- Published on
The Loneliness of Being Ourselves
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"The Loneliness of Being Ourselves" - oil on plywood, 19 x 29 x .5 inches. This item is unframed but ready to hang. (click on the image to purchase)
Moments like these jolt us awake from the dream of perfect understanding, stagger us with the realization that no one ever really knows what it is like to be somebody else, that between one consciousness and another there always gapes an abyss black as the inside of a skull, and though we may try to reach each other with love and reason, they twine but a tenuous footbridge across it. The best we can do is hold on to the ropes and hope that they will not fray before we reach the rim of understanding, the outer edge of the other, which is all we can ever touch — and still it is enough, this sliver of salvation from the loneliness of being ourselves, this outstretched hand across the icy blue. - THE MARGINALIAN
Have you ever experienced loneliness when you were not actually alone? As an inward leaning human, I often feel loneliest in large groups of people, far away from the outer edge of the other. Somewhere in another galaxy, perhaps?
In one-on-one settings, it is easier for me to hold on to the ropes and to reach for the edges of another person. But even then, as the quote points out, I can see the abyss between myself and the inner workings of another person.
Now, place all of this into a society becoming more fractured, further apart in values and beliefs and there emerges a wide chasm of misunderstanding and non-understanding between people. I gaze across that wide canyon and cannot see my way across, find myself leaning more and more in the other direction. Turning inward, staying safe.
In one-on-one settings, it is easier for me to hold on to the ropes and to reach for the edges of another person. But even then, as the quote points out, I can see the abyss between myself and the inner workings of another person.
Now, place all of this into a society becoming more fractured, further apart in values and beliefs and there emerges a wide chasm of misunderstanding and non-understanding between people. I gaze across that wide canyon and cannot see my way across, find myself leaning more and more in the other direction. Turning inward, staying safe.
But I have an inkling that turning inward isn't going to help us move through this fracturing (though it is necessary for serenity and balance at times). So I will keep reaching for those ropes and hope they will not fray in pursuit of understanding and connection. I might need a fancy circus outfit, but that could be mischievously fun.
About the art: this piece is painted over a murdered acrylic abstract painting. For this one, I drew the composition directly on top of the prior piece using a wet brush and big, loose strokes. The heavy texture of the original piece adds quite a bit of interest to the new piece, which might have otherwise looked too flat. There are a LOT of layers in this one, all constructed with brushes. No rubber wedges on this piece, as plywood prefers brushwork. I think this house is in the perfect location for me - high on a hill with big skies and forests and rolling hills beneath. I imagine the ocean is on the other side of the piece. Oooooooh bliss!
The February Reader Giveaway continues! Leave a message on any blog post this month to be automatically entered to win a free piece of original art. And thank you so much to everyone who reads, comments and shares this blog! Also, a big welcome to all the new subscribers from Bluesky. I'm just dazzled by the friendly cyber-community!
The steep verticality in "The Loneliness" captures the farawayness, the heart in the cloud the reaching.
I will climb the path, visit with you, have a friendly cup of coffee, and a laugh!