Story Summary
Now is what “time it is” at any given time. This creation is an invitation and reminder to provide the gift of presence to yourself and those you interact with.
Story
The namesake for this creation in the Time Collection is from a question that came from a book, and also a movie, by the same name “The Way of the Peaceful Warrior.” The question: “What time is it?” The reply: “Now.”
In a world where each moment can be taken up with work, tasks and even play, taking time to be present is a gift we give ourselves. You may have heard a quote by Eleanor Roosevelt goes something like “Tomorrow is a mystery. Today is a gift. That’s why we call it ‘The Present.’”
I began the stenciling of this on May 12, 2025 and had it as my background for many Zoom meetings for months. Art is intended to provoke ideas and conversation and before I ever painted it, I had outlined the letters of “N-O-W” with green tape. I was fascinated by the conversations that were started around seeing those 3 letters together. Each of my creations are designed to build a connection, offer inspiration for discussion and elicit a deeper meaning to the observer looking at the work.
One of the fun things I began to ensure the texture and subliminal layer would shine through was to add a crackle paste layer over two treatments. When we are in the present, many things simply happening and can be seen in layers and textures. Anything from the experiences happening in that moment, or those people present in the moment that make up the mosaic of the moment. A favorite verse of mine, 1 Thessalonians 5:17 is hand stamped and embedded on the left side of the “N.”
The first paint that touched the canvas was gold, to highlight and to capture the pervasive richness in each moment. As humans we experience so many different emotions throughout any given moment and while some of those emotions, like anxiety, sadness and stress aren’t as welcomed as the amazing moments of peace, joy and calm…each emotion has a story to express and be experienced in our human condition. Just like they come up, the more present you are and experience them, the more you can let them wash over you…and retreat like a wave washing up on a beach. Waves happen, emotions happen and emotions happen in moments of time. The more “N-O-W” you are, the more those moments can teach us what we most likely need to know. Those emotions aren’t who you are…they represent an experience of a point in time and can be experienced and released.
For almost 5 years, I was a Tony Robbins coach, for those of you who don’t know who he is…he is a motivational speaker who focuses on “why do people do what they do.” During those years as a coach, I heard TREMENDOUS obstacles people experienced and overcome. It was also fascinating how most people, if not all, depending on how recent the situation occurred, felt some of the “darkest moments” were very happy that occurred to them. Recently, a family shared the best thing that ever happened to them was having their house burn down where they lost all their “possessions.” It wasn’t something they wished for, though in the aftermath, they saw the bigger gift. It happened to them, there were emotions they experienced and they were NOT going to let that event define how they felt moving forward. THAT is seeing the “gold” in a situation many would never want to go through.
After the initial gold paint was laid down, it was time to begin using the “time collection color palette” and start painting. As I added the greens, greys and metallic brown a softness began coming through. That was complemented by different color pops of orange to showcase those moments of incredible surprise that may happen in life.
I am a huge fan of quantum mechanics and while we think life is linear in terms of past, present and future…things are all happening now, as in time can be seen more as a complete football field than individual yard markers. Because of our perception of linear life, I added some very imperfect lines that stretch completely across the canvas diagonally. As the colors blended, the texture was added while still seeing the “gold” crackle shine through representing the beginning of the painting and the complete painting, it felt like a good time to stop and assess if additional treatments would be needed.
After a few days, I decided it was done and will be installed inside a beautiful new office building Shevlin Crossing, Building B, in Northwest Crossing. This painting will part of the new Shevlin Crossing Gallery and launch a new art curation program I provide for office buildings that provides artist in residency for local artists. As people would be entering the building, this work would be facing a work entitled “Equilibrium” that wasn’t even started when this was begun yet would be balanced inside the large lobby.
As part of my art statement next to the creation in the lobby, I invite you to pause, and notice: How present are you in this moment?
Without further ado…now, enjoy “Now.” Now. 😀
Behind the Scenes
Subliminal Dates
May 12, 2025
Painting Dates
July 12, 2025
Music Playing
Subliminal Treatment
Tom Petty – Free Fallin’ | Morgan Wallen (Feat. Eric Church) – Man Made A Bar | Jeremy Camp – Keep Me In The Moment | Alanis Morissette – Head Over Feet | Zach Williams – No Longer Slaves | SEU Worship & David Ryan Cook – Move of God | Pearl Jam – Better Man | En Vogue – My Lovin’ | Brandon Lake – Don’t Give Up On Me | Josh Baldwin (Feat. Jenn Johnson) – Made For More | New Radicals – You Get What You Give | TLC – Waterfalls | Blues Traveler – Run-Around | Madonna – Vogue | The Belonging Co (Feat. Sarah Reeves) – Just Want You | Elevation Worship & Maverick City – Jireh | Backstreet Boys – Everybody | House Of Pain – Jump Around | SEU Worship & David Ryan Cook – Fear Is Not My Future | Sixpence None The Richer – Kiss Me | Hillsong United – Oceans
Treatment
The Goo Goo Dolls – Name | Live – Lightning Crashes | Matchbox Twenty – Push | Collective Soul – Where The River Flows | Stone Temple Pilots – Interstate Love Song | Third Eye Blind – How’s It Going To Be | Candlebox – Far Behind | Collective Soul – Heavy | Tonic – If You Could Only See | Eve 6 – Inside Out | Better Than Ezra – Good | Collective Soul – Listen | Pearl Jam – Yellow Ledbetter | Seven Mary Three – Cumbersome | Kenny Wayne Shepherd – Blue on Black | Creed – Higher
Words
Now
Visual
n/a