24” x 24” Acrylic 2025

The first thing that came to mind when I saw the title of the group exhibition was the book “The Untethered Soul” by Michael Singer. I have not read the book, but I have listened to some of the podcasts based on the book which I found interesting and quite liberating. I know I find myself feeling most liberated, untethered and unbounded when I am in Nature.

 Late last fall I drove to Jasper for a retreat. It was cold and wet drive. I felt disappointed as it was a short trip and I was planning to stop to take photos and go for a hike on the way. As the temperature dropped, it was getting wetter and my hike was not going to happen.

 Once I let go of my disappointment about the weather, I discovered the conditions allowed a different opportunity. I found myself chasing rainbows through the mists. It became an exciting drive in a very different way than I had wanted or expected, and I got some great photos. It was monochromatic, atmospheric, damp and dramatic and I even saw a black bear. The rain turned to snow the next day, so it turned out I was lucky!

 “The truth is that most of life will unfold in accordance with forces far outside your control, regardless of what your mind says about it”― Michael A. Singer, The Untethered Soul: The Journey Beyond Yourself

 As I Untethered myself from my mind’s plans, I opened to the present moment. I saw the mystery in the mists, and enjoyed the dynamic natural forces at play. I was inspired to paint with a new and limited palette, making these two paintings based on my discoveries and travels that day…

~Lucie Bause