Creating a Zen Garden Within
Oil pastel portrait
It’s tax day here in the US, so I figured this painting would be a good reminder to take a deep breath and tap into the calmness within.
To me, this portrait—which I’ve titled Creating a Zen Garden Within—is all about an internal search for stillness & peace. I wanted to play with the idea that the "raked sand" isn't just something you see in a physical zen garden; it’s something we try to cultivate in our own minds, especially during unpleasant or chaotic times.
The act of drawing this portrait was a form of meditation for me. Just as monks find focus by raking gravel into waves, I found my own rhythm in the repetitive motion of putting down oil pastels and blending it with my tortillon.
I paid close attention to my breathing as I created this piece, and felt a great sense of peace within. I was deep within the zone.
Drawing this portrait helped me strip away the noise of everyday life and find a sense of quiet balance right under the surface. I’m convince that peace, and stillness are there within us at all times. We just have to be willing to sit, meditate, and quiet the mind to find it. Bring on the peace, baby! Let’s goooooo! Sadhu!
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May you be well and happy.