Artistic Endeavors

[abstrktion]

Hi All,
I've really enjoyed the creative endeavors shared by members of the forum, so I wanted to start a thread for visual artwork--and I know there are more artists among the members. But first let me say that I'm not a professional artist by any means. For me, art is part of my spirituality, a way of internalizing what I learn and expressing what I feel and see in the world.

And I'd like to offer an idea: Failure is freedom. In artistic, creative worlds, it is too easy to judge oneself by the masters, those that have spent their whole lives building on natural genius--or worse, you produce something that garners praise and then fear/despair when the next thing you create doesn't...and then you start creating with an audience in mind instead of doing it for yourself. But the fact is, art and music are FUN--and most of us could use a bit more fun in our responsibility-laden worlds.

For me, each creative endeavor in any form presents a vision that is both unique and shared. A work of art reflects the artist's particular connection to the archetypal world, the world of spirit and dream, and as such, it is completely different from any other--and it might not be "pretty" or convey love and beauty because ugliness and despair also play a role in this world. Yet, as art proceeds forth from a place where all is One, each work represents and reflects that which is common to all, a microcosmic representation of the macro-cosmic totality—and thus, we all share in it as we all share in the common joys, trials, and triumphs of being human.

If the united creativity of humanity may be viewed as a gigantic jigsaw puzzle, then each Creator brings through a piece of the total picture. And remember, we are all Creators.

Please share your pieces!

Here is a beginning:

12" x 12" Oil on box canvas
Drawing on the archetypal symbols found in myth, literature, and aboriginal paintings, “Regeneration” expresses a link between the physical, manifest universe and the invisible reality which creates it. “Regeneration” is about bringing in new strength, energy, and connection. Like the snake sheds its skin, we must shed our old ways to embrace the new. The Hand of Light energizes the scene where the eggs of the lizard offer a fresh start, the waters of love and birth lead to a meeting place (the spiral around which are found a male symbol and a female symbol) where opposition is neutralized, and the dream time (the bar on the left) connects you to the power of the collective unconscious.

Love to you all.

[Shin'Ar]

I would be very interested to see what you could do with the Serpent on a Tree.

I really like your use of the fiery orange.

[Artsongs]

I love the idea of sharing art work without judgment. That is without negative judgment - positive always welcome. This painting to me feels like free flowing water splashed on the paper.

[Unbound]

I like your style! I am working on a piece right now I would like to share when it is finished, but for now I have a couple others that are worth sharing:

The Soul Star


Dagon - Inferni of Virility


The Layers of the Eye


Clear Mind


Interstellar Truckstop


Foreign Lands


Jammin' Shaman


The current one I'm working on is in a similar vein to this last one, but much cleaner and more together.

[abstrktion]

WOW. I LOVE the first two especially--Very powerful! Thank you for sharing!!!

[Unbound]

Those two and "Clear Mind" are some of my newest pieces. "Jammin' Shaman" was the beginning of my venture in to coloured work recently. Most of the others were done a couple years ago.

The Fortress of Lust and Pain


I did this one during/after my "awakening" experience on LSD.

These two I did before this one, during the first time I ever did LSD, only half a hit. All 3 of these around 2 years ago now.

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I actually was originally much more of a digital artist. I've never had a tablet, so I learned to do digital paintings with my mouse!




Here's a 3D Cthulu I made:

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These last 3 are all years old now.

[abstrktion]

I offer the idea that I don't favor the use of narcotics to reach the unconscious, either for artistic or spiritual purposes.

That said, nice work! Can't wait to see the newest one you're working on!

[Unbound]

I also find myself drawing weird creatures and alien races:

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I offer the idea that I don't favor the use of narcotics to reach the unconscious, either for artistic or spiritual purposes.

That said, nice work! Can't wait to see the newest one you're working on!

Aha I wouldn't call psychedelics "narcotics", personally, but it's true that it is very easy to get caught up in using them, especially for this kind of stuff.

For me psychedelics have always been an experience of ego-death, clearing away nonsense of the mind and examining other fields of perception. The art or music that comes from it is just an after-effect.

Needless to say, I don't really do them much anymore. If there's one thing I've learned about psychedelics is that they are inhibiting if they are overused, and they can carry you away. For some people, even just one or two trips can be over-use if their mind cannot handle the expansions.

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Also, those 3 drawings are actually the only drawings I've done on psychedelics ever.

[abstrktion]

Occasionally "aliens" appear in my work too...

[Unbound]

Oh that's cool!

