Art Reboot

92 become indistinct with successively distant vistas, how peaks set against clouds or sky seem darker where the two meet. Instead of bouncing off, the artist is constantly registering and storing visual data, and once back in the studio the experience of the drive is transformed and what was unseen by the casual observer is realised, prompting us to see reality differently. Seeing reality differently is a vital part of evolving consciousness. Religion, philosophy and science are all involved in this process, in helping us to interpret reality, to see it differently as we become both smarter and wiser. This visionary capacity can be learned and honed. It is as applicable to life as it is to painting, and its driving force is focused curiosity. If you glance at something and bounce off, whether it is something physical or an idea, you will gain little from it. If, on the other hand, you focus and think about it, grapple with it over and over in your mind in a continuing internal debate, you will discover deeper layers of meaning. During sleepless hours or airport delays it is a wonderfully entertaining way to pass the time, and a creative way to explore ideas which can lead to in- triguing insight. Academic philosophy may have become so specialised that it requires years of studying the language as a prerequisite, but mind-surfing is no more than the unfettered, fun aspect of philosophy, with no homework. There is a common misconception that vision (enduring art- istic insight) or inspiration (insight’s fleeting form) either come or don’t, and that we wait for them as we wait for a winning lot- tery ticket. You could sit around for ever waiting for some absent muse to grant you the capacity to create a masterpiece. It is much