“You think of yourself as a citizen of the universe. You think you belong to this world of dust and matter. Out of this dust you have created a personal image and have forgotten about the essence of your true origin.”
-Rumi-
The creative concept of this series is to view the vastness, beauty, and wonders of the universe and the power of our Creator by contrasting images of large bodies of the universe with miniature scale of the paintings – symbolizing our myopic point of view and our limited understanding of our role in the universe. The large scale oil painting acts as a contrast between two scales and also as a climax of the series. Contrary to the watercolor miniatures displaying large objects in small scale, the finale of The Universe Series showcases a fleeting earthly event on a grand scale.
Each image is selectively paired with a handwritten inspirational quote for self-awareness, reflection, contemplation, and gratitude. The connection between the sky and the earth in the micro-burst mirrors our understanding of the universe beyond the skies itself, while the celestial bodies remind us of our small space in the universe. Living in this juxtaposition is the underlying knowledge that we as humans have only a limited understanding of the Universe and furthermore, it is with each other that we must share it. The miniature watercolor paintings and calligraphy are done on handmade loose cotton rag paper, despite its challenges, to stay true to the series organic theme. As an artist, I see this series as not just a visual but also an intellectual, spiritual, and psychological experience.
