The key of patience

True wisdom is revealed through patience.  Rare is the occasion that an answer is blatantly obvious on first notice.  Many times we think we see the whole thing but as time passes more pieces of the puzzle turn up, fleshing out the original response. 

Wisdom can involved getting to know someone.  A person may have information or an idea that will help you develop into a better person.  At first meeting that person might display personality traits that put you off.  But for they keep crossing you life path and something about them intrigues you.  It will take patience to get through the veneer and eventually, discover the treasure they hold for you.  In turn you may have a piece of them that has been missing.

Patience is needed when you plant a seed.  Ideas and plans need time to grow and flesh out.  Goals take time to reach successfully.  If you rush them, you may get to the end but have missed more than one thing you needed to complete the task once you get there.  It is truly frustrating when your life and/or spirit path brings you close enough to the end that you can smell it only to have the path lead off miles away from it again.  However, if you step over the line or break through the barricade, not matter how thin, you will arrive at the spot at the wrong time and things will not turn out the way you had hoped.

Patience is a virtue and key to living a fulfilled life. 

Universal keys of wisdom

The first key, the key of truth.  "You shall know the truth and it shall set you free".

Lies, deceit, keeping secrets all create prisons of one sort or another.  My mother used to say "Oh what a tangled web we weave, when we first practice to deceive".  There is so much truth in just that statement.  When one begins to relate an event but chooses to embellish it or leave out parts, the teller must remember exactly how the story was told for they know that the person who is hearing it could repeat it to someone else and then the game of "telephone" ensues.  Some unexpected party comes up to the originator of the tale asking for additional details.  Now the teller must scurry through their brain to relate the thing verbatim.  This creates a trap that ensnares the teller.  He is not free to relate things as they actually happened or worse, admit that they made the whole thing up having absolutely no real life experience of the event.  If they fail to get their story straight, the listener then goes back to their circle with the information that Storyteller is a liar.  This locks the teller out of future communication with all those who have heard this as no one trusts him any more.

Cheating works the same, whether in a business deal, a romantic relationship or even on a test at school.  There are facts that one hides to protect themselves for being punished for an attempt to gain more for oneself at the expense of someone else.  Cheating locks a student out of a chance at some colleges or careers.  Cheating locks a romantic partner out of establishing a trusting relationship.  Cheating locks a business person out of future business transactions.

The truth isn't always an easy thing to deal with.  The hardest is when you have to use it to admit that you've done something wrong.  Someone will get hurt.  You may be punished.  It could cost you financially, professionally, emotionally or psychologically.  There is no truer saying than "The truth hurts".  However, once you've told the truth, your whole physiology reacts.  Yes, you get scared, you get hurt, you face the music. But then when it's over, you've learned your lesson.  You're conscience is clear.  People still trust you.  You are free to hold your head high.  You are free to admit you were wrong or made a mistake.  You are free to apologize and free to have the apology genuinely accepted.  You are free to move on to a better job or relationship.

Truth is a tough thing, but is will unlock one of the doors to wisdom.  Being truthful makes you trustworthy.  It is a very wise thing to do.

The key is THE KEY

Last May I was introduced to my current favorite painter, Hans Haveron.  After seeing just one small element of one of his works, I hunted down the whole piece and then started digging up as many photos as I could find of the rest of his portfolio.  Even before I interviewed him the first time, I knew that I had a spiritual connection to his art and the symbolism displayed in it.

Haveron loves talking about art; his own, his friends' and anyone's that he has experienced over the years.  A child and grandchild of artists, paint runs through his veins, music powers his nervous system, performance fills his lungs.  He takes his own talents and encourages others, mentors them and inspires them through collaboration.  Arts are this man.

Once he gets talking, well...he's an interviewer's dream because he just goes and all I have to do is make sure the recorder is working.  In that waterfall of words, comes stories and one of those stories was the explanation of the symbolism of "Sepia's Secret".  The interview question had just been, "do elements of your paintings have meanings?".  Not only did he share with me the story of the painting by how he had told the story to Adam Lambert who felt so connected to it that he bought the painting. That in turn inspired  him to have the key tattooed prominently as a reminder to always create from his "child".

