Much of my work is inspired by water and at the moment it seems like water, specifically the ocean, is on my mind all the time. Perhaps because it’s summer and I grew up wallowing in the ocean from June till October and I miss it. I’m trying to figure out if I can fit ocean swims into my weekly schedule. I’m convinced that I would be much healthier if I did. There is nothing more relaxing and meditative than a body of water. Water quiets the noise, eliminates distractions, and connects you to your thoughts. So with my water series I’m trying to capture part of that feeling.
Here is a excerpt from the Blue Mind, by Wallace J. Nichols, that I’m currently reading: “It turns out when we do put ourselves at the edge of the water, visually our field of view is simplified. Auditorily our world is simplified. Your sensory input gets simple. It doesn’t completely turn off. It doesn’t go away. But the patterns become more clear. ... Then you give up the gravity. The hundreds of muscles that were holding you in the position that you were standing in no longer need to do the work. And the brain regions that were taking care of that aspect of living on land get a break. So auditorily, visually, somatically, you’re getting a break. You’re getting a rest. So what happens is you go into what is often referred to as the default mode or the default mode network is activated which is a more contemplative, self referential perspective.”
Stinson Beach in the early morning A new ocean piece (wax, oil) Work in process, Adrift Series