8″ x 10″ – Oil
(Essay excerpt from book published 2021, Beauty Unites Us, by Rick J. Delanty)
Artists are revolutionaries, to some degree. Their responses to crisis, confusion, and condemnation in social situations can often be seen in their artworks. The creation of an artwork itself is a statement that the human spirit has a creative voice, is inspire-able, worthy of development, and capable of transforming others and life itself. Artists can allow the light that is within them to shine outwards, to touch those who are depressed, downhearted, or even despairing, especially in challenging times like these. A woman in San Clemente, California, has made the news by bringing her piano outside to play it in the driveway for her neighbors. In Italy, singers project mini-operatic presentations from their balconies. In our neighborhood, kids are doing chalk drawings on the sidewalk for fun.
My own paintings of the natural world are celebrations of all that is good in life, and in heaven. An artwork that celebrates beauty is more than a symbolic shaking of the fist in times of trial–it is a blow for freedom of the spirit, and a bugle-call against both oppression and depression. Inspiring artworks encourage us to believe, rather than bend or break in times of crisis. Art and Nature encourage us to look within, and Beyond. (end of excerpt)
“You can look anywhere and find inspiration.” —Frank Gehry
24″ x 18″ – Oil
The chaos and confusion of the pandemic was whirling about the world when I wrote the above words in 2020. As an artist, I was wondering what I could do to help defuse the despair. I thought I might create Facebook posts with a written message, accompanied by a painting, pointing out that Beauty and hope for the future still existed, despite evidence to the contrary.
My idea had its roots in the concept of the Hebrew words “Ab’ra ke’ Dab’ra,” meaning “I will create as I speak.” Though we may be more familiar with this term as it relates to magic and magicians, I believe that it has much more significance to daily life: the concept that it is entirely possible to create the reality we want through our thoughts, which when we speak them and act on them, become reality. Doing good and creating meaningful work is made possible through positive thoughts and intentions.
11″ x 14″ – Acrylic
Art comes from a life lived consciously and fully, and not necessarily one in which everything is known, safe, and easy to master. –Christopher Volpe, artist
For an artist, this is why intention, mindset, and attitude are all-important in the creative process.
Like building a house, the desired result (a meaningful artwork) is achieved only through mindful preparation.
Regarding the pandemic, we learned that a misinformed, confused and panicked mindset yields chaos, hopelessness, and widespread contagion. But as artists, we also learned (or were reminded again) that Beauty, goodness and truth are necessities — like water, food, and air. We were reminded that artists perform a very real function in our society. The work an artist does may be considered the very foundation of civilization; the fruits of our labor has the power to inspire those who appreciate it to live at their very best. The thoughts and mindful creativity of an artist can divert, calm, and create a better world for all of us who need it. Ours is a profession that points to the heavens, during times of crisis when all eyes are blinded by dust.
36″ x 60″ – Oil over acrylic
“Great art is the outward expression of the inner life of the artist, and this inner life will result in his (her) personal vision of the world.” -Edward Hopper
The artist who seeks and creates Beauty in her work receives a dual benefit: first, her vision of the world has the potential to bless the audience, and herself. Secondly, the artist’s audience receives a more positive vision of reality that the artist thinks, speaks, and paints into existence. Artists have the ability to make the world a better place.
24″ x 18″ – Acrylic
J. Russell Wells says
Ab’ra ke’ Dab’ra is Hindi not Hebrew
Rick J. Delanty says
Thank you for that, J. Russell. I went a little deeper to find this: “Abracadabra belongs to Aramaic, a Semitic language that shares many of the same grammar rules as Hebrew, says Cohen in Win the Crowd. ‘Abra’ is the Aramaic equivalent of the Hebrew ‘avra,’ meaning, ‘I will create. ‘ While ‘cadabra’ is the Aramaic equivalent of the Hebrew ‘kedoobar,’ meaning ‘as was spoken.'”
Elana says
Very beautiful thinking, I can identify with you. So good to read the post today, in time of constant negative comments from news . On never ending pandemic and would wars . We do get down, and need to be able to uplifted and get in a good space! So , thank you!!!
Rick J. Delanty says
Thank you Elana. There are so many folks out there, in all kinds of professions, who are using their creativity to solve problems, bring relief, inspire joy, and to generally make the world a better place. I wish you an endless set of circumstances in which you may be creative!
Vicki Sullivan says
What beautiful writing, I have saved bits to quote from. What an articulate writer being able to express with words as well as paint is a valuable skill indeeed and I found it most inspiring
Rick J. Delanty says
Thank you Vicki, very kind of you. I find writing to be very much like painting, based on foundational principles and fundamental elements, but with the potential to be expressed to inspire one’s self and others. I owe much of what I have applied to painting from books, plays, and stories that I have read.
Molly Moore says
Thank you for this uplifting essay! You stated it perfectly! Being and artist and having a creative spirit is a blessing!
Rick J. Delanty says
Thank you Molly, for that. I agree with you, being an artist (in either a professional career, or for a variety of personal reasons) is indeed a blessing and a privilege. It is a way of living life, a lens through which one may view the world in its beautiful state. Everyone can see the terror and the tragedy. It takes a different mindset, heart, and mind to see what sometimes lies beneath, and what blessings may be appreciated in even the mundane and the ordinary, much less the supernatural that is possible to perceive even in this world on a daily basis. Every day I appreciate what I do. I pray that my motives be focused, and the work of my hands be as excellent as I am able to make them.
Christine DAddario says
Thank you for writing and sharing this essay today. I occasionally question my artistic purpose and this was just what I needed to help me stay on track. I will print this and tape it to my studio walls! Be yourself, paint what you love. It is enough.
– Painting the beautiful is of value in our crazy modern world –
Rick J. Delanty says
Thank you for that, Christine. As a practicing artist, you are inspiring others to find that part of themselves that also appreciates Life and is creative. You are “feeding” your own soul, and providing a lens through which you can view the world, concentrating more on the beauty that you discover there, rather than its harsher elements. Most of all, you are passing your gift on, that others may see and feel the appreciation of life itself. Two quotes for you from one of the master painters of art history, Vincent Van Gogh:
“Love many things, for therein lies the true strength, and whosoever loves much performs much, and can accomplish much, and what is done in love is done well.”
“A good painting is equivalent to a good deed.”
Happy painting, Christine!
Tina Swindell says
Thanks for confirming what I forget sometimes and reminding us of our great responsibility and privilege.
Rick J. Delanty says
I agree, Tina, to be a practicing artist is a privilege, and carries with it the responsibility of seeking the deepest within one’s self and working to improve one’s ability, that the message may be expressed most clearly and with the most love. Then will others see in our artworks the beauty that has always been a part of our world.
Rick J. Delanty says
It is enough, Christine, I agree. Sometimes it’s possible to forget, especially at the outset, as we are learning how to use the tools of the trade, that we are unique, that we have something to say that only we can say. As we progress, that will come easier, and that’s what we all look forward to in the enjoyment of art and beauty, in sharing in the world that others see, the way they see it.