MICHELLE LOUIS
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Water Always Wins- A Lesson on Resistance from Mother Nature and Dr. Who

2/1/2017

2 Comments

 
Picture
Exonym 3, 42"x 48" on canvas. Michelle Louis©2017
   I've been considering the concept of resistance and what we might learn about it from nature and Dr. Who. 
   Think water. Think stone. W
ater can abruptly rip the side from a mountain or, given time, erode even the hardest stone. Its freeze/thaw cycle can turn concrete or stone to rubble. Stone may divert or slow water, but, unless tediously tended, water always wins. Stone can resist all it wants, but in the end, well, think Grand Canyon. 
   According to psychoanalyst Carl Jung, "What you resist not only persists, but will grow in size." In other words, spending all our time fighting against the things we don't want is fruitless. But making time to focus on and plan for what we do want is critical, because resistance, alone, moves nothing. It obstructs, deters, or impedes. The need to maintain a permanent state of resistance keeps us captive, occupied, and distracted. Momentum and flow, on the other hand, are strengths or forces gained by gathering motion that drive toward critical mass- where real change occurs. 
   Does that mean resistance is not a necessary part of the process? It feels imperative in this moment.
    How we think about our actions, whether to resist, or create momentum and flow- to become water- is consequential.
​     Water always wins. 
    Who will be the water? Water for greed or water for good? We get to choose by our actions.  Something to ponder...


"Water is patient, Adelaide. Water just waits. It wears down the clifftops, the mountains,the whole world. Water always wins."     -Dr. Who, Waters of Mars trailer, from BBC One.
2 Comments
Roni Sherman Ramos link
2/4/2017 02:41:04 pm

Michelle, love you imagery. Feeling likewise these days about how to keep the flow constant tobhave the eventual corrosive effect of waring down the forces of hate. Keep the subject alive by picking and picking the protective coating until it bleeds.
Your painting is a great reflection of your train of thought.
Thanks
Sorry to miss you in CR. Leaving tomorrow
Love
Roni

Reply
Michelle link
2/4/2017 04:36:52 pm

Thanks, Roni. I think we might cross paths if you're staying until the 3rd. Meanwhile, I hope your stay there is everything you need it to be. Safe travels & love to you!

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    Artist and naturalist Michelle Louis has a vigorous curiosity about the natural world. Her abstract landscape paintings cultivate connection to the lands she explores.

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  • Home
    • Paintings >
      • Elemental Series
      • Verge Series
      • Oh Yes Series
      • Of Land and Sky Series
      • Earthscape Series
      • Blue Series
      • Trailblazer Series
      • Invisible Trails Series
      • Yin Sides Series
      • Geometric Series
  • Contact/Shop
  • Meet Michelle
  • Blog