Art Inspiration: Opposites Attract?

 

Hello My Fellow Art Lovers-  "Always think of the universe as one living organism, with a single substance and a single soul." -Marcus Aurelius  (Translation: Seize the Day and Seize the Night!) I've been thinking about how we tend to divide everything into opposites like day and night, man and woman, good and bad.   Peachy Keen, Available at the Studio When I create a painting like the peaches above, it is easiest if I divide the object into light and shadow.  This helps me to create the colors and draw it accurately.  But in reality the peach is one object.  It can be easier to label things... to simplify everything into opposites. While this mode of thinking can be useful to a point, helping us to sort out our world, it can be limiting.  (This is most dangerous when we label people as "good or bad" rather than clearly seeing the whole person.) In order to see the whole picture we have to let go of divisions and "think of the universe as one living organism."  Mary Lou William's Song: Night Life, Available at the studio Harmony can only come when a chord is struck.  In music this is when different tones sound together.  In symbolism it is when both opposite elements, like yin and yang, are honored.  To have peace, to heal we must have union.  Years ago on the dry, desert island of Paros Greece I came across this sign... Following it I found a lush tropical oasis.  A valley held moisture creating a wet, steamy environment perfect for butterflies to flourish.  THOUSANDS of butterflies flittered around me.  Everyone walked slowly and in silence as if it was a cathedral. Within every desert there is an oasis, a spot where life can grow.  The oasis is part of the desert.  To have peace we must open our eyes wider to view the whole picture and accept it as it is.   I am working on my upcoming book on SYMBOLISM! (It is almost finished!!!) Stay tuned for the more juicy symbols and art philosophy as I swim through this material.    Join us for upcoming art classes at the studio:   Landscape Painting - 4 Weeks, Wednesdays August 30-Sept 20  6-9pm  $220 In this 4-week class we will create a variety of landscape paintings while learning basic contemporary impressionist techniques.  We will enrich our painting skills by focusing on how to create atmosphere, realistic perspective, and a well-balanced composition.  Advanced and beginning students welcome.  All materials provided.   Learn to Draw - 7 Weeks, Wednesdays October 4- Nov. 15, 6-9pm  $320 Are you interested in learning how to draw?  In this class we will learn many techniques for drawing so that you can gain control over your artistic projects.  Drawing can be a meditative process that can help you to focus your mind and appreciate the beauty in subtle details.  Together we will do exercises to learn to notice the patterns of our world and create dynamic designs. All materials provided. Create Your Visionary Life Plan -  2 Weeks, Saturdays Oct 21 – Oct 28  1-4pm  $110 In this unique class we will create vision board collages and journal in a notebook that will become our life plan.  Part art class and part self-help we will answer questions that will help guide us into our next stage of life.  Together we will support each other as we cover a wide variety of topics such as our dreams, ideal day, vacation plans, career, relationships, and health. Pulling it all together we will create concrete action plans. All materials provided.