Material in Nature: Inspired by the Physical World: “Contemplate This” The Final Part*, by Nadia Daniels-Moehle. 2019. Acrylic on paper.

This small series was inspired by forces in life that come to us easily, instinctively, forces that both keep us alive and challenge us. The series is called “Contemplate This” because everything we encounter every day needs to be both nurtured and questioned in its own way. Part one is inspired by fear, fear that protects and fear that holds back. Part two is inspired by laziness, laziness that can lead to rejuvenation or inaction. Part three is inspired by the physical world, the physical that causes sensations of pleasure and sorrow, of pain and joy. Each piece is painted on a 1”x1” canvas.

*Many of the pieces in CognEYEzant:365 are small parts of a larger piece.  See it here.

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340 days done, 25 days to go.

Languid Default: Inspired by Shrinking Cells and the Brain at Rest: Contemplate This Part 2*, by Nadia Daniels-Moehle. 2019. Acrylic and gouache on paper.

Dr. Barbara Oakley‘s book A Mind for Numbers (WorldCat / Bookshop) expresses the importance of the brain at rest,

“During sleep, your cells shrink, causing a striking increase in the space between your cells. This is equivalent to turning on a faucet–it allows fluid to wash pass and push the toxins out.”

A Mind for Numbers, pp. 44-45

The excerpt above references this 2013 study. Take a moment to read the abstract. If metabolic homeostasis excites you as much as it excites me, or if you want to explore the vast and wonderful world of learning, check out Dr. Oakley’s Coursera course “Learning How to Learn.”

*Many of the pieces in CognEYEzant:365 are small parts of a larger piece. See it here.

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242 days done, 123 to go.

Don’t Forget the Fight or Flight: Inspired by the Sympathetic Nervous System: Contemplate This Part 1*, by Nadia Daniels-Moehle. 2018. Acrylic on canvas.

*Many of the pieces in CognEYEzant:365 are small parts of a larger piece. See it here.

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148 days done, 217 to go.