Darlene the Artist

by DARLENE

“Art is a result of inspiration, and inspiration has a spiritual nature. So art is, in its base, a spiritual activity. If we would like to define art in short we could say that it is the communication of the human with the sense of existence, the discovering of deep secrets, penetrating to the source of things. The artist is, in this case, a mediator between that source and the receiver.” Andrej Tisma

My Definitions of Art:

Art is a Flower that Blooms from Spirituality.
Art, like Footprints in the Sand, is what’s left from Experiencing the Divine.
Art is a means of Bridging the Unseen with the Realm of the Senses.
Art is an Expression of the Artist’s Spiritual Nature in the Material World.
Art is a Portal to the Soul.

In a non-linear way, art communicates directly to the psyche, often bypassing the intellect. It is in this way, the artist serves The Divine Will of God, The Source, All-there-Is, Universal Mind, The Great Spirit and other cultural expressions of The Divine.

I believe true art is born very time Spirit is used to create something from nothing. Art is at its truest when the spectator can feel the same creative spark which initiated its creation. If the spectator further establishes an energetic resonance, many doors to understanding can be opened. Much depends upon the skill and understanding of the artist.

Without Creativity, Art would not Exist.

Just as we were created, human beings were all given the ability to create. Because it is so deeply intuitive, the act of creating art will connect the artist deeply with archetypes residing within the collective unconscious. Knowing the seed of every work of art sprouts from Spirit, just how far we take our creativity is up to each one of us.

Art performed/created by people who are spiritually purified or actively practice a spiritual tradition, will more powerfully communicate spiritual potentials with the universal collective unconscious. As the resulting artwork becomes manifest, it has a greater potential to change the perception of everyday life into an unlimited and eternal realm of possibility.

So ideally, art is the direct transmission of the artist’s inspiration to the spectator. Through mental resonance, the spectator is led to a state of fascination (the same as the artist) and experiences the same passion of unity with The Source / Essence of Existence where the art originated. Such experiences describe art as “Spiritual.”

Universal Art uses the Language of Symbols.

Art holds within it all of humanity’s most ancient archetypes and also possesses a potential to transcend the barriers of time, language and culture. I’m interested in how the shape of something can contain its essence and the myriad ways in which the Creative Spirit and “the Sacred” can be expressed.

I’ve made a life-long study of signs and symbols and believe gaining a deeper insight into their use and meaning can only strengthen the impact of my imagery. To this end, I’ve immersed myself intensely within the cultural iconography and art of Native Americans as well as petroglyphs and pictographs other indigenous peoples. I remember being somewhat surprised the first time I entered a symbol and found I was able to follow it to “the Source.” Wow!

Since that discovery, I’ve been able to follow and explore many other symbolic pathways which lead to “The Source.” Particularly profound is the study of the Ancient Egyptian’s concept of divinity. It’s related to number. Sacred Science links physics and spirituality. Just as mind mediates between body and soul, so mathematics mediates between physics and metaphysics.

Educating myself about different ways people have regarded The Sacred has freed me from the dogmatic constraints of being bound by a single cultural convention or religious tradition. I now regard the Universe as dynamically hologramic. All religions hold a piece of the Truth. This lead me to also investigate sacred geometry, alchemy and the Western Hermetic Tradition.

Art is a Form of Prayer

Art communicates through imagery, form, texture, shape, color, space and eludes the narrow understanding of simple, linear left-brain thinking. Art that speaks purely and directly to the deepest parts of humanity can capture the heart.

Words and photos can rarely describe or record the palpating emotions behind beholding a powerful piece of art. Artists who transcend the dimension of time can access knowledge that goes far beyond our small human minds and limited intellects.

Powerful things result whenever spirituality encompasses an artist’s inner life and greater self. When the act of creating art becomes transcendent, it is what theologians would consider to be a form of prayer.

Art as a Gift of Spirit

I have an ability to enter a deep state of meditation–moving beyond time and space to an abstract realm of infinite possibility. I feel honored to be touched by a spiritual grace existing beyond my personality and body. What a tremendous Gift of Spirit it is to be able to allow a work of art to create itself through me from that place!

Becoming a creative conduit that allows an expression of Spirit to come into existence has usually been reserved for disciples within the Fine Arts, like painting, calligraphy, photography, poetry, music, dance… However, Spirit has been known to unexpectedly descend upon me at other times, even when engaged doing projects which involve graphics and marketing. The result is always fascinating.

Yet I have to be careful about using whatever comes in from Spirit, especially when working with clients. I used to think that people would ecstatically welcome, say, a logo that “entered” through Spirit. However, this is seldom the case. I know enough to be able to trust that Spirit knows precisely what image/direction is best for any particular individual. But too powerful of a logo tends to scare people who are unsure about their identity or the path they are presently taking. And the visions I receive of marketing campaigns which unfold into vistas before me borders on psychism. It’s impossible to defend my knowing intellectually. I just know.

Because there are greater spiritual processes at work, I’ve had to reluctantly accept my client’s rejection. I trust the wisdom of spirit. I often think its a pity that others cannot share my greater perspective. But I have to respect my client’s freewill choice to be stupid. When this happens, I wonder: if I were born in another place and time, would my abilities be more revered?

Yet I do realize that until people are ready, they will be unable to emotionally accept whatever Gift of Spirit is proffered through my hands. I admit the hardest part about the process is going back to the drawing board to do something lesser. After all, the client is always “right.”

Power of Intent.

As far back as I can remember I have always had a rich internal life. My inner landscape has continually served as a source for creative inspiration. Maybe all artists discover a similar place inside which merges the personal and the impersonal to arrive at some greater universal truth. But I can only speak for myself.

I think the extent to which spirituality is locked within a work of art depends upon the artist’s purpose. My art is who I am. And I am a very spiritual being. For me, art and spirituality cannot be easily separated from one another.

Now after thirty years, I find that my life itself can be described as a form of art. I cannot turn off my connection with Spirit. Everything I choose to do is an extension of my Spiritual Nature and, as such, holds power. Because of this, I have to be extremely careful on where I place my focused intent.

It’s now nearly impossible to do assigned artwork willy-nilly for other people. What is my role or place in today’s marketplace?

The only thing now I can do is to create works of art purely from my own visions and heart.

DARLENE, the artist