Art Adventures - by Patricia Banks©
Published June 2018 in Nanaimo Magazine and Voyager Magazine
Published June 2018 in Nanaimo Magazine and Voyager Magazine
Recently, I spent five days with the most wonderful people: Artists who were kind, generous in all ways, hard-working, and exceptionally talented. It was a breath of fresh air away from the studio. It was a time of sharing stories, humor, and creativity. When the world around us seems all upset, it renews the heart to witness the beauty and good in people. “We change the world a little each day with our kindness.” Tom Giaquinto
Artists are often sensitive, keen observers of their subjects. As I prepare to paint, and during the process of painting, I meditate on the unique beauty, positive energy, and healing emotions that I receive from my subjects. By focusing my intention in this way, I can translate the universal good that I experience coming from my subject onto my canvas. And the beneficial effect doesn’t stop there. The beauty, positive energy, and healing emotions are transferred from the painting to each viewer for them to experience in their own way. It is a real phenomenon. To explain how this transfer works would be difficult, but there is no doubt that it does occur. Our beliefs, values, thoughts, and feelings are magically woven into our work as artists and they become an integral part of our work.
Art is visual communication and each artist has something special they wish to express in their artwork. Some artists think it is their duty to shake people up. Some want to make political statements or visual comments on controversial topics. Others like to bring humor or lightness to a subject, some wish to illuminate the mysteries of the imagination, and some simply enjoy the process of creativity. Other artists prefer dreamlands or representations of tangible items. All are important ways in sharing information with viewers. I am pleased when my work touches someone’s heart, unlocks a happy memory, or fills the viewer with joy. I am pleased when my work carries to the viewer the respect, reverence, awe, and peace I feel for the miracles of nature. Sharing kindness matters. It is a way of being in the world. And it always returns to the sender.
Artists are often sensitive, keen observers of their subjects. As I prepare to paint, and during the process of painting, I meditate on the unique beauty, positive energy, and healing emotions that I receive from my subjects. By focusing my intention in this way, I can translate the universal good that I experience coming from my subject onto my canvas. And the beneficial effect doesn’t stop there. The beauty, positive energy, and healing emotions are transferred from the painting to each viewer for them to experience in their own way. It is a real phenomenon. To explain how this transfer works would be difficult, but there is no doubt that it does occur. Our beliefs, values, thoughts, and feelings are magically woven into our work as artists and they become an integral part of our work.
Art is visual communication and each artist has something special they wish to express in their artwork. Some artists think it is their duty to shake people up. Some want to make political statements or visual comments on controversial topics. Others like to bring humor or lightness to a subject, some wish to illuminate the mysteries of the imagination, and some simply enjoy the process of creativity. Other artists prefer dreamlands or representations of tangible items. All are important ways in sharing information with viewers. I am pleased when my work touches someone’s heart, unlocks a happy memory, or fills the viewer with joy. I am pleased when my work carries to the viewer the respect, reverence, awe, and peace I feel for the miracles of nature. Sharing kindness matters. It is a way of being in the world. And it always returns to the sender.
