"Lights Out"

I had a great conversation with Zoe from SAIC today.  She shared her practice called “lights out”.  In October of 2020 she went the entire month without turning on the lights at sunset.

In her words, “My practice involved sitting watching the light drain from the sky for about an hour each night.”  While washing the floor late this afternoon I noticed the sun setting and the house growing dark.  I decided to not turn on the lights and see how it felt to do the chore in natural light.  I found myself very aware of the earth, sun, trees, and receding light.  It might sound corny but it was like an old long lost friend visited me.  I felt connected.   

I started thinking about my current stage of life.  I find myself in the beginning of “lights out”, and I can feel how important it is to enjoy, and be present for the gentle engulfing closure.

I am going to try to practice Zoe's "lights out” this month.

Oh and one more thing.  After the meditation in yoga class today Ray the teacher said something like, “now let your eyes open and let your gaze be an offering.  Whatever the eyes sees, offer it up, make it an action of offering.  And this paired with Zoe’s “lights out” I feel inspired to witness with greater gratitude and openness.

Lots to think about.

As for the pelvis in the second painting, it came before all of the insights of the day.  It is inspired by Ink Masters.  They are always harping on the importance of a black outline to make the colors pop.  I thought it ugly and wiped it all away, the first image is the result.  I see these paintings as exercises and not arrivals.