"Little Wonders" | Simulation Theory Series Explained
Cool darkness a soothing blanket for her aching bones, her eyes drooped closed to further silence the maddening world.
Small short breaths making way for deeper ones, tension leaving the body with each puff of air.
Silence.
Stillness.
And then a pull. Nothing quite defined, just a subtle tug. Like the awareness of an electrical field, alerting your system that something is present.
"Go away, I've had enough of this demanding world".
Without sound the presence persists, a gentle nothingness that begins to pull at her curiosity. Eyes flicker open revealing a source of confusion - a glowing whiteness. Head recoils in confusion and fear, unfamiliarity striking a panicky fire in her chest. Fight-or-flight response is running on high octane, but fades as she realizes the threat isn't quite what she initially thought.
Worn nerves, battered by the endless day-to-day barrage of stimulus and demand, slowly calm. Eyes focusing on the source of the glow - a slight creature, pulsating quietly in space. Long tendrils of light cast shadows in the dew-covered grass below it. The voice of wonder asks the question - "what are you?"
The tug of instinctual flight still a whisper in her ears, but with a deep sigh of breath she submits to the wonder. The busy rush of the world fading from her mind as she allows her senses to be filled with the soft warming glow of this peaceful little creature. A small thing, so easily lost in the bright lights of the rest of the world, calm her soul in this moment.
The chaos falls away, and there is only peace.
I could feel the panic rising in my throat, the acidic overwhelm as my heart raced faster. Little points of pain blossomed from my palms - I guess I was digging my fingernails into my skin.
Oh hello old friend - guys, meet Miss Anxiety Attack.
Real nasty on the outside, but deep down inside she's just trying to let you know where your pain points are so you can recognize them and improve them. Admirable, but damn, her methods are so retched and harsh.
I'm no stranger to anxiety - in fact it has only been within the past 5 months of so that I've begun to learn how to calm that ear-splitting scream of "EVERYTHING IS HORRIBLE, I NEED TO RUN AWAY" voice when anxiety comes a knockin'.
My secret - gratitudes, and then finding peace in small moments.
Whispering to myself that I'm thankful for this coffee in my hand, or that it started pouring rain two seconds after I stepped inside, or that the reason why my heart and soul aches so badly are because I have a life filled with people I love.
Embrace that small surge of oxytocin, rinse and repeat.
Pair that with deep breathing a gentle squeeze with your own arms until the panic fades away (or lightens enough that you can function again).
This painting is my weird abstract way of showing this process that I have learned (the hard way, might I add). Of finding beauty in small moments so you can push away the hardships and demands of life. Of making everything worth it.
Maybe you now feel this too. Or maybe it's just a pretty wolf with something weird and glowy.
That's the beauty about art after all.
Stay magical,
Want to know the materials I use to create my paintings?
Paint
Winsor & Newton Winton Oil Colour Paint - https://amzn.to/2GeXEu2
Gamblin Artist's Oil Colors - https://amzn.to/2WCEnZk
Mediums and other liquids
Winsor & Newton Liquin Original - https://amzn.to/2GmK87N
Mona Lisa Linseed Oil - https://amzn.to/2Tmh1F4
Mona Lisa Odorless Paint Thinner - https://amzn.to/2SfH0kk
Gamblin Gamvar - https://amzn.to/2D2IlRW
Mona Lisa Gold Leaf Size Adhesive - https://amzn.to/2GfEeVH
Gold Leaf (Imitation) - https://amzn.to/2GeWAWZ
Gold Leaf (Genuine) - https://amzn.to/2t1Hlst
Liquitex White Gesso - https://amzn.to/2MM0gAy
Filming Equipment for Videos
Canon Rebel T5i - https://amzn.to/2Ef1QZj
Tripod - https://amzn.to/2TUamlG
Lavalier Microphone (for voiceovers) - https://amzn.to/2IiArtj
Adobe Premiere Pro CC
* The above product links are affiliate links that allow me to make a small commission on each sale - every little bit helps!
Danielle Trudeau creates paintings that walk the line between dreams and reality, infusing magic into every day life.
Wildlife often graces her canvases, brought to life with a spark of magic and oil paint.