Painting by its nature is illusory, it is a representation of something in the world we live in, but is not that something. The something is in or of the mind and can be "real" or imagined. The art is but a symbol. The successful painting goes beyond what it depicts, goes beyond the symbol.     The medium of expression is unimportant. I paint because I am comfortable with the medium. I like the feel of the brush in my hand, the wetness of the paint, the touch of the paint on the paper or canvas. The subject matter or content of the painting is also unimportant except to elicit a response.       What is important is that part of painting that goes beyond the painting. The part that goes beyond the medium and the technique. The part that goes beyond the content. The part of the painting that in truth is no longer the painting, but the search.      When I paint time seems to cease. I no longer seem to be where I am, but am transported into the process of painting. The space I occupy becomes the space of the painting. It is almost an out of body experience. The process of painting is more important than the painting. I am into the search.      I do not believe I will find the answer in this lifetime or in this world to "truth and meaning". But in the process of painting I sometimes catch a tiny glimpse, find a remembrance or for a moment discover something of what I seek.