Land of Amity— At West End Gallery
“Art is such a relief to us because, actually, it’s the real world — it’s the reality that we understand on a deeper level… Life has an inside as well as an outside, and at the present, the outside of life is very well catered for, and the inside of life not at all… We can go back to books or pictures or music, film, theater, and we can find there both some release and some relief for our inner life, the place where we actually live, the place where we spend so much time.”
–Jeanne Winterson, speaking at 2010 Edinburgh Book Festival
I have long referred to my inner and outer worlds as places of equal reality. In fact, my 2012 exhibit at the Fenimore Museum featured just that in its title, The Internal Landscape. I really like this explanation from British author Jeanne Winterson, pointing out that while our inner life is the place where we actually live and spend so much of our time, it is often neglected in favor of care bestowed on our outer life.
This is not to say that we should not take great care of our outer world. It is, after all, one of the realities in which we exist. Rather, there should be more balance in our treatment of both.
Actually, I am probably the opposite, catering to my inner life more than most. This has most likely led to an imbalance that is a bit unhealthy. But that might be the only way I can navigate the outer landscape.
The inner world, inner life, inner landscape– whatever you want to call it– is indeed a relief for me from the outer world. It is a kinder and gentler place, open and friendly to all. I have more control there (or here, depending on from where you’re standing) and can add or subtract to suit my perception of the landscape.
Of course, this inner world is not immune from the reach of the outer world. There are shadows and underlying darknesses that seep through, enough to let me know that it is still out there waiting for me. But I never allow it to fully infiltrate my inner refuge. That’s part of the control I mentioned.
Sometimes when I find myself stranded in the outer world for an extended period of time that tests my endurance, I can quickly find my way back to my inner landscape by seeing, hearing, or reading something that moves me.
Maybe that is movement that is meant when people say they are moved?
Maybe. All I can say definitively is that it instantly transports me back to that inner space of color and rhythm and harmony. It makes my time in the outer world somewhat bearable.
Relief and Refuge.
The other thing that I like about my inner world is that I can do what I do, painting and speaking and writing in ways that might be called crazy by some in the outer world, unabashedly and without a second thought.
My place, my rules. You have your own inner place to tend to so, unless you want to join me in a bit kinder and gentler place, keep your hands off of mine.
REMINDER
I WILL BE GIVING A GALLERY TALK
AT THE WEST END GALLERY
THIS COMING SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 2025. BEGINNING AT 11 AM
SEATING IS LIMITED. THE DOORS OPEN AT 10:30 AM. IT IS SUGEESTED THAT YOU ARRIVE EARLY AND THAT YOU BRING A QUESTION OR TWO WITH YOU. THERE WILL BE A QUIZ. WELL, MAYBE NOT THAT BUT SOMETHING’S GOING TO HAPPEN. I PROMISE.
Redtree Times 