Differing Views
72 x 48” Oil on Canvas
Suitable to be hung horizontally or vertically.
Frequently I find myself taken aback at the strikingly differing views people have of the same incident, the same person, the truth. I am dumbfounded, again and again and again.
How can this be? The facts are there yet the choice is made to pretend. Pretend what everyone knows to be true, is not. They distort the truth to fit a narrative so as to remain in possession of something that does not belong to them. Or they calculate and manipulate to get what it is they want no matter the cost to others involved, no matter their fiduciary duty, no matter the trust that was given them. Then the narrative is manipulated to fit the version they want to be viewed as truth. Others follow along, pretending the lying does not matter.
Soon the context is discarded, history is rewritten, the scapegoat is blamed and all is put to rest. The evil net has been cast over all involved and the lies are believed to be true, or at the very least, people pretend it does not matter.
In this superficial, materialistic and polarized society it is the same. People pretend the constant lies and manipulation by our politicians does not matter. The disregard for those less fortunate, the unwillingness to value people of differing cultures, the lack of respect for those who may be of the same culture and even family, yet think differently. Proven science is disregarded and facts ignored because the truth is too inconvenient to face or too difficult and complex to understand.
Our world is upside down.
Integrity, forgiveness, kindness, honesty, does not matter to so many who believe themselves to be morally good. Even standing up for the truth does not matter because, I suppose, it is easier not to. Ha! I say. And as a result I am ousted. No longer welcome by those to whom I gave so much. None of it matters to them. I don’t matter to them. Have I ever? Have they ever even seen me?
So often people, families, situations, are not who or what they seem. The interpretations vary, The truth is obscured.
As I paint, my mind wanders. Turning the canvas I check each view to make sure the composition is pleasing no matter the orientation. The focus is on balance and harmony.
Though the inspiration is a downward view of the cliffs and waves breaking just below, I realize the rocks could also be a rugged mountain range with cirrus clouds above. As I paint the rocks, some become small buildings, others platforms, and I imagine a small person navigating the angled structures, carefully climbing the hard surfaces in exploration.
Some rocks morph into sentient beings fixed in place, gazing hopefully up towards the heavens.
Adding detail to the ocean, the floating foam becomes narrow peninsulas surrounded by water. I imagine myself wandering down these expansive beaches and swimming in the sea.
Different orientations may suggest completely different subjects.
The same subject viewed from different angles often result in contradicting interpretations and beliefs. Where do we go from here?