Mudita Slide show on Vimeo

“Mudita” Paintings by David Isbester from David Isbester on Vimeo.

I am thankful.

Wet day at Finns- Oil sketch 40×30cm

A Lover of Reality

Wet day, Junction Hotel- Oil sketch 40x30cm

For me, the very essence of reality is that ‘reality’ is an illusion. Once I accept this and choose to love this wonderful illusion, as it unfolds before my eyes, then I can participate without judgment or expectation, and be present in each moment. I can simply be. Life.

This is freedom.

This sounds deep and philosophical but it is not really. If it is raining, there is no point complaining or thinking how great it would be if it would stop. Accept that it is raining. Love that if you can. There is nothing you can do about it. But you can adjust the lens through which you see the world. This process can be challenging… very challenging at times, but it is possible and worth it.

This painting is an illusion of the bigger illusion and is a reminder to me that the rain will end (whatever that rain may be. ie. a drama, an experience or anything) , to love reality and to be in this moment. This is eternity. This is how it is meant to be. Because it is.

‘Mudita’…what’s in a name?

Silverton River Gum I- Oil sketch 40x30cm

‘ David, just sway in the breeze…like a tree.’  In saying this, a dear friend Tess gave me the best advice. On so many levels this is useful. For example, on an emotional level we can feel things, wobble a little and then let them go, let them pass. If a tree held on to the wind it would surely break. I’m not saying that life is gentle. At times we are in the grip of a cyclone, being thrown around and almost uprooted.  I can use this analogy to step back and observe my own ego, to feel the flow of emotion, move with it, surrender for a bit and then sway the other way and then back to my center. I find that this is equally useful for both good and bad feelings. I find peace when I remember to sway.

‘Mudita’ is defined in Wikipedia as a Buddhist word meaning rejoicing in others’ joy.  The term mudita is usually translated as “sympathetic” or “altruistic” joy, the pleasure that comes from delighting in other people’s well-being rather than begrudging it. To show mudita is to celebrate happiness and achievement in others even when we are facing tragedy ourselves. This definition to me implies a sense of separateness. For me, Mudita requires the acceptance of oneness and therefore a joy of all joy. What is joy anyway? I have found it sometimes very challenging to adopt the mind-set of Mudita and instead Compassion seemed more appropriate certain situations.

Either way, I am just a tree swaying with the breeze, dancing with all the other trees.

Tree of Life

Silverton River Gum II- Oil sketch 40x30cm

This is a painting of some trees in a river bed not far from Silverton NSW. It is not uncommon here for rivers to be dry most of the time. Below the surface, the river may still be flowing slowly deep in the sand. These trees thrive in these conditions. They can endure many years of drought  and then flooding. They are like islands of life in the desert. They are homes for birds, reptiles, marsupials, insects and lots of them. They are food, shelter, habitat and a resting place for the weary traveler.  I am drawn to the shade as I walk along the sandy expanses. These trees create their own micro-climate and attract complexity of life to them. They are incredibly beautiful. I hope to capture something of this with my painting.

The World at my doorstep

Afternoon Light - Canowindra Oil sketch 40x30cm

Again, just outside my home. I am passionate about painting things that are familiar. It’s here where an artist can see the beauty in ordinary things. Ordinary life to each person will mean something different. That’s the beauty of it. The everyday reality is where you find universal truth and you don’t have to go anywhere special to find something worth painting.

“Art is everywhere, except it has to pass through a creative mind.” Louise Nevelson.

The main street of Canowindra has so many variations when it comes to light. This painting seems to me to be ambiguous and yet I think it’s not that far off the truth.

Back in my home town.

Royal Hotel Canowindra, early morning- Oil sketch

This is close to home for me. In fact, you can see my garbage bin on the side of the road. The green thing with the red lid. This is early morning before the  hustle and bustle begins. The garbage truck has already been but it is before the council guys have come to sweep the gutter. I don’t like to get in their way. The main street of Canowindra has a rhythm which is almost like a clock to me. Public holidays almost seem spooky when the routine  is broken.  I have found a sense of belonging here. This is my place. This is is where I put my bin out and then bring it in. My participation in community and the illusion of time.

Light Dancing

Fallen Log Neville- Oil sketch 8x10 inches

Dancing Light- Oil sketch 8x10 inches

I am very inspired by this dry sclerophyll forest landscape. In this forest it is not uncommon to see Kangaroos, Wallabies, Echidnas and even Koalas. This is also a nesting place for the Sulphur Crested Cockatoo which are very noisy at this time of year- Spring. It is fun just watching their antics in the tree tops. I came across an Echidna recently in the forest. They are fascinatingly ancient creatures. When it saw me approaching it began digging itself into the ground. Very anti-social animal. Strong too as the ground is quite hard. Although noisy and crowded by unfriendly wildlife, the dappled light I find very seductive and I enjoy the challenge of capturing the light that I see dancing before me.

Finding Peace

Rock near Cowra- Oil Sketch

I followed a Wedge Tail Eagle to this place. Knowing it would take me somewhere special…and it certainly did.  Sometimes surrendering to the imagination can lead me to the most magical experiences. The way these wonderful birds soar and sail through the sky is truly mesmerizing.  Their freedom is my freedom. Seeing them releases me. They stir my awareness. Like  ancient memories flooding into my being. The present moment becoming so full and sweet it could only be a dream. These moments are glimpses of eternity. Then, like the Eagle they drift out of reach until they are just a speck in the sky …and then they are gone. Until the next time, this painting is a reminder.

Art Rocks!

Hillside near Cowra- Oil sketch 8x10

It is wonderful to be free to take a walk in a place like this.

Freedom to wonder.

Be enchanted.

To connect.

Feed the soul.

Calm the  mind.

Feel.

See.

Experience and appreciate.

Recharge.