tiny loops of time

Tiny Loops of Time is related to the previous Simplify. It uses a lot of the similar textures and colors, as well as references to breathing, heartbeat, even a little bucket.

But now in this piece there is great joy. There is an ultrasound image of my baby, and the rhythm of breathing and heartbeat expands to form a loop. I imagined one would feel such a loop when raising a child: the joyful process of seeing new life, while re-visiting one's own childhood as the closest reference point for this childhood.

The text refers to the scientific “arrow of time,” which means that we know time is moving forward when things degrade: they break, grow old, wear down, decompose, etc. This is the natural order of time. Yet, another scientific theory that I find intriguing says that maybe the most fundamental particles of the universe are actually tiny loops of time. How beautiful!

Perhaps to create is to twist time's simple arrow back upon itself—to form cycles and loops. With time, we not only experience things growing old, we also have a creative process that makes things fresh and new.

“With time, we not only experience things growing old, we also have a creative process that makes things fresh and new.”

The overall composition of this piece presents a great loop essentially reaching out from myself and returning back to my baby, made up of all kinds of references, from my childhood drawings, to time-cone graphics, to sketchbook notes about the creative process.

The idea that our very existence is made up of loops of time gives me great joy, and this is closely tied to my belief in the relationship between creativity and wellness.

Tiny Loops of Time was created by using Adobe Photoshop to combine images, textures, drawings, graphics, handwriting, and type.