Message from the Universe
There are also moments when hearing exactly the right words at the right time can have a profound effect
Recently I sat down to enter a juried exhibition. It was an exhibit I had entered several times. It was also an exhibit that had not selected every entry. The exhibition happens to be in Ft. Collins Colorado, the city where I graduated from high school and the place where my parents are buried. I have entered most years as a matter of habit.
I had been working diligently on a piece called “The Confidants” which I planned to submit along with another completed piece “The Reader” to this exhibit. Both pieces are a new direction that I have been taking in my work. I am still wondering if this series, which is fascinating to me, will connect with a larger audience.
But this year I missed the deadline. I think it was a message from the universe.
A “message from the universe” is often described as an experience that feels unusually meaningful or timely, as if life is offering guidance, reassurance, or a gentle nudge in a certain direction. For some, this idea is spiritual—believing signs that appear through coincidences, dreams, repeated numbers, or unexpected encounters.
For others, it is psychological, rooted in the human tendency to notice patterns and assign meaning to events that connect with our thoughts or emotions. Whether viewed as intuition, coincidence, or something more mystical, the phrase captures the feeling that certain moments seem to speak directly to us.
From my perspective, a “message from the universe” is not necessarily a supernatural sign, but rather a meaningful experience that teaches a lesson, offers encouragement, or serves as a warning. Sometimes, a series of obstacles may suggest that it’s time to reconsider the path I’m on and make a change. At other times, an unexpected opportunity can feel like confirmation that I am moving in the right artistic direction. There are also moments when hearing exactly the right words at the right time can have a profound effect, shifts my perspective or guides my next steps. These experiences, whether subtle or obvious, help me interpret the course of my life and creative journey.
I often use the phrase “message from the universe” to help make sense of life’s unexpected turns, finding comfort and insight in moments that seem to have a meaning beyond the everyday. Whenever I allow myself to be truly receptive to my instincts, I discover the most valuable guidance comes from within.
When I missed the deadline, I didn’t feel any disappointment or urgency. It was almost as if my subconscious was quietly telling me that this isn’t the path I want to follow, so there was no need to push myself. The energy, time, and money I would have invested in entering the exhibition—and possibly shipping my work there and back—weren’t wasted. Instead, they transformed and found expression elsewhere.
That week, one of my pieces was shown at the Springville Salon, an annual event with a high volume of entries and fierce competition—only about 20% of submissions are accepted. Entry is free, but the jury reviews the actual artwork, requiring artists to bring their pieces to the museum and make another trip to collect any rejected work. It’s beautiful venue and I love being included with artists from around the state.
This year after being accepted, I had hoped to go to the opening reception. It didn’t happen. What did happen was even better. For the second year in a row my piece was reviewed in 15 Bytes the local Utah art magazine. Their staff of writers are exceptional. They review galleries, exhibitions and highlight visual artists.
Margaret Abramshe has been receiving some overdue attention since her appearance in last year’s Salon, and in that context “Oh Patience” seems more than a bit autobiographical. Here we are told nothing about what the subject awaits: a train, a plane, an absent-minded husband? Her posture demonstrates the title virtue of a nation of women who waited endlessly for the human rights they began to successfully demand only a few years ago and are now seeing stripped away again by a last gasp of reactionary greed.
The review published in 15 Bytes had a far greater effect on me than I anticipated. It felt like yet another affirmational sign from the universe: My creative journey was moving in the right direction!
My recent works, which are essentially dialogues with history, have struggled to find acceptance in juried art quilt exhibitions. There are several reasons for this: the pieces are smaller than what is typically favored, they are painted rather than dyed, and the technique I use—painting over images on fabric—is unique within the art quilt community. Additionally, the quilts are faced, which means the traditional craftsmanship of quilting is not immediately visible. Despite these differences, receiving attention from 15 Bytes reassured me that my approach, though unconventional, is meaningful and worth pursuing.
At the opening of that exhibit was a curator from gallery in Salt Lake. She emailed me this week out of the blue. It was clear she had looked at my website. Her gallery represents artists working in the west with an emphasis on diversity and contemporary perspective from those working in a variety of mediums. We talked on the phone. Although she loved my figurative work she invited me to consider working with them and their stable of artists for a landscape show in the fall.
Sometimes I can’t help but laugh—maybe the universe really is talking to me! I find myself bouncing between making figurative art and landscapes, and honestly, it’s kind of fun. Landscapes are a crowd-pleaser, so I make sure to have a few in the mix. But I always come back to the pieces that make my heart sing, the ones that feel most like “me.”
Turns out, this mix keeps life interesting—and this gallery seem to love it, too! Curators notice my quirky process, and that’s exciting. I’m grateful for every little sign, so here’s a big, happy shout-out to the universe: whoever you are, whatever you are, keep the good vibes coming!
Until Next Time……
Margaret
It sounds like the Universe is on your side. Keep up the good work and follow your intuition.
Nice to hear about your process. We each find our own way through this mysterious, joyful life of creating art.