"The key" has also affected other artists in Hans' circle.  One of those people is Shannon Shiang.  Shannon is a jewelry designer and creator.  She has two jewelry lines; Shiang New York and Skins and Stones.  Shannon is an L.A. native who has relocated to NYC and is a long-time friend of Haveron's.  After producing some prototypes of Sepia's key, one or two of which turned up at Burning Man this year, Shiang worked with Haveron to come up with a version that will be produced on a larger scale (200 units to start).  Presale orders are being taken now for product to ship on March 20, 2012.

These artists and their work have affected my spiritual focus, not only the particular keys depicted in Hans' paintings and their symbolism but keys and locks in general.  As we enter the Age Of Aquarius or the coming of the new age foretold by the Mayans, there are things that need to be locked away and new doors and windows that need to be opened.  However, the keys involved may not be a metal object designed to insert into a lock and turned.  Maybe it refers to the key a song is written in.  The Christian bible speaks of the "new song".  Maybe this is the era that that song will be written.

Maybe it is a cipher key.  A word, a letter that provides the code to unravel a hidden message.  There may be some secret manuscript previously unnoticed by man because it just looked like some foolishness.

Or maybe it is a keystone.  That piece of material that holds an entire structure together.  That structure could be a building, a person or a society.

I will be posting pretty regularly a new "key" to this blog.  If you feel something in your life or the spaces around you needs to be added let me know.  I firmly believe there is something to this theme.  Peace always and don't forget to check out The Key at http://skinsandstones.bigcartel.com/product/hans-haveron-design-adam-lambert-tattoo-skeleton-key-pendant

Hans Haveron - an artful life

Earlier this year I sat down with Los Angeles artist Hans Haveron.  The goal was to educate myself and subsequently my readers about the man and his art.  What I learned was that this is someone who is deeply passionate, emotional and spiritual.  He is dedicated to his craft and sees all of its results as a Thank You note to the Divine Spirits for blessing him with his talents, family and friends.  

In our recent conversation, Hans reiterated all of this to me while sharing his latest endeavors and filling in some blanks since our talk back in May.  Haveron is pretty relentless for a man who is so chill and laid back.  Even in those rare moments that he disconnects and unwinds from day-to-day stress, he is still in an artistic state.  Hans Haveron creates no art without purpose or message.  From the body art that started with Lucent Dossier which has now progressed to gorgeous sugar skulls for a film feature in 2012 and alluring blue Shiva princesses for another potential film project to live painting exhibits, Haveron feels his way through each new project.  

After taking a few days of downtime at his eighth trip to the Playa this summer for a "burn" that Hans described as mellow, he was back at it, working on pieces for his solo show at C.A.V.E. and doing live installments with John Park.  If that wasn't enough Haveron jetted to Miami just a week before the gallery opening for Basel, touted as the most prestigious art show in the U.S..  Hans teamed up with Fish Tank, LLC to add his own style to the gondola midsection of the groups art car.  He adorned one side with a mermaid and the other with his signature Telescope Goldfish to add to the fish/water theme of the car.

As for his live works with Park, we discussed some of what late-comers miss in the creation process.  I had noticed in some of the time-lapse photo videos I've watched of these installments both Hans and John start out by sketching in Sharpie on the surface they will be painting.  Although much of what is sketched doesn't get painted into the final piece, Hans explained that due to the markers' oil base, some of the sketches will bleed through the paint.  I told him I saw that in the most recent project he had included the children that are the focal point of "Sepia's Secret".  In this drawing one child holds a dagger pointed at an eye on the garment of the other.  I asked if there was any significance, knowing that everything thing in Haveron's work has symbolism and meaning.  Hans said that, again it is the inner child at the root of the creative process.  The dagger symbolizes protection and the "All Seeing Eye" keeping spiritual watch.  

