In the case of a Zen artist, there is then no artistic reflection. The work of art springs “out of emptiness” and is transferred in a flash, by a few brush strokes, to paper. It is not a “representation of” anything, but rather it is the subject itself, existing as light, as art, in a drawing which has, so to speak, “drawn itself”. The work then is a concretized intuition: not however presented as a unique experience of a specially endowed soul, who can then claim it as his own. On the contrary, to make any such claim would instantly destroy the character of “emptiness” and suchness which the work might be imagined to have.
This quote from Thomas Merton is from the perenially provocative Beth Cioffoletti. Visiting Beth’s two blogs, louie louie and Quotes and Musings, clears my head, slows my breathing and compasses me for a more focused and meaningful day.
Although I do not employ a Zen approach to my own work, I do feel a tug when I am working that makes me long to do my making “out of emptiness,” or to see my work as “concretized intuition.” These words have a fragrance I can sense even if I am not imbibing the meal. As a painter I am a gleaner of shards and shiny bits. Somehow they find their way into my work, even if morseled.