Way to Valhalla

There is no substitute for firsthand experience. But, we can still learn from the experience of others, as lessons from afar that turn into rewards for own selves. How to do this?

If you admire someone, ask yourself why? If the answer is steadfast and sound then find out what makes that person tick. You will find a way if that is your dharma, your mission here on Earth.

In the process of discovery and dedication, you will pick up clues and cues that matter in your own life, too.

The person who would take on the above also describes the character of the true artist who takes nothing for granted, knowing only the brave may enter Valhalla.

Higgs Boson Field

In my book, An Artist Empowered, I devoted a large and in-depth chapter to Art & Physics. Why such an investigation into theoretical physics and its pioneers in a book about art?

In a meaningful sense, both art & physics aim for the same thing: reveal the magic of the unseen.

The more we comprehend matter, the better we can put its secret qualities to good use. The great artists of the past were deeply intrigued by time, space, and matter as it transforms into energy—call it alchemy, call it art.

Finding the fundamental bit of matter is one of the holy grails in theoretical physics. As deep as we peer into the quantum world, there will always be a new underlying mystery to solve.

Meanwhile, the quantum world often shows up in my paintings. Here is the Higgs Boson Field that cannot yet be seen by machines, but can be viewed in all its glory in art.

Beyond Europa

I’ve put together a meditative yet lively slideshow of my most recent series, Improvisations, which explores the diversity of basic, or primitive shapes. I used FotoMagico, which I totally recommend to all artists, to create the lively slideshow with accompanying music.

Here’s the youtube link.

Also, I’ve entered Beyond Europa in a Talenhouse contest. If you would like to support me, go to my Talenthouse submission page and click on support Eden.

You know the score: what goes around comes around—sooner or later.

Thank you.

Tall Tales

Ancient masters reveled a great truth: opinions, not money, are the root of all evil.

And we all know the rest of the story: ‘everyone’ has an opinion. In most cases, when you have an opinion, it is based on what you have heard from others. Your opinion is not you, but a rehash of what came before—which could be a good thought, too.

Not thinking, in the Zen understanding, is not only mystical, it is practical. When you access not thinking, you leave opinions behind for a grander purpose and awareness.

I have a covenant with my art: not thinking while creating. This keeps my opinions out, and my art original.

Yes, but how do I access not thinking, you may ask.

If you want to find out you will. See the reason in the advice.

Meanwhile, for the important things, find out for yourself. First-hand knowledge has great liberating power.

The Bodhisattva Journey

In Buddhism:

A bodhisattva is, generally speaking, an enlightened being who returns to this world out of compassion to serve his fellow beings. If you had elevated yourself from this carnal-based existence, would you return in an act of altruism? Don’t answer too quickly.

Whether you are a Buddhist or not is the not issue. The concept of the bodhisattva is an object lesson in awareness, which is the umbrella understanding that reaches and affects all concepts, such as the quality of life.

The beauty of the bodhisattva is that you can be that being now through right action, which also fuels the magic of art from the soul via intuition.

You need no one’s permission to be of good character.