Borrowing From The Masters
…a bit of fun!

Over the past few days, a couple of people have discussed Hieronymus Bosch as I mentioned that I was interested in his work.

Throughout our lives, certain individuals influence us, as they represent something we already feel. Spiritual masters are like that. In some traditions, we might be more at home than in others; I was a Kagyu student for many years, but it didn’t feel right. They weren’t wrong; it just didn’t suit my temperament. And then Nyingma came along. Eureka! Home!

I’ve painted for many years and again, it never felt right. I was obsessed with getting it ‘correct’, getting it ‘real’. Then a thought arrived; “Who said you have to be ‘correct’?” …?!!!

I’ve steered clear of figure work as mine always seemed wooden because I couldn’t afford to hire models. I found that, in ‘trying to get it right’, doubt arose and inhibited my approach. So I just painted landscapes, where I controlled the lighting; evening and morning light create great shadow shapes and luminosity.

Having glanced at Bosch’s work, I did some spontaneous designs in under painting – quick sketches which can be fleshed out later. I do several at once so as not to over fuss too much, and kill the spontaneity. There’s no judgement involved; as soon as the basics are down, I go on to another one! I’ve yet to decide on the colour scheme of the finished works. The whole activity is very much like writing this blog: after morning meditation, I have an abstract idea and it’s only when I sit down at the computer that it gets fleshed out and takes form.

I wanted to see spontaneous presence in action. This is what has transpired in the past couple of weeks. They’re basically about the confusion of good and evil – it’s not always clear which one will wake us up! 😀