For me, art and philosophy are inseparable.? That being said, I don't necessarily have a specific message that I am trying to convey that permeates all my works, other than perhaps that notion itself.? Nevertheless, it is my endeavor to bring in the Taoist and Zen traditions into my work at least partially, in which regard the process becomes just as important, if not more so, than the finished piece.? The Zen tradition dictates that in the art of anything one must let "it" do the work, at exactly the right moment, without presuppositions or letting our own will interfere.? Similarly, Taoism states that all things are equally important when they occur, echoing the concept of necessary opposites for the existence of both, in which case anything that occurs is just as good as anything else.? These ideas have been the underlying foundation for my work.
Still, to do as I have just outlined is easier said than done.? Thus, some of my works have been more successful in that endeavor than others.? And though I may have some idea of what I want to paint, it is only a starting point.? The finished work often times is somewhat different than my original conception of it.? I do not think that having some preconception of the goal is in contradiction with the Taoist and Zen traditions, as in the Zen arts there is a general purpose that is being worked towards.? Whether it be archery, painting, or flower arrangement, there does always exist a general intention.? However, it is the process which must not be forced towards that intention that is the underlying importance of the practice.? So too, I want to let the work come on its own, rather than me shaping it as my mind would have it.
This process should not be confused, however, with an endeavor to detach myself from my work to the point where the work is no longer a creation of my being, my emotions, and a reflection of myself.? That is not what it is.? And as much as that may be tried, I don't see it being possible.? I don't see the possibility of complete detachment between the artist and the art, as no matter how we may try we cannot eliminate ourselves from that which we create.? Therefore, I certainly find myself in my work in different ways, whether it be emotionally, intellectually, or spiritually.
