Monday, December 10, 2012

Reserving Space

drawing, Sky, Rocks, Beach, atmospheric, clouds
Sky, Rocks, Beach sketch Katherine Kean
graphite

Have you ever experienced 'the Gap', the space between thoughts when the mind is still?They say that when no thoughts distract you, you can experience present moment awareness, and from cultivating present moment awareness, inner wisdom and joy arise.

drawing, Cuds, beach, sky, water, atmospheric, Ma
Clouds Over Water sketch Katherine Kean
graphite

 There is a Japanese word, "Ma," which translated means "gap", "space", "pause" or "the space between two structural parts" and is experienced through progressive intervals of spatial designation. It is an awareness of place as the simultaneous awareness of form and non-form and happens in the mind of the viewer.

12 comments:

Kathryn Hansen said...

lovely sketches Katherine!!

I definitely experience the "gap" when I am drawing/creating, hiking and playing with the animals!

Palmer said...

I just love them!!

jeronimus said...

'Ma' is the mother of creativity!
Beautiful drawings.
What kind of paper did you use?

Katherine Kean said...

Thanks Kathryn! I can see how hiking and interacting with animals would be conducive.

Katherine Kean said...

Palmer - thanks!

Katherine Kean said...

Jeronimus - Yes, and you've a way with words!
I'm glad you enjoy them. These are on Aquabee sketch paper - I seem to have an infinite supply of these sketchbooks to work through.

Elizabeth Seaver said...

Yes, I have had rare glimpses into that gap when I am writing or painting. What a great way to express it.

Your drawings are just lovely.

Unknown said...

I love this post. The gap that I love is the one between sleep and wake, in the morning. That's when my best art ideas appear to me. Love your sketch!

Jean Spitzer said...

Lovely sketches.

Katherine Kean said...

Thanks Elizabeth, Katherine, and Jean.

Elizabeth - it's a wonderful sensation when it happens, isn't it?

Katherine - that's the hypnagogic state, right? Yes, wonderful ideas come through then.

Yelena Shabrova said...

Love your post and sketches, Katherine. Ma is a wonderful place to be, even better is to learn how to get there no matter how busy or noisy the day gets. Even a few minutes of experiencing the gap help a lot.

Katherine Kean said...

Thank you Yelena, and absolutely, learning how to get in the gap at will is life changing.

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