The Painting : In Grace

More on this painting...

Thoughts during this painting process.

This piece was a wonder to work on. It was one of the first pieces that started off this current series I have been working on that explores the universal relations of man, creature, nature and the universe. It came with it’s own challenges and small epiphanies.

During the making of this piece, I was reading a lot about Taoist Art, and there were a few things that really stuck with me. One of them is the balance between the yin and the yang. It is important to remember that the achievement of harmony within oneself is crucial in achieving harmony within the world. I see this view as one can not change the world with hate or anger within themselves for whatever it is they are trying to change.

One of the many other things that stuck with me is that "Taoism is non-theistic because the limitations of the finite human mind are realized, practically and sensibly. The transcendental would no longer be transcendent if it could be described, formulated, named." -Jean C. Cooper. This had me thinking about all the things we humans try to label and define only to find that we simply can't label or define it perfectly; therefore, we leave ourselves more confused than before. Yes, some things must be labeled as a means of communication and convenience, but sometimes the human experience can overcomplicate things.

Another part that stuck with me is: "It (Tao) cannot be conveyed either by words or by silence. In that state, which is neither speech nor silence its transcendental nature may be apprehended."- Chuang Tzu XXV. Being, doing, creating takes presidence over just speaking.

I am no expert on Taoism, and I believe I haven't even scratched the surface, but exploring it has given me more momentum in the flow of thoughts that come when I am creating these pieces and when I observe the life around me. I also realized that I am only at the beginning of these lessons on life and I could see those moments where I was not flowing in the right stream, those moments where I wronged people or wronged myself. Yet, a life without mistakes is no life at all.

"In Grace" is a piece that embodies the flow of these thoughts and small epiphanies.

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Welcome!

Welcome to the newest addition to the website, Impressions: The “Blog”

A BIT ABOUT ME:

If you don’t know me personally, I am an visual artist from Southern California who specializes in painting and drawing.

I have been drawing and painting since I can remember, but I didn’t really start to pursue a career in the arts until I went to college at the University of Hawai’i. After receiving my art degree (with a focus in painting), I was accepted into a Masters program at Cambridge School of Arts in England. There, I was working with a lot of smaller work and digital illustration. While working on many projects at the desk, I decided I wanted to get back into my larger-scale work. So, I started working on larger pieces again.

Now, here I am building my career in art, nearing 30 years old with an obsession in painting/drawing.

A BIT ABOUT THIS “BLOG”

I happen to believe that EVERYONE can be creative.

I also believe that creativity is important to the well-being of us humans and that it is something that can be planted, nurtured and grown. SOOOOO, I thought it would be great to start building a little community of creativity advocates…. like yourself. And guess what? You don’t have to be a professional by any means!

On this website, I wanted to have a platform where I can share a wide range of topics like daily creative exercises, how-tos, tips, concepts, and techniques and then have discussions about them with all of you.

Creativity is much easier to express when you realize all the different ways you can express it and I hope this inspires you to do so.

I look forward to exploring these topics with you and thank you for your support, always!

If you have not already, check out the newest post: It’s Personal: Art that reflects you, thoughts on personal taste.

Until next time!

Jill