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The adventure of making art is a journey into the unknown. Traveling with me are imagination and creativity. We are co-creators traveling a vast landscape of the mind and spirit. As in all adventures I face obstacles when I am uncertain of direction, and times when ideas bubble up from the depths and I am one with the flow of life. I trust the process and allow the composition to unfold. There is great joy in this relationship with the inner Self, Higher Power, Spirit.
Landscapes of the Mind and Spirit
In the ancient religions art is recognized as one of the ways of learning about God, Spirit, Consciousness; that unlimited, loving Presence which creates, sustains, and maintains all life. Art teaches us about our deeper selves, the Higher Power, the Spirit within us, and in all life.
As an active member of the Society of Layerists in Multi-Media (SLMM), I wholehearted agree with its premise:
"to offer creative artists a holistic way to relate to one another, as differentiated from the academic structure of professional artists' associations based on a single medium, such as watercolor, pastel, etc.
"The network we have built is meant to act as a leavening in a society whose values are based on a system of separation through competition, careerism, and hierarchy. SLMM is a society of equals designed to encourage creative expression and dynamic growth. Layering is not a label for a particular style or medium.
"Layerists are diverse in their approach to making art, but they make similar references to many overlapping disciplines, such as:
- the sciences,
- philosophy, and ...
- metaphysics.
"Therefore, we say that it is not the technique that distinguishes a Layered work of art so much as the mind of the artist who makes the art. The Layering we speak of is an evanescent, as well as a tangible, metaphor. It grows like moss from living and learning. It imbues the work with meaning."
Do I always cooperate with Spirit? No, often I am inclined to follow ego's path, and that too is helpful because I learn something on this byway, so that when I return to Spirit's guidance I see a little more clearly. There are no permanent mistakes, only lessons to be learned.
I invite you to join me on this adventure!
Win D. Ratz. |
