Michelangelo was aware of his “I,” his ego, when he painted, just as we are when we look at his paintings. But when we go back and look at Paleolithic art, for instance that of the Lascaux caves, we realize that these were not the result of people’s conscious thoughts.
Read More »Many of the Japanese homes I have visited have a little altar area, which is usually behind closed doors. There is often incense burning, and some food that has been left for the gods. And inside there may be a painting, or perhaps a photograph of a dead relative to encourage the spirits to come through.
Read More »Over the years, I too have collected many rocks, and my love of them has nothing to do with their geological classifications. I have no idea what kind of rocks they are. To me, they are just rocks. In fact, I believe that when you name something, like a bird, or a flower—or a rock—you take something away from its inherent beauty.
Read More »What could make pure art? Obviously it cannot be created with notes of music and instruments, nor with paints and brushes, nor with cameras, nor with marble and chisels, since every medium has gross limitations. A medium is not full of life. We can bring it to life, but by itself it does not live.
Read More »The Japanese word kensho is used in Zen in the sense of “seeing one’s own true nature,” the Buddha-Nature. Coming to the realization that one is a Buddha, and that all are Buddhas: Buddhas, Buddhas – everywhere!
It is always my hope that a sufferer looking at my painting or photograph will suddenly have this epiphany, this enlightenment.
Read More »When I was five, I was hospitalized with an illness from which it was thought I would die. (Thankfully, I was only told this many years later!) Every day as my mother turned to leave me she would start to cry, and so would I.
But one day, at that very moment, I switched on the radio beside my bed and heard a song that seemed to overcome all my fear and loneliness.
Read More »
