Reflecting on A Painting for Sumi e Workshop

My sumi e painting version of "Our Love" from a poem by M. Oliver, 'Porcupine'

Reflecting on a painting. For our Workshop at Foothills Art Center, Golden, CO, on Saturday, I did my usual warm-up exercises, and was very happy with this abstract sumi e painting…

Sumi e "Our Love" from a poem by M. Oliver, 'Porcupine' by Marilyn Wells, 14" x 18" on single shuen paperGordian Knot 1919S
“Our Love” from a poem by M. Oliver, ‘Porcupine’ by Marilyn Wells, 14″ x 18″ on single shuen paper

“Our Love” 1919S

I think, what love does to us

is a Gordian knot,

it’s that complicated.

M. Oliver -‘Porcupine’

 

At first I thought to name this paintiong “Gordian Knot”, but I went through my process of deeper reflection, which I shared in marilynwellsartjournal.com and was much more satisfied with the title “Our Love”.

This is how one can reflect on a painting. One can do this exercise with paintings, both your own and in an art museum, as well as with anything your eye chooses to fall on. Like a tree. Look at something deeply. Ask what it is saying to you. Reflect on what that means for you, for your life. And dwell there for a moment to absorb this I/Thou moment. Enjoy!

more workshops to come

Come join us next time. I’m preparing for a November 30, 2019 workshop at Mayu Meditation Center on Pearl Street in Denver. Also, stay in touch for a notice about a New Year’s New Beginning, Fresh Start (title may change) experience at Foothills Art Center in early January. More to follow!

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