A blank canvas with multiple dimensions
For many people painting can be like meditation. Your focus and attention are directed to the imagination in your mind that gradually crystallizes on the canvas. Remarkable how everything starts in the mind first and then is realized in the material world.
I never loved reading books, I learned to love reading books, and now I am hooked. I read ca. 40-50 books a year. For fun, and relaxation but also professionally. Today not many people love reading books, at least not voluntarily.
How reading became a passion has to do with moving around in the right circle. I was lucky enough to have good friends who watched no TV and read the best books available. I admired their worldview and communication style. The next step is to go and buy the books. And then the biggest step of all is to read them, study them, and apply the knowledge and wisdom. I am not a fan of reading online or on a tablet. It tires me and I get distracted too much. I love to have books in my hands so I can highlight, scribble and write in them.
Even in a world that is going digital and virtual I still believe that reading books is of utmost value. And ofcourse AI will take over and give a summary of all the literature you are interested in. Anyhow when machines takeover the routine and dangerous jobs I hope we will have more time to read and study books. Books really are a window into the mind of the author, broadening your perspective and directing you to solutions for your challenges.
So what is the realtion between books and painting. A few years ago a followed a course in airbrushing. Amazing way of bringing your imagination into creation. I experienced what others already knew. I truly felt peaceful, present, focuses and concentrated on getting that image out of my mind on onto the canvas. Reading gives you the opportunity to visualize what you are reading. You are free to imagine and fill in the scenery as you wish. Basically you take the words and create an image in your mind perhaps add some colors to it.
Reading is like the reverse of the painting. You add new layers of perspectives onto the canvas. Drawing out more details gives the painting multiple dimensions. When I read I draw a lot. Whatever visualization enters my mind, I directly put it on paper. My mind wants to make connections and see the relationship between the written and sometimes spoken words in a visual manner. You will a few examples below. In this way, I really study concepts and apply them in real-life practical situations. The beauty of this all is that besides the original book I now have visual notes with questions, scribbles, and possible solutions.
