In this series, World of Abstraction, my paintings are based upon philosophical ideas, and addressing the unknown. Paintings by Denise Hartley.

“Passage Way”.   The opening into another dimension. How do we reach the unknown within ourselves? How do we learn about ourselves?

To Know Yourself is to Forget Yourself

BY PEMA CHÖDRÖN

So to know yourself is to forget yourself. This is to say that when we make friends with ourselves we no longer have to be so self-involved. It’s a curious twist: making friends with ourselves is a way of not being so self-involved anymore. Then Dogen Zen-ji goes on to say, “To forget yourself is to become enlightened by all things.” When we are not so self-involved, we begin to realize that the world is speaking to us all of the time. Every plant, every tree, every animal, every person, every car, every airplane is speaking to us, teaching us, awakening us. It’s a wonderful world, but we often miss it. It’s as if we see the previews of coming attractions and never get to the main feature.

"Mitochondria I", mixed media and gold leaf on wood, 4' x 6', 2002. Private collection.

"Mitochondria". Each of our cells can contain thousands of mitochondria. They are used by our bodies to convert molecules into energy. They are independent, and genetically distinct from the cell nucleus, and can manufacture their own proteins. It is thought that mitochondria originated as a separate single-cell organism that became symbiotic with their hosts, as to be indispensable. Mitochondrial DNA is a remnant of a past existence as a separate organism. Mitochondria contain their own DNA, which we only inherit from our mothers, and can be used to trace maternal links (The American Heritage Science Dictionary).

“Jade Disc”, acrylic paint on canvas,     4’ x 6’, 2002.

“Jade Disc”.  This disc is called a bi disc, it is a flat jade disc, with a circular hole in the center. They were used in Neolithic times, burial objects, undecorated, about 3000 B.C.E. The jade objects represent Heaven and were laid on the diseased.

Tao”, mixed media, acrylic on canvas, 4’ x 6’, 2002.

This painting represents the beginning of the universe. The red rays piercing the disc, are the sparks that create the Ten Thousand Things in our existence.

Verse 1.

The Tao that is unnamable is the Source of the Heaven and the Earth.

Verse 40.

The name, once introduced, becomes the Mother of the Ten Thousand Things.

Returning (to the basis) is the motion of Tao,
Yielding is the work of Tao,
The Ten Thousand Things in the universe are born of being,
Being is born of nothingness.

 Verse 42.

Tao begot one.
One begot two.
Two begot three.
And three begot the Ten Thousand Things. Lao Tzu, The Tao Te Ching

"Silent Passage", oil on gessoed wood, 4' x 6', 2003.

 Lao Tzu, The Tao Te Ching.

The reason water can keep changing its form is because it is essentially formless. Its form is determined by what is around it. Put it in a cup, and it will be cup-shaped. Put it in a ravine, and it will be river-shaped. It needs no form of its own, because it harmonizes with everything around it, taking other beings as its outline, instead of imposing itself upon others. 

“Zen Drawing”, mixed media on wood, 3’ x 4’, 2002. Private Collection.

“Zen Drawing”.  Enlightenment, the first principle is possible acknowledging the everything and everyone is Buddha-nature. Enlightenment is possible to everyone. Enlightenment in Buddhism, or for the Taoist sage, is not expressible in words, or logical thought. Intuitive understanding is necessary, acknowledging that eternity is here and now.
Fredric Liberman

Zen Buddhism And Its Relationship
to Elements of Eastern And Western Art
http://artsites.ucsc.edu/faculty/lieberman/zen.html

Birth of a Painting Series V, "Golden Falls".

As an artist I seek balance in my life. As a healer, I use healing in my art process.
As an artist I seek balance in my life. As a healer, I use healing in my art process.
As an artist and healer, I address the healing of our planet. I try to approach Climate Change, and our damaged environment, more as a spiritual issue. First, we must heal ourselves, and by doing so we will become aware of the reality of the global stress that humanity has caused.
My paintings are often bought by healing organizations and individuals. "Golden Falls", was a corporate purchase by Kaweah Delta Medical Center, Visalia, California. They have bought several of my paintings. 
Please promote self-healing by visiting beautiful sites in nature. This artwork was inspired by a small waterfall in Stanislaus National Forest. The trail to the falls was a delight, each flower will delight and encourage you, and the sounds of the forest, and stream, will lead you back to your true self. 
My paintings are often bought by healing organizations and individuals. "Golden Falls", was a corporate purchase by Kaweah Delta Medical Center, Visalia, California. They have bought several of my paintings. 

