Altered Vision

It has been a while since I have posted any images. For the past 3 months or so, I have been doing more sketching than normal, trying to go for at least a half an hour a day. But I have also been working on my abstract acrylic painting. In particular, I have been experimenting with layers and glazing to create more subtle effects. At the same time, I have been continuing my examination of partial geometric forms. It is always interesting to speculate about the origins of one’s interest in one subject matter or another–particularly when it is abstract.

I am sure that much of it can be traced directly to my interest in urban structures and landscapes, both here in the United States, but also in Middle East, particularly Egypt where I live for two years and was quite taken by the urban forms in Cairo. But I think there may be another source. Earlier today I was resting quietly with my eyes closed and I noticed that I was “seeing” vague geometric forms, surprisingly close to the images I have been sketching and painting for some time.

Where those images come from that one “sees” on the inside of one’s eyelids is an interesting mystery. I suppose that perhaps they come directly from one’s subconscious and perhaps they are constructed from the images one is frequently seeing or drawing. It seems to also raise a chicken and egg question: does one draw the images that appear in one’s subconscious or do those images come from one’s drawing? It’s a question perhaps best answered by a neurologist or psychologist, but for now, it’s a fascinating area of inquiry. I’m therefore calling this image “Altered Visions.”

Metal and canvas prints available in various sizes here.

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