In 2020, I painted Hamsa Alek. A blue Taki card, lying discarded on the sidewalk, caught my attention. I bent down, picked it up, and smiled. Some would have walked past without noticing; others might have seen a 'Stop' card and continued. But I, recognizing its form, took it with me, delighted that the universe had summoned a blue Hamsa Alek for me.
They say luck is opportunity meeting preparedness, and I completely agree, because the last year was precisely that: supreme preparedness, a hunger for creation, and an uncompromising hunt for opportunities. Are the cards falling into place? Coincidence? Perhaps. However, I believe we must be active to create reality and summon better luck.
To ensure I was operating correctly, I called Haim Shafir, a dear colleague and the inventor of Taki, to ask if I could sell the Hamsa drawing I created, which was inspired by the blue 'Stop' card I found on the street, designed by Ari Ron.
"Of course!" he replied. "It's a compliment that Taki has become a cultural asset and that you chose to paint it." In the same breath, he shared that he was being filmed for a Kan 11 segment marking Taki's 40th anniversary.
"Would you like to send me a photo of the painting, and I'll offer it to the reporter?"
"Absolutely!" I answered, and so we did!
Photo: Ella Faust