Pool of consciousness Art by Artist Chris Shopland Bristol UK 24 x 36 inch acrylic and oil pastel on canvas
Pool of Consciousness
By Chris Shopland, Abstract Expressionist Artist (Bristol, UK)
Acrylic and oil pastel on 24 x 36 inch canvas
This painting felt as though it was offered to me by the muse, as Elizabeth Gilbert describes in her book Big Magic. She talks about the muses presenting ideas to us, and that's exactly how Pool of Consciousness came into being. It’s an extension of my "maze heads" series, where I explore the idea of identity—how we figure out who we are over time.
The ancient principle of "know thyself" is central to this piece. It reflects the ongoing challenge of understanding ourselves in different situations, though that’s often easier said than done. As I meditated, I imagined thoughts floating by like boats, and the image of an origami boat emerged. We are our brains, but we know so little about how they truly function—especially when injury or trauma comes into play. While science continues to explore the mysteries of the mind, I’m more captivated by the question of identity. What do we mean when we talk about "us"? Our physical bodies—those "squishy, blood-filled meatbags"—are only part of the story. We’re also electric signals and water, but where exactly does the true self reside?
As I approach 40 (just 2 years and 7 months away!), I’ve started to let go of the need to conform to expectations and false ideas of who I thought I was. As I learned from watching Cinema Therapy’s discussion of Inside Out 2, self-actualization is a natural part of growing older. While we may never fully understand ourselves, we do let go of what holds us back and grow closer to who we are meant to be. It’s curious how we can live with ourselves, always following "us" around, and yet still struggle to truly embrace our authentic selves.
Pool of Consciousness
By Chris Shopland, Abstract Expressionist Artist (Bristol, UK)
Acrylic and oil pastel on 24 x 36 inch canvas
This painting felt as though it was offered to me by the muse, as Elizabeth Gilbert describes in her book Big Magic. She talks about the muses presenting ideas to us, and that's exactly how Pool of Consciousness came into being. It’s an extension of my "maze heads" series, where I explore the idea of identity—how we figure out who we are over time.
The ancient principle of "know thyself" is central to this piece. It reflects the ongoing challenge of understanding ourselves in different situations, though that’s often easier said than done. As I meditated, I imagined thoughts floating by like boats, and the image of an origami boat emerged. We are our brains, but we know so little about how they truly function—especially when injury or trauma comes into play. While science continues to explore the mysteries of the mind, I’m more captivated by the question of identity. What do we mean when we talk about "us"? Our physical bodies—those "squishy, blood-filled meatbags"—are only part of the story. We’re also electric signals and water, but where exactly does the true self reside?
As I approach 40 (just 2 years and 7 months away!), I’ve started to let go of the need to conform to expectations and false ideas of who I thought I was. As I learned from watching Cinema Therapy’s discussion of Inside Out 2, self-actualization is a natural part of growing older. While we may never fully understand ourselves, we do let go of what holds us back and grow closer to who we are meant to be. It’s curious how we can live with ourselves, always following "us" around, and yet still struggle to truly embrace our authentic selves.
Pool of Consciousness
By Chris Shopland, Abstract Expressionist Artist (Bristol, UK)
Acrylic and oil pastel on 24 x 36 inch canvas
This painting felt as though it was offered to me by the muse, as Elizabeth Gilbert describes in her book Big Magic. She talks about the muses presenting ideas to us, and that's exactly how Pool of Consciousness came into being. It’s an extension of my "maze heads" series, where I explore the idea of identity—how we figure out who we are over time.
The ancient principle of "know thyself" is central to this piece. It reflects the ongoing challenge of understanding ourselves in different situations, though that’s often easier said than done. As I meditated, I imagined thoughts floating by like boats, and the image of an origami boat emerged. We are our brains, but we know so little about how they truly function—especially when injury or trauma comes into play. While science continues to explore the mysteries of the mind, I’m more captivated by the question of identity. What do we mean when we talk about "us"? Our physical bodies—those "squishy, blood-filled meatbags"—are only part of the story. We’re also electric signals and water, but where exactly does the true self reside?
As I approach 40 (just 2 years and 7 months away!), I’ve started to let go of the need to conform to expectations and false ideas of who I thought I was. As I learned from watching Cinema Therapy’s discussion of Inside Out 2, self-actualization is a natural part of growing older. While we may never fully understand ourselves, we do let go of what holds us back and grow closer to who we are meant to be. It’s curious how we can live with ourselves, always following "us" around, and yet still struggle to truly embrace our authentic selves.
