For this show I painted my fifth edition Dominos by dripping inks on to paper and than folding the paper in half to mirror the butterflies wings. Ancient Zen artists used to attempt to place dots on paper in artistic disorder, this seemingly easy task was actually very difficult to do without forming some sort of arrangement. In Zen we sometimes emphasize disorder or imbalance to reflect that even though we may try to control life's situations we actually cannot. Life, movement, is the destruction of balance against a background of perfect existence and thus there is the realization that suffering itself is how we actually live. Similarly, trying to control other aspects in life, such as a flock of sheep, people, and your self can be equally challenging. The most efficient way to control these aspects is to create the platform for what you are attempting and actually give the control up to allow the universe to take action. If you wish to raise a sheep give it a large pasture if you wish to control a person, encourage them to be mischievous, if you wish to achieve tranquility in your meditation, do not attempt to control your thoughts but rather let them go, watch them, don't ignore them but allow the thoughts to pass and you will find them under your control. This is right effort. This is true freedom. This is to put the universe in your control.
"A snowflake never falls in the wrong place"
At the show I was painting tigers as I had been inspired by a Zen parable also pursued with my Juicy Zen that went along the lines of "In this Zen parable a man is found hanging on to a vine off the side of a cliff with a tiger waiting above him, and a tiger waiting below. Certain death was to be found in all directions and yet the man notices a strawberry growing off the cliff face and has the juiciest, sweetest, tastiest meal of his entire life." While painting, I took notice that my tiger looked like a strawberry and I came to a realization that the tiger was the strawberry. 
"The pessimist sees danger in every opportunity where as the optimist sees opportunity in every danger."
We've all experienced the thrill of danger, whether it be a near death experience, street art, gambling all our chips or clearing an obstacle that cowards falter on. There is a rush of adrenaline, energy, the heart rate increases, time slows down, all of the senses become hypersensitive and the body becomes capable of doing things otherwise impossible. Then there is also the rewarding sensation of overcoming the danger, surviving, accomplishing where others have failed.
In this world there is always danger for those who are afraid of it. The greatest danger is to not to take the risk. By fearing, avoiding or running from danger we act as the ostrich who hides his head under the sand in fear and only exposes the rest of their body to be consumed whereas facing danger without fear we are able to overcome our obstacles and thus the wise pray not to be delivered from danger but delivered from fear. Danger can only be overcome by taking more risks, more danger. Thus when danger approaches, sing to it and take the opportunity to dance to the tune.
The greater danger for most of us lies not in setting our aim too high and falling short; but in setting our aim too low, and achieving our mark."-Michelangelo
Tigerberries: 10USD
All other art for best offer!
Juicy Zen
Domino
Dominos
Dominos II
Dominos III & IV; Celestial Lights I
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