I have posted these two abstract paintings  because I want to go back,

to revisit this sense of freedom and openness. Back to the seed, the primordial beginnings.

The space between the source of the creative fount and the rise of new work.

What do theses paintings say?

Are they abstract visions of the self finding a place in creation-

Or are they just a play with color, light, and space?

Over the years I have moved back and forth between the figurative and abstraction.

So I see them as a part of a larger continuum.

I strive to have some deeper meaning but I am not sure if the viewer sees of feels that.

All I know is that I do and that I am expressing something of my inner being with 

these two paintings 

I hope that you will find some meaning for yourself in them.

How to Make  the Universe Right 

 The art of the Shaman from Vietnam and Southern China

On my recent trip to California I saw this interesting exhibition. It was filled with 

magic and archetypal symbols.  I was so excited to see all the shaman cloaks with all the 

embroidered symbols on both sides of the garment. These were first worn by women 

shamans and then by their male counterparts.

These robes have the cosmos, their belief system  embroider on the back of each robe.

This exhibition is at the Art,Design and Architecture Museum University of 

California,  Santa Barbara.  and is on until May 1 2015.

There is so much more to this exhibit but one must see it in person or get the catalogue to go into 

the meanings and images .  I am still reading the catalogue and absorbing all the treasures of the

mind that I gleaned from my trip west.  Many thanks to my sister in law and brother for finding this 

exhibition and  taking me to it.

Something Is Being Released

I have been working on these paintings  for quite a while. The four you see were done over a period of months in 2014 and not exactly in sequenced formate that you see .  One day as I was looking at them I realized that they were telling me a story of what was happening with the mountains of Cachor Peru and at the same time was happening inside of me. Some thing was stirring and trying to set itself free.  what is that stirring the wanting to lift off, to be free?? I am still meditating on that and catch glimpses of that out of the corner of my eye.  What do you see, what do you think is being set free?

 I would like some responses as to what you, the viewer sees, if you like.

I will add the individually so that you can get a closer look.

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Just a reminder that for the last year 2014 I have been translating the sumi ink paintings. A series of the Cachor peruvian mountains into color paintings on to canvas.

This is a 4 panel painting of the mountains of Cachora  Peru.  Cahora is in the mountains near cusco Peru.This painting is a culmination of about 15 paintings,about 20 sumi ink drawings and 20 sketches.  It is my attempt to show in a semi abstract manner the power of this place, the spiritual presence of the mountains and my connection to them. The Chinese speak of their mountains as 'mountains and water' and here you can see in this painting the same image of the earth/mountain--water. The sketches I made and the photographs I took while there on a shamanic retreat served as the basis for the paintings that I have been inspired to do for the past 2 years.  My experiences during ceremony brought me closer into communion with the surrounding landscape and mountains. 

New york trip also took me to the met for a wonderful chinese album show. small images but lovely.  This one is by the artist Shitao from the early Ching dynasty. I loved that the poems that went with the image were translated deepening the viewing of it.

While in NYC my friend and I went to the Rubin Museum of Tibetan art. and there was a very interesting exhibit of Francesco Clemente's  paintings up stairs.  They were very archetypal & mythical as seen in this painting of the man eating the snake.  The works there were influenced by His many trips to India.  They were very refreshing and mysterious. they made me think of C.G. Jung's red book/\.

PRIMORDIAL LINE

I - I- KUAN-CHIH

ALL EMBRACING ONENESS

SHI TAO  Late 17th C Chinese painter

Shi Tao is one of my favorite Chinese painters.  He was an individualist in character and in his style of painting.  I'am  aways  inspired by  looking at his paintings and his writings. I was reading some of them two days ago and again realized how important his words were for me and for the artists of today. I would like to share some of his thoughts with you.  The following are a few of his quotes:

        " Primordial line  is the basis of all things and the root of a myriad phenomena : it  encompasses the infinity of creation.

         Painting of oneness:  my Tao is that of an all embracing oneness.

          If the world only knows the ruler and compass, but not the principles of rotation of heaven and earth, then Heaven and Earth will tie people up with methods and people will bind themselves by becoming servants to method."

  I see this happening to us today.  Many artists concentrate on method and concept with out meaning  and content.  Much art for me today is "clever" and with out depth and meaning.  shocking or clever with material and images that impact us with no relevance for enriching our lives. Shallow and clever, shocking and a blast to the eyes and brain with out taking us deeper.

" Shi- Tao saw himself at he center of a holistic universe  which was the origin of himself and the world, the past and the present. 

     POEM:   BEATING DRUMS WITH A CYPRESS WOOD STICK,

                   OR WRITING CALLIGRAPHY WITH A SHEEP HAIR BRUSH,

                   WHAT MATTERS MOST IS THE SATISFACTION OF THE MOMENT,

                   AND NEVER MIND SUCCESS OR FAILURE IN THE EYES OF POSTERITY,

                   BUT UNLESS THE PAINTER HAS THE HAND THAT CAN KILL AND BREAK THROUGH  

                            

                   PASSES,   HOW DARE ONE PLAY WITH A PAINTING BRUSH.

Wow what character, Courage, endurance , and  integrity.  Something to live up to!!

He also talks about " cultivating the right state of mind while painting. and the last is  

"I depend neither on mountains, nor on water, neither on brush nor ink, neither on present, nor on any ancient sages--- I depend only on what  I am able to nourish and draw upon myself.