The Only Way Out is Down
acrylic ink, mixed media on Carte d'Art, 9x12
Sometimes, when I close my eyes, I see a painting......an image......a tv screen......a slide show. I can recall the image(s) by closing my eyes again (I've done this my whole life). These images appear with no accompanying thoughts. I do think about them afterwards. This one appeared several days ago and I decided to copy it onto paper (an aerial view). I don't feel stuck; I'm not depressed; I don't think I'm seeing the future, or the past, or the now.
Does anyone else get this channel?
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This is outstanding! I love the colors. I love the tension. I love the fact that when I squint I see an eye looking back at me. It feels like you are just finishing your blink and it's that instant second just before the light hits your retina after opening your eyes.
ReplyDeleteI don't get the images the way you say. Most of mine start with the accompanying thoughts. Once I get those thoughts I start to materialize the components in my mind's eye which I can then see when I close my eyes.
-Don
I feel strength and balance, call me an optimist. LOVE your colors too.
ReplyDeleteDon, thank you--I now have new wrinkles from squinting; I can almost see an eye from one of your masks. I guess you get a different channel. I read an article last year about the pictures or colors that migraine sufferers see--sort of behind the eyelids. I've only had one migraine in my life but have always wondered what triggers these images (very much like a slide show). They fade after a few days--this is the first one that I've drawn.
ReplyDeleteHi Robin. These colors are my new acrylic drawing inks (I used a q-tip). I think they are set No. 2; No. 1 hasn't arrived yet. I'm glad you feel strength and balance; my thought was of falling--I don't like heights and it's a long way down.
I like it.....
ReplyDeletethere is a balance and tension here that must come from your sculpting days.
I tend to apperciate things that come from nowhere and present themself's here
Hi Hallie - another fantastic painting! Your work is always thought provoking and resonates with me. Powerful. Like you, I think in images. That might be because I'm dyslexic. Usually I see a painting in my head before I paint it, and, like you, I've got a slide show going on in my head most of the time.
ReplyDeletewow I wish I got that channel (though it looks precipitous to me!) I like your explanation of how you get visions. I have never experienced that in waking life. When I was younger I had beautiful interesting night time dreams. I would write them out in the morning. They were often plot type dreams that I enjoyed. I don't get that "channel" anymore, though I used to think it would be interesting to look at my dream journals from those days and "illustrate" what was in them.
ReplyDeleteI see resolve in your image, determination and danger. It is powerful.
Hi JB. I think sculpting did teach me about tension, and I remember the instructor stressing that the feet had to be long enough to hold people up. (These long flat feet are holding on for dear life.) From your blog, I suspect we may get the same channel.
ReplyDeleteThank you Kathy. I definitely think in images; I can never explain anything without drawing it (a problem when talking on the phone). I like the slide shows.
Celeste, you don't need this channel--you paint the excitement and beauty in everything around you. Dream journals are interesting; I've even tried programming my dreams--fun. I'm glad people are seeing determination and power in this; I felt she was simply stuck--no place to go but down. When I was little I dreamed of quicksand, snakes, pirates and earthquakes--in my earthquakes, the earth opened up like this.
Hallie- It's a stunning work! I love it. It makes complete sense to me that you think in images- it shows in your final product. All of your work is powerful and this is no exception.
ReplyDeleteI don't get that channel. I wish I did!
Hi Pam and thank you. I've thought a lot about the unexpected images today. I suspect they show up when I'm between channels--when my mind is idling; it would be nice if I could summon them. I would guess that you don't idle for long.
ReplyDeleteI need to subscribe to your image channel! Very creative, great image - love the dark against the lights, and what lights! Vivid colors! Based upon what I've been experiencing lately, I'd entitle this one "Middle Age".
ReplyDeleteThank you Dan. You could probably do wonderful things with the acrylic inks--I just smeared them around. I was thinking about "Middle Age." I'm not sure old age is an improvement; however, when you're closer to that chasm you worry less--you think, "Oh, WTH--why not?"
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful, rich picture. Yes, I think its about strength rather than entrapment or claustrophobia. Its sort-of joyful. Ugh. I'm lousy at talking about art, but I CAN say: 'I like it! I love it! It makes me feel good!'
ReplyDeleteMM, now I'll probably think of you when I look at this--you've been through heck and you're back. Maybe the wind will lift her out of this spot.
ReplyDeleteHi Hallie, Darn, I thought I left a comment. I'm sure it was most enlightening and insightful (ha)! Mainly, I'm impressed with your ability to see in your head and conceive these images! This one is startling! I can't help but wonder what the story is...and what will happen next. I enjoy the surreal mystery Hallie!
ReplyDeleteHi Peggy. This just showed up and I don't know its story--a bit of a mystery. Past life, maybe--that might explain my childhood fear of crossing bridges (I would crouch under the dashboard). My dad didn't help; he'd slow the car at the top of the hill, put it into neutral, and we'd plummet down and across the bridge--as he laughed and said "Whee." Now, I can laugh--a free roller-coaster ride.
ReplyDeleteHallie, this is wonderful. At first glance, I thought that this was a hyper-close view of a couple of pieces of metal held together by wire. I thought it very appropriate for a sculptor. Then I realized that's a a person in there. It's you keeping life balanced -- I love it!!
ReplyDeleteOh, to be so fortunate as to get slide shows in my head...I don't have that wonderful mental stimulus. Show us more!
Hi Hallie, Your story reminds me of my older brother. He used love to go down a particular hill extra fast because he knew it would make our stomach drop. We were in a VW bug. He laughed and my sisters would laugh; I'd be nervous! Funny things we do!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Mary. You don't need a mental slide show; you're looking out train windows and hotel windows. You see the real thing and then give us wonderful renditions--we travel with you. I take the lazy route; no packing, no planning.
ReplyDeleteHi Peggy. Those older brothers. Mine once grabbed my hand and, with his other hand, touched the electric fence--early electro-shock treatment. (It was mild.)
ReplyDeleteHi Hallie
ReplyDeleteI get 'a channel'...not this channel...which is why I so love coming over to see what's on your screen...
I swear everytime your page opens I smile at what I get to see...always a wonder-filled surprise. I find this little gem provocative, of course, abut also completely delightful.
Thanks for sharing your wave length!
d
Hallie, I LOVE THIS PIECE : )
ReplyDeleteFirst I saw a fish, then I saw the person. The colors are rich and the contrast is nice and strong.
My channel is from dream imagery and then of course the daily beauty of the surrounding landscape!
Hi Donna. I actually worried that if I drew this, my slide show might get canceled. I suspect you're tuned to a higher channel; I haven't been able to fine-tune and receive it yet. Your paintings and writing make me feel lighter and at peace. It's a treasure; I read it and try to be in step--I like the option of just "being."
ReplyDeleteIndigomar, thank you. When I first saw your landscapes with colored trees I thought I recognized them. I believe they look like the beautiful colored lights I sometimes see (they always move offstage to the right). Your dream paintings are very spiritual.
Love it! That simple.
ReplyDeleteThank you, MacCallum More. I look forward to reading your blog.
ReplyDeleteTrès original et vos couleurs sont sublimes ! cath
ReplyDeleteWeekend, thank you. Your paintings are quiet and beautiful.
ReplyDelete