Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to AVM Hawkins. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
AVM , we’re thrilled to have you on our platform and we think there is so much folks can learn from you and your story. Something that matters deeply to us is living a life and leading a career filled with purpose and so let’s start by chatting about how you found your purpose.
I found my purpose in Spain.
I just finished my 1L year in law school and I travelled abroad to study international law for six weeks in Madrid, Spain. During my first year in law school, I began painting extensively. It was then when I realized I was an artist. My time in Spain was life changing. It was my first time traveling by myself. I did not know anyone in the program. I did not know the city, nor the language. It was the first time in my life I have ever lived alone.
By being away from everyone and everything that was familiar to me, I was able to truly get to know myself. The novelty of living in a new environment, new culture, and a new language, stripped me from everything that was known to me. By being away from the same people, habits and routines, all that remained was me.
Through solitude and silence, I discovered myself. I had the opportunity to just be with myself and hear my own thoughts.
A dear friend said, “One never knows what they really think, until they spend time alone with themselves.” His words resonated with me, instantly understanding their truth and wisdom. I interpreted his statement to mean, to truly know yourself and learn who you are, one must spend time alone, away from distractions, away from people, influences, away from one’s ego / persona or standing in the world. When one spends extended time alone, one can comprehend their own true thoughts and own true identity.
My purpose was found in the silence, in personal solitude, where I uncovered what was always evident: I am an artist.
I discovered my purpose by listening and connecting with myself over the course of several years. Over time, I gradually set down, other’s influences and expectations I have carried upon myself throughout the years of my life.
I realize now, that I always knew what my purpose was: to be an artist, a creative entrepreneur. But I was too afraid to admit it and share my purpose with others. As a child, although I was encouraged to be creative as a hobby, I was strongly discouraged to pursue it seriously as a career.
Over the years of pursuing a Juris Doctor and a challenging and fulfilling law practice, my desire to pursue art seriously always remained with me. Ironically, with each year and each success, my desire to be an artist grew stronger and louder than ever before.
I am so thankful for hearing and heeding my inner voice, which for many, many years was drowned out by the noise and distraction of everyday life and my ego.
Whenever I need to connect with my inner true self, I mentally go back to Madrid, to my small dorm room, and look out my window at the beautiful purple sunset descending upon the rooftops. I re-experience sketching the sunset in my journal, with my watercolor pencils without a single festering thought in my mind, but in pure presence. I remember my vow, to bring “Spain” with me wherever I go.
Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
I am a visual artist and painter. My art is best described as abstract expressionism. Even when my work incorporates elements of form and representation I maintain a looseness when I sketch. I love to create an openness for inspiration and maintain a personal receptivity to discovery and exploration. I tend to draw freely without a commitment to recreating an idea or reference. I like to feel my way through the process, where I can heed the impulse to take a divine detour where anything could happen. I never know where a painting will lead me, or what the final outcome will be. I am discovering something new with each step, trusting myself and the process that something beautiful will emerge. The final destination is always unknown to me, which excites and scares me.
What I find special about my work, is that I cannot replicate it. There are so many layers, emotions, incorporations of texture, mixed media, and spontaneous scribbles and gestures, that my paintings genuinely reflect who I am / was in a point in time. I often describe my paintings as a self-portrait. Very similar to a photograph, I can look at a work and remember who I was, where I was, what I was experiencing at that time and place in my life. The painting reveals a lot of my emotions and my inner self during a space in time. It has been so wonderful and special to see how the energy of my work, connects and resonates with similar feelings and energy of the viewer.
I’m excited to have a recent work exhibited in Houston at Reeves Art & Design, as a part of “Goddess,” a solo exhibition by Tra Slaughter and a group show curated by Tra Slaughter featuring artists from Houston, Dallas, Austin and NYC. I painted a work, entitled “Oshun” inspired by the Yoruba goddess associated with water, purity, fertility, beauty and love. I found many references that served as inspiration for her, but I was most proud of how the painting slowly revealed itself to me throughout the process, becoming its own unique entity. There were many layers to the work, starting from my freehand sketch, to applying a water base, to applying layers of paint to give it thickness and structure. Through this process, I am discovering what the painting will be, while at the same time, discovering myself.
The opening reception for Goddess at Reeves Art & Design is Friday March 22nd, 2024 from 6 -9pm, 2415 Taft St. Houston, Texas 77006. Exhibition dates: March 22nd – April 8th, 2024.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
The first skillset that’s most important in my journey is having a vision for myself, for my art, and for my life. I think a person must be able to see what they want, where they are going, what they want to create for themselves, their life, their career or business. Maybe it’s the artist in me, but I must see it and feel it first before I can go after “it” or create “it,” whatever “it” may be. I think having a north star, a direction, a target is so important.
Second, one must have faith and belief in their self and their ability to achieve their goals. One must believe it’s not only possible but also that they have what it takes to make it happen. Confidence, optimism, and positive expectation I think is essential for one to do what is necessary each day to achieve their goals and create the ultimate vision for their life.
And the third is having grit and perseverance to keep going, which requires, a love, passion and joy that comes from the actual process of doing the work and living the life on the journey. The prize is in the “doing,” the “being,” and the “living” of the life, not in the achievement itself.
I would say for someone who is early in their personal journey, be quiet and still. To first connect with your inner voice, connect with who you truly are, and what you truly desire. Create that vision in your mind. See it. Feel it. Imagine it in your mind’s eye. Live (as much as you can) each day working to create that vision. Map out a plan. Be flexible and execute. Find one action you can take to move toward your goals. One foot in front of the other. Fall, and then get back up. Focus on your goal. Remind yourself of your progress. Enjoy. Rinse and repeat.
For a long time, I made the mistake of thinking that I had to know exactly each step on how to achieve my goals, and then, I would become overwhelmed with not having all the answers of how to create it. My life changed once I made the decision to pursue art. One opportunity would lead to the other. Before I knew it, I was actually doing what I always dreamt of. All I had to do was admit to myself what I wanted, own it, and work for it. When I look back on my journey, I am so grateful I did.
Alright so to wrap up, who deserves credit for helping you overcome challenges or build some of the essential skills you’ve needed?
My husband Mark has been the most impactful person in my life that has helped me in overcoming challenges during my journey as an artist. Mark is my greatest cheerleader and supporter. He has been the greatest believer in my art from the very beginning. Mark was my first art collector. He was the first person I sought advice from as an entrepreneur. He inspires me deeply, and is the source of so much love and joy in my life. This love and joy fuels my work as an artist and motivates me to make our family proud. His presence and energy centers me and grounds me in gratitude, reminding me everyday that I am living the life I once dreamed of.
But in addition to all of these things, I learn so much from my husband. I admire his quiet confidence, his humility, kindness, his dedication to his craft and to the to the people he loves. I love his generous abundant spirit. These characteristics are the hallmark for success, in all areas of life, but definitely essential for my growth as a visual artist and creative entrepreneur.
Contact Info:
- Website: AVMHawkins.com
- Instagram: a.v.m.hawkins
- Facebook: AVMH Productions
- Linkedin: A.V.M. Hawkins
- Youtube: A.V.M.HawkinsArt
