The Art of the Journey
by Ilene
Over the past several years, art has been a way to process the shifts and stages of my life. I’ve come to realize that I often express myself more clearly through color and imagery than through words. I began creating my own oracle cards at a time of transition as we prepared to leave our home in Hong Kong and begin our next chapter as Two Nomads. I felt both excited and overwhelmed, suspended between the freedom of the unknown and the weight of uncertainty that comes with change.
As we begin the new year, this feels like the perfect time to share a card that is a reflection of that liminal space between what has been and what has yet to unfold. So often, I feel the urge to have life completely figured out before daring to take the first step. Yet sometimes courage means exactly the opposite: stepping forward because the path ahead is not yet clear.
For years, friends have encouraged me to share my nearly fifty oracle cards and my art journals. For just as long, I’ve been quick to come up with reasons why it wasn’t the “right time.” I’ve gotten quite good at that. You might even call it a talent. But lately, something has changed. I’ve started to wonder: what if my art could spark productive conversation? I tend to create cards and pages that are colorful, uplifting, and hopeful. It may be because these are the reminders I need most. Each one captures a different emotion or stage of my life. They’re not all about taking the first step, but about noticing the journey and what that moment taught me. And now I wonder if they could help others do the same?
Just yesterday, I said to a friend “I’ve spent much of my time supporting others’ dreams and maybe it’s time to nurture my own.”
So I’ve decided to set up a series of mini experiments to test the water, take a first step and see where I’m being led.
#1. In my first experiment, I said yes to an invitation to lead an art session with the girls at New Era Creative Space, the nonprofit my friend Ridvan Idara created. This was an eye opening experience that deserves its own post.
#2. Write a newsletter to share my story. ✅
#3. Create an Instagram account to share my art. In progress
What we’ve created with Two Nomads is a space to live our values and explore not only new destinations but new ideas and activities that allow us to connect to others and grow. Some of it is what we want to do and some revolves around who we want to be. I want to share my art. Is now the right time? I no longer care. The journey begins. Progress, not perfection.