Satori (Enlightenment, Awakening) Painting – Art inspired by Mount Fuji
Buy the Satori (Awakening) Print
Mount Fuji
Climbing Mount Fuji in the middle of the night, I was on a journey to catch the sunrise from the summit. The increase in altitude made it hard to catch my breath as I was pushing my aching body to its limits.
I felt grateful for the pain since I knew this hike was more than a physical challenge. I was challenging my inner strength. When it came down to it, I was the only person on that mountain that could keep pushing me to take another step, and then another step, until I reached the top.
Challenges
Challenges, big or small, are the perfect training and reminder that you can rely on yourself when the tough gets going. You are your best coach. If you think that you’re not a strong individual, than I dare you to prove yourself wrong by getting out of your comfort zone and doing something you’ve always wanted to do. People are usually much stronger than they think they are.
You can always start with something small. It’s amazing what you’ll learn about yourself when you’re faced with any challenge in life. Challenges give you the opportunity for an awakening.
Failure
What if you fail? No one is perfect. Everyone fails. Plus, failing is learning what not to do in order to reach your goals. It can also be the inspiration behind a new and better suited goal. Failure is there to teach you. It’s a good thing.
The Painting
The moon was the only light I needed to climb Mount Fuji. It was freakishly large and clear that night. I could hardly believe my eyes. I felt like I was on another planet. I wanted to portray the moon this way in my painting.
Even though I wanted to keep the painting fairly simple, I wanted to paint chaotic designs on Mount Fuji to represent the physical pain, adrenaline and eagerness I was feeling that night. I picked the colors of fire… and I think subconsciously I equate fire with these feelings. I can’t explain why because I don’t quite understand it myself. However, the way my mind is wired, it feels right to paint it this way.
I left the summit uncomplicated to symbolize my awakening.
Here’s a video of me, Soniei, trying to explain the evolution of my art and the inspiration behind my contemporary paintings.
This video includes a brief explanation of how I left the 9-5 work world to live my dream as a full-time artist.
I also share a few pictures of my original paintings, including my Japanese calligraphy art and other Zen inspired paintings.
Tags: About Soniei, Abstract Paintings, Mount Fuji Paintings, Soniei's Painting Stories
February 13th, 2010 at 5:47 pm
Hello!
I have just been blessed with gracefully stumbling upon your site/work/blog! Your style and energy speaks to me in a very close way, as I find myself interested in “similar glimmers of light”, if you will!
My business partner and I started our own photography/design company about 1 year ago this past January. We, too had to run fast and hard away from the corporate world of power and confinement to a positive, inspiring place where we could focus on our inner passions.
Anyways, long story short. After a few years of defining our paths and visions, we are ready to move on to a new chapter of that vision. Starting with a fresh, new logo… we will be on our way to transforming our mission, website, and journey. Problem is, we are kind of stuck! You know how it goes when you are trying to look at your own work that you may have been staring at for hours/days/years! I think a “fresh pair of eyes” would help a lot!
I feel such a strong connection with your work, as many of your paintings are similar in composition to our photography!
This may be a random or out of the question inquiry, but just wondering if you might like to give some ideas, brainstorm, or even be interested in coming up with a little doodle for part of our logo? (I know I read that you don’t prefer do custom work, but if this is something that could possibly spark an idea of inspiration, I would ever so graciously love to hear or see!!!
If this is something of interest; please contact me! P.s. Our company name is: Satori Innovations
Thank you kindly for your time!
Vanessa
February 15th, 2010 at 8:45 am
Hello Vanessa! Thank you so much for the lovely compliments! Unfortunately, I don’t have much time to spend on logo ideas, but I checked out your website and the first thing that came to mind was a falling orange leaf for your logo. It would even look good in the top right corner, in the middle of those swirly designs. PS. Bravo on such a wonderful website and photos. You guys rock!