artist interview

You are currently browsing the archive for the artist interview category.

Madelyn Mulvaney

November 29, 2009 in artist interview, photography | No comments

There is no doubt in my mind that I stumbled upon Madelyn Mulvaney’s blog Persisting Stars through some sort of grand celestial orchestration. There are times when the incessant click click clicking on various blogs and links really pays off … and my maiden voyage into Maddie’s world was definitely one of them. The moment her images appeared on my screen accompanied by her words, I felt I had just been introduced to a kindred spirit. Faithfully reading her blog for over a year now, my life is enriched beyond measure every time Maddie posts. It was such an exciting moment when she agreed to share her words of wisdom and gorgeous imagery with ArtOneMent. Feast your eyes and soul below, and don’t forget to visit Persisting Stars for even more soul candy!

Maddie, when I read your blog, beautiful color and detail immediately emerge that are easily overlooked by a hectic race through life. Have you always been one to ‘stop and smell the roses’?

Oh yes. This is a natural marvel of being a child which I never lost ~ It is a constant nourishment for me to wander, unearthing small wonders in my life as I gather up the day. There are such startling gifts in simple moment’s that are actually uncommonly special.

‘Yes’ and ‘Possibility’ are two big words in the Persisting Stars vocabulary. Can you tell us what these words mean to you?

It is through my writing and my images that I have shouted ‘yes’ allowing my intentions, my yearnings, my dreams to guide me ever forward. Here lies the magic of self expression, whether it be in writing, in art, in music…in daydreaming. It is so present, so potent…so seeded. When I think back to when I began writing on my blog three years ago, I had no idea of the l i f e of self expression. I did not know it would encourage me one word at a time (before I was even ready to take the actual steps in my real life) to map out my dreams for how I wanted my life to look. Art in all it’s forms of self expression is vital…it is movement…and is, in itself, a living thing ~ and therein lies the possibility. Everything is possible in this world without exception.

What is your supreme inspiration?

Love. It is all there is that matters. It is what everyone really wants.

Symbolically, I feel love resonate through the gorgeous and essential rhythms of the natural world…springtime (of course), the changes of the moon, the tides of the seas, the chatter of rivers, language of leaves and the constant and eternal presence of the stars. Sacred. Love is supremely sacred. I am deeply moved to illuminate love.

What is your creative process?

I used to feel that I stumbled into creative births through happy accidents but now I feel my process is profoundly guided in an intuitive way. My deeper consciousness beckons me through many ‘stirrings’ whether it be a song, a color, a mood from a poem, the color of the moon on a summer evening, the line of the ocean waves ~ or a strange rolling alchemic mix of many elusive and surprising details.

I desire a stillness and light in my reflection in order to birth something so satisfying and beautiful in my writing and images and yoga and mediation are keys for this in my process.

Almost all of my productivity occurs in the early morning hours ~ I am so at home in the peaceful canvas of the first burst of day with a French press filled with coffee, a curious outlook and hopeful energy, the lovely morning light in my studio.

Nature is powerfully connected to the rhythm of how I work as well ~ when I have a bit of a block or frustration I am compelled to return to nature whether it be a walk on the beach, in the woods….sitting on a blanket in the park or on my front porch in the evening staring into the starry sky. In the rare instance that this fails me, ensconced in a café with a strong coffee and almond pastry works wonders as well.

When I am ‘on’ in my bursts of inspiration in my studio I love to write to music ~ my best writing seems to moves to rhythms. Lately I am listening to soul, jazz and classical music.

Perhaps my best work, most intimate and moving has been birthed when I was suffering the many small deaths of an ordinary life ~ the loss of love….a personal metamorphosis of growth, a scary yet sublime leap of faith, self doubt, loneliness etc. Lately however, possibly for the very first time, I am creating wonderful images and writings coming from a happy heart, a lightness of being. This tickles me to realize this. It feels so transformational somehow.

In the end as I contemplate this question….in the end it really does come down to passion most of all. I am passionate, I am alive, curious and moved to share myself in an expressionistic way in any way possible.

What gift do you give through your art?

I hope I gift people the simple realization that anything and everything is possible and we all deserve to experience and share happiness and love.

You are making a large contribution to empowering creativity through your blog, e-courses, and your personal work. How do you weave all of these threads together with a personal life that exists between blogging, shooting photos, teaching and collaborating?

I have a very deep online life that shares so many facets of my creative self but truly my most intimate life offline is quietly protected. For me this is the only way I can exist. Keeping the sacred ‘sacred’ ~ giving my life protected space to keep it ‘real.’ This is all part of the journey of honoring and being true to myself.

Did you undergo the proverbial ‘journey’ about sharing your life with the public? Or was it a natural step forward?

