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Just Let Everything

2/4/2021

6 Comments

 
"Just Let Everything" - acrylic and charcoal on cradled birchwood panel, 11" x 14" x .75".  Ready to hang (sides are bare birchwood; no need to frame.  Hanging wire attached). Available here and at Artfinder.


Maybe we shouldn't try to understand everything.
And just let everything wash over us.

- BRIAN RUTENBERG


I don't know about you, dear reader, but I spend a lot of time trying to understand things.  

That means reading about things, talking about things, thinking about things, making decisions about things, mulling things over, rolling things around on my tongue.  Trying things on, turning things over, pulling things inside out.  But during these snail-paced pandemic times, I am determined to also try just letting everything wash over me.  Which looks a lot like naming a thing and then letting it be.  Or not naming it and letting it be.  Just feeling it and letting it, well, stay or go or morph or bloom or even die.
Picture
Just Let Everything
And what I've learned is this:  sometimes a thing will reveal itself when I stop trying to understand it.  WHAT?  That's some sort of zen magic there. Doing NOTHING and learning SOMETHING?   But here's the rub - the reading, mulling, talking and thinking about things opens a world of ways of viewing those things.  So that when I do (finally, reluctantly sometimes) just let a thing BE and it reveals or resolves, it is only because I tried to understand that I can recognize what just happened.

Sigh.  Life is messy.  We might as well be covered in paint.

About the art:  Beginning with an inspiration photo and a chunky piece of charcoal, working quickly to "catch" the gesture without overly defining it.  Coming in with color to refine a bit and then jumping off from there.  I got SO excited about the process and the paint that I neglected to film the final color applications.  Oy!  That's what happens when a painter is in charge of the video. :)
6 Comments
Dotty Seiter link
2/4/2021 10:10:44 am

We might as well be covered in paint.

And that's what happens when a painter is in charge of the video.

YES.

And YES.

Who could ask for better?

I keep exploring "Just Let Everything" and rereading what you've written and rerunning the videos.

THANK YOU. You're pouring water down the throat of this thirsty girl on the receiving end!

Reply
jen
2/5/2021 10:16:10 am

Dotty! Your comments make me smile. Thank you, sweet friend. I am delighted to have provided that cool drink of water. xo

Reply
Carl Stoveland
2/4/2021 11:04:10 am

I love this painting. The colors the form all of it. It goes so well with my current Pauline Agnew lesson about massing the shadows.
The quote is so apt. Too. I’m trying on not react too much these days and accept there are things I just can’t control. Bravo!

Reply
jen
2/5/2021 10:17:23 am

Carl! Thank you, friend. The lessons from Pauline's class are enduring and I use them daily. Now, if only the more philosophical lessons of life would stick as easily...

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Carol Edan link
2/5/2021 01:42:54 am

Quote hit the target! Have to learn to accept what is and not mull about the why! This figure really speaks! Love how she is part of the background yet stands on her own.

Reply
jen
2/5/2021 10:18:34 am

Carol! Thanks, friend. The quote jumped out and smacked me in the head this week. haha! And I am working on abstracting these figures in odd ways....it is a very satisfying adventure!

Reply



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  • Home
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