Reflections on a life of high strangeness

[karo]

Thank you for writing your story of everyday's earthly issues, and this kind reminder for the reader to be gentle with oneself.

I collect "T-shirt messages from Universe" in my note pad, and the most recent one is "do what makes you happy", for me sounds almost like I-Ching reading, lol, and is very suitable atm.

Considering all what is going on and how it may influence one's mental state for going forward, it is good to remember that being gentle and also do some things that brings joy is very important. At least for me, as I was/am always very harsh on myself. So in a sense it is maybe going against my programming.

Thank you once again, I read your inputs with pleasure, best wishes for walking lightly forward :)

 

[SlipNet]

Thanks @karo! Compassion, and how you practice it in life, is crucial for the self as well as with others. I noticed many years ago that I was way harsher on myself than I was with friends et al. It surprised me when I became aware of this state, and gradually I realised that I needed to be a little more chilled in how I dealt with my own state. I don't want to change the world, such a task is beyond me, but I do want to change how I respond to the world as it is. This is a smaller task and is one which I feel confident I can do well. I think we are programmed to think, "well, I don't know much, what right do I have to opine on worldly events?". It's an old trick played by those who would rather see us stay silent. Once you've reached a certain level of knowledge/being/experience, it becomes second nature to suffuse everything you say and do with a certain "signature", which rings true on what's wrong and right. I've seen it in others, and it is what I'm working towards.

 

[tschai]

Thanks @karo! Compassion, and how you practice it in life, is crucial for the self as well as with others. I noticed many years ago that I was way harsher on myself than I was with friends et al. It surprised me when I became aware of this state, and gradually I realised that I needed to be a little more chilled in how I dealt with my own state. I don't want to change the world, such a task is beyond me, but I do want to change how I respond to the world as it is. This is a smaller task and is one which I feel confident I can do well. I think we are programmed to think, "well, I don't know much, what right do I have to opine on worldly events?". It's an old trick played by those who would rather see us stay silent. Once you've reached a certain level of knowledge/being/experience, it becomes second nature to suffuse everything you say and do with a certain "signature", which rings true on what's wrong and right. I've seen it in others, and it is what I'm working towards.

Have you ever tried painting? I have been kicking around the idea of taking it back up and getting better at it, I would love to retire this summer Divine Cosmic Mind willing and have always found painting to be a calming experience for me.

 

[SlipNet]

Have you ever tried painting? I have been kicking around the idea of taking it back up and getting better at it, I would love to retire this summer Divine Cosmic Mind willing and have always found painting to be a calming experience for me.

Yeah, I worked on a number of acrylic boards during 2005-15 in particular. I used to work as a volunteer assistant in a local art studio. Sold about a dozen or so pictures too. I prefer drawing with pencils/ink, I feel I have more nuance and control with them. I agree that you can get into very Zen-like states if you just surrender to the process of creating. I get the same vibes from playing on my electric piano too, even though I'm clumsy and primitive in my riffing. Whereas when I write I become more distinct, more present in the moment, less like I'm jamming, more deliberate in my thinking. I just love the whole creative process, and I feel glad that I have writing, music and picture projects on the go as outlets for my expression. Art makes life worth living as far as I'm concerned.

 

[SlipNet]

I have been kicking around the idea of taking it back up and getting better at it, I would love to retire this summer Divine Cosmic Mind willing and have always found painting to be a calming experience for me.

I'd say go for it. If you find yourself with freedom and lots of time on your hands, there's no reason why not. Visually the world is an information feast today too. I've done a number of pictures in recent years set in Haiti, Iraq, Gaza, and I found it to be a very instructive project to undertake. It was a happy observation to make that my most well-read part of myself was also keen on striking visual art as well. You've got nothing to lose man, go for it! It sends a message out to the world and the DCM that you are here, and this is what you see. Bear witness to reality and make your own mark on this life.

 

[tschai]

Yeah, I worked on a number of acrylic boards during 2005-15 in particular. I used to work as a volunteer assistant in a local art studio

I have always enjoyed art, not really all that good at it but I prefer working in acrylics, they dry quickly and if I want to change something it is easier to do.

 

[tschai]

I have always enjoyed art, not really all that good at it but I prefer working in acrylics, they dry quickly and if I want to change something it is easier to do.

The orcas are not acrylic, it is my first attempt at digital painting using a paint program called dog waffle. Using only a mouse. I have been considering buying a digital tablet, but I rather like putting paint on canvas- it’s much more physical, and present. Hard to explain, just more satisfying.

 

[SlipNet]

When I use acrylics, I tend to use slide rules and my fingers more, rather than with brushes. I work on big canvasses and eschew fine detail. I kinda sculpt pictures in an impressionistic style. I like your orca picture though, the colour, ambience and drama of the view is good.

I think that with the arts in general going crazy for AI and CGI innovations, my response is to go back to a more primitive, physical mode of expression. I did a painting of Hendrix for a friend about 10 years back, where I depicted his afro only in coloured thumb prints. Maximise what makes you unique is all I'd say. And always tell the truth and come to your own conclusions in life, and depict them honestly as statements.

With that in mind you can't go wrong. I still look at the primitive cave paintings of lore and marvel at their sense of vision. I keep those impressions close within. They captured life and motion in a world where not even the spoken word was recorded. And they captivated their tribe with their visions captured. The original film makers were in the caves of Lascaux. Obviously our visual senses have been among our most hyper-developed senses in recent centuries. This will continue into the future for sure. In the future we'll have to develop how to depict 4d imagery. A long challenge that one....