Artist Statement

From childhood, I have experienced intense dreams and moments when I would see auras, energies and spirit beings. My artwork is a process that helps me hold onto these experiences and even understand them more. I still seek out these experiences in my spiritual and healing pursuits and continue to explore this hidden world in my art. My hope in creating this art is that the viewers are able to connect with the imagery and maybe awaken and stir their own inner vision of this reality.

When I begin a piece I think about how I will express the energy and ecstasy of the experience. I go back to the moment in my mind and note the feelings I have of it, what did I see, how did the energy move? I like to work in wet into wet with watercolor as it adds a sense of not being in total control of the process, which is similar to how I feel about my experience, not being in total control. Themes I explore in my work include the spirit beings I encounter, my experiences of energies and symbolism.

My most recent series of work explores ecstatic moments I have experienced. Trance Man and Utterance are both part of this series. Expressing the feelings I have when reaching out with my being and touching the world and layers of reality around me. This grew from my Monolith series, which, like old standing stones carved with a story, stand radiating it’s story/energy out into the world around it. My new explorations are in focusing mainly on the energy itself and offering only glimpses back into everyday reality. Completely turning the perspective around. Moving, swirling, layered energy with the hint of something trying to come through within it.

Artist Resumé

Education

1988-1992 Painting – Grand Valley State University

1988-1992 Anthropology – Grand Valley State University

1985-1987 Illustration – Kendall School of Art and Design

Solo Exhibitions

1998 New Work, Benoit Gallery, Greenfield, MA

1999 Dreams, Front Porch Gallery, Putney, VT

Group Exhibitions

2009   Dreamscapes, Cleveland, OH

2008   Agora 3, Columbus, OH

2004   Homo Macho Show, Nashoba Institute, MA

1992   West Michigan Fine Arts Competition, Lowell, MI

1991   Student Show, Allendale MI

1990   Professor’s Choice Show, Allendale, MI

Bibliography

Author/editor, “Works by West Hardin,” CreamDrops, An Art and Literary Journal for gay Men, February 2006: pages.

Published works

“Reiki and Magic”, PagaNet News, Imbolg 2005, Vol. XIII, Issue 3

Spot art various articles, Enchanté, Journal for the Urban Pagan, New York, NY 1993-1995

Spot art various articles, Circle Network News, Mount Horeb, WI, Spring and Fall issues, 1993

Amaranthus, Art and Literature Magazine, Allendale MI, 1990-1991

Current Employment

Print Production Manager, Carson-Dellosa Publishing, Columbus, OH

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