Artist Commissions by Jesse Butterfield

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Some scientists believe that all life emerged from the ocean. In this piece, the ocean symbolizes the vast depths of the collective unconscious. Carl Jung describes the collective unconscious as being part of the individual unconscious, but is different in that it contains shared societal and cultural ideas, memories and universal images that are passed down through generations by our ancestors. He believed that the collective unconscious is responsible for deep seeded instincts and beliefs that influence a persons life. This piece signifies the balance between the ocean, which represents the subterranean mysteries of the unconscious and the land, symbolizing the foundation of the self, stability and being grounded. The ocean embodies the unexplored levels of the mind, emotions, primal instincts and repressed elements of our inner process. It also embodies change and the constant ebb and flow of life, which offers the opportunity for adaptability. Jung claimed that ninety percent of the contents of the mind lay beneath the surface of the psyche, in the unconscious realm, or the Inner World. The earthen terrain in this piece provides a juxtapositional dimension and offers a sense of safety and rootedness, mirroring the need for psychological stability. Navigating different terrain reflects spiritual aspirations, challenges to overcome, opportunities to grow and reach higher levels of consciousness. By facing the unconscious and bringing the separate psychic pieces into unity, we can realize harmony and solidity through psychological and spiritual transformation. Courageously undertaking the work of exploring the abyss of the unconscious, we find there is a bottom after all and are propelled back upward to share our newfound discovery and become more complete. Not only does this endeavor imbue confidence, it promotes a sense of wellbeing and wholeness through this expedition of inner discovery.

Perceive. Conceive. Proceed.

This piece is an abstracted representation of a special rock formation located off of the rough shores of Big Sur. The tucked away cove is known locally to residents as “The Keyhole.” This unique opening in the rocks was the original inspiration for the “Mystic Window” concept. Windows often represent opportunity, perspective and a connection to the Divine. The Window is the impetus to perceiving higher states of consciousness, acting as a metaphorical portal to the unseen or a pathway to freedom and exploration. A “Mystic Window” allows the viewer the opportunity to experience transcendence from their immediate and familiar surroundings, both physically and spiritually. 

Patience. Perseverance. Perspective. 

Often we find ourselves in a state of psychic fog, where the path forward is not immediately clear. The dark area of the bottom left of the canvas represents the cumbersome density of looming uncertainty of obstacles both within and on the outside. This unknown force can cloud our vision, perspective, understanding and judgement causing one to stumble or feel paralyzed by indecision. As the eye moves around the canvas, the colors begin to lighten and warm, symbolizing the rewards of remaining patient and present which allows the disconcerting haze the chance to lift, exposing what was once thought to be an obstacle, a manageable area to navigate after all. It is said that a problem contains within it the solution. What at first seems to be a hinderance can be the exact tool needed for insight. The mind projects wildly onto the foggy unclear outer world, making things seem worse than they may be. Through the practice of Meditation, we begin to see things for what they are, and not what we have assigned their meaning to be. Over time, we can learn to be less reactive, patiently observing and allowing tumultuous inward and outward conflicts to resolve themselves naturally, just as the fog inevitably dissipates. 

Hiding, Seeking, Finding

The oceans immensity and unseen depths mirror the unknown territories within our unconscious mind, making it a powerful symbol for exploring the hidden aspects of ourselves. The shelf break, or drop-off point on the lower right of the piece represents the concealed realm of the unconscious, where experiences, perceptions, thoughts and forgotten or repressed memories and emotions are stored. The contents of the unconscious are known as the Shadow, which, if recognized, can be used as tools to understand oneself and integrate the parts to become Whole. The land mass near the top of the canvas depicts the process of metamorphosis in which one brings the Shadow into full consciousness, thereby creating inner completeness which leads to higher self realization. The sky symbolizes the process of wholeness and transcendence into the Divine.