Now, This WAS a happy accident! I originally started a blog about my yoga practice and very quickly all this other ‘stuff’ began spilling over and out onto the ‘page’ so to speak. It took me completely by surprise but I surrendered to this outpouring and need for self expression.

Do you still have the first photograph you ever took?

Yes! My Mom has it stored away somewhere ~ but my first photo was a picture of my dog Seamus when he was a puppy sitting in the backyard.

What advice can you give to artists who may feel a bit overwhelmed in the arena of marketing their work?

Believe in yourself, your voice, your unique way of seeing this world. Honor your deepest beliefs no matter what anyone else says. Get it out there! Start a blog, open a Flickr account ~ share your work and open yourself up to an artistic and enthusiastic audience.

What is your personal archetype/mythology/totem?

Joseph Campbell described myths as ‘music we dance to’ even when cannot name the tune, a lovely way to allude to a pre~existing force of nature. I believe I am the Lover with my expressive symbol being Water as a symbol of rebirth and a strong life force.

What does ‘a blissful planet’ mean to you (words from the ArtOneMent purpose statement).

A blissful planet includes everyone to live in peace, freedom and acceptance where all have a voice, are loved and heard and creatively contribute to the manifestation of higher consciousness.

How can Conscious Creativity help raise consciousness and wake up the planet?

In our personal and soulfully unique outpourings of creativity we can soar to the highest manifestation of consciousness and love, for everyone.

What is your role in that?

By simply being true to my self ~ expressing myself truthfully and with love and sharing it in our universe, hopefully uplifting and inspiring collective consciousness through my unique way of illuminating love and beauty.

What is your personal definition of ‘Consciousness’?

Consciousness is the mysterious force of soul/god/world which we all collectively share access to which longs for the highest manifestation of love.

Any advice for challenging moments (a.k.a opportunities for growth) like writers block or a clog in the flow of imagination?

Returning to nature’s measured heartbeat so you can be gently receptive, quietly thoughtful. Find stillness, a quiet corner, a beautiful meadow and go for a long walk. Visit art galleries, go to an outdoors concert…be present and get out into our beautiful world.

Stumbling upon your blog was a very important moment in my life, and helped propel me toward my own vision – founding ArtOneMent. On Persisting Stars, I see courage, vulnerability, creativity, passion and delight all rolled into one person’s words and images. I am not alone – your blog has quite a following! How does it feel to know that you are an inspiration to other artists?

Humbling ~ completely and beautifully humbling. Endlessly surprising, a blessed gift of which I am so grateful. I want to serve, make a difference in all ways I can.

When is your next enrollment deadline for your e-courses?

It has already begun and you can register on my website

http://www.persistingstars.com

Tags: blog, conscious art, intuitive, life as art, love, meditation, photography, possibility, wonder, yes

Heather Brown-Truman

November 22, 2009 in artist interview, conscious art, conscious creator, in their own words ..., painting | No comments

I found Heather through Gaia.com. Drawn in by the little blurb she had written about herself and her artwork, I clicked on the link to her website. The work I saw on her site was magically whimsical and universally powerful – so I contacted her and asked if she wanted to talk about her process and her work. Our email back and forths knocked my socks off. Not only do Heather’s pieces radiate an innocence that touches my soul in the gentlest of ways, like a dewdrop or butterfly kiss; her honesty and authenticity of self are refreshing, inspiring, and uplifting. Below are a few of Heather’s paintings, and in her own words a taste of what runs through her as she is creating each piece. Prepare to be in a state of wonder, and check out Heather’s blog for more of her … well, Heather-ness!

The Moon Always Rises © Heather Brown-Truman

“The Moon Always Rises: I am only letting myself work, in studio, when I feel sure that I can keep
my promise to stop thinking. You know, stand back and kinda squint real
hard at reality. What happens when you do that?
When you distance yourself from what is real and try to understand the
origin of your beliefs. The origins of you.
I know that is one of the main reasons I was placed here in time. To be
the squinter. I like that, the amazing squinter folks, step right up…er,
ahemmmm…OK where was I? Yeah, taking a look at the reality of life, examining costs and returns,
loving out loud, skating the edge, pushing the limits of innate
understanding. You know what we came to this place in time, what we
came with, within our DNA. The instinct, the essence of being human,
and in these times. Do I want more reality? Do I?
I don’t think so, really I don’t. If I stand back, look at the world and my place in it, in this moment in
time…what is my reason, what’s my motivation? Sound a little like an
acting class? It is. In this play I am the writer, director, editor, and star. In my world. In my
world that I created because what was shown, what was apparent at a
young age for me was that there is so much MORE. More love, More
possibility, More goodness, More intelligence, More living out loud,
More Magic To being Human. It is possible and attainable, it has to be, I have known it all my life. It’s
instinct that drives me, tells me I can find it. Just stand back and
squint…you can see it around the edges of things as they are. Beyond
that lies the question, I don’t want the answer anymore, I want the
question. The Question Is the Key. I knew as a baby, out there, in the dark…where you are all
alone…anything can happen, Monsters are all too real. Where there is light there is life. That’s why the moon has always dominated my art. Mysterious orb of light and shadow. Many a night have I picked my way through the dark, alone. The moon, my companion, my torch, my ruler of tides. This moon sits full and slightly golden, just cradled in the patchwork sky, brightly shining stars compete for center stage. Embraced by the treetops below, the greens reach into the blue- blackness and find a fuzzy edge of hyper-light and blue velvet darkness to rest in. I really liked stepping back and seeing what happened when I just let it all go. All the knowing, the technique, the balance, the direction, the
rules, the marketing, everything…just step away from the world and
squint. Paint. Repeat.”

