Thursday, July 20, 2017

Inexplicable

I just finished reading a fascinating and compelling book by Elizabeth Lloyd Mayer entitled Extraordinary Knowing: Science, Skepticism, and the Inexplicable Powers of the Human Mind.

In a paragraph just pages from the end, Mayer introduces a concept called 'series position effect' that I won't even attempt to explain, and applies it to her own work as a psychoanalyst. I offer that as her context, which isn't mine.

Oh, but it is!

Mayer writes: The work stumbles along—sometimes remarkable, sometimes unremarkable—and your meetings approach a baseline pace that heads in a positive direction. You're perpetually reminded that trying hard doesn't get you there, and that you both get there best when you somehow manage a state of trying and not trying, knowing and not knowing, certainty and uncertainty all at once. Every time you think you've hit on a less paradoxical formula, you're humbled again.

Yup.

Yup, yup, and yup.

And yup again.

inner july landscape is no longer a work in progress. It has become a postcard.

They Cut the Day up into Little Scraps
4x5"; acrylic, ink, collage, and pastels on paper
mounted on manila stock
abstract
2017
[gift]


6 comments:

carol edan said...

"L'Chaim" http://www.dictionary.com/browse/l-chaim
Thanks do much for the insert from the book....really describes the art process!

Sheila said...

Awesome!! If I look one way, I see little faces in most of the cubes. Fun when stuff like that happens. I always love your use of black. so graphic and bold. This is so jazzy and hip!

dotty seiter: now playing said...

Thanks, Carol. My eyes and heart just lit up when I read that process description!

I would never have imagined I'd end up here nor would I ever have set out with the intention to create this particular painting, but here I am and here it is, and I'm pleased!

dotty seiter: now playing said...

Thank you, Sheila. Those little faces—jazzy, hip characters that they are—are looking out of their little windows, happy to see you! I appreciate your comment re the bold, graphic look of the use of black. I do have a graphic streak in me, though I might not think to characterize my work so.

Lola (Jen Jovan) said...

I've been away on vacation for a bit...and to come back to THIS POST...too perfect! Love the quote. It resonates deeply. And the postcard!!!! You never fail to delight! Those little soft teal ovals outside of the top left square, those hints of red!

dotty seiter: now playing said...

Jen, I've thought of you often recently—glad to hear you were on vacation. Thanks for your good cheer and wonderful cheerleading! Your enthusiasm is palpable and contagious. Fun to have you pick up on the little soft teal ovals and the hints of red : )

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