The Balancing Act…

 

Keeping ones balance necessitates the use of multiple senses. A key sense in maintaining balance is vision.

What does this mean in an art context?

If the eyes are key to balance physically, are they not also key in achieving balance mentally? 

Let’s look at the latest buzz phrase and life expectation of “work life balance”. It is spoken of by people as if by virtue of being in the verbal consciousness it can be attained.  How can this be?  The concept is void of any visual metaphor that would make sense to the mind.  From an evolutionary stand point the mind has always used metaphor to sort out all of life’s inputs.  Thoughts or ideas become of a solid state when transmitted from the mind to a physical object. This is where art serves a human need.

The above painting is a visual story as to how I see aspects of ”work life” balancing act.  

The first thing one notices in this painting is a wren balancing on two reed stalks. But in order for the wren to balance it must land on two reeds that are the right distance apart.  It depends on the reeds to do their task of supporting her while she looks into the water.  Once perched the wren’s view into the water is obscured by the layers of leaves that sit on the surface of the water interfering with her ability to see what is below the surface.  The roots, rocks and “potential” are not easily revealed before her…

A picture can reveal so much more about a subject than words alone.  If mental desires are paired with the right visual cues one has a better chance of making it a reality.  

Images are what move us. What we put before our eyes will determine how we move through life. 

Here at GERM Studio images are made to incite positive modes of thought and response.

About ginette denault

Ginette DeNault is a third-generation Albertan born and raised in Calgary where she currently resides with her husband and two children. DeNault works with ease in many mediums but is most intrigued by acrylic paints and soft pastels in their many combinations. Her visions range from melancholic to whimsical revealing subtle social truths that lie at the root of all daily life. DeNault obtained a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from the University of Calgary in 1993. DeNault’s work proposes to engage the viewer into a state of seeing the world one way while providing hidden cues that trigger the mind into seeing the complement to that which is outwardly represented. Extracted from the minds of the viewer are the memories or observations when their matter (mind) mingles with matter (artwork). The images created for the viewer having now entered into the physical realm of the mind the previous qualities of the work vanish and the hidden cues fill the contents of the memory or experience therein the painting. Like a magician she creates an illusion that has the viewer believing in virtual realities while providing a starting point that is in the material realm of reality, which is familiar to all people. The realities that she layers into her works are ones that seek to address themes that explore the eternal conflicts in the human condition, like those between men and women, self and society, parent and child, sibling and sibling, friend and friend. View all posts by ginette denault

One Response to “The Balancing Act…”

  • RAMON SELLRÈS i ENRICH

    Hello! I write from Barcelona, Spain. I like very much your work, your feeling, and your reflections about art.
    My name is Ramon Sellarès and I´ve used your entry THE BALANCING ACT… of September 10, 2008, in my blog POESIA ENDINS.
    I expect that there is no problem in posting it. Thank you!

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