Painting of the Week: "To Calm a Storm with a Single Breath"
I struggled to choose a painting to highlight today. Many times, at least for me, it’s tough to find the words to say about something. More so, it’s tough to find the desire to say anything at all. I just didn't feel like "talking" about it. I believe strongly in using your words consciously, and that when you’re unsure of the message or the result you desire, silence is best. Sometimes it’s a good idea to just marinate for a while. Life can pull us in many directions and deliver a cacophony of experiences to sift through all at once, and adding to that noise usually heeds headaches rather than clarity.
Breath is a bridge to the peaceful inner-self that lives eternally within us.
So today, I chose a painting about being quiet; “To Calm a Storm with a Single Breath". It’s about those times of tumult and a reminder to return to the breath when the universe tosses us into a storm of uncertainty. The painting is small (16x20”) and pulls peaceful shades of blue against darker, foreboding hues. Texture reveals the tiniest bits of gold; flecks of hope piercing the veil of night.
No matter what rages on outside of us, our breath allows us the ability to stay steady and true to ourselves through it all. Each inhale and exhale empower us. Breath is a bridge to the peaceful inner-self that lives eternally within us. That infinite light glows in silence like the ever-present eye of the storm, waiting to welcome us back to center.
Connecting to the breath can happen in different ways. It can be as simple as sitting and counting a cycle of inhales and exhales. We can find it in a yoga practice, on a long run, or even in the midst of lovemaking. The truth, is that our breath is always there for us. You don’t need to work hard or struggle to find this constant in the chaos. All you need to do is take a moment and notice what you were doing all along, through every up and down, without even trying. Just breathe.
Painting of the week: "Islands"
I talk a lot about language in regard to my paintings and how the titles I choose are many times, as important as the visual expression of the painting itself. The work is usually threefold in meaning; first, as a representation of an abstract, connective concept that we as humans experience and strive to understand. Second, the paintings are autobiographical, using color, texture and words to encapsulate the energy felt around a memory or experience I am having. And lastly, they are often double entendres, being either spiritual or sensual in their meanings. Always, they are explorations of what it is to be human and expand further into understanding our experiences as intellectual, spiritual and sensual beings.
The painting, "Islands"
is an entry in my diary about isolation, intimacy and escapism
“Islands” is this Monday’s painting of the week. Its reds, golds and oranges are a rarity in my work, and it was a time of waking up in my life. I was at the start of a budding relationship, and such, beginning that luscious exploration of newness and intimacy. We were islands. Close to one another and representing escape & adventure. A fresh perspective that pulled us out of our every day. A much needed change of pace. We were islands in our isolation; each a separate entity of uncharted territory. Dangerous and exciting. Visiting and then leaving each other behind.
It was also a time of deeper isolation for me. I had been living in Malibu for 7 months, and what had begun as a respite from a difficult time had become very isolating for me. I was far from friends and loved ones. While the distance did allow me focus, it also showed me the importance of connectedness to my well being. Malibu may as well been an island in regard to the rest of Los Angeles. And I was certainly becoming more and more of one in regard to my friends.
The painting “Islands” is an entry in my diary about isolation, intimacy and escapism. It is bright and happy and reminiscent of tropical culture and sunny summer days. At the same time, it is an anomaly of color in my work, similar only to “Close” which is its partner painting. It’s interesting how we can’t really experience intimacy without the contrast of isolation, isn’t it? How does this pair show up in your life? What have you learned about who you are from your feelings or isolation and your moments of intimate connection?