Gallery

In the painting, the beautiful tree has started to outgrow its comfined space, thus starts to curl along the edges of the protective boundaries. All that expressed within a framework of a stained-glass-window look, to depict the mindset of which we are looking out upon. At which point does the protection becomes a form of repression?

This image came to me while I was working on my earlier pieces of paintings. With it came a positive message about comfort zones.

Many a times, we set up boundaries to give us a zone where we feel safe and comfortable to work within. For some, these zones were set up by external forces (for example, parents vs child). For a certain time period it is a good thing. Beyond that, the question of if its actually for protection, or has it started to repress our “beingness” ? Sometimes we forget that the very things we want to be protected from, are also the things that would probably help us grow and nurture to become better.

***

It is a well known fact that a colony of Aspen Tree can actually be just ONE single entity. Their roots deep underground sprout shoots that eventually grow into a tree above ground. During a forest fire, the Aspen Tree is one of the first trees that would regenerate, because their roots are untouched by the fire deep underground.

The story this piece told was one of how metaphors formed in the mind. Each one of us has a library of metaphors in our minds, formed as we go through life. The trees represents already formed metaphors, the undergrowth are new ones that are still being formulated. Each person has a unique collection of metaphors, just as each tree is a different metaphor. Collectively in the metaphor forest, we have some metaphors that we always use/see and hence more out in the front and exposed for you to access. The ones deeper in the forest are the ones that are accessed less often, mostly the darker ones as we tend to avoid the negative metaphors that we encounter in our everyday lives. The deeper you go into the forest, the darker it gets. But, would you dare venture into the deepest part of the forest? You will not know what awaits you in there, or what you will rediscover.

***

While the Celtic’s associated many important mystical meaning to different trees, it is safe to say that the symbol of Trees had very important meanings in their folklore, and druidic traditions; and therefore life in general. In Buddhism, it is said that a tree represents a person’s life and form (form here refers to the cultivation/s and practice/s of the person). This paintings tells me the story of how a person’s minds perceives himself/herself.

We perceive a “self” as the collection of, or compartments of; like different aspects of a self that makes up the collective of the “self”. Akin to the different facets, or aspects, of the personality of a person. Some new age beliefs says that when a person experiences trauma of any sort (it does not have to be a big trauma like being an earthquake survivor, it could be as small as being a 6 yr old child lost at the mall) a part of you fractures off to be lost in the ether (for whatever reasons); the more traumatic the event, the more parts gets fractured off. Perhaps, this is what is meant by the repression of traumatic memories in modern day psychology.

However, with each trauma or difficulty in life we face and survive (the swirls on the bark), we wear it on ourselves as a badge of honor and grow for the better of us. But, in order to truly integrate ourselves, to realize ourselves as a whole, we have to integrate all our fractured selves and to embrace them (the fragments on the crown of the tree); both for the good and the bad. They are all part of ONE and should not, and cannot be broken. Ostracize the bad part/s and the “self” ceases to exist.

***

I was inspired by a picture of a Giant Redwood Tree to create this. The Giant Redwood Tree has the lifespan of several human lifetimes. The older trees have trunks that spans easily the arm spans of several human beings. Truly a remarkable tree to look at (even if its only in pictures). I could not help but wonder at the age and magnificence of such a species of tree.

The trunk of the tree takes up over half the painting to convey how great of a tree it is. As if to speak to me to tell me its story to encourage me. “I am one of the Giant Redwood, a species of tree that have lived to observe the many lifetimes of men. I wear the scars of the trials tribulations that I have experienced. I am ancient, but still stand tall and strong. My canopy still provides shade from the scorching sun to all who rest near me. Let me be your inspiration for strength and stoicity, to spur you on through your hard times. Let my shade be where you come to celebrate your triumphs over your adversities.”

***

I look at this piece as a message to me from within. It is a message of encouragement to grow, to become the better you for all the experiences life has delivered.

“You” retreat to hide from all the pain suffered. It matters not who, what, where, or why, the pain was there; because it was in the past. But, because you hide you have denied the world a piece of you that was beautiful. It is time to let the world see the beautiful heart that which you have sequestered away. Your heart space, your real home, will always be there; you can always retreat back to it to rest, or to recover, when you need to. When you are done do not hesitate to let yourself bloom again, to allow yourself to touch the world outside; and to let the world touch you. No matter what others say, you are beautiful in your own way. It is time to let the world experience the beauty that you have hidden within.

***

I was inspired to paint this piece while I was taking my Neurographica(TM) certification, and learning to draw the Neurolotus. The instructor was talking to us about a 7 Chakra Neurolotus, and I just could not wait to try it out on my own. This was the result.

***

Digital paintings

Photographic Collections from over the years