I am always anxious when I am working on portraits. Trying to capture at least a small part of the essence of a person on paper is a daunting task. Again and again I come across the advice :Let go - enjoy the journey and don't worry about the outcome. If only it was easy to follow!
Just today I finished reading a wonderful book of essays "Learning from the heart- Lessons of living, loving and listening " by Daniel Goltlieb. He expesses at one point "Personally, what I want is 'not to want' ." I know the feeling. What makes it powerful is that Gottlieb "happens to be a quadriplegic". -as the blurb explains - "which makes him somewhat of an expert in self-acceptance. And while he says his condition has taught him to listen, learn and care deeply, one senses Gottlieb is a born mensch and a man with a big heart. Warm, wise, compassionate, humble and often funny, he displays not a shred of self-pity or false modesty. Best of all, his message has the unmistakable ring of truth to it: love rather than change yourself or anyone else. “Trying to change others is about intolerance, which is at the core of so much enmity. We cannot find peace unless we are trying to help others find peace also.” I highly recommend this book. I loved the way he explores and reflects on what it means to be human. Its Bhagavd Gita and Buddhist philosophy in action and very timely advice.
Lost in Notes II is done in color pencils on black paper. Its a painting of a street musician that I really enjoyed listening to in Seattle, Washington on a summer night. I painted it a few years ago and later gave it away as a gift.
Just today I finished reading a wonderful book of essays "Learning from the heart- Lessons of living, loving and listening " by Daniel Goltlieb. He expesses at one point "Personally, what I want is 'not to want' ." I know the feeling. What makes it powerful is that Gottlieb "happens to be a quadriplegic". -as the blurb explains - "which makes him somewhat of an expert in self-acceptance. And while he says his condition has taught him to listen, learn and care deeply, one senses Gottlieb is a born mensch and a man with a big heart. Warm, wise, compassionate, humble and often funny, he displays not a shred of self-pity or false modesty. Best of all, his message has the unmistakable ring of truth to it: love rather than change yourself or anyone else. “Trying to change others is about intolerance, which is at the core of so much enmity. We cannot find peace unless we are trying to help others find peace also.” I highly recommend this book. I loved the way he explores and reflects on what it means to be human. Its Bhagavd Gita and Buddhist philosophy in action and very timely advice.
Lost in Notes II is done in color pencils on black paper. Its a painting of a street musician that I really enjoyed listening to in Seattle, Washington on a summer night. I painted it a few years ago and later gave it away as a gift.
6 comments:
Thanks for your thoughtful commentary.
Thank you - that book really touched me and I wanted to share it.
Dan Gottlieb has a weekly talk show on National Public Radio that is the only truly thoughtful talk show I've ever heard. I never knew he'd written a book - thank you for mentioning it! Your art is lovely, and I am enjoying your blog very much. Susan of P-READS pointed me towards it.
Thank you Alison for visiting my blog. Dan Gottlieb has authored couple of books and I hoping to read his "Letters to Sam". I am sorry that he isn't on NPR in our area and I have not been good about trying to listen to him online. I will look for it.
It is a pleasure to see your work and also read what you share with each post.
How true.. we can not find peace unless we try to help others find peace.. but seems like it is a herculean task in reality.
Thank you Padmaja for your comments :) Yes, I agree --peace, acceptance and letting go are very simple concepts -but easier said than done!
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