Seeing
My days are mostly filled with looking. Whether it's navigating through my surroundings, compiling my grocery list, or organizing the dishes in the dishwasher, looking seems like a routine, almost subconscious activity. It's more of a broad, sweeping gesture, like gazing at the moon without feeling. But there's a tremendous difference between looking and really seeing.
Seeing demands time and attention. It's a practice I began long before I ever held a paintbrush. It involves slowing down, immersing myself in the moment, and truly taking in all the things around me. When I take the time to see a beautiful sunset, I see the subtleties of the differences in the colors of the sky. When I encounter a flower, it's not merely a visual experience; it's a sensory experience. I absorb its shape and color, appreciate its fragrance, feel the texture of its leaves, and listen to the rustle of the wind. All of these things combine to form a connection, something more than just a look, that I can store in my memory.
“The art of seeing has to be learned. ”
Seeing is a skill that can be developed through practice and intention. It was certainly not in my nature to slow down and take the time to explore the things I was looking at. Once I did slow down to see on a deeper level, I wanted more. Life gives us so much more when we engage to deeply understand something beyond what we’re looking at. Seeing has enriched my artwork by allowing me to translate my observations into pieces that have greater feeling and depth.
But seeing extends far beyond inanimate objects. It's about peering beyond surface appearances and delving into the depths of understanding, empathy, and connection. So how do we apply this concept to our interactions with others?
When we merely look at people, we tend to categorize them based on our preconceived notions and past experiences. But when we make the effort to truly see them, to engage with them, and to empathize with their experiences, we open ourselves up to enriched connections and meaningful relationships. Our community is a better place when we take the time to see the beauty of our world and the people in it.
Today, take the time to see.
Artfully,