The Power of “What If” in Art and Life
Art has a way of finding us in the most unexpected places.
Sometimes we feel far from ourselves or disconnected from nature. And then, out of nowhere, art appears.
Imagine that:
On a simple Saturday walk, down the same street you’ve always known, you notice one tree in bloom. You pull the branch and inhale all of its aromas.
And in that bloom, you find the answer to questions you’ve been carrying, maybe for a day, a month, or even a year.
In a flash, a daring thought crosses your mind. A new “what if” begins to whisper.
What if I start painting again?
What if I draw, or write, or create? Whatever stirs my heart?
And suddenly, that single bloom, as fleeting as it may be, begins planting new ideas in your mind.
Ideas of joy and expression. Ideas that lift you out of the ordinary. Ideas of colours and shapes, of the sea’s scent, or the breeze gently touching your skin, and how you might capture them all in an image.
It all begins in the mind. Then, as the old Chinese saying goes: from head, to heart, to hand, to paper.
The ideas knock louder and louder until you can’t help but pick up the first tool you find and start expressing yourself.
Not for likes, not for validation, but for the truth within you.
For thousands of years, humans have expressed themselves simply for the joy of it. No matter the age we live in, that urge has always been with us. When it calls, I believe we must follow our hearts and create.
This beautiful urge always arrives at the right time. It feels like it comes out of nowhere, yet it’s the very force that pushes us forward.
So when you hear that little “what if,” don’t ignore it. Follow it. See where it leads.
Sometimes it’s only a passing noise. But sometimes, it opens an entirely new world. One that changes the course of your life.
That’s what happened to me and to countless artists throughout history.
Tomorrow, it could be you, painting, singing, or playing an instrument. Bringing the bliss of art to your life, and to others who are blessed to witness even a fragment of your self-expression.
And if you’re already creating, let me simply say: Thank you.
Thank you for showing up for yourself.
Thank you for showing up for us.
Thank you for adding beauty to this world, for giving hope and joy to those who cannot yet see or feel it.
Because when we create, we are not just existing, we are shaping the world.
So here I’ll pause, let you breathe, and bid you a good day.
Thank you for reading. There is always a space for you in my world. :)
With love,
Rali
PS: This is not how I reconnected to my art, but rather inspirational story to bring a blissful moment in your day.
PS 2: If you want to explore more of my Original Art here, or Fine Art Prints here.
You can also learn to paint with me with Lifetime Access here or on Skillshare here.
If you want to learn watercolor, but you are not sure yet where to start, you can start with my Free Resources here.
Here are a few of my wildlife animal paintings for your inspiration. Enjoy :)
