How important is illusion when you compare it with reality? Do you need it? How do you benefit from it?

First consider the diagram below:

• Illusion is a right brain function and it’s based on feelings and emotions. 
• Reality is a left brain function and it’s based on logical thought.

• People will tell you not to slide too far to the right: “Stop living in a dream world...Wake up and smell the roses!” 
• And on the other hand, not to be so serious and have a bit of fun in your life!

There needs to be a balance between the two:

For instance: 

1. You‘re driving and a child runs in front of your car, chasing a dog and the traffic is heavy. Many types of thoughts run through your head all at once. You know the road rules and that you have to take quick action. You also have to consider the possible consequences. To sum it up quickly, it’s a scary situation and fear takes a grip.  
2. If a job has to be done, you assess the situation and the obvious facts. But if there is an emotional issue involved, you have to use all your senses to fully judge the situation. 
3. If you are painting a beautiful scene, you assess the elements involved. You know the basic technical rules governing art and how you should re-arrange things to create a viable composition. And the need to change the colours (contrast of warm and cool colours) because you know people buy according to their emotions and senses. 
4. You have an idea and you want to turn it into a business, but there are a few snags that you have to work out before it’s workable. What do you do, you have to brainstorm. And what does that entail? Converting the facts and using your imagination to fill-in the necessary requirements! 
5. And inventors take well known facts and re-arrange those facts and add new concepts to come up with a new invention. Their innovation happened because they used their intellect and their imagination to think up the missing all important factor. 

You’ll notice in each case, both sides of the brain were involved. And by the way, smelling the roses means using your senses and emotions! 

Okay then, is it OK to use your imagination to create illusions? Sure:  

• How do you think film producers make films? 
• How do you think people compose music? 
• And the famous artists composed masterpieces? 

They all went on an `illusional’ trip! And then did the practical working-out stuff, to make it possible. 

And we all benefit from their genius illusions! 

Personally, I found 40-80% blurred paintings sell quicker than fully finely detailed paintings. Why? 

1. The blurred areas create atmospheric energized space and special effects, which gives people the endless opportunity to use their imagination. Blurred things also suggest action and movement. And that shows the object is alive or the wind is blowing it. 
2. And the carefully placed and selected details give clues to what the painting maybe basically about… making it an obvious logical assessment. But those neat details also show the object is static and lifeless!

Below is a seascape oil painting: