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Elizabeth Nelson
38 睽 Diversity (Kui)
Decision
diversity. There will be good fortune in small matters.
Image
Clarity (fire) is above and excess (lake) is below forming the image of diversity.
Accordingly, an enlightened person seeks common ground on major issues while
setting aside differences on minor ones. oil on board, 20 x 20 inches
27 頤 Nourishing (Yi)
Decision
nourishing. Right determination brings good fortune. Pay attention to what is
being nourished, and be certain that what is asked for is virtuous.
Image
Beneath the immobile (mountain) the arousing (thunder) stirs, forming the
image of nourishing. Accordingly, an enlightened person is cautious with their
words, and regulates carefully what they take in. oil on board, 20 x 20 inches
45 萃 Gathering Together (Cui)
Decision
gathering together. The ruler arrives at the meeting place. It is favorable to see
this leader. Success comes from right determination. Making an offering brings
good fortune. It is favorable to have a goal in mind.
Image
Receptivity (earth) at the foundation of openness (lake) forms the image of
gathering together. Accordingly, an enlightened person repairs their defenses
and guards against unexpected circumstances. oil on board, 20 x 20 inches
31 咸 Attraction (Xian)
Decision
attraction brings advancement. There is an advantage in right determination.
Choosing to formally recognize a relationship brings good fortune.
Image
Pleasure (lake) is upon the tranquil (mountain) forming the image of attraction.
Accordingly, an enlightened person opens their heart and mind, and is accepting
of others. oil on board, 20 x 20 inches
24 復 Repeating (Fu)
Decision
repeating brings advancement and will not cause distress. Friends return and this
is not a mistake. repeating cycles are part of the Tao, just as in seven days comes a
return. It is favorable to have a goal in mind.
Image
There is new activity (thunder) in the heart of receptivity (earth) forming the
image of repeating. The ancient rulers, accordingly, closed the gates of the passes
on the winter solstice, and travelers returned to their homes. oil on board, 20 x 20 inches
Elizabeth Nelson: Artist, Elizabeth Nelson, has often been inspired and guided by the ancient Chinese devination text, I Ching or Yi Jing, one of the oldest of the Chinese Classics. It is studied as a book of wisdom throughout the world and provides guidance to religion, literature, art, psychology, science, diplomacy and business. I Ching uses hexagons to reach solutions. Nelson has painted 64 Symbolic Landscapes representing the I Ching texts that make up each hexagon.
I Ching is a big subject with a history of more than 3000 years of interpretation. The texts and hexagrams have been used by many to find solutions to questions or problems. I Ching uses coins to determine these solutions. A practitioner will toss tree coins six times to create a new hexagram related to his or her question. The response is determined by looking up the meanings of the hexagon in the I Ching text.
Elizabeth Nelson has long been interested in Chinese painting. An early childhood memory reveals a fascination with scrolls her father brought back from Shanghai, India and Europe after his service in WWII. Chinese and Asian art have remained a ‘foundation of her aesthetic’.
It was during a “fallow” period in her painting career that Nelson asked I Ching for “advice and inspiration”. The answer was hexagram #2 Natural Response (K’un). At first Nelson was puzzled by the response but the next morning as the moon was setting over her snow-filled pasture, the answer was clear. She “would paint 64 hexagrams and choose the sequence at random by throwing the coins”. The entire symbolic landscape series took 6 years to complete. The oil paintings on cradled birch panels are 20 x 20 inches.
I Ching is a big subject with a history of more than 3000 years of interpretation. The texts and hexagrams have been used by many to find solutions to questions or problems. I Ching uses coins to determine these solutions. A practitioner will toss tree coins six times to create a new hexagram related to his or her question. The response is determined by looking up the meanings of the hexagon in the I Ching text.
Elizabeth Nelson has long been interested in Chinese painting. An early childhood memory reveals a fascination with scrolls her father brought back from Shanghai, India and Europe after his service in WWII. Chinese and Asian art have remained a ‘foundation of her aesthetic’.
It was during a “fallow” period in her painting career that Nelson asked I Ching for “advice and inspiration”. The answer was hexagram #2 Natural Response (K’un). At first Nelson was puzzled by the response but the next morning as the moon was setting over her snow-filled pasture, the answer was clear. She “would paint 64 hexagrams and choose the sequence at random by throwing the coins”. The entire symbolic landscape series took 6 years to complete. The oil paintings on cradled birch panels are 20 x 20 inches.