The "Shiva" make-up was used in the filming of the Kickstarter information video for Elijah Sound's "Jesus Christ Superstar" remake project.  Sound is a friend of Haveron's and owner of the 2013 Boutique in L.A. The Kickstarter is to fund a full-length trailer for the JCS project which portends to be a massive endeavor.  The sugar skulls made their first appearance at Insomniac's "Escape From Wonderland-Life After Dusk" Halloween installment in San Bernardino.  Hans says we will be seeing them again.  

There was a great moment of spontaneity in our conversation when I mentioned my complete inability to draw even a decent stick figure.  We followed one of my favorite arts tangents; "what art do you wish you could create in but pretty much suck at?"  Hans said he wishes he were better at electronic music creation.  He said that he has dabbled in it in the past and may not completely suck at it but just needs more time to work it out.  He would love to take a stab at music production some day.  For now though, drawing and painting consumes most of his time so he is fine with just listening to as much music as possible.  

As posted previously, the "Black Diamond" one-man show will have its gala opening this evening in Venice, CA.  Also mentioned in the promotion article, "Caducues" is the central piece of this show and Haveron is incredibly proud of it.  Based on his enthusiasm explaining learning about the early history of the Caduceus symbol that was revealed in Sumerian tablets discovered in 1912, this painting is inspired on every level.  Like myself, Hans is intrigued by the crossovers in most spiritual mythologies.  The Sumerians depict tales of winged creatures that would be identified as angels in Judeo-Christian myth and a human creation story with similarities to those found in the Bible and Torah.  It was not surprising that the Vatican and other religious leaders tried to squelch information regarding the tablets from being released to the public.  Haveron's rendition of this messenger of the gods is stunning in her serenity.  She is a woman of strength but with a countenance of peace and grace.  

Hans Haveron has worked hard to get to this point and is not likely to take a moment off until the bitter end of the afterparty in the wee hours of Saturday morning. Even then, he might allow himself a little downtime but assuredly will be back at it again soon with new projects and revisiting some of his favorite arts haunts.  It will be exciting to see what he comes up with next.

C.A.V.E. presents Hans Haveron "Black Diamond" 12/9/11

C.A.V.E. Gallery

Artists determined to make a living with their art depend on the gallery show, for the most part, to exhibit and sell their works.  However, those are not always the easiest thing to come by, especially a solo show.  The opportunity to have patrons focused on just their work is something no artist takes lightly.  Such an opportunity was recently extended to Hans Haveron by the L.A. gallery C.A.V.E.  Haveron has shown here before a couple of years ago and has been invited back for this show which will run thru Jan. 7th.

The gala opening for "Black Diamond" begins at 6 p.m. PST on Friday December 9th at C.A.V.E., 1108 Abott Kinney Blvd., Venice, Los Angeles, CA 90291.  Hans has created almost a dozen new pieces in a style he describes as Samurai-Victorian-Futura.  The event's title reflects the black and white/grayscale theme of all of these pieces.  

Haveron has created this show as an entire process.  He says only about 60% is the actual art work.  He then considered the framing, the music and other elements for the opening night event.  Hans has requested that all guests continue the the color theme in their apparel choices for the opening.  He, himself has planned his own attire to fit in.  Music will be provided by DJ Numberwonderful and DJ Bus Rider.  There will be a live music set performed by Nico Luminous. Max Neutra will do a live painting exhibition.  Models be will circulating through the gallery displaying body painting by Haveron.  

Hans loves drawing.  It is what led him to experiment more in painting in the grayscale pallette.  When he realized that all the works he has done in this scheme have sold, he decided to dedicate this show to these tones.  He will be showing and offering for sale two drawings and at least eight paintings at C.A.V.E.

Other things the artist includes in the  process are finishing, clearcoating all the pieces perfectly, insuring everything has dried properly before going through the steps of wrapping and packing each work for transportation from Hans' studio to the gallery, the transportation, then unpacking and setting up the works at the gallery.  He says that he attributes his understanding and appreciation of the entire progression from beginning to end to his artist parents.  He grew up watching art created then being moved to galleries and museums.  Hans has also learned, through his experiences, that a one-man show requires such high levels of creative, physical, emotional and spiritual energy that he only commits to one a year.  He usually will participate in three or four multi-artist shows annually along with his live painting events.   

