ARCHIVE | JANUARY 2011
With a paintbrush in hand I sense my way through a landscape I sometimes call my deeper mind, or the landscape of my inner mind. It's the most rewarding way I've found to dive in and access the very depth of my being, push myself to my growing edge and truly make progress in life. Other people make music, dance, do martial arts etc... and some forget altogether that they have the innate tools to traverse the terrain of the great mystery which is alive just behind our physical eyes. We all have the potential to explore the depth of our souls through whatever talents we were born with, and I believe it's incumbent upon all of us to dig, dust off and explore in those great caverns where treasure exists and lies waiting to be discovered within.

My most recent inner expedition along these lines is a painting of a rose (surprise, surprise) in full bloom. To the right you can see photos of it's progression as paint strokes and fields of color were added one after the other in succession. These color fields become memories, the trails that speak silently of an active meditation on what I consider to be an exquisitely beautiful flower. Oil on canvas handles like watercolor in the style that I'm working. Large portions of white canvas show through illuminating the gestural dance of color that's coming to life on it's surface. I am the link between worlds. While in this state the part of my brain that processes language goes into silent mode as I switch into a more universal and energetic way of following the creative impulse. I am in flow, the zone so to speak. This interaction flows effortlessly as I am inspired by a place far and beyond the temporal. Creativity is by it's very nature a spiritual experience. I think that's why most of us in the arts sound so "deep" and mystical when we come up for air and attempt to describe our experience. We are trying to put into words that which is ineffable. But of course, that's why we turned to these other modes of expression in the first place. We're comfortable here where our spirit lives and we're practicing to speak the language that suits us best

There has always been something magical and deeply powerful about arts. Once an artist masters even the most rudimentary tools it permits tremendous means for self expression. Yet no matter how masterful an artist is, it is not the easy work it often looks like from the outside. The finished product is just a testament of a life long journey up and until that point. Most importantly though, the nature and process of creativity promotes individuation and is for that reason alone really hard work. One must face the dark corners of one's life to create deeply. We must also be completely detached from what others think to create something fresh and new. That which comes from inside is always going to bear the mark of our uniqueness so we have to dive deep for the real treasure. And of course even with detachment, and what might seem like a lot of seriousness, we hope people will love what we're doing as much as we do!

Personally, I love my audience and creating for me, doesn't happen in a vacuum. It is ultimately about exploring that inner landscape; thorns, earthworms and all. When my work touches others, it's an extra bonus and adds to my enjoyment in so many ways. And also it has been sort of a pleasant surprise for me to find that it is both a private and public journey. I enjoy sharing with you.

Please visit my other websites to learn more about me and my work. SEE most current version of THIS PAINTING here!