Have you ever experienced what you thought was good news that turned out to be bad news—or bad news that turned out to be good news? Only time reveals the future. 

Parables are a means for giving us perspective by illustrating a truth in an entertaining way that we can see in others, but perhaps not yet in ourselves.

From my book, An Artist Empowered:

AS LUCK WOULD HAVE IT

I read a variation of this popular Chinese folktale many years ago and the theme has stuck with me, as would a true friend. 

A man named Wem Shu owned a magnificent mare, which was praised far and wide. 

One day this beautiful horse disappeared. The people of his village offered sympathy to Wem Shu for his great misfortune. Wem Shu said simply, “Who knows what is good luck and what is bad luck.”

A few days later the lost mare returned, followed by a beautiful wild stallion. The village congratulated Wem Shu for his good fortune. He said, “Who knows what is good luck and what is bad luck.” 

Sometime later, Wem Shu’s only son, while riding the stallion, fell off and broke his leg. The village people once again expressed their sympathy at Wem Shu’s misfortune. Wem Shu again said, “Who knows what is good luck and what is bad luck.” 

Soon thereafter, war broke out and all the healthy young men of the village, except Wem Shu’s lame son, were drafted and were killed in battle. 

The village people were amazed at Wem Shu’s good luck. His son was the only young man left alive in the village. But Wem Shu kept his same attitude: despite all the turmoil, gains, and losses, he gave the same reply, “Who knows what is good luck and what is bad luck.”

CONNECTING ON A DEEPER INTUITIVE LEVEL

My art-making is based on the physical flow of spontaneous intuition, which involves a remarkable journey. Impulses of energy and information surge down my arm and, through improvisation, I compose visual jazz with line and color. If the art-making is magic, then the art is magic.

What does my painting Dimensional Riffs reveal to you? There is no right or wrong answer. Trust your feelings, not the opinion of others, including art critics and so-called experts. Remember, if you see it, then it’s there. Enjoy. Click on the painting for more details.

To get a better feel for the scope and range of my art, please visit my collection of original Fine Art prints: each signed print features museum-quality materials, permanent pigment inks, plus acid-free matting that I attach to the artwork using conservation best practices.

To further connect with you, I share more of the inner workings and depth of my art and exclusive personal insights in my newsletter. Subscribe below and receive a free valuable gift: Ten Tips for Building Self-Confidence.