I had the ultimate pleasure of spending most of my summer 2001 in Maui. There is a whole section in the travel link regarding the trip. This is more of the personal feelings I have had about this most wonderful and magical of places.
As I have mentioned in the past I have lived on and off Maui for the past 12 years. For the last 5 years I have resided in Venice Beach, Ca. I moved back to get my art career moving and build up a clientele. My original intention was to move back to Maui as soon as I was established here in L.A.
Well as life would have it I spent the first half of the past 5 years working odd jobs or regular jobs that most creative people end up in...restaurants, boutiques, etc. Not moving forward just surviving. Happily for the last 2 1/2 years I have solely pursued my art career and I am finally seeing the benefits of the efforts made.
What generally happens is that I go on living my life in Venice and once a year I make it back to Maui usually for at least a month long visit after which I most desire to move back to the island and A.S.A.P.
This summer was no exception. Surrounded by my Mom and Dad, my soul sisters, and other various close and beautiful friends, the island itself and all the daily beauty....well needless to say I am back at that place...the place of instant removal from the Mainland to the Islands.
What I find interesting is how I have felt this way often and then I always stay in Venice. I want to write from an entry I found in a journal I kept while visiting Maui in 1999.
What exactly holds me to Venice? What am I proving? What opportunities lie there that don't lie here?
Perhaps just the experience. Just all the new techniques I've tried - new mediums - new quests. I love Venice, walking for a coffee, enjoying the farmer's markets....but I sit here on the edge of the earth, watching a cloud race - listening to only the bird songs, breezes and buzzes...it's all very organic. And I wonder why and nothing seems to matter but the here and now.
Except for the contemplation of my return and when that shall be. My spirit is home.
I wrote that while sitting on the backside of the island in Kaupo...a truly magical spot of earth. Now if I searched my journals from 1999 and on the same entry would probably be placed while visiting the islands. This trip was no different. I left determined to move back in January 2002.
My friends and my family looking forward to my return...my spirit looks forward to my return. Yet now it's the end of November 2001 and I have pushed my return or contemplation date to April 2002. I wanted to give myself 6 months to sort out the opportunities here and close ties gracefully. Yet now I see myself switching back into my gears here in L.A. I see myself possibly getting one of those crazy big loft spaces downtown L.A. and really creating some art work.
I have been visualizing spending 3-4 months a year on Maui.....the rest here in Los Angeles. I mean my main purpose and goal for my life is to be an independant and successful working artist. I have some gallery connections in Maui as I have had a hat shop and shared a studio that was used for public events at times so it's not like I am totally starting from scratch. There are possibilities that I could make it there as an artist.
But really the opportunities that lie here in L.A. are pretty generous as well as the cost of living
I mean there are many amazing markets here in L.A. where you can buy a week's worth of good food and drink for $20. In Maui the little things are more expensive. The gas prices in L.A. as of this week were down to $1.07 a gallon (mind you that was deep in L.A. but I filled up)...when I left Maui the cheapest gas was $2.05 a gallon.
Things like this get in the way. If I am to be an independant and successful working artist I need to be able to afford to live and grow this dream.
Anyhow...what to do???? I am torn. I miss my family, my friends, the island in general, the fresh air, clean water, rainbows, stars in the sky, and the general well being of my body, mind, and spirit while there.
I assume I must not be the only one feeling this way in life. Any suggestions or similar experiences are thankfully welcomed. Email me!
Thanks for reading and aloha!