Physicist Arthur Zajonc suggests that our culture urgently needs the cognitive capacities of artists. But what exactly are those capacities, and why are they so vital to us now? Perhaps these capacities begin with an artist’s willingness to dwell in uncertainty. Where others seek clarity and definitive answers, the artist embraces confusion, allowing it to…
The artist Paul Reynard wrote: “A work of art is necessarily incomplete. It is a way of learning.” We’re all in this process of art-making, whether we think of ourselves as artists or not, because we’re all learners. Reynard was asked before he died, “What is the place of art in contemporary life?” He responded,…
In a world that often equates success with wealth, status, or achievements, it’s easy to lose sight of what truly matters. But when we pause and step back, we’re reminded that life’s deepest joys and most profound experiences aren’t found in accolades or material gains—they’re found in the intangible, soul-filling moments that make us feel…
“The experience of Nirvana exists in the consciousness of our right hemisphere, and at any moment, we can choose to hook into that part of our brain.” ~ Dr. Jill Bolte Taylor, Neuroanatomist With the exception of the arts, our culture largely neglects and dismisses metaphoric and symbolic knowing. The field of depth psychology has…
When I wrote the art book Sky’s the Limit, I spent hours interviewing the gifted artist Nancy Cawdrey. Nancy’s work is extraordinary, and her artistic process inspires me. She emphasized how much training she’d received and how it shaped her craft. But then there’s the women of Gee’s Bend. The Gee’s Bend quilters challenge the…
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