……………………..

Tangled Hope © Heather Brown-Truman

“Tangled Hope is memorial to my recently deceased Father. We have been at odds my entire life, and never close. He was an abusive and hateful man while alive, this is my acceptance and my forgiveness. Lesson learned, live regret free, it’s all the freedom we may really have in this free will wholesale life. That’s good stuff, I know it’s just a painting, just some time spent thinking with paint out loud. It’s done to honor the passing of my Father, Michael Brown. I could not share many years with this Man, which I think we were both a little less, inside, for. He was my Father, and I didn’t get to say ‘goodbye, I am sorry, it’s all okay’. And the fact will remain for the rest of my life that I will not be able to do that act.
What I can do is live, better. Simple.

Make it right when you can, and if you can’t then still be able to, love, as a verb. I spent my whole life loving my Father, I never stopped. I always sent that energy into the world. I can love him, by living my life and being what he made me to be…more, better, smarter than they (my parents, both absent in my growing years) were. That I now know what not to do, and I also know HOW freaking hard it is to raise kids to adulthood…shit fire.

I know there is no way I can turn back time and fix stuff. And if I live with that on my heart and soul, it will eat me alive. Forgiveness is the only gift I have to offer myself for that fact. And to become wiser. Become more. Become. Continue.”

……………………..

Two © Heather Brown-Truman

“Two is: the dual nature in each human being. We are all, each and every one of us, of a dual nature. We all have the good and the bad, the beauty-full and the ugly. The mistakes and the lessons learned. It’s what we do with that information that makes us who we are. It is the realization that we are only in control of one thing on the planet, that is ourselves, nothing more, nothing less. It is in that acceptance we become free to live the lives we desire, free to let go, free to no longer play the victim, free to allow ourselves the ultimate gift, the gift of imperfection. It’s what makes us the most dynamic beings on our planet and at the same time the most terrifying of life forms. It is the nature of humanity, we rise above what we were given at birth or embrace the darkness. It’s about the choice we all have, what will you do with that choice today?”

……………………..

And a few questions, ArtOneMent style:

What gift do you give through your art?
Resonance. I create works that are talismans, healing, understanding the human condition, not an explanation, a simple “I see you”, “I know you”, “I am you”, “I am” and that is all.

What does ‘the future of a blissful planet’ mean to you (words from the ArtOneMent purpose statement)?
To me it means that this world is big enough for us all, and the beauty in this world is there because of diversity, different is good, different is beauty-full, different is the light of understanding. We can all be who and what we are and that becoming the very best you can personally be, attaining your true calling and being devoted to bringing that as a gift to the world at large is way more important than having stuff, fighting for stuff, or being at war with anyone. Love and understanding really are all we need. Manna of the Gods.

Do you believe such a thing is possible? If so, do you believe you have a role in that?
Yes I do believe it possible. Yes I have a role, I am playing it now and every day. I create, I document a life being lived, simply put, I AM.

Kentucky Girl © Heather Brown-Truman

Tags: conscious creator, forgiveness, healing, hope, i am, intuitive, life as art, moon, painting, soul

Hagop Belian … mixed media assemblage and painting

November 11, 2009 in artist interview, conscious art, conscious creator, mixed media, painting | No comments

wish © hagop belian

Last year I had the pleasure of hanging art with Hagop Belian at a Los Angeles art show. His assemblage pieces stood out from the crowd – they seemed to be hauntings from my own subconscious mind. After spending a few minutes talking with Hagop about his work, I knew I had stumbled across something, and someone, special. Hagop is an artist who works directly from his soul, and his work emanates a sort of sacred and inaudible harmonic alchemy. I was not alone in making a connection to his work; Hagop’s creations made it into everyone else’s heart as well, proven by being voted one of the Best In Show artists of the event. Recently I contacted Hagop and asked him to share his work with us, and answer a few ArtOneMent-style questions. He graciously agreed and sent over several images for us to feast our eyes upon. Please follow up reading his interview by visiting his website which has many more brilliant works: www.madeofhagop.com

And now over to Hagop! ……

Why do you make art? Many years ago I had a lucid dream where I was painting large-scale paintings and the joy I felt was tremendous. It was a feeling that I had never experienced before. The following day I picked up a brush and started playing around. Now every time I get in my creative zone, the same feeling revisits me.