[Brittany]

Wow, I was just thinking TODAY of making an art thread! Of course, I'm a little bit embarrassed to post now that I've seen what kind of talent bring4th has.

[Unbound]

Silly, only two of us have posted, come on!

[Brittany]

I mostly do cartooney stuff. I really enjoy creating characters and drawing people and faces, even if I never do anything with them. Here are some of my latest:

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I did this one when I was in a particularly dark state of mind a while back. I hope it doesn't offend anyone. The only reason I put it on here is it is probably the best piece I've ever completed in regards to form and execution.

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This thread makes me want to get off my arse and draw something GOOD.

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Oh, and here's an alien.
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I need to stop drawing such frowny people. Everyone looks like they sat on a pinecone or something.

[abstrktion]

You're awesome Ahktu! And darkness is part of the light...another piece of the puzzle we all have to wrestle with. I love the rawness in the dark one--it is both sensual and spiritual.

[Brittany]

Here is some REALLY old crap. I'd like to think I've improved a little bit, anyway.

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I went through this period were everyone wore fishnets. Lol.

[Ruth]

Abstriktion - you already know how much I love your work (hint: check out my avatar!) And I LOVE THIS THREAD! I will be a regular visitor here. Thank you!

Artsongs - WOW! Yes, I totally see the water flow there, but also an energy flow. Beautiful!

The Eternal - The Fortress of Lust and Pain is my favorite of the ones you posted.

Ahktu - your "dark" drawing actually speaks to me on a very deep level. I've been through a very dark period in my life and I know that feeling like the hands are reaching up to draw you down. I also like the three asian dressed chics! Nice!

I've done more work in the field of photography and don't feel that I have anything available that would fit here - I did most of my creative work back in the days of film and printing on paper - and don't have anything digitized (and don't want to have to dig anything out to try to post a picture of it. But I have plans . . . .

[Bring4th_Austin]

I envy all of this artistic talent! I have visual expressions in my mind which I would love to materialize, but not once in my life have they ever translated to paper in a way that satisfies me.

[Shin'Ar]

Azreal,

the girl???? What the heck have you done?

[Unbound]

You mean, the digital painting of the girl?

[Shin'Ar]

yes, she is alive!

[Brittany]

Haven't you ever had your characters come alive before? Happens to me all the time.

[Shin'Ar]

No, I mean the picture has consciousness.

What is the technique called digital imaging.

was this a photograph that was altered into a painting?

[Daydreamin]

I enjoy seeing y'alls are work so keep it coming!

[Unbound]

Really?

Digital painting is "painting" done on a computer, I used Adobe Photoshop for this one, and my computer mouse.

There was no photo, no reference even, I created the entire painting completely from scratch from my mind.

I do get what you mean though, she has an energy, and actually a couple days ago I pondered who she might be, as I had a telepathic contact with an exotic dark-haired woman recently that I thought might have been a guide of someone I know, but now I'm not sure!

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I admit, I do have knowledge and understanding of how to put energy and consciousness in to artwork... but I did not have this knowledge when I created that painting, I just created it on a whim.

[abstrktion]

Really?

Digital painting is "painting" done on a computer, I used Adobe Photoshop for this one, and my computer mouse.

There was no photo, no reference even, I created the entire painting completely from scratch from my mind.

I do get what you mean though, she has an energy, and actually a couple days ago I pondered who she might be, as I had a telepathic contact with an exotic dark-haired woman recently that I thought might have been a guide of someone I know, but now I'm not sure!

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I admit, I do have knowledge and understanding of how to put energy and consciousness in to artwork... but I did not have this knowledge when I created that painting, I just created it on a whim.

Twin fllame maybe?

[Unbound]

Aha Maybe! Pretty sure my twin flame is incarnate and I know her, though. Maybe another level to her?

[abstrktion]

I have this painting over my piano...it was a bit shocking to me at first...kind of reminded me of an African village being burned and plundered with a girl running for her life--then someone else saw the figures as "Dancers"...I liked that much better, so I put up the painting.


And here's my friend Odin...who bears an unfortunate resemblance to a former friend!


And here's Fenrir--reminded me of Gemini Wolf's dog (wolf) in the picture thread.

[Unbound]

That's cool, that Odin looks strangely a lot like this "Sage" or "Odin" that my ex-girlfriend painted.

[abstrktion]

That's cool, that Odin looks strangely a lot like this "Sage" or "Odin" that my ex-girlfriend painted.

A spirit guide/god that gets around...hmm well we all know how Zeus was...

[Unbound]

Lol! Oh yeah, mating consciousness with all sorts of Earth ladies.