I came across this book for the first time in many years. “Lost” on a bookshelf, unopened for decades, it is a book I made by hand in high school; from the linocut print illustrations and the hand written text, the hand sewn pages, to the hard cover binding. The poem I used is called “The Desiderata of Happiness.” Some of you may remember it. It begins, “Walk placidly amid the noise and haste and remember what peace can be found in silence.” High school was a very happy period of my life.
Funny, 10 years from the year I made this book, I began practicing meditation. I find learning to silence the constant chatter of the mind through the daily practice of silent meditation brings me peace. I knew nothing of yoga and meditation before that year. It has become a large part of my life.
Over 30 years later, I have created another book of similar size entitled “Visions.” It is a collection of my paintings and my own poetry and it also is meant to inspire. I was interviewed about the book earlier this month by EC Magazine (EC as in Emerald Coast) which is primarily distributed throughout The Panhandle of Florida from Panama City to the 30A area, Destin, and further west to Pensacola.
It has been said that all of fine art (defined by me as a heartfelt-inspired depiction of an inner reality) is autobiographical to some degree, whether conscious or not. I think back to the works of 10 years ago during a very painful period of my life and I realize at the time, I was only painting broken egg shells, broken seashells and dead birds.
I still paint broken seashells. To me they are beautiful analogies of youth, middle age and old age. I have many photos of dead birds which may be used for paintings one day. Death is a part of the natural cycle of life here on earth. To me it is not the end but rather a beginning.
These days, I also paint landscapes and seascapes, the sky and magic. My seascapes have moved from water surface paintings with the myriad of colors and designs found there, to the expanse of the sea, the distant horizon and the sky above. I have begun a piece of seagulls in flight.
My gaze has lifted.