The Transformative Power of Art Making: Insights for Everyday Life
Powerful reminder that you are enough
As artists, we often find ourselves immersed in solitude, deeply engrossed in our thoughts as we write, sing, dance, and paint. Within the realm of art, we experience a profound connection to something greater, an experience that can feel almost spiritual. Art has the power to transcend the ordinary and take on a larger-than-life presence.
Consider the last song that captivated you, making you hit the replay button time and again. Perhaps it resonated with you, making you feel understood or less alone. The lyrics and melodies struck a chord within you, marking that moment in time. When we listen to songs from our past, they possess the magical ability to transport us back to the chapters of our lives they once soundtracked. Art has this remarkable capacity to connect us and to transcend time.
But what truly defines art? While some associate art solely with paintings, art exists in various forms, catering to every sensory input. It encompasses so much more than the conventional mediums typically recognized. Kindness can be an art. Vulnerability is an art. Honesty is an art. The thoughts that visit you at 2:00 am, as you lie in bed alone, are art.
Art serves as a means for understanding ourselves and the world around us more deeply. After a long day at work, we often turn to Netflix, hoping this time it will be good as we yearn for that elusive connection. By good, I mean it connects with us in the here and now, offering a profound sense of understanding and aleviating loneliness. It’s as if someone else out there has experienced the very thoughts and emotions we hold within, skillfully articulating and visually representing them for all to perceive.
Art has the power to transcend our senses. Each encounter with art offers an opportunity for personal growth, a click in our minds that propels us forward, allowing us to ascend the spectrum of self-actualization. As we ascend, we begin to realize the interconnectedness of our existence, gradually understanding that we are all one.
Sometimes, when I’m driven by my ego, I find myself creating art for my future reincarnated self, leaving behind clues and lessons to expedite their growth. At times, when trapped in a victim mindset, I produce self-expressive works that I call “heroin art.” These pieces, characterized by slow brushstrokes and somber subject matter, reflect a sense of pity and despair.
Yet, when I achieve balance on this spectrum, I tap into the healthiest source of inspiration — art from my soul, or better yet, art from the divine. I feel gratitude for the materials and guidance bestowed upon me by the source, viewing myself simply as the sculptor entrusted with fulfilling a greater purpose.
The most recent and memorable breakthrough of my artistic journey occurred while creating a painting titled “0 to 1.” Beginning with my typical approach, I crafted a messy and expressive abstract background — a technique I often employ to overcome the fear of the blank canvas. It helps infuse the artwork with energy through movement and color, laying the foundation for the piece.
The title of the painting was conceived even before the canvas was acquired. It was my collectors idea to commission me to create a work inspired by the notion of “0 to 1.” Tackling this piece filled me with immense stage fright, as it was intended to be my magnum opus. Painting the initial part, the zero, posed no challenge, as it resided within my comfort zone. I sprayed a white circle right in the center, representing both nothingness and everything simultaneously. This seemingly simple phrase held profound meaning, I had to do a deep dive on the history of the number, I read a book on 0 and consulted with a quantum physicist friend. My approach to this artwork was detailed and serious.
However, when faced with continuing the painting beyond the white circle and amidst the chaotic background, I found myself frozen. Weeks passed, and the white circle remained untouched as I grappled with creative uncertainty. It was then that a realization struck me — I needed to become ‘1’ in order to progress with the piece. How could I paint 1, if I didn’t know how it felt to be 1. Therefore, I had to undergo a spiritual transition from 0 to 1.
Recalling my conversation with the wise and worldly collector, he had asked how something emerges from nothing, offering examples from my own artistic journey. He pointed out that one day, I was a graphic designer sitting on a couch, harboring secret dreams of creating art, and the next moment, I transformed into a successful artist. What was the catalyst for that transition?
He further explained that within 45 minutes of our meeting, I had transitioned from a stranger to a close friend in his eyes. Astonishingly, I felt the same connection, though it was our first time meeting. He pressed on, questioning the nature of this transformative force. This line of inquiry evoked thoughts of the big bang, a concept I loosely depicted in the painting through the gaping white circle painted in the middle.
Transitions such as these occur in an instant. In one moment, we are one thing, and in the next, we become something entirely different. You could call it a decision, an action, an inspiration, or even divine intervention, but I choose to call it art. It is an act of creation, and creation is the essence of life itself. I firmly believe that we are born into this world to create. At the very least, we can chop wood and carry water, but at our highest potential, we have the power to carve wood and frozen water into magnificent sculptures.
I still remember that moment of revelation, standing in front of the procrastinated “0 to 1” painting, when laughter erupted from within me like that of a mad scientist. Within the abstract mess and incomplete nature of the piece, shapes, faces, and words revealed themselves to me. An entire painting emerged, waiting to be unveiled, hidden within those abstractions. All I had to do was squint slightly or look closer to discern the divine vision. It felt as if God was guiding my hand, and my role was to bring that vision to life, or rather, to carve it out.
During this revelatory experience, I encountered another fit of laughter — uncontrollable and ecstatic. In that moment, I realized that I, too, am already complete, much like the painting. All I needed to do was sculpt myself, shedding away the unnecessary layers. For most of my life, I believed I had to add more to myself, for I felt incomplete. This feeling is common when we are weak or insecure; we seek to distract ourselves by accumulating material possessions.
Yet, the canvas taught me a different lesson — our task is not to accumulate, but to remove. Like a sculptor, we must chip away at the resistances and blocks that hinder our true expression. This is why Buddhist monks wear the same robe every day, understanding that fashion can easily become an armor shielding us from the outside world. In my most insecure phase, around the age of 18, I owned an excessive number of Versace and Dolce & Gabbana shirts — an attempt to find solace and to shield myself in society.
I’m not suggesting that you wear wooden sandals every day. In fact, I understand the feeling of wearing an outfit that resonates with your present energy. It’s an awesome feeling. However, there are aspects of our lives that we hide behind, using them as shields. The more we shed these unnecessary layers and mental blocks, the closer we come to the divine.
So, just as sculpting is an art, remember that you, too, are a work of art. There is nothing more you need to add to yourself; instead, focus on removing…
because you are already complete. You are already whole.
You are already 1.