What is your supreme inspiration? My inspiration for my found object artwork comes when I find certain objects that resonate with me. I feel like I want to “save” them and find them a new home by putting the objects in a completely different context. These objects are then given a new meaning and a new life. When I paint, I am expressing my raw emotion onto the canvas. I get inspired by certain feelings and have to find a way to process those feelings from myself through the paint and onto the canvas. And by the time the painting is completed, the feelings are released leaving me exhausted yet peaceful at the same time.

What gift do you give through your art? My art is thought provoking and makes people question their beliefs on spirituality, truth and change. It helps people think outside of the box.

What is your creative process on the physical / emotional / mental / spiritual level? The subtle nuances of this can be fascinating, please share as much as you are comfortable with. My creative process begins with an object or a window or a door that I resonate with. Then I begin my thinking process of trying to tell a story with how I arrange the objects together. This stage will usually last for many weeks while I move the objects around in a “musical chair” rotation until I feel that the piece is finished and is telling the story I wanted to convey. A lot of my process also takes place in my dreams. Sometimes I will finish a piece in a dream and think that is done in the real world, only to wake up to find that the piece is only in its preliminary stage. Getting the piece to where it was in my dream becomes easier since there is now a blue print that I can follow. The final step to the process is the coat of resin that I apply to certain pieces as a finishing touch. Applying resin is very challenging and is an art form in itself. It takes a lot of time and care to do it properly and usually it takes on a life of its own.

How do you connect with the creative flow? The creative flow is an energy that makes you feel connected to the universe. Everything you do in the flow is the “right” thing to do. Even mistakes in the flow are the right steps into getting your piece to the next level. It is being connected to the true source of knowledge and spirit. The flow is not always there and that is the beauty about it because just like a wave once it appears you have to jump on and ride it and reap its benefits. Centering myself through spiritual work and meditation allows me to connect with the creative flow on a deeper and a stronger level. It helps my psyche be more alert and more receptive.

Aside from the work we are featuring, what other forms (if any) does your creative impulse take? Besides my assemblage and painting work, I do photography and a bit of pop art with characters of my imagination that resemble all the different facets of me. Music is also another passion.

What book are you currently reading? I am reading The Pilgrimage by Paulo Coelho. I like reading and getting inspiration through it.

What music is in heavy rotation on your iPod? Why? Lately, it has been a lot of artists on Tru Thoughts label. A UK based label. You can’t go wrong with jazz, funk, and soul.

Does art / conscious creativity have a place in helping raise consciousness and wake up the planet?
Indeed, if my art helped one person to evoke the thought of consciousness it is goal made. Change always starts with one and then multiplies into large groups.

What does ‘a blissful planet’ mean to you? (these words are from the ArtOneMent purpose statement). A blissful planet is a place where there is peace, freedom, and creativity. A place that is loved cared for by all of its occupants. A place where there can be growth, progression, and manifestation.

What does ‘consciousness’ mean to you? Awareness. Thoughtfulness. Having wisdom and knowing how to use it. Allowing yourself to tap into a higher intelligence and to bring that resource into your everyday life, to inspire and help people evolve.

Hagop Belian was born and raised in Syria until his early teens before moving to the United States. His creative process began while studying at UC Santa Cruz where he earned a BA in Mathematics. Through a lucid dream, he was inspired by a very strong desire to create. He began to experiment with different mediums such as painting, photography and mixed media in order to find an outlet to express his passion.
His mixed media work revolves around finding “unwanted objects; ” things left behind or considered to be “junk” by others, and “saving them” by giving them new life through his creations. His paintings are landscapes of color that reflect the raw abstract expressions of his emotional subconscious. His work is rooted in the realm of what is felt rather than what is seen and is an exploration of emotions based on reminiscences of the past. It represents rebirth, transformation, truth and change.
For Hagop, creation is not a choice, but a way of life. He creates in order to share the stories in his soul with the world, through his unique perspective.
Currently Hagop lives in Venice Beach, where he continues to explore his creativity using his intuition and environment as inspiration for his work. Hagop has shown his work throughout Los Angeles. In December 2008, he was voted one of the “Best in Show” at “Lucky 7,” Create Fixate’s 7 year anniversary art show.

hagop belian

Tags: abstract, assemblage, conscious creator, found object, intuitive, meditation, mixed media, painting

artist interview

Madelyn Mulvaney

Heather Brown-Truman

Hagop Belian … mixed media assemblage and painting

Who We Are

Curated by Erin Faith Allen

Curated by Erin Faith Allen

Submission Guidelines

ArtOneMent Artists...so far

What’s here

Archives

Search