"Shock of the Old"

Within this new paradigm we find ourselves in, images and information fly by at an increasingly accelerated pace. One finds oneself adrift at times in 'the flow'. Joseph Campbell described (presciently) how there are times in human history where  civilization comes to the fore over cultural endeavors. It appears we are in that type of period - through the Internet - all of us are talking to each other, from all walks of life - challenging stereotypes and previous societal norms and ills...as I strive to find peace of mind and balance within these challenging times, I'm constantly 'shocked' into an awareness of the state of Being connected to something unchanging and seated in 'active stillness'.
Interestingly enough,  the 'shock' comes from images and objects connected to an earlier time, made by artisans, perhaps in their own contemporary 'maelstrom', but creating objects of 'objective awareness', ever-reminding me that the peace I seek is within.

                                       Guan Yin, Liao Dynasty, China, 907-1125 AD

Arcane Mechanism

"Arcane Mechanism"

copper and steel

2015

Drawings on paper and in space....

Some drawing pieces from a few years back ( when I had more space to work).

"Lucifer" graphite on paper.

"Pendulus Construction" graphite on paper.

"Morphology 1" graphite on paper.

"Drawing in Space: Ariel" wood, charcoal, paint.

"Drawing in Space: Embrace" wood, charcoal,paint.

"Drawing in Space: Master and Student", wood, charcoal, paint.

Ascension (for Lois J.)

"Ascension (for Lois J.)", acrylic on canvases, 48"h X102"w, 2014.

Studio view, coming together...

As I embark on bringing the figure back into my work, I couldn't help but place my earlier, copper sculpture, "Metamorphosis" into the mix...and I see there is a nice "dialogue". Recent events turned my perception of what I've been doing 180 degrees and I see things in a fresh perspective...in fact, that process of "cutting through what's known" is what it's all about for me. But, I can get complacent very easily ( usually motivated by fear and a desire to "have the answers") - I'm glad there are people (teachers, etc) who can wake me up again.

The process of art-making really is supernatural - there are things that happen during the process that I can't explain...and I like that. It brings surprise, vitality and magic into my life and I can only hope that my images offer the viewer that experience as well.

Surprise, surprise!

As it turns out, the "angel of light" wanted to become the "angel of darkness and shadow"! As I started the underpainting of my "angel of light" ( I usually begin by working very dark and layering light/color on top of that - similar to an old master technique) I stepped back and received "a shock"... it was not what I had anticipated - I saw, instead of an underpainting for my "angel of light" , another image altogether. I have been thinking about, ruminating on the Jungian concept of Anima ( an inner female component for men, Anumus, male - for women) and how to try and depict the various stages: Eve, Helen, Mary, Sophia. This creature - named Lilith for now - represented something altogether different: a dark negativity - Yes!!! We all carry, in varying degrees, this element of negativity within us. To see my particular manifestation of it was quite startling to say the least. So the orb of light becomes a leaden black ball of bile, dark matter. I continued on with the painting, honoring its new direction...and felt enormous inner relief when it became apparent I could go no further. Does this mean I'm purged for good from negativity? Ha ha! Don't think so - but there is a since that I'm "less identified" with it - that is - I've created a small wedge between "it" and who I am.

Andromeda

This is a small study "Andromeda"(18"X24") for a much larger piece (36"X48") - bringing the figure in - want to start by doing a triptich with three "celestial bodies" : Andromeda, Lyra and Cassiopia.
Developing a technique using major glazing, adding layer after layer, turning it into a "ghost of a painting."