Fortress Of Solitude
40 x 80 cm. (15.7" x 31.5")
Available · inquire for pricing · email: robert@nitiredjo.com
This painting is called “Fortress Of Solitude”. It was inspired by Superman’s secret sanctuary, and the serenity of Japanese Zen gardens.
Life in a fast-paced world can sometimes feel overwhelming. We're always on the move, both physically and mentally. Slowing down and catching your breath almost feels like an act of rebellion. Yet stillness is essential. It's not laziness, it's recovery. We have to take a break from the constant doing, and return to simply being. Not only to avoid burnout, but to truly appreciate existence. Even the Man Of Steel took the occasional time-out; why shouldn't we allow ourselves the same grace?
The need to slow down becomes obvious when we consider how much competes for our attention. Situations, people, and responsibilities pull at us from every direction. Sometimes, it can feel impossible to manage. If we do not consciously direct our attention, we risk losing ourselves in the world around us. The mental noise in our head can also be extremely exhausting. Every thought that arises seems to whisper: “Give me more of your attention, follow me to where I want you to go”. When we are not aware of this process, thoughts can have an enormous pulling power, causing us to identify with them.
Puffins are very sociable birds. During spring and summer they gather in large colonies on coastal cliffs to breed and raise their young. The cliffs become lively places, filled with thousands of birds calling, landing, and taking off. For the rest of the year, however, puffins live mostly solitary lives out on the open ocean. Watching such a busy colony, it's easy to understand why a quiet island in the distance can feel so inviting.
Luckily, we are not our thoughts. Mental chatter, emotions, and personal narratives don’t define who you are. The little puffin in this painting has made a conscious decision to leave behind his source of suffering, the crowded cliff. He doesn't want to be at the mercy of his external distractions and thoughts anymore.
The little island, encircled by soft waves, echoes the stones and raked patterns of a Japanese Zen garden. Just as those gardens invite clarity and spaciousness, the island becomes a quiet metaphor for a mind at rest.
Finding your own Fortress Of Solitude is not always a quick or easy fix though. The ego is powerful and will put up a fight when it feels threatened or when you’re attempting to break free from old patterns. When you first sit in stillness you may encounter boredom, annoyance, or anxiety rather than immediate peace. The important thing is to anchor yourself in the present moment. Don’t dwell on the past and don’t worry about the future. The perfect moment is this one.
Personally, I’ve always been more of an introvert, feeling perfectly comfortable in my own quiet space. I have no problem spending long periods of time in solitude. Behind the easel, the distractions of daily life fall away and I can create from presence and stillness.
I am still thinking of course, but my mind is no longer dominated by ego-driven thoughts such as “What if no one wants to buy this painting”, or “If this isn’t a masterpiece I’m a failure”. Instead of feeding those useless thoughts, I try to move beyond the egoic narrative and reconnect with something deeper.
Going to your Fortress Of Solitude is not about escaping life, shutting down, or avoiding responsibilities. It’s about entering a conscious state of present awareness. Think of it not as an outward journey to some mythical destination far away, but rather as coming home to yourself, and reconnecting with what is essential within you.
"Inner peace is not found somewhere far away, it already lives inside you."
