I wanted to introduce myself since I just joined the group. My name is Marco, and I just joined the community. I'm excited and a little nervous. I have trouble describing who I am and what I do sometimes, but I'll do my best. I was raised in Southern CA and have worked in technology all my adult life. Despite my best efforts, a 'normal' life has eluded me. Along the way I discovered 'urban' shamanism but more importantly, the freedom of thinking associated with shamanism.
It is said that when one awakens it is impossible to go back to sleep. At least, that's what I felt like was happening. I started to fall out of love with that 'normal' life I referred to earlier, I saw the materialist/capitalist treadmill as a kind of self-imposed prison we subject ourselves to. I have been, literally, unable to rest since. This way and that, my consciousnesses goes, reaching out one way and then the other.
And that's my story, or at least the background.
About my art....
I've always loved stained glass, ever since I made a cellophane-and-cardboard window in 3rd grade. Years later while living in San Francisco, I attended four weeks' worth of a workshop at a local glass shop which turned out to be all I could get before having to move back to Southern CA. I had acquired much of the material for working projects but never found the time or place to. Along the way, I experienced that shift in focus I mentioned earlier and that's where it all came to realization.
In a shamanic context, the role (of the shaman) is to be the light between the star or Sun and the observer, the channel of the Universe' infinite, benevolent energy. That is why glass seemed like such a natural choice for a medium. No other medium has that quality, or demonstrate it in such a way. Also, in a shamanic context, glass represents a fusion of the elements and Man. Glass is also an ancient material and has been in use for about as long as metals have been in use.
Finally, the third aspect of my art is that of Sustainability and Repurposing. In the Western world, or at least specifically in 'my world' of California, I feel like we live in abundance, if not excess. One might think that is ludicrous, since there is so much obvious poverty and homelessness in LA and San Francisco. That's not what I mean, however. Those are society's standards, which are fickle and predatory.
The basis for my art is that the best way to glorify God is to emulate Nature. Nature is perfect, so emulating it as best as possible, the example of the trees, flowers and creatures, is to do God the highest honor. It's what I always think about when I read the Sermon on the Mount, and the passage about the lilies in the field.
Taking the waste and refuse that society has deemed worthless, then bringing it back to life as a piece of art is, in my opinion, the ultimate act of subversion and the triumph of the Divine over the profane and ordinary.
I call my creations "Yarts" and they aren't what you expect when you think 'stained glass'. I integrate shapes and textures as much as I integrate emotions and thoughts. Yarts tell stories and they love to listen. They have personality and demeanor.
I'm still getting to know the site and the community, so I apologize if there's information I'm leaving out. It doesn't look as tho there is much room to display work that's not on sale, so I invite you take a look at my Facebook artist page for The Backyartist. The URL is www.facebook.com/Backyartist
Thank you for your time and patience. Blessed be!
-M-
