“Una’s death struck Samuel like a silent earthquake. He said no brave and reassuring words, he simply sat alone and rocked himself. He felt that it was his neglect had done it. And now his tissue, which had fought joyously against time, gave up a little. His young skin turned old, his clear eyes dulled, and a little stoop came to his great shoulders”
From ‘East Of Eden’ by John Steinbeck
From the moment we wake up*, daily, we are presented with characters and situations that we try to understand and engage with. Images breed Assumptions that in turn create Motives. IAM
From what we perceive, we translate our world in our minds. We reinforce images in our minds, ‘reading‘ the suggested significations… It can all become so real!
*Some may experience this in our sleep also?
I’ve never been a great reader, but over the years I have enjoyed reading more and more. What is it that the act of reading does? It can be enchanting, intoxicating, addictive and compulsive!
When reading, we are presented with characters and situations that we identify and engage with. We actually imagine new worlds in our minds. We create images in our minds from the suggested words on the pages… It can all become so real!
I have written here before about the benefits of reading:
Reading helps reduce stress: Get lost in a good novel and take time out of your hectic lifestyle to unwind.
Reading boosts empathy: Fiction can simulate real-world problems and therefore has real consequences for the reader.
Reading boosts vocabulary: What better way to discover new words?
Reading for pleasure… helps to improve skills at the same time as increasing enjoyment, self-confidence, motivation and a sense of achievement.
Of course, as a visual artist I am continually playing with visual signification, I can’t help myself.
Despite what we may think we know and subscribe to, ‘the surface’ is often all there is. The surface is ripe for images, assumptions and motives. We can be here today and gone tomorrow. Unless we strengthen our understanding, reinforce it, empower it, make it engaging, memorable, true and honest, ‘the surface’ is often all there is. Even God said “I am who I am” to Moses (Exodus 3:14)
A picture is worth a thousand words… it’s an old chestnut of a phrase, but it’s very true! An image can be worth a thousand words, for good or ill!
That’s why, ideally, we’ll regularly reimagine images, reread our assumptions and review our motives.
Artwork and design for print and screen. Image making for business and pleasure. It’s what I do…
Jules P Richards 