Mindlessness
“Some people think a great deal too much. Of that I am sure.” Mary Poppins, by P.L. Travers
Mindfulness and being in the present moment has become all the rage. The term itself, however, implies the mind being full, and the practice is sometimes hijacked as yet another way to become better, more useful or productive as human beings. My work peels back the layers to reveal the truth that what we refer to as mindful might instead be mindless. In the absence of the mind we may stop containing ourselves or others into psychological boxes of what we should be and instead begin trusting our intuition to find what we are actually searching for which is already present around us.
The work is inspired by the philosophical writings of both Alan Watts and Albert Camus. The work of Watts synthesized the teachings of Buddhism, Taoism and Hinduism with the principles of western psychology to further understand the true oneness and interconnectedness of all. Camus developed the philosophy of absurdism based upon human beings existing in a purposeless, chaotic universe that is ridiculous and absurd. These two contrasting yet harmonizing philosophies come together visually within my work. Life is both completely tragic and completely beautiful. On this earth we are as fragile and delicate as the papers dolls in my work. Everything is ephemeral, and we are here to use this time in our meatsuits as we please. In this journey I aim simply towards mindlessness, and I will draw, play, sing, dance and find true connections with others in the short time I have here.
Mindfulness and being in the present moment has become all the rage. The term itself, however, implies the mind being full, and the practice is sometimes hijacked as yet another way to become better, more useful or productive as human beings. My work peels back the layers to reveal the truth that what we refer to as mindful might instead be mindless. In the absence of the mind we may stop containing ourselves or others into psychological boxes of what we should be and instead begin trusting our intuition to find what we are actually searching for which is already present around us.
The work is inspired by the philosophical writings of both Alan Watts and Albert Camus. The work of Watts synthesized the teachings of Buddhism, Taoism and Hinduism with the principles of western psychology to further understand the true oneness and interconnectedness of all. Camus developed the philosophy of absurdism based upon human beings existing in a purposeless, chaotic universe that is ridiculous and absurd. These two contrasting yet harmonizing philosophies come together visually within my work. Life is both completely tragic and completely beautiful. On this earth we are as fragile and delicate as the papers dolls in my work. Everything is ephemeral, and we are here to use this time in our meatsuits as we please. In this journey I aim simply towards mindlessness, and I will draw, play, sing, dance and find true connections with others in the short time I have here.
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Mindlessness . 2019 . Graphite drawings gel transferred to wood with graphite drawings on hand cut paper
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“Reception” . Graphite on cut paper, encaustic, acrylic, resin, wood assemblage, wire and found objects. 2021
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“Awaiting” . Graphite on cut papers, encaustic, acrylic and wood assemblage . 2021
“Bathing Beauties” . Graphite on cut papers, watercolor, gouache, encaustic, and acrylic . 2021
“The Last Pool Party” . Graphite on cut paper, watercolor, gouache, dye, acrylic, vellum . 2021
To Confine Being . 2021 . Graphite on wood and hand cut paper with wood assemblage
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25 Cents | graphite, watercolor, gouache, found papers, wood | 2021
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Party Favors| graphite, watercolor, found papers, wood | 2021
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Nighty Night | graphite, watercolor, found papers, wood | 2021
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Quack | graphite, watercolor, gouache, found paper, marker, ballpoint pen, wood | 2021
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Head Over Here | graphite, watercolor, found papers, wood | 2021
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Midnight Snack | graphite, watercolor, gouache, found papers, wood | 2021
