When you read a book such as Station Eleven or see a film like the Giver, awareness is reinforced that mere survival is insufficient and we have a need for something stimulating. We are never stimulated in a lasting and satisfying way by a physical substance. My experience has been that more lasting stimulation comes not from the material world entirely but from a good measure of spiritual infusion.
One of the ideas I have been reflecting upon for a long time began with a special teacher in the nineteen eighties. It was a pivotal time in my life; I was back in graduate school after working in several jobs. I had a new family and we needed to survive and I needed an eventual career. I was accepted into the MFA program at the University of Missouri. I was also offered a job as assistant gallery director and instructor of the course: Introduction to Art. Of course, I was also a student at that time and planned my schedule of upper-level art classes. I noticed Chinese Brush Painting and had a feeling it might be a new perspective for me as an artist. Little did I know then the new perspective that course would have on my life! I had an appreciation for the beauty of Asian art and an interest in something a bit mysterious. I remember Professor Lee, a visiting professor from China. This memorable professor became a mentor too! I learned about the canons of traditional Chinese brush painting. These you will see on the inner circle.
In a very mysterious way, almost twenty years after I learned the art canons, I had a dream and the canons came to me as kind of life equivalents. All of this is represented by the words on the inner circle. I have frame many picture of friends, students and family in the circle. The picture of me holding a white catfish is as mysterious as the dream about the canons my teacher shared with me. And like her sharing, I believe the white fish was shared with me by the Creator.
The circle frame contains a picture of a rare and beautiful fish I caught, from the Missouri River. I was fishing near my home in Jefferson City, close to my favorite prayer island; a place where I feel close to God. My fishing rod never moved, only the fishing line began to come back toward me until it was almost under the boat I was seated in. I reeled up the slack line to discover a fish was on the other end. Once the fish was netted I cradled the beautiful creature in my hands. A friend fishing with me took a picture and then to his surprise I gently lowered the fish into the water. I was shown beauty in a most mysterious way, I gave thanks to the Creator.
I have shared my belief that “Life is Art” many times with different students in different places. I encourage them to seek beauty and appreciate the mystery of how God can connect with each of in amazing ways.
As an artist, I have worked hard for many years to create visual art that projects my spirit. The mind, body and soul are not fully satisfied by painting alone. But with the gift of imagination, artists can at times be a conduit of the spiritual stimulation we seek. So I strive to share stories and pictures of the mystery beneath the surface of the material world and encourage others to look into the infinite space of imagination and spirit. In my estimation, the Beatitudes taught by Jesus offer hope for spiritual happiness. It is a happiness and comfort we desperately need in the material world. If we believe we are blessed in the eight ways he promised, we can expect to see the beauty and appreciate the mystery of God working in our lives.
One of the ideas I have been reflecting upon for a long time began with a special teacher in the nineteen eighties. It was a pivotal time in my life; I was back in graduate school after working in several jobs. I had a new family and we needed to survive and I needed an eventual career. I was accepted into the MFA program at the University of Missouri. I was also offered a job as assistant gallery director and instructor of the course: Introduction to Art. Of course, I was also a student at that time and planned my schedule of upper-level art classes. I noticed Chinese Brush Painting and had a feeling it might be a new perspective for me as an artist. Little did I know then the new perspective that course would have on my life! I had an appreciation for the beauty of Asian art and an interest in something a bit mysterious. I remember Professor Lee, a visiting professor from China. This memorable professor became a mentor too! I learned about the canons of traditional Chinese brush painting. These you will see on the inner circle.
In a very mysterious way, almost twenty years after I learned the art canons, I had a dream and the canons came to me as kind of life equivalents. All of this is represented by the words on the inner circle. I have frame many picture of friends, students and family in the circle. The picture of me holding a white catfish is as mysterious as the dream about the canons my teacher shared with me. And like her sharing, I believe the white fish was shared with me by the Creator.
The circle frame contains a picture of a rare and beautiful fish I caught, from the Missouri River. I was fishing near my home in Jefferson City, close to my favorite prayer island; a place where I feel close to God. My fishing rod never moved, only the fishing line began to come back toward me until it was almost under the boat I was seated in. I reeled up the slack line to discover a fish was on the other end. Once the fish was netted I cradled the beautiful creature in my hands. A friend fishing with me took a picture and then to his surprise I gently lowered the fish into the water. I was shown beauty in a most mysterious way, I gave thanks to the Creator.
I have shared my belief that “Life is Art” many times with different students in different places. I encourage them to seek beauty and appreciate the mystery of how God can connect with each of in amazing ways.
As an artist, I have worked hard for many years to create visual art that projects my spirit. The mind, body and soul are not fully satisfied by painting alone. But with the gift of imagination, artists can at times be a conduit of the spiritual stimulation we seek. So I strive to share stories and pictures of the mystery beneath the surface of the material world and encourage others to look into the infinite space of imagination and spirit. In my estimation, the Beatitudes taught by Jesus offer hope for spiritual happiness. It is a happiness and comfort we desperately need in the material world. If we believe we are blessed in the eight ways he promised, we can expect to see the beauty and appreciate the mystery of God working in our lives.