Creating inspiration

Thank you Bill Viola for your inspirational large scale installation Ocean Without a Shore, currently showing at the National gallery in Victoria. http://www.ngv.vic.gov.au/billviola/index.html

According to Bill this work is "inspired by many poets, artists and personal reflection on transfiguration. The key point is that the transformation of the Self, usually provoked by a profound inner revelation or an overwhelming sensation of clarity and fathomless emotion, overcomes the individual unit literally a 'a new light' dawns on him or her.

As Ibn al'Arabi described it: "A morning has dawned whose darkness was you".

Sometimes this dawning is of such great magnitude that the world is destined to be changed by it. Other times, a solitary mind silently alone in a room somewhere is quietly awakened, without a whisper ot ripple in the cosomos. Some of the most profound human experiences occur at time like these, arising at the outer limits of conscious awareness.

These are the 'transition zones' where experience is unstable and life is tenuous, when we are tested to our limits, and sometimes beyond. Invariably a thresholds is reached that demands to be crossed. However the decision to cross the line, whether real or imaginary is a serious one and the personal stakes can be high".

I felt that the expressions on the people depicted in his artwork, tenderly represesnted this.

The Self is an ocean without a shore
Gazing upon it has no beginning or end,
in this world and the next.
- Ibn Al Arabi (1165-1240)

Windows opening

your eyes gaze forward
the sun makes you squint
you adjust your gaze
but your eyes stay fixed
upon the horizon

the landscape shifts

moonlit eclipses a blazing sun

cool evenings follow alfresco summer days

winter woolen replaces tiny bikinis

and still your eyes fix
steady
upon the horizon


Then a breeze gently caresses your skin
you turn to see
if a window has been left open
notice muslin curtains a flutter in the breeze
and realise
there is not one
but many ajar

and suddenly your eyes
circumnavigate back
to your original focus
on the horizon

it hasn't shifted

but your perspective has
and you realise
that you are in
a good place.

Shhh...

but the other day i started to paint again.maybe it was the portraits I saw in the Archibald Exhibition on friday.don't know.but on sunday afternoon i walked into an art supplies shop and after surveying various mediums selected some watercolour paper, sable brushes and a selection of gouache paints.as i sat at my kitchen bench painting, the afternoon light and the glimpse of the bay dissipated into moonlight almost without detection.i was immersed in the essence of the moment.tranquility and calmness.like visiting an old friend.it's been too too long. i hope to visit again soon and to experience that synergy again.

Loving words

Jessica took "Winter sunrise in Brisbane" from her side balcony this morning.

She sent the photo in an email with the following inspiring, gentle and awakening words.

Jules we leave parts of us behind all over the place when we love people. Parts of my heart dwells in Norway, England, the US and Canada, NZ and in many homes across Australia where people I love are located and are sorely missed, sometimes on a daily basis sometimes just occasionally. Don't give up “I'm happy here. I am inspired, nurtured and able to achieve some goals” and go plunging back into that wild ocean of uncertainty and angst?

The only thing you can do, which is the option available to the rest of us is know that 1) you will survive, even though it doesn’t feel like it at the moment 2) if you use it wisely and prudently time really will heal all wounds even though it doesn’t feel like it at the moment and 3) if you are open to possibilities you will love again even though you can’t imagine it at the moment.

Clarity, beauty & truth.

Loving words.

Her words cradle my restless soul.

i love you Jessica

thank you Bella!