I am reading a book called, 'the Zahir' by Paulo Coelho who also wrote the Alchemist.  I am in love with both books.  In one passage of the Zahir, Coelho shares his experience of writing.  He talks of the struggle to get the right words out and the reworking of each book before it is shared with the public.  Coelho says that he just writes what wants to be written and what island in the ocean he will reach is not known when the journey begins.  "And it is a constant source of surprise to me to discover that other people were also in search of that very island and that they find it in my book. "  He talks about people telling others and the word spreading and through this, a solitary action of writing becomes a "bridge, a boat, a means by which souls can travel and communicate."

The next line is an important one.  He talks about when his work becomes actualized for him and I share this view about my paintings. "From then on, I am no longer the man lost in the storm: I find myself through my readers, i understand what I wrote when I see that others understand it too, but never before."  

When people come into my gallery and talk to me about my work or make a comment on this website, "...and then I understand that my soul is not alone."  We are all looking for a little soul connection - artist just seek (connection) out more often and with more ferocity.