Art as Prayer

Art does not reproduce the visible rather it makes it visible. 

Paul Klee (1879-1940)

The video Van Gogh Exhibition Paris is a must-see. There will not be one iota of doubt for anyone who has eyes to see and ears to hear, that art and prayer hold an intimate relationship.  Viewing the video, I was seized by the sheer beauty of massive pieces of fabric printed with Van Gogh’s paintings.  They were flowing from ceiling to floor, while well-arranged lights created a moving ambiance.  At the same time, filling my ears and heart were the words from the song Vincent, by Don McLean.   A powerful and deepening visual and visceral experience reaching to the depths of my soul.  What a gift to soak in this art, born through the passion, pain, and spirituality of Vincent Van Gogh.  

Paintings by some of the world’s leading artists created centuries ago remain significant treasures today. People travel all over the world to see them, to be in the energy of the original painting, sculptures. Galleries position benches in front of paintings, as indicators/invitations to stop, rest, reflect, soak, breathe, and sink into the mystery of being with the painting and to let it speaks.   While not labeled as such, this becomes an experience of contemplation, that leads to stillness and holding the space. There, “behold” the energy conveyed through divine presence, listening to creator God, being Spirit-filled.  In creating one’s own art the process invites letting go, emptying, being with the shapes and sharp edges, noticing.  What does not feel comfortable? What softens and awakens, brings to newness?

“Both art and prayer are vehicles for transformation of consciousness.”

Both art and prayer, are vehicles for transformation of consciousness.  Van Gogh was continually in touch with “the vibrating light of God in the world around him” and had an ability “to see God even in the darkness of life, in nature, and to envision and paint the cosmos” (Baerg). Vincent painted from his soul and has enabled us to be more in touch with ours.  Painting for him was to feed his soul and ride on the energy of the stars.

-Sister Patricia St. Louis, csj

““There is a vitality, a life force, an energy, a quickening, that is translated through you into action, and because there is only one of you in all time, this expression is unique.  And if you block it, it will never exist through any other medium and will be lost.”  -Martha Graham”

References:

Erickson, Kathleen Powers.  At Eternity’s Gate: The Spiritual Vision of Vincent. Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 1998.

Rachel Baerg.  Vincent van Gogh: An Eye for God. http://directionjournal.org/27/2/vincent-van-gogh-eye-for-God.

My Journey as an Artist Part II: the “Big Bang” moment

My first art exhibit! My reflections on the experience abound. How did this whole idea ever get started? The exhibit happened because a woman with passion for art told me to "do it", "get it out there", and she added, "do you realize what you have here?" A few days later an old nursing classmate pointed me to the next step and told me to phone Carly at "the Gallery". Taking her advice, I called Carly and moved forward on the path of another awakening in response to the invitation and insights of others.  

Very soon after delivering the art to the gallery I had the strong feeling of having left my child at University. Separation anxiety surfaced. The following day the whole experience felt like a baptism. Two days later, just prior to the opening reception, I was feeling like this was a marriage. It was in fact all of those things. Now it is over and the shock, amazement and disbelief that I actually took that major step and with a spirit of indifference and calmness is overwhelming to grasp.   

So what did I learn through this experience? In the final analysis I am convinced the exhibit was not so much about displaying my art in public, but rather of providing a venue for soaking in blessings represented by each of the many fine people who attended. Some I knew, somewere related, others have been good friends along the way, others became my guides and coaches in doing the exhibit and then there were those I met for the first time. As the evening progressed, I witnessed each person become the paint, radiating the colors of their own lives and creating new combinations of color as they mingled in and out of the forty or more other guests. Evolving, was a unique, one of a kind, living, breathing composition that was more sacred, profound and alive than anything that with my own hands and intention could ever have created.  It felt like a “Big Bang” moment.  Earth Mama

The dynamic painting that unfolded in my imagination, had as its source, a steady stream of generosity, outpouring and goodness. From an unconscious hidden Divine source of creative energy, I was taken to a deeper consciousness all because I had opened self to invite friends to experience my art.  "Whether we know it or not,” writes Anne Hillman, author of Awakening the Energies of Love “we are already pregnant with fire". An explosion of dancing fire, color, radiating energy is waiting to burst forth within each of us and to move transforming energy far beyond our souls and walls, into our streets, homes and universe. We need but to imagine it. Claim it. Treasure it. Celebrate it.

Patricia St Louis  csj

Between Now and Not Yet #2

Evolving Consciousness

My Journey as an Artist

In these changing times one major focus we have is awakening to greater evolutionary consciousness. We strive to be more open and reflect on how all of life is in oneness, interconnected and interrelated. Art is a wonderful medium for going deeper and engaging in these reflections.

I recall a time, when I was still in grade school and viewing for the first time the art of Mondrian, Klee and Kandinsky. It was a revelation to discover a world where art could be so unusual, profound with radiant new energy and life. Born there and then, without really naming it at the time, was my desire to engage in painting as a spiritual experience, as meditation and an awakening to divine presence.

In approaching the canvas, my goal is to listen within to any movement taking place, and lose myself in the interplay of textures, shapes and colors. It is about entering into mystery and silence, allowing self to discover through the process of painting.

Painting provides space to play with new images, unfamiliar ones, and “invites me to wonder” and to see anew.  

The theme that I continue to explore is based on the story of creation and writings of Teilhard de Chardin and Thomas Berry. Extensive scientific discovery and new science opens new meaning to evolution. I welcome any shift, any expanding of consciousness, and viewing of the world with all its relationships that may result. My intention is to contribute art that builds and heals, art that speaks from the soul.

Connecting through art to the vast original space before the “Big Bang” and the evolving of all life over 13.7 billion of years is an awesome adventure and mystery permeated with the divine energy.

Using traditional art materials I sometimes combine collage with acrylic and work on canvas or very heavy watercolor paper. Sometime I just paint while other times I start with an idea which takes on a life of its own.

While I have taken a number of courses in art, I am largely self-taught and paint intuitively. My interest in science and the discoveries of the universe, stems from my background in nursing plus studies in spirituality and art as a spiritual practice.

In my next blog I will share with you the experience of my very first art exhibit along with some of my paintings.

Patricia St. Louis, CSJ