Archive for Visionary Art
- New England Flowers
Today is the first day of spring! I love this time of year – the days are getting longer, flowers are blooming, and there is a sense of hope and joy in the air after the long, dark winter. There is the feeling of a new beginning and we feel like clearing out the cobwebs from our lives.
Many people feel like spring cleaning their homes and starting new projects. This is great but it has certain limitations. We all know that change must start from the inside out. So instead of just focusing on the physical space and spring cleaning your home (which is a good start), why not pay attention to your entire being - body, mind, and spirit too? Read More→
V is for Validation: Artistic Rejection and Recognition
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Thumbs up or down by Vlue
The vast majority of people whether they are aware of it or not are constantly seeking approval from others. Our day may be going great, and a slight negative comment or rude remark from someone can set us off balance. Outside validation from others affirms our self worth but any form of criticism or rejection can really hurt and diminish our self esteem.
“People who want the most approval get the least and people who need approval the least get the most.” ~ Wayne Dyer
Artists are even more vulnerable to outside validation because they are putting their work out there in front of others. Your work is an extension of yourself, and therefore criticism or rejection of your artistic work seems like a direct attack on your being. On the flip side, recognition and praise for your work validates your sense of self and may inflate your ego. As an artist you will definitely experience both approval and negative responses to your work. You must learn to accept both and not take either too seriously. Read More→
V is for Vortex: Find Your Special Place
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Rock formation, photo by Niamh Savani
Have you ever been somewhere and felt a definite “vibe” or energy in the place? Cultures all over the world have recognized that certain places seem to resonate with a special energy. They are often called sacred sites and are places where the veil between the physical and spiritual world is very thin. Just being in such an energy field can raise your consciousness. Sacred sites can be places of great natural beauty, locations where miracles occurred, important historical or legendary sites, or man-made structures such as the pyramids.
“The silence of landscape conceals vast presence. Place is not simply location. A place is a profound individuality. Its surface texture of grass and stone is blessed by rain, wind and light. With complete attention landscape celebrates the liturgy of the seasons, giving itself unreservedly to the passion of the goddess”. ~ John O’Donohue, Anam Cara
V is for Vanish: Disappear Within and Renew Yourself
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Mountains Vanishing into Mist, near Payson, AZ, Photo by Niamh Savani
I feel compelled to write about “Vanishing” because many of you may have noticed that I haven’t been posting anything much to my blog lately (thanks for your patience and understanding during this disappearing act!). I had many good reasons not to write including foot surgery, teaching a community college class, and other things that I described in a previous post. To tell you the truth, even before all these outward events and things collided at once, I had already started going within and felt like “hibernating” for the winter. In a way this need to withdraw and reflect was partly due to the change of seasons, and mostly due to my own need to gain clarity on some aspects of my life. Read More→
V is for Vampire: Energy and Emotional Vampires
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Vampire by Novic at Dreamstime
There is a vampire craze right now! “Twilight” is a top selling book and has actually gotten teens to enjoy reading. It’s also been made into a movie! Since we’re approaching Halloween, ghouls, goblins, and vampires seem to be everywhere – decorating front lawns, book displays in the library, and a large selection of scary movies available for purchase at the store.
However we all know that vampires aren’t real – just fictional bloodsuckers. Right? Read More→
V is for Venus: Love is All You Need
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"The Birth of Venus" by William Adolphe Bourgereau, oil on canvas, 1879, image in the public domain
Love: It’s a simple four letter word, the source of much pain and pleasure, often seems to sneak up and take us by surprise, can break or melt our hearts, and is the inspiration for music, movies, literature and art all over the world.
“There’s nothing you can know that isn’t known.
Nothing you can see that isn’t shown.
Nowhere you can be that isn’t where you’re meant to be.
It’s easy.
All you need is love, all you need is love,
All you need is love, love, love is all you need.”~ The Beatles, Lyrics “All You Need is Love”
I think the Beatles were on to something back in the sixties. Love (not the mushy, romantic kind – although this can be fun sometimes) really is all you need! Find your inner Venus (irrespective of whether you’re male or female) and see how love blossoms in your life. Read More→
Heart by artsandsoul, Dreamstime
Venkateshwara is the Hindu god of compassion and is associated with the anahata (heart) chakra. Both compassion and an open heart are important qualities to possess as an artist and can help one easily express their creativity and uniqueness. Venkatesheara’s vehicle is Garuda, the king of the birds, and he governs the heart center and successful, blissful relationships.
Venkateshwara idol has four hands that hold different objects, symbolizing various qualities: in his top right hand, he holds a chakra weapon which represents overcoming fear; in the top left hand he holds a conch shell (blown both in times of war and when there is gain in one’s life) which symbolizes overcoming greed; his lower right hand represents surrender to existence; and the lower left hand represents embracing life. Read More→
Connect with the Art Masters
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Still Life with Straw Vase, Oil on Canvas by Paul Cezanne, ca 1895, image in the public domain
Earlier this week, my friend and I went to see the exhibit Cézanne and American Modernism at the Phoenix Art Museum. Apart from being a great way to spend a hot, Arizona day (inside a cool air conditioned building surrounded by great art!), it was an opportunity to get to know Cezanne and other artists better.
“Keep good company – that is go to the Louvre.” ~ Paul Cézanne
The exhibit featured approximately fourteen paintings by Cézanne, and the rest of the work was paintings by American artists, contemporaries of Cézanne. It highlighted how his work influenced other artists and paved the way for abstraction and the birth of modern art. Read More→
V is for Vedic Lifestyle: Yoga, Meditation, and Diet
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Photo by Chesterf, Dreamstime
A few weeks back I saw a news report on one of the morning shows about how many companies are now offering incentives to employees for being healthy. Employees get bonuses if they lose weight, meet with a health coach, participate in healthy activities etc.
These days, it literally pays to be healthy! In general people seem to be getting more health conscious and want to live life to the maximum.
A great way to do this is by adopting a vedic lifestyle. Read More→
V is for Voyager: Journey both Outwards and Inwards
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Translocation #4 by Niamh Savani, Chalk pastel on colored paper, 18" x 24"
Summer is almost here, and most people are planning or thinking about taking a vacation. Many people enjoy travelling and experiencing new environments, cultures, food, and meeting new people. For an artist travel is especially important, and many important works of art (visual and literary) were inspired by artists travelling and experiencing new things.
When Van Gogh moved to the south of France, the change of light inspired him to change the colors of his palette and paint his famous sunflowers. Georgia O’Keeffe moved to Abiquiu in New Mexico and was motivated to paint the desert landscape. Gaugin escaped to Tahiti and pursued his passion for painting local culture.
Many writers have also been greately influenced by their travels. Kerouac’s travels inspired his books “On the Road” and “Lonesome Traveler”. Elizabeth Gilbert wrote about her year of travel after her divorce in “Eat, Pray, Love”. The list is endless …
