Large Enso Diagram
Sitting recently on a mountain and contemplating the new gallery that I have joined, I thought of silence and the practice of art. Probably one of the most profound and enduring images in human history is the ENSO. This gesture with the brush comes from the Buddhist tradition. Zen Monks would meditate for days and then paint pictures which illuminated their stage of practice. Practicing silence is essential to the Toltec Warrior’s path. Each of these works, which is has emerged from grounding back in the desert is just such a practice. I find practicing silence to be best done in the morning. As well, doing art when awaking from dream catalyzes the work into a level that often surprises one. So each of these is from my morning practice of both silence and art. Brush to paper, this is probably the best representation of the shift of the assemblage point to new positions without defining with the ration where it is or when.
Traveling Enso
Adding figure to artwork has always been a challenge. The Toltec pathway shows us that our form is only as constant as the fixation of the assemblage point. Empty forms illuminate the dream quality of our being and geometrics help to graphically symbolize the energy centers of our being. In this the geometrics also shed light on the states of being we can attain in traveling, or dream practice.
Looking West Enso
The natural world is a place of infinite silence. Mountains bear witness to our practice if we listen. This enso shows how a shift to the left allows us to see more clearly the silence all around us. Silence for me is not quiet… it is not the absence of sound, but rather the absence of ration thus we can be an integral part of the universe and natural world in which we live.
As Above so Below Enso
We always sit in silence at the center of our awareness. When connecting below our being there is an equal reflection of connection above our being. Even above and below have no meaning in the practice of silence. Shifting to the energy body, as seen on the right side, all states are one state of pure perception.
Black Enso
Probably my most favorite of the series, Black Enso shows rich characters with a dream like quality around the central figure. These characters don’t so much say something specific as they allude to the attempt we are always making to wrap words around the wordless. When contemplating these glyphs, my thought is that they say more than strict translated meaning can come close to verbalizing. Thus silence is shared in graphic form through art.
Language Enso
In my practice of writing glyphs that point a finger at the energy behind our words, I have come up with a series of basic strokes or states that combine often to create larger phrases. The only way I can create these forms is to blank my mind and just let the body move, like a dance on paper. When stepping back, meaning is clear and constantly shifting. Each time I look at these word forms, I read something different based on where I am at at that moment.
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Freedom Artist 