Synchronicity: A term coined by Carl Jung to describe the experience of two or more events, apparently causally unrelated or unlikely to occur together by chance, that are observed to occur together in a meaningful manner.
That Carl Jung… he was such a smarty pants.
Let me tell you a story. It’s a story of synchronicity that has me oscillating back & forth between disbelief & gratitude. Momentary surprise that has me shaking my head in amazement just before slipping into heart-swelling happiness.
On more occasions than I can count, I have had this conversation with friends as they peered curiously at my latest art project:
Friend: “I wish I could do that. I’m not creative.”
Me: “You can do that, anyone can. Someone may just need to show you how, that’s all.”
We have even talked about having “art night” at my house, where we would empty the giant wardrobe that holds my art supplies onto the table, have a drink & make things. We would completely take the mystery out of it. We would have a good time, enjoy good company & I would happily answer questions, offer encouragement & watch hopefully as they realize that they can, in fact, make something creative.
I have never been one of those artists who believe that art is something for a few select people who happen to born with a predisposition for it. Certainly it comes easier for some people, but if given the opportunity I think just about anyone can produce something artistic that just might surprise them. I love seeing the look on their face when it happens. You see the wheels start turning, as they wonder what else they could do that they have never been willing to try.
Back to the synchronicity… after one of many of these conversations, a friend sent me a link to a part-time job. What? I wasn’t looking for a part-time job…
It was for a place I had never heard of- Painting with a Twist.
Painting with a Twist? What is this Painting with a Twist?
I opened the link & realized I was looking at a franchised version of “art night”… that would be opening in my city. Immediately, I wanted to know more. I went back & read the ad for the instructor positions.
Certainly they would require someone to be available when I have to be at my ‘grown up job’… nope. Most of the classes are during the evening or on the weekend.
Surely they would require an art degree… Nope. They want to see a portfolio of your work & a resume, but no art degree necessary.
I won’t bore you with the details that include a minor freak-out on my part prior to the interview, or the fact that I couldn’t stop thinking about this place that I have never seen, or how the interview felt like a conversation with lovely artsy people rather than an interview, or the happy dance I did standing in a bathroom when I received the email offering me one of the instructor positions… never mind. There are the details.
Needless to say, I’d like to make a shout out to Carl Jung. That smarty pants.
Check it out... Painting with a Twist.
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