Whatever Happens

Whatever Happens is the first painting in my set of Emotions. Poison Envy, Cherry Blossom, and Ojalá are the others. Each containing blocks of color, flowers, and a short poem.

When I was a teenager, I made this art project where I went around asking everyone “What makes you the most happy?” I must have collected over 100 responses. The ones I could remember were “Spending time with my girlfriend,” “Riding my motorcycle down a long, winding road,” “ Getting on stage to dance,” etc. These are seemingly all very different, but something clicked in me. It was anytime they gave their fullest attention to something, being perfectly present, is when people were happy.

I’ve explored that more and more in my art, and I try to become as present as possible while making the work. Even if the painting is not turning out how I inteded, well “whatever happens.”

Hell, I could be washing dishes, filling out my taxes, sitting in traffic, and I could be perfectly happy as long as I was fully there. So yes, to Mr. Kinnell, whatever happens is what I want.