By: Barry Launius

Are you now, or have you ever, searched for other employment while being at your present position?

This was the question asked to me by the Personnel/Human Relations Director at my current job. I'd read the employee manual. I knew the rules and regulations. Regardless, my answer was an emphatic "Hell Yes!"

After the ugliest look on his face returned to just plain ugly-he laughed (knowing I was just joking), scooted closer and said "but seriously?" My response was the most serious he'd ever seen.

"And what may I asked is the type of employment you are seeking"

"To paint pretty pictures on the beach in a tropical location and scuba dive" I replied. And so the story begins ................

I now saw a not too overly concerned man with a funny smirk (on his ugly face.) "Yeah, wouldn't that be nice? Let's move on..."

This guy knew nothing about me! He did know I was a "key" employee and a vital part of the company business but NOTHING of my past, my hopes, my dreams and what I had leading my heart.

In a prior employment position with another company in another city I was the # 1 salesperson, made more money than I ever deserved or thought I would and I was miserable! My life was spinning out of control, "stressed to the max" and abusing life's privileges. I drank and worked too much, slept too little and ignored my family's pleas all while my Mother was slowly dying in bed with a serious undiagnosed illness. I was a MESS!

My mother passed on, I made a geographical change, took another job and continued on my spiraling path of destruction. I was making far less money, not working as hard but stuck with the booze. I never got in any real trouble though, kept my job, my wife, my cars, my house etc..... I just needed something else.

I awoke one morning, called in sick at the office and immediately called a Rehabilitation Center for help. To this day I have no idea what made me "ask for help" at that time as there was nothing critical (on the outside) happening that I could discern.

OK -- so what about Playa del Carmen, the Mayan Riviera, Mexico's Caribbean Coast, and the Cancun Corridor where does all this fit in? You see, my wife and I had been taking vacations 2 or 3 times each year since 1987 to this (at that time) undiscovered pristine paradise. Things were different while there; less hurried, great weather, beautiful surroundings but most of all I liked the way I felt while spending time there. I felt like myself, at home.

It wasn't until I could let go of all the things I thought I was (the things on the surface) and really began to listen to my heart telling me who I really was that I could follow my new path. THIS I learned at the center. I was told (among many other things) to find something I enjoy and stick to it! I somehow knew immediately that I must find a way to have that same feeling as while in the Mayan Riviera.

I'd always been a so-so artist (but nothing more than pencil stuff) and I thought I'd pursue that avenue (ART) as a means to that magical place. I believed (when speaking of Fine Art) that beauty is in the "eye of the beholder." I knew I'd seen countless works of art I'd never give a dime for yet they were selling for thousands and I knew if I were to be truly creative I needed the inspiration of the Mayan Riviera. It was a means to an end from the beginning.

As I did not have enough money to buy and relocate at the time, my vacations became more frequent. I took thousands of photos and painted from them. I searched the dirt roads to nowhere up and down Hwy 307 discovering hidden cenotes and pristine beaches. I was in awe of the simple life yet just as meaningful (if not more so) of the local Mayans than of the Wall the Street brokers types.

I believed in the FOUR "P" FORMULA "practice, practice, practice " = PERFECTION. After all, how did Tiger get that swing? That formula along with the "beauty in eye of the beholder" thing just might give me a chance. I immersed myself in painting. Watercolors; inexpensive, easy set-up and cleaning! It was that simple. It didn't matter.

As I saw improvement in my art work I began to make contact with condo owners. I'd offer FREE paintings in exchange for lodging. My first real break was a new condo development on Ambergris Caye, Belize. We traded ten days lodging at 1/2 price for a few paintings.

My art is now found in Ambergris Caye and San Pedro, Belize as well as the Lamanai Gallery in Akumal and now on 5^th Avenue in Playa del Carmen. I re-stock prints (in-person) every chance I get. Galleria Azul on the island of Cozumel offers some of my smaller prints too.

The AquaCat (luxury live-aboard scuba ship) homeport of Paradise Island, Nassau, Bahamas contacted me a few years ago and now has my work hanging in all guest cabins. I was offered a FREE, 7-day maiden voyage of the Exuma Islands with unlimited dive time and a wealth of diving instruction for this neophyte of the deep. A truly wonderful learning and sightseeing experience.

I'm leaving on Monday, Nov. 30th for a trip to Anguilla as a "finalist" in the Anguillan International Arts Festival (a juried exhibit) paying 10K to the 1st place winner and other fabulous awards. Wish me luck!

My Father passed away 2 months ago and he was a very talented oil painter and all I can say is I must have inherited this gift from him. Today I feel even more blessed and seem to have a "helping hand" in my new serious search for my "special spot in sun" somewhere in the Mayan Riviera. I keep hearing this voice to "follow my soul's chosen path."

More of Barry’s work can be found at: http://www.caribbeancolors.com/

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