Living in the Moment: Finding Presence in Art, Creativity, and Building a Future Vision

Pen and ink contemporary fine art by Doug Ashby.

I dream far too much about a life built in the here and now, yet imagined in the distant future. At times I can see it clearly, though the present always hovers in the periphery. There is beauty in both realms, of course, but the horizon often feels abundant in a way that requires patience. In this artwork, I believe I am reminding myself to see more of what is directly before me and not only what I perceive to be off in the distance. Why is it that we so often live in the unreachable ideal instead of the moment at hand?

We are all filled with hopes, dreams, and visions of what lies ahead. It is rare for someone to collapse the past, present, and future into a single moment and live fully in their agency. It requires understanding where we have come from, where we are, and where we are going. The challenge is to build a life rooted in presence and intention—one that moves us toward the future while opening space for now. How then can we create the systems that make this possible and bring the distant mountain closer?

As summer winds down here in New England, I am surrounded by so much that draws me back to the present. The abundance of growth is everywhere, from the variety of plant life to the ripening of tomatoes, which alone can stop one in a moment of transcendence. The flower in this artwork captures that same stillness, a beauty that defines the season. Yet when I create art, I often find myself pulled toward what lies in the distance instead of rooting myself in the here and now. This tension shapes my desire to live creatively, to have a life fully supported by art. The tall mountain in the background looms heavy, both guiding and challenging me. What I must learn is to sink deeper into the details of the present rather than being consumed by the horizon.

And so I return to the details. What are they? I am coming to believe that creating systems grounded in values is the way forward. Each dot I place in my work represents more than technique. It reflects values like agency and voice, which matter deeply to me. As an artist I long for the space to share my creative voice, while also having the autonomy to do so on my own terms. That independence, however unreasonable it may seem in today’s world, is what I desire most. Systems, routines, and discipline are what make such independence possible. Each dot, regardless of the whole, grounds me in the presence that builds my larger vision.

If each mark builds the future in the present, then the flower, mountain, and moon should not be seen as separate. This work reveals where my energy must go—not somewhere distant, but into what is already before me. In truth, nothing in the universe is separate; everything is connected. The elements of this artwork complement one another, just as the elements of a life must. Perception shapes everything. For too long I believed that what I wanted was always in the distance, when perhaps with a shift in attention, I can collapse past, present, and future into one. By tending to the flower, I am not rejecting the mountain. I am traveling toward it.

I also recognize that in recent years I allowed perception to damage my spiritual self. My meditation practice slipped away, and with it a deeper rootedness in breath, light, and stillness. Returning to these practices may restore me to the now, but in a way that is more whole than before. Nothing in life is permanent; we are always becoming. I have been on this path for a long time, though I have been sidetracked. Now it is time to grow again spiritually. For me, that growth comes through creative work. Each dot is an act of rhythm and repetition that meets my daily needs quietly. The demands of life may be greater than ever, but they are not obstacles. They are the path itself. Acceptance of this brings me back to the present moment, where becoming continues.

Later today I will walk with my family’s new puppy. Along the way, I will see flowers blooming not unlike the one in my artwork. May they remind me that there is only the present moment. Soon the blooms will fade, and the earth will rest until spring awakens it again. The horizon will always remain, offering its promise of what could be. But life finds meaning not only in vision, but in creating the present in a way that carries that vision forward. The past, present, and future collapse into what is most real—this moment.

As always, I hope you enjoy both the art and the writing. Please leave a comment with your thoughts; I truly enjoy hearing from you and will respond. If you are interested in purchasing this original artwork, you can reach me through my contact page. The piece is $190 and measures 5” x 7” with a half-inch border.

Thanks,

Doug