Painting

“The Less the Artist Does, the Better”

All activities – including art, of course – are the result of Guidance. And the extent to which the artist’s ego intrudes is also Guided.

“The Power of a Black Dot”

Simple
and Still,
and Infinite.

A dot is still and simple and infinite.

Consider a black dot – singular – on a sheet of white paper.

Video: Painting – The Power of the Dot

Dr. Diamond discusses the therapeutic power of this most simple of devices. From the “Art for Healing” series of informal talks.

See more videos by Dr Diamond on his YouTube channel.

“Before Image, Only Movement”

Su Tung-p’o, the great painter and poet of the Song dynasty, stated that “To judge a picture by its resemblance is to have the critical faculty of a child.”

“Always the Feeling of the Movement”

Do I pre-visualize what I am about to paint? Not at all.

“Painting and the Depiction of Form”

Photography freed painting from having to depict form.

“Empty Space Diamond?”

Ma Yuan, a painter of the Song dynasty, was called “One-corner Ma” because, in an attempt to render perspective, he would put the foreground figures in one corner

“The Painting’s Title and the Patient’s Diagnosis”

“What’s the title of your painting?”, they ask me. Well, it’s like when I’m asked for a diagnosis. To me, the diagnosis is the sufferer’s name.

“Painting as Guided”

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.

“One Way to Use Healing Art”

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.