complex is hard. Our days have been full of self-generated complexity as shown in the above image. Now, we are finally beginning to understand that the best plans really are the simple ones.

 

This drawing is about the nature of dreams. That word has been confusing for a very long time. Is my dream about an image held in my mind, refined and polished over and over? Is it related to achievement, acquisition or recognition? Could it be about secret coded messages revealed in night dreams? For us, we wrestled with each of those and landed on the notion that it was none of the above. Instead, “my dream” is uniquely inside each of us and we only need to uncover it rather than create it. The simple phrase “I am” started to resonate deeply.

 

This drawing is about being awake. There has never been a time in our adult partnered life that rivals that moment we decided to change course. You might say that through all of the joys and struggles we finally chose to invest in each other, realizing that together, we held the possibility of being so much more than we could ever be alone. We woke up. Then, the challenge was to not fall asleep again. Good luck with that!

Back to the Introduction                                       Forward to the Drawings Portal – Swinging Statues