One night, while driving through the Los Angeles roads, I took thousands of photos. In doing this, I was interested in the environment of and around the roads. I also felt curious and attracted to the lights and images around me. Afterward, as I looked at the photos, what astounded me most was remembering the thoughts and feelings I experienced while shooting the pictures. I would have to say, that in my opinion, many of these thoughts were vacant exercises in futility. And it would seem to me, that many of them were conducted as a means for my mind to settle down while 'awaiting' to arrive at my goal end destination. Overall, I was surprised by the nature of these thoughts. And this is how this ART SERIES was born! As I found out, driving is not only a mere physical endeavor. It isn't merely a physical act accompanied by per-established mental directions. In fact, what I discovered, is that while driving, my mind 'thinks' all kinds of 'other' random thoughts. Interestingly, some of these thoughts can lead to derogatory feelings about myself, others, the road, and overall everything! And in turn, some these feelings can lead to the creation of physical stress. For instance, have you ever felt exhausted after driving, even though the distance that was sojourned was short? I believe that one reason many drivers find 'driving' stressful is because of the inadvertent thoughts that suddenly and unexpectedly pop into and out of their minds while driving. In doing this 'art series' I decided to artistically change the photos to express these thoughts and feelings. By doing this, I found out that I began to recognize these thoughts and feelings. As such, by giving them a 'physical' reality, I began to grow in my awareness of them. And I believe the same can happen for other weary drivers. These photo-paintings are a study into the mind, and perhaps even offer an insight into the 'soul.' What do we feel and think while we are on the road? This the the simple query of this art series. I also believe that at some level, all human beings share somethings in common. And I believe that the thoughts and feelings in this book are something that many of us share. I hope the art and writing in this book offer you a means towards self-awareness. Maybe, there is a thought or feeling in this book you recognize? And maybe, that might be a thought or feeling that you would like to change? I once read somewhere, that a journey of a thousands steps begins with one. I would like to add to that for I believe that that first step before the journey began, was first initiated by a THOUGHT! The journey towards a life free from encumbrances, begins with the awareness of our minds, and what thoughts and feelings linger therein. May your journey always be fruitful, joyful and restful! Finally, this book is meant for everyone everywhere who drives on roads. The Los Angeles area is merely meant to be used as a frame of reference for the psychological ideas in this work. Grace Divine
About the Author: I am a survivor who believes in the inexorable power of the human spirit. I am a believer who has seen through tragedy into the eye of the setting sun knowing that the morrow can bring a new and brighter day. I am a compassionate human being who empathizes with the suffering of others and wants to be there for them. And I do this by writing transformational stories and creating art filled with characters and images that are imbued with passion and love. I was born in California. At five I was abducted in the trunk of a car. I only saw my mother a few times after that. I was moved from place to place as a child and hid in the US, Mexico and Spain. I went to ten schools the first twelve years. During this time, I had to contend with a father whose mental illness and drug and alcohol addictions caused him to be a dangerous sadist. I was barely eighteen years old when I ran away from home because he threatened to kill me with a 38 revolver. But I got on my feet, found a job, bought a car. I graduated from UCI with a Bachelor's Degree in Linguistics and the ability to speak several languages. While there, I married a medical student. My first pregnancy ended in stillbirth. Notwithstanding this and other hardships I graduated from UCLA Law School in 1992. We moved to Texas and while I was raising my children, I graduated from the University of Texas Dallas where I received an M.A.. There I took several writing courses. Then, I began a career as a visual/writing artist. My artwork, mostly surrealist, includes extensive writings, short stories and poetry. One of my paintings "The Kiss of Death," is featured adjacent to a Picasso in the acclaimed documentary by the BBC: THE PRIVATE LIFE OF A MASTERPIECE: THE KISS BY GUSTAV KLIMT ICON OF THE 20TH CENTURY. Today, I engage my writing, photography and art in an effort to understand the nature of the human experience, the processes of the mind, the experience of memory, visual and mental perception and life in general. My art and writing also include queries into the nature of the universe and the existence of life after death. As such, my art constitutes a form of auto-biography. I see it as a glimpse into an American woman artists experience at the turn of the 20th century. Ultimately, I am glad to be able to share my artistic experience. Perhaps others will find it useful in their quest to understand life.