'MERLIN' OUR WISE INNER GUIDE

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'MERLIN' OIL ON CANVAS 2015
PHYSICAL DIMENSIONS: 40X80 cm

Most heroes are shown as young and physically powerful. We worship beauty and strength and of course, youth. This work pre-dates the 'Wisdom of Old Age' Acrylic portrait. In this painting I wanted to challenge the perception that old age is unattractive; that ageing signals a loss of potential. I wanted to reassert that old age brought with it life experience, knowledge and of course wisdom.

The figure of above and the title 'Merlin' suggest a sense of mystical strength.  The face is intelligent, kind, knowledgeable and intelligent.  As a mythological character, the image of magician equates with the ability to resolve impossible situations. What greater power can there exist? Suddenly brute strength assumes a less significant place in the scheme of things.

In some therapeutic settings clients are sometimes advised to visualise a wise figure that they can engage in an inner dialogue.  This powerful wise presence relates to our inner wisdom and our accumulated knowledge. Try the exercise and see how it impacts on you.  I think you may be pleasantly surprised.  In my case, my wise figure also has aspects of my father; memories and advice that he gave me,  which become the template for our discussions.

In this painting, I hope the viewer will be able to reflect on the wise women and men that have guided them and continue to be the background score, the logic or emotion behind our choices.  In us, our ancestors live and continue to influence us, hopefully in a meaningful and positive sense.

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