Art is more than what is seen and what meanings we the viewer can derive from it. Creating Art is a process that the artist goes through, and something is born out of that process that is more than the idea that spawned it.
The above drawing was a work in progress over a five year period. It was a meditation with no immediate goal to finish it. It was more than a creative process it turned into a healing for me.
I was inspired to create this piece by my work teaching meditation in the Central Juvenile Justice Prison in downtown Los Angeles. Once a week for over two and a half years I worked in the various holding chambers for youth from ages 8 to 17. There wasn’t a place in that institution I had not visited or taught in. The stories I could tell would disarm the prejudices you might have about these young people. I remember going into the institution with energy and compassion and driving away from it with tears streaming down my face.
This drawing was a way for me to pour my frustration, anger, and hopelessness into the drawing, so that I could continue working in these institutions with energy, determination, awareness and compassion.
Bleak as it may seem, this drawing has some light streaming in from the back ground, a turning of events. There is a dragonfly at the bottom right, which is the symbol of courage and fearlessness.
I met a boy who was only eight years old at one of my classes at the Juvenile prison. He had been bounced around in the foster care system, and was used by the older boys, because of his age, to run illegal errands. There was no other place for him in the system so he was put into juvenile prison. I met him in the “CD” unit which was for the youngest boys, and is a protection unit. It was furnished like a school classroom, and it was where I taught meditation. I was particularly drawn to this young boy as he was clearly soaking up the guided relaxations and meditations I was teaching that day, and seemed to be enjoying the class more than the others. He was glued to me, and was constantly asking questions about meditation. He was beaming, serene and peaceful, when I left.
I was told later that he was put in my class because he attempted suicide the day before. His story and others create the light emerging out of the darkness that is in the background of this image, that came later in my process.
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The title of this piece is taken from Dante’s inferno, “In the middle of my journey I came upon a dark forest.” It is a drawing - pencil on paper 22″ x 30.”
There are signed prints online available 13″ x 19″ that can be purchased on line by requesting it in the description box – even though it is not shown in the on line store. You can shorten the title in the description box.
