An "Angel" and Messages from Above!
Greetings and Wishes for a Happy and Blissful New Year !
It’s been a while since I’ve written an art blog! I have been focused on expanding my knowledge on perspective and apart from other projects, was focused especially on 2 landscape paintings. Both have the water element, and specifically both paintings depict lakes.
The last days before I finally finish an artwork I usually feel restless and emotional. This time I tried to control and understand my emotions, take my time and see the artwork with a clear and peaceful mind.
Being in a state of uncertainty when painting, I sometimes take a step back and focus on my own inner growth. Sometimes inspiration comes from within, but some other times, we get motivated from things that come at the perfect time.
For example, some months ago I was invited by a friend to volunteer together at a beach cleaning project where we gladly went together. The previous night, while working on my painting of the salt lake, I was determined to focus on that painting and finish it in the following weeks. I thought that it would be nice if I had known which lake it is, and how nice would it be to experience the landscape. That is because I was working from a photo reference, and did not know where exactly that place was in Cyprus. The only thing I knew, was that since I saw that lake on the internet, I was compelled to draw it!
To my amazement, the place I visited the next day, was actually that salt lake, right beside the beach ! That way, the mystery behind it’s whereabouts was unveiled and I thus got motivated and inspired! Knowing and experiencing the landscape gave me exactly what I needed!
Just before the holidays, when I was finishing that painting, I had an unexpected and encouraging phone call. I had a delightful and meaningful conversation with Angelos Panayiotou, a Greek artist, one of my top favourite artists!
We have known each other for some years. I have been a very big admirer of his art and since I first met him at his solo exhibition in Nicosia I noticed his truthful, wise and compassionate demeanour. A real and true soul, not changed or contaminated by fame or any other feelings of that sort.
He once attended an art exhibition in Athens, upon my invitation. It was “The art of Zhen Shan Ren” (The Art of Truth, Compassion, Tolerance). There all of my friends who met him also noticed and pointed out that Angelos is a rare person with high morale and wisdom. He spoke highly of the artworks exhibited as well as how important the three principles of truth, compassion and tolerance are.
Since then we have met again and talked several times. Two weeks ago, his kind wishes for the holidays and philosophical thoughts were a wonderful surprise and this gave me new energy and positivity!
Angelos is a known and established artist who has been persisting on depicting his idealized view of the universe, nature and human beings. His art gives a sense of reverence towards the Divine, whether it is an object, a flower, or a human figure. His paintings transmit faith, humility and respect, and the importance on carrying forth the wisdom and knowledge accumulated from generations.
When he talks he always says wise things, and I feel like I am reading a philosopher’s book. He often says the quote "truth and beauty will save us". He has also said "We are living in the era of information, not truth” and that “We should not seek to be modern but to be truthful, and by being truthful we will forever be modern”.
His quotes sound hopeful and bright but at the same time carry a lot of weight and value. Simple yet wholesome, short but brimming with deep meanings.
Angelos seems to me as an artist who consistently and diligently aims at expressing a truthful inner meaning, that unavoidably resembles a message from higher dimensions. It’s an interesting coincidence that his actual name "Angelos", means ‘angel’. In Greek, the word angel means "messenger".
A few days after the phone call, I finished and delivered one of my paintings to it’s new owner.
Just as so many other signs of encouragement, I see them as universal help, and they do come to us at the right moment.
You can see below a video of Angelos talking with English translation!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ytmmPf_uL4
I wish you all a wholesome, compassionate, meaningful and blissful new year!
