All fish have eyes, right? Not those who live permanently in pitch-black caves. Their eyes disappeared through evolution because they have no need for them. They experience their environment in different ways. The light itself creates a need for organs of seeing.
When a person who has been blind from birth is restored to sight, they can't see right away—they need extensive rehabilitation and training. Without having the neural connections in place, the brain doesn't know how to process the information that the eyes take in. "Seeing" requires more than just eyes.
So, we're not just the ones seeing light; light is also creating the sense organs to perceive itself.
"The Teacher," mixed media, 2012
Artists understand this concept. We rely on our eyes and hands to observe and translate. But we're processing the vision from within our particular point of view. Whether we're looking inside or out, we're sharing insights based on what the brain is doing, not the eyes.
Furthermore, by taking time to observe something so closely that we can capture it in paint increases our ability to take in more information. Just like light creates a need for organs to see, the beauty around us creates the capacity to perceive it. Even if we're painting something that doesn't seem "beautiful" in the traditional sense, it's compelling to us. My anger about an injustice compels me to paint something about it. What I find beautiful is the notion of right and wrong that animates my own sense of purpose.
What I'm really trying to say is that the need to express something—to capture and share a sense of wonder and passion—is what generates the ability to create. The vision leads to the development of a sense organ (creativity) to perceive it. And the more we use that power of creativity, the more we can see what matters most to us.
So, who is doing the creating? Are we just exercising our innate creativity? Or is Creator evolving our creativity to perceive more of itself? (Or both!)
"In the Garden of Ancient Violence, I Cannot Close My Eyes," 1994
This line of thought was inspired by the book I just finished, "Capture the Light: The Entwined History of Light and Mind" by Arthur Zajonc. Through the lenses of physics, religion, poetry, art, and literature, he presents the study of light as a mirror of human cultural development. The way we see light shapes how we perceive the world and ourselves.
He also shows how light has been a metaphor for spiritual insight throughout human history. Even the most advanced current theories deepen that connection rather than debunk it. It seems that as scientists understand and measure light, the unknown just grows along with the known.
"Sea of Light," 2015
If you've been reading my essays for awhile, you know that I'm fascinated by light—how it illuminates forms so we can see, translate, and share. It lights up the world and also lights up our minds. All of art is really the story of light!
If you want to learn more, I'm offering an online drawing course. I cover basics of drawing technique--but what I'm really doing is teaching students how to see from their own point of view.
2. Want to learn the basics of drawing and find your unique voice, without pressure or doubt? Sign up for my 6-week online workshop, "Draw Like You Mean It." Lessons include weekly office hours and one-on-one guidance from me.
3. Not sure where to begin? Feeling shy, insecure, doubting your path? Schedule a free 30-minute consultation and I’ll ask you the single most important question to help you become the artist you’ve always wanted to be.