Digging a little deeper into the process and his family, Haveron explained that he has no formal training.  In fact at one point his father told him that "art school will be the death of you".  This left him free to explore the art within himself.  He also attributes his grandfather's anatomy lessons for the improvement of his art.  Knowing the basic architecture was critical piece of the creation.  

Body architecture plays a key role in the star piece of this show, "Caduceus".  The acrylic on canvas painting is 76"x50" and is Haveron's take on the Caduceus story from the stone tablets of Sumer found in 1912.  It is highly recommended that one do some research into this discovery and the resulting mythology.  It is understandable that "the church" would have blocked the publishing of results of this find, in that there are many similarities to Judeo-Christian scriptures regarding creation, supernatural beings and the hierarchy of "heavenly beings" and humans.  Haveron's painting is an epic portrayal of the messenger and symbol of the god Enki.  For this work, Hans employed Ana Bliss as his model.  

For further information on "Black Diamond" please visit:

http://www.facebook.com/events/293141024029754/

and learn more about Hans Haveron at

http://www.haveronstudios.com/

http://www.facebook.com/events/293141024029754/

Creative Workshop of New Haven announces 43rd Annual Celebration of American Crafts

Celebration of American Crafts

Thru December 24  

21st Century Craft:
Chris Amundsen
Sunday, November 13, 2 pm

CT Artists Night
Thursday, November 17, 5pm

Shop for fine crafts and unique gifts at the 43rd Annual Celebration of American Crafts! Over 300 artists from across America will be featured, representing the finest in glass, ceramics, jewelry, wearable and decorative fiber, handcrafted furniture and much more.

Open daily: Mon-Sat 11 to 6, Thu 11 to 8, Sun 1 to 5 , December 24, 11 - 2

The Celebration of American Crafts is an annual juried exhibition and sale sponsored by CAW. The exhibition is held in CAW's handsome two-story Hilles Gallery.

A prestigious showcase for professional craft artists, the Celebration presents fine contemporary American crafts in every medium. To maintain the high quality of the Celebration, the acceptance process is very selective, with a limited number of exhibitors chosen to represent each medium. The Celebration attracts nearly 10,000 visitors from all over the Northeast, and media coverage is extensive. Work is sold on a consignment basis, and CAW retains 40% of each sale. These funds go toward the support of the community art school.

Call for Volunteers

CAW needs volunteers to help staff this event. Volunteer while surrounded by fine crafts from across America! Volunteers are needed to help clerk the exhibition and sale in November and December. If interested, please call (203) 562-4927 x12 or email celebration@creativeartsworkshop.org.

 

Creative Arts Workshop   80 Audubon Street   New Haven, Connecticut 06510   

http://www.creativeartsworkshop.org/

Last week of PERFORMA 11 New Visual Arts Performance Biennial

This festival began on November 1st and continues through November 21st in New York City.  It covers almost 100 venues that spread over the five boroughs.  Arts involved include visual art, music, dance, poetry, fashion, architecture, graphic design, and the culinary arts. it features over 100 of the most exciting artists working today, in an innovative program.

Carlos Amorales, Spider Galaxy, 2007. A Performa Commission.
Photo copyright Paula Court. Courtesy of Performa and
undación/Colección Jumex.

PEFORMA 11, the fourth edition of the internationally acclaimed biennial of new visual art performance presented by Performa.  Presented in collaboration with a consortium of more than 50 arts institutions and over 50 curators, as well as a network of public spaces and private venues.  Performa 11 will ignite New York City with energy and ideas, acting as a vital “think tank” linking minds throughout New York City and bringing audiences together for brilliant new performances in all disciplines.

Founded by RoseLee Goldberg in 2004, Performa is the leading organization dedicated to exploring the critical role of live performance in the history of twentieth-century art and to encouraging new directions in performance for the twenty-first century. Performa launched New York’s first performance biennial, Performa 05, in 2005, followed by Performa 07 (2007), and Performa 09 (2009). 

For more information, including venues, tickets and schedules please visit http://11.performa-arts.org/