Mysterious Unfolding of Truth
I believe that the universe gets us where we need to go in life. Sometimes things that seem so small have a drastic change in our life. I joke that I found the Green Bay Zen Center through a Google Search gone awry. I had been searching for a retreat center in Viroqua, WI that I visited while I was in college. As I suspected, the place was no longer in business, but in my inability to find what I was looking for, I did find something that ended up changing my life for good. That Google search gone awry changed the trajectory of my life. And I feel like that is the mysterious workings of the universe getting us where we need to go in life.
With the “Mysterious Unfolding of Truth” painting, I wanted the crossed lines to feel like paths unfolding and crossing. One “sea” path and one “land” path. The four other sections represent the seasons - both the passing of time and the way that the world keeps turning. No matter what happens, the wheel keeps spinning, and time keeps moving.
"Mysterious Unfolding of Truth" is part of the Off the Cushion collection.
In March of 2021 I attended my first meditation service at the Green Bay Zen Center - part of the Hollow Bones Zen organization. A Google search gone awry, a curious mind, and a long standing interest in Buddhism led me to that first meditation sit on the cushion. In my relatively short time practicing with GBZC, I have heard numerous Dharma Talks about the importance of taking our meditation practice “off the cushion” and into our daily lives. For me, the natural place to take my practice was onto the canvas.
The titles and inspiration for these paintings come from four of my favorite lines from various pieces of the sutra book. I wanted to transform my understanding of the poetry of the words into something visual. When I first imagined this collection, I thought the color palette was going to be more neutral tones and the paintings would have a more somber feel to them. But that isn’t how I experience Buddhism and meditation. Sure, we are silent and wear black clothing, but there is an aliveness to the experience that couldn’t be captured except with bright colors. I ended up with a color palette that feels like Spring, playfulness, and being awakened.
I grew up Catholic, and from a young age, I was more entranced by the beauty of the space than by the Word. I would find myself lost in the brick pattern of the floor or the entrancing colors in the stained glass. Even though I am no longer Catholic, whenever I travel, I search out Catholic places of worship because the stained glass calls to my heart. Stained glass is a source of inspiration for me, and it is visible in these four paintings inspired by the Hollow Bones Sutra book.
Downloadable copy of the Hollow Bones Sutra Book
Size Details: "Mysterious Unfolding of Truth" is a 36"x24" oil painting on stretched canvas. There is a hanging wire on the back.
Shipping: Domestic shipping (within the United States) is included with the cost of the piece. For international shipping, please email chellethepainter@gmail.com with the piece you are interested in and your address to receive a quote for international shipping.
Special Shipping Note: Due to the size, this painting will ship rolled. Before shipping, I will remove it from its stretcher bars and carefully roll the painting. Once it arrives, you can take the painting to a professional framing shop to have it re-stretched. If you are within 250 miles of Green Bay, WI and would like to discuss drop off or pick up instead of shipping, please email chellethepainter@gmail.com.