Expression

This semester, I'm taking an Intro to Fine Arts course. Though my mind is often immersed in the practice of logic, reasoning, and problem solving due to hours of organic chemistry and anatomy & physiology, I am discovering the other side of my brain (I'm convinced right brain powers are employed heavily in organic, but that's beside the point). I'm starting to see the possibilities within this new world. I'm beginning to understand the emotion and understanding- the profound mode of expression that is a work of art.

Last week, our class took an across campus field trip to the art gallery. The event inspired the expectation of amusement, but I came away with much more. When I first entered the gallery, I glanced at the works hanging on the walls. I had never took the time to enter the gallery before, despite walking by countless times in nearly two years. On that note, I crossed the threshold, with a touch sheepishness. After a general assessment of the room,  a large, predominantly cerulean painting captured my attention. Drawing closer, I noticed a few chemical elements featured in the various hues. A closer look, and I recognized them as the noble gases. My interest was piqued. The title of the work? "Elemental Nobility."

I stood blankly for a moment.

"Elemental Nobility" - John Payne  http://www.artbyjohnlpayne.blogspot.com/2011/02/elemental-nobility.html   

Art and science?

The thought had crossed my mind before, but this time it stayed. A discipline of logic and hard-learned facts coupled with... this? Unbeknownst to the casual observer. This painting was making a statement, and I understood it. Not necessarily the association the artist intended, but something far more profound impressed my mind. Art is the expression of the self that lies beneath. Art is the thoughts and emotions which have no voice. They exist as shifting, undefinable forces. Sometimes I sit down with my guitar and these forces find their voice. However, lately, this approach has proved ineffective. When I know so little about what I am trying to express, thoughts and words fail to formulate. Still, the urge to create presses from inside.

For years, I have left my paints untouched. Although I enjoyed discovering the art when I was younger, my pursuit of perfectionism and somewhat unfounded dedication to time-effectiveness caused me to abandon any attempts at renewing my interest. After last week, these thoughts have continued to return to me. Just because I spent my evening contemplating the aromatic characteristics of heterocyclic compounds doesn't mean no capacity for creativity exists in my brain. With this idea that art can be an expression of the heart and mind, art seems very different. Maybe in time, art can become the medium that allows my own musings to take form, to speak, and blessedly, to escape. The idea is still outside my comfort zone, but I'm ready to try.