Gems and Treasures

At one time, I had an art friend who I can only describe as a soul-mate. We didn't see one another other very regularly and only in each others studios, more often mine. Never over a cup of tea or coffee. Just standing. Talking.

Everything peripheral would drift away in an exchange of thought and ideas. The air around us must have been buzzing with electricity or some kind of special energy. If auras do exist, the one surrounding us would have been white or yellow or whatever colour represents creativity, artistry and positive excitement about new ideas.

We would get lost in long discussions of projects and commissions we were working on........ processes, techniques, failures, disappointments and tragedies, past glories, collaboration, the week's successes — always about our art. When we parted, smiling and excited, we knew that for the remainder of the day that buzz would result in something positive and concrete.

I never thought to ask about any of the usual details you might about a friend — age or birthday, middle name, place of birth or family life, how many siblings or if there had been relationships or children. No, it was always about the art.

It breaks my heart that we'll never share moments... hours like those again.

Sometimes I wonder if true friendship is like true love. Does a soul mate like that come to us more than once in a lifetime? Is it a special and rare combination of traits and attributes that both reflect and complete our selves that draws us together?

Over the years I've met many amazing and talented artists. Each time a new one comes into my life I wonder, "Will this one be special — a soul-mate?"
And I wonder if the atmosphere will ever again become supercharged with those sparks of creative energy.