Journal Entry: Celeste Monette Blair-10/12/2024-IAOP

Journal Entry

In the Absence of Paint

The Concept

There is power in creativity. When we can take the hardest parts of our lives and turn them into art, with the goal of then, turning around to present the pain; the art which is the result of the sorting out of your heart- and give it away to a loving audience, only then are we able to dance away a little lighter than whence we came.

This book is the journey of how I came to find true balance, healing, joy and passion.

This is the story of my genuine attempt at turning the mess of my life into some sort of abstract art form in the unfamiliar medium of words and ideas, in THE ABSENCE OF PAINT.

Dance Lightly

” grace is handling life like it’s easy and laughing when it’s not.”

All my life, I’ve used paint, art and dance to put my complexities into perspective. Standing in front of my easel, I could zoom in on an emotion so forged with passion that it threatened my sensibility. Standing there in paint smeared clothes, hands soiled in oil, I could tap into the flow.

Yet when I was removed from the free world and placed in Federal Prison, in my darkest hour, I found my way with words, IN THE ABSENCE OF PAINT.

Yes, I am an abstract artist, left-handed Aquarian; if that is not yet a genre, well viola!
The journey I share is my own, everyone’s path is unique and inevitably their own, this is one of the most beautiful truths of life.

Over the course of the past 10 years, I have been taking notes along the way- here in the joint- not really for you, but for me. I’ve been encouraged to share my journey, the trick will be to make some sense of it all, while remaining true to the abstract and grit of my crazy life.

I hope that you will be inspired. Perhaps that you will find inspiration to rise out of your circumstances, tap into your flow
and find the balance you need to dance lightly across this earth with a renewed sense of joy.

Abundance

Have you ever noticed
the word ABUNDANCE
already has the word
dance
in it?

What if that were
the real secret?

to dance?

When I write,
share the grit
of my life

my motive
is to lend strength
for your dance

to inspire

creativity

Take the time
to let the idea
sink in

Find your rhythm
find your flow
open your heart
to the universe

think about what you
are grateful for
what you are
a slave to

let the love in your heart
that dances out
lighten your load

let it set you free

with each step
find your abundance
in the dance.