When I was a boy I also used to create radically vibrant landscapes with crayons, and cover it all up with black crayola. Then I would take my fingernail and scratch out my name, so 'Greg' broke through the blackness like a bold rainbow. A great metaphor for my life, from facilitating seminars, scratching out the vibrant beauty of people's connections, to inspiring others. Its ALL art, including my work with people, to photographing nature, to traditional media. And now, expanding this art form through the digital medium afforded by iPad apps. I took up working with acrylics about 20 years ago, then switched to pastels because I fell in love with the way the pigment sparkled. I relished the feel of paint and canvas meeting like a communion on my fingers. The 'purist' in me says this is 'true art', and iPad art isn't 'real'. The artist in me says that art cannot be contained in a box.
Like the Creator, all of life is seeking expression, and there are no limits. True art leaps off the page and becomes something more than the artist can even imagine. If it transcends image, and becomes something felt within, THAT is art. That is heART.
I don't do this to make a living. I do this to live my life. This is my practice of getting out of the way and letting the creator express through me. I don't do it often enough, which reminds me how important it is for me to keep trying. So I paint. If it makes my eyes dance, I'm painting it. It makes my heart sing to see vibrant pink tones singing out of a black background, or an orange flower emerging from turquoise clouds. It heals me, and gives nourishment to my soul. And if that happens, if my heart opens, nothing can come from that but more love. That's all I'm after here. I hope the love that flows through me and onto these pages do the same for you.
Greg Turiya Liotta
Greg Liotta joined Pixels.com Licensing on December 28th, 2013.
