Tuesday, June 06, 2006

Buddha's Tears

Buddha's Tears

Painted in 1996 using acrylics on paper. Inspired by "Life, Paint and Passion"
by Michele Cassou


This book encouraged me to paint using a small paint brush on a large sheet of paper and to let the painting emerge without knowing what was going to go where.

I exhibited several of them but, considering them very personal, I marked them all as not for sale. Someone I've known for a long time (since 1984 I think) did express an interest in this one but I wouldn't sell at the time. I was too attached to it. Ironic given the Budhha's teachings! But then I'm not a Buddhist...

On Sunday evening I was writing in my journal, wondering about doing some more pictures in this manner, inspired by Carla's recent horse picture which she described as a result of the challenge to "create art spontaneously, directed only by the spirit within". I then recalled this picture and thought I really ought to give it to my friend. I wrote in my journal that I would, but he is out of town at the moment, not due back until September. The last time I'd heard from him by email was an invitation to his 40th birthday do in January this year, the time before that was in 2003 so it was a lovley synchronicity that he wrote on Monday to let me know that his wife is pregnant! I have of course replied and offered him this picture if he is still interested in it.

Buddha's Tears detail

Another synchronicity today was reading Wandering Coyote's posting mentioning homeless people which had brought up the issue of how people get to be in that situation and in the comments someone had mentioned the drug and drink problems that tend to go with it.

I then turned on radio 4 and heard On the Ropes with John Humphrys talking to Clarissa Dickson-Wright about "alcoholism, domestic violence and how to spend more than a £1 million". She had an abusive alcoholic father and had herself pretty much avoided alcohol until she found her mother dead. She went from being a successful sober member of the bar to twice bankrupt (thus chucking away her inheritance of more than £1 million). At one point she mentioned that she seriously considered life on the streets. She went on to become one of the "Two Fat Ladies" who went around on motor bikes and cooked up a storm.
It was an interesting interview and will be available to listen to at the bbc 4 website for the next week.

One of the things that she mentioned was that she explained alcoholism as being caused by having an endorphinal gland that is trigged by alcohol, and once triggered sets off a "heroin-like craving for alcohol". Well if that's true its hardly surprising that there are so many alcholics - its pretty hard to avoid having the odd drink in this society. Most people with that particular genetic trait are likely to have it triggered.

Today has been full of synchronicities but those two are my favourites, so far!

17 comments:

Wandering Coyote said...

Alcoholism isn't just an addiction, it's a disease, and needs to be looked at as such. We are so quick to judge, and so many fall through the cracks due to lack of understanding and help. Thanks for writing this.

Caroline said...

Such things make me feel lucky, despite any grumbles I may have!

andrea said...

You are the doyenne of synchronicities. (I don't think I even know what a doyenne is. Hmmm...) You've had a busy day up there between your ears, haven't you? :) I want this design on an article of clothing like a blouse! I'll wear it with Kyknoord's brown paisley bell bottoms.

Anonymous said...

I love synchronicities...I take them as signs that I'm following the right path in my train of thoughts.
And I really love the lines and the color in this work of art - to just create spontaneously, without planning, can be a scary proposition - but obviously worthwhile!

modroom said...

Exotic!

Anonymous said...

Hypnotic!

Caroline said...

Andrea - thank you - I think doyenne means old lady doesn't it? ;-) And yes it would make an interesting fabric...

Melba - thank you - paying attention to synchronicities is the trick... today was an odd one, on the streets I found 10p in 3 different lots... and normally I don't find money...

Tinker - well one doesn't have to show anyone the pictures - it is the making of them that matters

Modroom & Anonymous - thanks

kyknoord said...

Striking. It draws you in and won't let go.

Roz Foster said...

Fantastic journey in your post and in your two paintings. Inspired and inspiring!

Unknown said...

Sometimes we need to gift our paintings to someone special whether it be a friend or just an acquaintance.

Synchronicity is always plentiful if we are open to it.
Have a good aday Caroline

Anonymous said...

OH these are just fantastic! I am in love with the top one. I havent seen any of this type work of yours. Wow! Really very, very cool.
a.

Dave said...

I too find the top one fascinating you can look at for ages and keep finding different things. I love paintings like that....Breugel is a painter that keeps my attention trying to find characters in the scene he has captured. Enjoyed the writing as well. Thanks

Caroline said...

Kyknoord - thank you - sometimes detail is strong...

Roz Foster - thank you!

Toni Kelly - you are right - you too

Andrea - thank you - no its ages since I worked like this... 10 years...

Davem - glad you find it so appealing! Thank you.



I really ought to have labelled the second one a detail of the first one - sorry!

Reluctant Nomad said...

I've sometimes wondered if you are or aren't able to go back to a style of painting/creating that you've done in the past. But, it seems you can, even after 10 years.

Beautiful, especially the first one.

Caroline said...

Reluctant Nomad - well we'll see if I can or not... but its more a way of painting than a style that I want to revisit.

Oh and the second one is a detail from the first...

Mike said...

That painting is wild! I love the squiggly person in the teardrop...

Johnnynorms said...

Forgot to say, I really love the picture, with so much to discover within it.
Word Verify has just invented the mystical Japanese art of ikushi.