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“Secrets In The Hall Of Eyes”

“Secrets In The Hall Of Eyes” Oil on panel 9 x 12 inches 2026 The architecture of concealment, the illusion of total visibility. “Defined by confines, condemned to these lives No secrets safe from their eyes But what goes on in our minds goes on in your hearts” “These scraps of self, they’re not enough But they’re all that I could steal” I was struck recently by the phrase “What we do in secret is who we are”, which is to say that, with the layers of performative masks we wear, our most private moments may very well be a reflection of our truest self. If you spend those moments in hatred or contempt, plotting retribution or scheming up manipulations in order to control others or get what you want…that’s who you are underneath your masks. If you spend those moments on love, gratitude, plotting what you want to create or contribute to the world or others…that’s who you are underneath your masks. No one is perfect, we all are capable of both at times, and a full range in between. But pay attention to what you often do in secret. Because paradoxically, it can be the most revealing. The problem isn’t simply that we’re constantly being watched, but that we’ve increasingly learned to experience ourselves as things to be watched. “Staring through the bars at the worlds we’ll never know” Alex Gray, “Net Of Being” New writing about the painting on nickbaxter.com —> journal Explanations, intent, spoilers—don’t read if you prefer the mystery or your own conclusions.

A Illustrative abstract piece by Nick Baxter at Nick Baxter in Austin, TX, posted on Nov 14, 2026.

by Nick Baxter

Studio

Nick Baxter

Austin, TX

Styles

Illustrative Surrealism

Subjects

Abstract Marine

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