Over time I became acquainted with various philosophical teachings from the East and wished to incorporate this ideology into my work.

These paintings are the result.

I work in a symetrical format (the square) and compose in an asymetrical manner. This may be thought of as complementary (rather than opposing) forces that interact. Forming a dynamic system in which the whole is greater than the individual parts. A similar concept known as yin and yang may be found in the Dàodéjīng (I Ching).

The upper portion of the paintings generally are seen as a state of pure, flat color which represents the philosophy of Mushin (Japanese "mushin"; English translation "no mind"). The term is shortened from mushin no shin, a Zen expression meaning the mind without mind and is also referred to as the state of no-mindness. That is, a mind not fixed or occupied by thought or emotion and thus open to everything.

To rely not on what one thinks, but what is felt intuitively.

The representational aspect is generally confined to the lower third of the paintings and frequently consist of depictions of stone. This is meant to symbolize the physical world in which we live.

Where the above two aspects meet is blurred. This represents the struggle we face when striving to achieve a greater clarity of mind and find we are distracted by the physical world.

Through the act of painting I have frequently encountered this same state of mind which hasn't been experienced on a regular basis otherwise. I find it welcoming and all encompassing. "The Zone", "Mushin", "Mindfulness" are all commonly used words which indicate what I experience while painting.

I use the pseudonym Ishi for these paintings. feel it reflects not only the stylistic change but also the difference in thought .