TM8164 From the Fringe of Certainty 36×36 oil on panel

This expansive view deep into the night sky, with its reflection nebula, clusters of stars, and possible constellations, is also a look into the deeper recesses of the mind. How did it evolve? The painting began with an imaginary nebula – From the Fringe of  Certainty – and remained just that for several months. I knew it wanted to be more, and pondered the problem of where the painting should go – what could I add to deepen the sense of discovery. Then I realized that as scientists were studying the universe beyond the earth, so were they studying the universe within the human mind. I saw a diagram of synaptic neural connections and saw the relationship between that diagram and the way we diagram constellations. So… I mapped some of the connections between the stars in the painting, and added the pattern of neuron connection (left side of painting). The result is more satisfying, and speaks of discoveries on many scales – every discovery “out there” is also a discovery that will affect our consciousness and sense of being. The Fringe of Certainty gained a broader meaning. Details below. Enjoy!

TM8164 From the Fringe of Certainty – detail from left side with constellations in front of reflection nebula, mapping of neuron connections

TM8164 Detail of right side, with constellations

TM8164 Detail of lower left and mid left, with diagram of neural connections