A Third Way

Creativity takes courage. ~ Henri Matisse

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Landscape at Collioure, 1905, Henri Matisse

About a week or so ago, I began work on a rather large art project. This will be a series of watercolor paintings comprising a whole.

About the same time, the opening ceremony for the 2024 Olympic Games took place. I did not watch the ceremony. In fact, I was unaware of it. Moreover, with each passing year, my interest in the Games declines. It seems that as the politicization, posturing and pomposity of the participating nations, the mass media, and some of the individuals involved have increased, my interest has waned. I do find specific athletes of interest, and their stories are often inspiring.

However, I bring attention to the opening ceremony of the Games because, in addition to the overwhelming outrage and small amount of praise the ceremony garnered, it also engendered a new discussion on what exactly constitutes art. Everyday people are asking: What is art? And, what is the purpose of art?

These are excellent questions. I do not claim to have the answers. I only know that in my own life I am often involved in the process of creating what I hope is art. This takes shape through various modes of painting, through the creation of decorative objects and furnishings, and through the written word. But, beyond these typical notions of creativity, I see the way in which I interact with others as art. The way in which I choose to approach a given day is art. So, I should say that I see the whole of my life in terms of art.

The Greeks believed art should be about the beautiful. For them, the contemplation of beauty was a way of elevating one’s thoughts and emotions. Some of those who came after, (and many today) believe that art should be provocative. In other words, they believe that art should provoke a response in the beholder. And, for some, the necessity of provocation is supreme, so it matters not how a response is provoked. Any response will suffice. For those holding to this view, that which is heinous or even evil is a legitimate subject, as long as it provokes the viewer to have some response, the more visceral the better. There is another school of thought whereby the person who creates “art” is more central than the art itself. For those holding to this tenet, “art” is a way for them to express “who they are.” The primary purpose of this is to ensure that anyone beholding their creation sees them. For these narcissistic individuals, “art” is a means by which viewers must look upon and acknowledge them.

Of course, this is by no means an earthly comprehensive encapsulation of the history of artistic thought. That is not the purpose of this column. I write of this to draw attention to the freshly generated discussion of this topic. I’m happy to see that many people are thinking of such things. Man’s ability to produce art - visually, audibly, emotionally and intellectually - is a gift bestowed upon us. What shall we do with this gift?

We have beauty, on the one hand. It encompasses all the noble ideas and sentiments of which we can imagine. We have ugliness on the other. We can think of all the ignoble ideas and sentiments imaginable. Yet, there seems to be a third way.

Painting, Vincent Van Gogh, public domain

This third way, involves a different approach. Of course, I write not only of art, but of all of life and how we choose to live it. This third way, considers the beauty. It also ponders the ugly. Then, it goes on to consider that neither of these and all they represent are the ultimate reality. They don’t comprise eternity. No, the third way sees beyond these surface representations and goes deeper. It assimilates and integrates the seeming opposites while recognizing that the intrinsic qualities or the essences come from beyond the material. This is the way of the spirit.

Image of Ouroboros, public domain

I am the artist at the heart of my great work; at the heart of my life. Creative opportunities abound. For instance, I can choose to see the universe lying like a quiet pool behind my husband’s eyes and countenance; the world of fragrances and colors hidden within the unfurling petals of a blossom; the teeming power sustaining, and at the same time, waiting to burst forth in an acorn haphazardly fallen to the ground; and the eternity of God’s spirit in the phrase of a song.

Each of us is an artist. Yes, we are all artists! You are the artist at the heart of your great work. In each moment, at any given moment, any one of us can create a masterpiece. We can compose a work, perhaps one of a great number of works that comprise a whole. In each instance, we can choose to heed nudges of inspiration by following those suggestions that whisper to us of love: love for our spouse, love for our family members, love for our friends and neighbors, love for our fellow men, love for the creatures within the circles of our lives, love for the living trees and plants around us, love for the divine.

Painting, Vincent Van Gogh, public domain

We do not live in a realm of duality. Mistakenly, many believe that we have a choice between one or the other: between good or bad; between the head or the heart; between the beautiful or the ugly. No, we live in realm where we have the freedom and the abilities to create and attune to a third way. While attuned to these whisperings, we can allow ourselves to be moved by the inspirations of that third way.

We are creators. We can create paths through which love can move. These possible paths are myriad. We have so much before us. Upon what shall we focus? What voices and strains will we choose to hear? To what emotions shall we give place and prominence within ourselves? How shall we create? And, what shall we choose to create?

Hopefully, like Vincent van Gogh, we’ll each be able to say, “I am seeking. I am striving. I am in it with all my heart.”

Until next time,

K. M. Anderson

PhD, Metaphysics

PhD, Spiritual Counseling

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