Please promote self-healing by visiting beautiful sites in nature. This artwork was inspired by a small waterfall in Stanislaus National Forest. The trail to the falls was a delight, each flower will delight and encourage you, and the sounds of the forest, and stream, will lead you back to your true self. 

Birth of a Painting Series IV: "Blue Iris".

Birth of a Painting Series IV: Blue Iris

The Life of Flowers

Article by Denise Hartley, artist and gardener, etc.

I have inherited my grandmother's love of flowers. Just moments after arriving for a visit, she would say, “Let’s go outside and see the garden". “Blue Iris” is a photo taken by my photographer son, Chris Gilbert, in that garden. His photo was the source of my painting. When we sold her home, the blue iris came home with me, recently planted in this tree stump.

Please view my page 'Healing Plants', a blog about my grandmother's garden, then my sons, and last, my beautiful garden at her home: Page on this site: https://friendnature.wordpress.com/healing-plants/

Flowers give me courage, the life of a flower is so ephemeral, the beauty of the flower quickly passes, and is soon replaced by another. My life is passing just as quickly, and I will soon be replaced by my children and grandchildren. I long to look at flowers (and grandchildren’s) beautiful faces.

In my little greenhouse I have a tray of tiny lavender plants, also snow peas, and a flat of chamomile. The flowers attract the butterflies, bees, and birds. My desk looks out over my garden. My dad was the gardener, with a large vegetable garden, and a pergola filled with red grapes. I am the new keeper of his garden. My garden here, although established, was a working man’s garden. I just finished planting his vegetable garden this winter, and I planted a peach tree, expecting blossoms and delicious peaches late spring.

I am off to paint a ceiling mural, sky and clouds, on my future grandchild’s nursery!

Many thanks for visiting this site!
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From the desk of Denise

htttp://www.dahartley.com

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Birth of a Painting Series II: "She Broke", by artist Denise Hartley

She Broke...Painting By Denise Hartley

This is the second painting in the series: Birth of a Painting Series. 
          Artists love to create, and I am trying to dedicate my time to create a platform to showcase my art. Sadly, painting is so much more rewarding for me! This week I am washing each of my paintings, photographing them, and formatting the photos for different uses. Before this, then that, which means that I have to learn to use a 35mm camera, light balance, f stops, the list is endless. I was almost caught swearing the other day.
          My son is helping me with #'s. I have started posting on Instagram:dahartley222, Twitter: DAHartley, my wordpress blog, Friend Nature (https://friendnature.wordpress.com). The learning curve makes my head spin. I would rather be out today under the blue sky digging in my garden!
          My art focuses on spirituality, healing, self-expression, and nature themes. My collectors have noticed my healing theme, my paintings have been purchased by hospitals, nurses, and healing professionals, and those individuals that need healing. 
         I am currently inspired by artist, writer, and teacher, Lisa Congdon. Her book, ART, INC. is driving me on. (lisacongdon.com). She offers ideas on how to prepare a press kit, advertising on line, creating a marketing plan, just about everything you need to learn to promote your own art. Check out her website!
          She Broke, is the first of a similar group of paintings from my BLOCKED art show in 2000. I will be posting the rest of the painting in the next several posts.
          Well, back to work (where are the emoji's on Blogger?).
                                                                                                                Denise

The painting, “She Broke” is dedicated to the “MeToo” movement and to all women.

 Time Magazine’s Person of the Year is dedicated to #MeToo.  

Time article by Bill Chappell,

“It has created a wave of awareness and brave confrontations over sexual harassment and assault, taking down powerful men in the process. And now the #MeToo movement has been named Time magazine's Person of the Year

for 2017.

She Broke, oil on canvas, 16" x 20", 1998.

Self Portrait, oil on canvas, 16" x 20", 1998.

A thirty second video from: Birth of a Painting Series: She Broke.