"ΑΝΤΙΛΗΨΗ - PERCEPTION"
ΑΝΤΙΛΗΨΗ
[An-Tili-psi] • Greek
Perception
(N.) the ability to see, hear, or become aware of something through the senses.
a way of regarding, understanding, or interpreting something; a mental impression.
This new series titled “ΑΝΤΙΛΗΨΗ” was created to inspire you to interpret the natural world in a new way.
These crips black lines are fingerprints of the sea in Greece,
A visual story meant to challenge how you see, feel and experience the water beyond the physical senses.
While creating these drawings, my mind drifts off into the sea.
I remember the feeling of my body submerged in the glassy water.
The salty and warm breeze hitting my face.
There is no worldly worry going through my mind, and I am completely relaxed.
I fade into the memory of what it is like to be standing in that crystal clear water.
Looking out into the horizon, and just feeling limitless.
Feeling the water flow around every inch of my body.
Drawing these abstract shapes, I stare closely at the photograph.
My mind goes back to those memories of being in the ocean, and time stands still.
Nothing matters at that moment.
All of my daily stresses and worries fade away.
Memories of floating in the ocean come flooding back into my mind.
The feeling of being one with the water.
My ears under the surface,
Every earthly noise is muffled by the water.
Pure stillness.
Silence.
Peace.
Words can’t describe that pure feeling of bliss.
An escape from all the noise of the world.
At that moment my whole mind and body are connected with nature.
Perceiving the ocean with all of my senses.
Even while in my studio hundreds of miles away from the Ocean in Greece,
My soul still feels the calmness of the water.
And my mind and body take joy from drawing it.
Our human body is limited to experiencing the world through the 5 physical senses. But modern scientific research has shown that there are actually more than 5 senses.
- Sight (vision) – perception of light, color, and shapes via the eyes.
- Hearing (audition) – detection of sound via the ears.
- Smell (olfaction) – detection of airborne chemicals via the nose.
- Taste (gustation) – perception of flavors via the tongue.
- Touch (somatosensation) – pressure, texture, vibration, and temperature via the skin.
- Proprioception – awareness of body position and movement (e.g. knowing where your limbs are without looking).
- Equilibrioception – sense of balance, controlled by the vestibular system in the inner ear.
- Thermoception – sense of temperature (hot and cold).
- Nociception – perception of pain.
- Interoception – internal sensing of physiological states (e.g. hunger, thirst, heartbeat, need to breathe)
11. Chronoception – a sense of the passage of time.
12. Magnetoreception – the ability to detect the Earth’s magnetic field, which many animals use for navigation and orientation—especially migratory species like birds, sea turtles, bees, and even some fish.
When we step into the ocean, we often describe it through our five senses:
We see the sun glittering on the surface of the waves.
We hear the rhythmic pulse of water crashing against the shore.
We feel the breeze, the sun on our skin, the rushing chill of the tide.
We taste the sea salt. We smell its distinct wild, mineral scent of the waters.
But something deeper is happening—something the body and logical mind cannot fully explain.
The soul is awakened to the reality beyond what the mind knows how to put into words. That is why we attempt to speak of this phenomenon through lines, shapes and colors.
The presence of God, our creator pulses through every wave. Feeling the eternal paradise that exists beyond this world. A reality we can’t comprehend.
A world that awaits us in our next life. A world we’ve experienced in the life before this one. A deep sense of knowing. A comfortable familiarity that your heart recognizes and feels at home in. A soft whisper of hope for a life of endless peace.
A calming sensation of being surrounded by angles. The spirt of the water embracing your heart. Wrapping you up in the cool waves and bringing you closer to your truest self and to God.
It’s more than just the water. It’s a portal. A portal to experiencing the divine presence of God.
1. A Sense of Unity and Oneness
In the ocean, the soul remembers that it is not separate from the whole.
The horizon stretches without end, echoing the eternal.
The water carries us; boundaries dissolve.
Here, we are not just in the ocean—
we become one with it.
We return to something ancient and whole.
2. A Timeless State of Being
Time shifts in the sea.
Minutes stretch, urgency disappears.
We lose track of schedules and remember presence.
The soul senses this as a return to the eternal—
not a measure of seconds, but a deep now that holds all things.
3. Water as Sacred Symbol
Water has always meant more than molecules.
It is cleansing. Rebirthing.
It is the womb of creation, the mirror of Spirit.
To immerse in the sea is to be baptized by the cosmos.
The soul receives this not as metaphor—but as truth.
4. Stillness and Depth
The ocean calls us inward.
Below its surface is silence, darkness, mystery.
The soul feels this pull not as fear, but as invitation—
to enter our own inner depths,
to become still, to listen,
to surrender.
5. Mystery and Awe
The vastness of the sea brings awe,
and awe opens the soul.
Ego melts in the presence of the infinite.
We are reminded how small we are—
and how deeply held.
In the ocean, we don’t just find refreshment.
We find remembrance.
Not “I am in the ocean,”
but “I am the ocean, and the ocean is in me.”
Browse the full collection of drawings on paper & paintings on canvas
This series of drawings and paintings were inspired by a photograph above of the waters of Kerkyra, Greece. Kerkyra is located in the north west part of Greece, and is also referred to as Corfu.
In the summer of 2018, I traveled to the island with my family.
Being in Greece with my sisters and cousin was such a fun bonding experience that I will never forget.
We had so much fun traveling all over Greece together, sharing such amazing moments together throughout the trip.
While we were in Greece for over 2 months together, we traveled to the the village where our grandmother was born, and reconnected with our family there.
We also traveled to the islands of Agina, Tinos, Kefalonia, Zakynthos, and Crete.
Each place we traveled to had its own unique charm.
In all we experienced over 50 different beaches throughout the country of Greece.
The Island of Kerkyra (Corfu) was one of the highlights.
Growing up, we always dreamed of traveling to Kerkyra to see the incorrupt body of the Greek Orthodox Saint, Saint Spyradon.
His body remains incorrupt to this day.
If you are interested in reading more about the miraculous saint, click HERE.
Not only is there a deep history of Orthodoxy on the island, there is also so many breathtaking beaches that are not very well known.
Looking back, I can't even recall the names of the beaches we went to.
But no matter the name of the beach, anywhere where there is water, you will be satisfied.
We made it to this beautiful quiet, and secluded beach, and were amazed by the glassy teal waters.
After traveling to multiple different beaches, you begin to notice how each beach has its own shades of blues, teals, greens, and turquoises. No two beaches are alike.
It was a typical hot day, and we were ready to feel the relief of the water on our skin.
The water was calming and cool. So serene and beautiful.
The water was chill and refreshing after sunbathing in the summer sun.
In case you ever find yourself on the Island of Corfu, here is a list of beaches you can experience for yourself while you are there.
- Rovinia
- Stellari
- Agni
- Paleokastritsa
- Agios Gordios
- Canal D'amour
- Halikounas
- Agios Stefanos
- Avlaki
If you are interested in learning about the mind & body connection to the ocean,
Please click on the link below to read about why our brains love the ocean.
"Why our brains love the ocean: Science explains what draws humans to the sea"
Throughout my research on the relationship of the human brain & our innate connection to the ocean water, I came across a book titled, "Blue Mind" : The Surprising Science That Shows How Being Near, In, On, or Under Water Can Make You Happier, Healthier, More Connected, and Better at What You Do
If you resinate with this topic, or want to have a deeper conversation, please reach out to me at info@christinaangelosstudios.com. I would love to hear your perspective!
Thank you for being here,
And I hope you find your beach soon :)
Me Agapi,
Christina Angelos