Year: 2013

History, Spirit and Paradoxes

painting by artist BZTAT inspired by illustrated manuscripts
Mixed Media Painting by BZTAT

I have never been a particularly religious person, yet I have always been intrigued by the human preoccupation with spiritual matters.

Religion, to me, is a paradox. Throughout history it has inspired love, peace and beauty. It has compelled artists, crafts persons, writers, musicians, etc. to create the most amazing works.

But it has also inspired hate, war and ugliness. It has compelled tyrants, bigots and pedophiles to perpetrate some of the most horrific crimes against humanity.

The paradox has always been a perplexity to me, and it has led me to be more of an observer than participant in religious activity.

When I was studying Art History as a part of my art program at Marshall University in the 1980’s, I was very intrigued by the illustrated manuscripts of the Gospels created by monks in the 9th century. Each page in a manuscript was intricately decorated as an individual work of art, with numerous pages bound together between lavish metalwork covers.

The cover of the Lindau Gospels was particularly intriguing to me, for its artistic structure and elaborate gems and precious metalwork. The artist(s) who created it must have had a higher power guiding them.

Lindau Gospels
Lindau Gospels Upper Cover

I confess, my historical study of the Lindau Gospels did not go very deep. The image and concept, however, were burned into my psyche.

I do not recall when exactly it was, but probably about 8-10 years ago, I created the mixed media painting above, drawing upon my recollections of the Lindau Gospels image that was stuck in my mind. Although you can see some very clear similarities, there are also some significant divergences from the original manuscript cover.

My painting began from a painting I had painted back in college. The initial painting was of a cross, and it had been patterned using a technique of creating sharp pointed dots by squeezing paint directly out of the tube. I no longer liked the painting, so I painted the dove over top of it with a stone textured paint; glued some cheap baubles on it; drew some star bursts with glitter glue; and then covered the whole thing with gold leaf – with my fingers.

My DNA is literally in this painting, as those sharp pointed dots were really sharp.

I don’t think I realized it at the time, but the techniques and textures ultimately reflected the paradox that has always perplexed me:

  • The dove, symbolizing peace and the essence of spirit, takes the place of the human representation of the crucifix from the original manuscript cover. The upward movement suggests the fleeting quality of our understanding of spirit, yet painting it in a stone texture reflects its permanence in our souls.
  • The baubles suggest our desire to gift our religious icons with the most ornate of human possessions, yet these are not actual precious gems. They are cheap craft store glass pieces.
  • The patterns of dots represent the qualities of humanity to fall into patterns of spiritual practice, yet they are sharp and painful to touch, representing the way that human patterns can often become destructive in the pursuit of spirit.
  • The original manuscript cover was designed to be the size to fit in one’s hands to be used in religious rituals. Spirit and religion have never been that manageable for me, however. My piece is large and not at all something easy to grasp in one’s hands.

The painting is currently on display at Second April Galerie where my studio is located. I welcome you to come visit it and my studio. I look forward to your visit!

The 3′ x 4′ painting is for sale. Because of its size, shipping costs may be high. Please contact me if you are interested in purchasing it.

 

A Wink from God in the Form of a Hummingbird

Hummingbird Drawing by BZTAT
“God Wink” Drawing by BZTAT

A good friend of mine stopped by my studio at Second April Galerie recently. She was looking through the various studios there for some sort of art object with a hummingbird theme.

She didn’t ask me directly about creating something, as birds are not a common theme for me, and she likes to support all local artists, not just me. She was not having success, however, in finding the item she sought.

When she told me the reason for her search, I offered to stretch to a new theme and create something new for her. Her purpose was a beautiful story.

In a recent  telephone conversation, a friend living several states away had shared with my friend that she  had been diagnosed with breast cancer. The woman was naturally anxious and worried about her condition and the impending treatment options. Although often a survivable disease, breast cancer is a frightening and often life altering condition.

As the two women spoke, however, a strange thing occurred. The woman who was anxious about her circumstances was visited by a small hummingbird. The bird hovered near her for a moment, then gracefully landed upon her hand. As quickly as it appeared, the bird disappeared, but as it did, it left a calmness in its wake, and the woman’s anxiety no longer besieged her.

My friend called the event a “God Wink” and wanted to send her friend a gift to commemorate the special moment that they had shared over the phone. Surely some mystical force was at work here to reassure a fearful soul?

I enjoyed the challenge of creating an artwork to capture the essence of such a special moment. In fact, the drawing turned out much better than I had envisioned. Perhaps God winked at me as well as my hand was guided in the creative process.

Have you ever had a moment where you felt that God “winked” at you and reassured you about something you feared?

Prints and cards of the “God Wink” drawing above are available. Contact me if you are interested in a purchase.

Thought for the Day: A Forgotten View

Forgotten View - Window digital art by BZTAT
“Forgotten View” – digital art by BZTAT

Second April Galerie‘, where I  have my art studio at the moment, has many walls, cubbies and alcoves covered with art and interesting objects. The window at the end of the hall seems forgotten amidst all the many things to view in the gallery.

At one point, someone made an attempt to dress the window up a bit, as there are Christmas lights hanging askew across the panes. Whoever hung the lights must have lost interest, as they are no longer hanging in a purposefully decorative manner.

When the gallery is dark after closing time, however, the window becomes the only visible wall art in the gallery. It beams like an eerie beacon with the ambient light from the alley glowing in.

The view into the street is unremarkable, but the patterns and shapes created as the street light casts shadows on the glass are very intriguing.

It is view unseen to most, and typically forgotten by the few artists who may stray upstairs after hours.

Such forgotten details and views catch us now and then with their silent mystery and beauty.

And they become no longer forgotten. For a moment anyway.