Speed of Life

Gregg Chadwick The Monk's Road 36"x36" oil on panel 2018 I’m very pleased to let you know that my painting  The Monk's Road  has been chosen to be featured in the New This Week Collection on Saatchi Art's homepage.   The Monk's Road  is part of an ongoing series of artworks about seeking peace and justice in a world in need of harmony. In the mountains of Northern Thailand, rising above the city of Chiang Mai, peaks are often caught in an early morning sea of fog. Written as ทะเลหมอก in Thai, this mist often covers the summit of Doi Inthanon, Thailand’s highest peak. On the mountain slope- two Buddhist stupas, often referred to as chedis in Thailand, sit to honor the monarchs of Thailand. Known as Phra Mahathat Naphamethanidon and -Nophamethanidon, the chedis were named to reflect the power of the sky and the grace of the land.  My painting "The Monk's Road" is set in this mist shrouded landscape. Three Buddhist monks in...

by Gregg Chadwick My family was pleased this morning to read that the 12 Wild Boars and their soccer coach were rescued from a cave in Thailand. The effort was extraordinary. It took strategy, teamwork, focus, dedication and bravery. Here in the United States we have our own children's crisis. Most of the immigrant children separated at the border from their parents by the Trump administration  have not been returned. At a hearing late last week, the government attorney tasked with the case asked the judge for more time because she had to babysit her dog. Shockingly, the judge agreed. Furthermore, a court ordered deadline to return the youngest children will pass with most of the families still hundreds of miles apart. Today, July 10, 2018, is the deadline for the Trump government to reunite 102 separated children under the age of five with their parents. Yesterday in court, the Trump administration said just over 50 children would be reunited by the deadline. Today the figure st...

Buddha of the Setting Sun (Amida) Gregg Chadwick 40"x32" oil on linen 2010 Private Collection Marina del Rey One in an ongoing series of artworks inspired by the life and poetry of the Japanese Zen monk, poet, scholar and garden designer Muso Soseki. I am indebted to the American poet W.S. Merwin for his masterful versions from the Japanese translations and for his kind words of inspiration to me at the Hammer Museum. Temple of Eternal Light by Muso Soseki (1275 - 1351) English version by W. S. Merwin Original Language Japanese Buddhist : Zen / Chan 14th Century The mountain range the stones in the water all are strange and rare The beautiful landscape as we know belongs to those who are like it The upper worlds the lower worlds originally are one thing There is not a bit of dust there is only this still and full perfect enlightenment Portrait of Zen priest, poet and garden designer Musō Soseki