Solidarity Series and Vigilance

I do not paint about politics; however, I have some paintings that reflect historical events. In the Solidarity Series portrayed below, I use the colors of the American flag to invoke the call for solidarity. 

I see so much division over mundane topics, and division over larger topics. I would like to see more understanding where the individuals involved in the disagreement agree to disagree, and the fundamental of respect, friendship and solidarity do not get damage because one does not agree with the opinion of the other. 

From upper left clockwise to lower left, these paintings are:
1) Solidarity I 
Medium: Oil pastel
Surface: Acid free paper
Size: 17x14 inches
$400

2) Solidarity II
Medium: Oil pastel
Surface: Acid free paper
Size: 17x14 inches
$400

3 Solidarity III
Medium: Oil pastel and acrylic paint
Surface: Canvas
Size: 20x16 inches

4) Solidarity IV 
Medium: Oil pastel and acrylic paint
Surface: Acid free paper
Size: 17x14
​$400

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Vigilance

The second chapter of the Dhammapada talks about vigilance as being the path of long life versus negligence which is a direct path to premature death. The fourth verse of this chapter can be paired with the Eightfold path titled "Right Mindfulness."

The verse goes like this:

"Glory grows for a person who is
Energetic and mindful, 
Pure and considerate in action,
Restrained and vigilant, 
And who lives the Dharma."

In the West, the concept of mindfulness have been overused and misused to the point that it became a money making industry. 

The Buddha's intention of the concept of mindfulness is as simple as "consideration in action." Being mindful means to be fully aware of how our actions carry consequences like the ripples on a lake.  We want to conduct ourselves in such a way that those ripples we produce with our actions are not harmful to ourselves, to others and to the environment. 

Practical examples are: 1) You are on the waiting room of a heavy traffic place, such as an airport or a hospital or even at a park bench where there are runners and walkers passing in front of you. A mindful person sits down without extended the legs out because those legs could cause someone to trip and fall. Be present in the moment, consider the action and how it could affect others; 2) You want to be able to travel with your dog so you buy a service dog vest online, and voila! now you take your untrained dog everywhere. It is convenient to you but it is absolutely not mindful. A fake service dog puts the public at risk. This is a negligent action and not a mindful behavior. 

I invite you to practice this during this week. Be 100% aware of everything you do (being mindful and present in the moment), and think about what kind of ripples those actions will create. If they are harmful to you, other or the environment, then, avoid it. 
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Upcoming Art Exhibition

July 25th - San Diego Little Italy - Piazza della Famiglia - 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Liberty Station - August 7-8, 2021

August 22nd - San Diego Little Italy - Piazza della Famiglia - 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
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Little Italy - October 2-3, 2021

La Jolla Art and Wine Festival - October 9-10, 2021