Blog

My upcoming solo show in April is called Triune. Over the past year, I’ve noticed triangles appearing again and again in my work. Their recurrence has made me curious—almost insistent—about why. In the months leading up to the show, I’m allowing that curiosity to guide me. I’m doing a deep dive into the symbolism of the triangle in sacred geometry and reflecting on how this form speaks to me and quietly structures my paintings.

Recently, I came across a video that explored the three levels of the human brain. For me, this felt like a foundational key to understanding the power of three—and what it can teach us about ourselves.

The highest and most evolved level of the brain is the Executive Level, governed by the prefrontal lobes. Its guiding question is, “What can I learn from this?” This level is unique to humans and is responsible for planning, reason, memory, and problem-solving. It is closely tied to our sense of identity, meaning, and purpose.

The middle level is the Emotional Level, associated with the limbic system. Its central question is, “Am I loved?” This level is common to mammals and is concerned with belonging—herds, tribes, and social bonds. From the perspective of the Emotional Brain, rejection can feel like death. It often expresses itself through jealousy, anxiety, or fear of missing out, and it governs our instinctive responses: fight, flight, freeze, and fawn (people-pleasing).

The oldest and most basic level is the Survival State, rooted in the brain stem. Its essential question is, “Am I safe?” This is the most primitive layer of the brain, and it must be soothed before the higher levels can fully function.

When we feel threatened—physically, emotionally, or psychologically—the executive and emotional centers dim, and the survival brain takes over. For this reason, caring for our Survival and Emotional states is not a luxury; it is a prerequisite for calm, thoughtful, and ethical behavior.

This may help explain why people living under chronic stress or scarcity often appear more reactive or coarse. When the Survival State is continually activated, access to the Executive State becomes difficult. Attention is constantly diverted toward meeting immediate needs. This does not mean that wealth is required to be reflective or emotionally grounded. It does mean that basic needs must be met—even in simple ways—and that some sense of belonging or community is essential for optimal human functioning.

This is the triune nature of the brain—one of the many ways the number three manifests in nature. The triangle, in this context, represents stability and upward focus. Its base rests in the balance of the Survival and Emotional states, while its apex points toward the Executive State.

As you reflect on your own life, consider this: How are your Survival and Emotional states right now? Are your basic physical and safety needs being met? Do you feel connected—to others, to a community, to something larger than yourself?

If not, allow these areas of your life your attention today. Indulge in loving self-care—mandatory, not optional—and notice how other challenges begin to gently loosen and resolve.

Stay tuned as the opening of Triune approaches, April 4–25, 2026. And if you’re in the New York area, I hope you’ll come by and experience the work in person.