We all love picturing ourselves washed in soothing energy, basking in a shower of heavenly light. The pink side of this piece evokes that kind of feeling. Gaze at this piece and for the moment, cover the darker corner, the bottom left of this painting. Yes, there is beauty there in that pink center and top right: nice colors, good feeling. Now take off the cover and again look at the whole.  I love noticing how much more dynamic and richer the piece is with the balancing part of the darker elements. To my surprise after I painted this, I realized this exercise was illustrative of the way I like to view my life.  Surely, I want the shower of heavenly light, no question! I was struck by how the beautiful parts are much more satisfying and important to me when I remember experiencing the darker aspects of life. The contrast enlivens the story, the whole of it, the bigger picture of my life.  Just as that dark corner serves the painting so do our darker chapters. Fun to remember that those unwanted events and circumstances add juice to living.