Wonder what W thinks about while he is painting? Or, is he painting to avoid reflection?
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One can enter a zone similar to that of a workout. Externals, the passage of time, immediate sense of self can all fade away into inconsequence or even be forgotten. The subject and the rendering is all. It emerges as filtered through the psyche and present skill level of the artist.
Yes it takes you away. I don’t think it is a retreat from reality. It is an immersion in a more focused, intimate and limited reality. Instead of scanning a 360 degree angle, one wholly embraces a one degree angle.
I am a long time meditator. I recently took a class where we had an instructor come in and teach us painting. I was amazed at how quickly painting put me into the same non-mental state as my meditation sessions.
Now I understand why painters paint.
Years ago I used to shoot tournament archery. I would have the exact same experience. Your focus is so intense that time seems to slow down. It go to the point that I could actually see the arrow leave my bow and travel tot he target.
I hope W finds peace. He bore some tremendous burdens. I didn’t agree with a lot of things he did, but he seemed like he genuinely cared about the country.