Featured April, 2025
ARTIST SPEAKS INTRODUCTION:
Let me introduce myself. My name is Arlene Ashack. I’m the founder and director of Anawim Arts. Anawim Arts, as you know, is about the integration of art and spirituality, and claiming your creativity. I fit with that because I’m a painter and lover of art. I’m also a spiritual director. I’ve been in many different roles in my life and the thread of creativity has run through all of them. Having this opportunity to talk about my art, the process of it, and its effect, is a gift. I think in this moment of history, art, creativity and beauty are needed so badly to counteract all the violence and chaos.
In this series of ARTIST SPEAKS, each one has been given a set of questions to help guide them.
- DOES WHERE YOU ARE FROM, AFFECT YOUR ART?
I’ve lived in different places from Chicagoland, to Arizona, to California, to Canada. I’ve travelled the world extensively. I suppose being exposed to the diversity of beauty and culture around the world has affected my art. A truer statement though is my art comes from within, tapping into the the flow of energy that enlivens everything. I suppose I could say my art is an expression of my soul, of my spirituality. I don’t impose an image. I pick up a pencil, put it to paper, and let it lead me. The process of art is remarkable in that it takes me beyond myself.
2. WHO ARE YOUR BIGGEST ARTISTIC INFLUENCERS?
Way back when I was studying I was absolutely drawn to the abstract artists. They showed us another way of perceiving, and broke down so many barriers. They opened us to another realm that took us beyond the obvious. I was very impacted by Georgia O’Keefe because of the sensuality she incorporated in her art. Her work has so much quiet energy exuding from it. Also, the most recent impact has been Makoto Fujimura, founder of the Fujimura Institute, because of his integration of art, faith, and beauty.
3. WHAT DREW YOU TO YOUR FAVORITE MEDIUM?
I’m a painter and oil painting is my favorite medium. It has a very sensuous feel to it. I draw, I’ve done watercolor, sculpture and clay. All good experiences. None though, gave me the freedom of oil paint. I get caught up in the feel and flow of it. There’s something about putting a canvas together that eases me into the process of painting. When I paint I’m taken to a different realm. Putting the canvas together is a helpful transition.
4. WHERE DO YOU FIND YOUR INSPIRATION?
Everywhere!…most recently, my interest is from Quantum Theory to the Japanese concepts of Wabi-Sabi and Kintsugi. I mentioned Makoto Fujimura earlier whose book ART AND FAITH defines those concepts so beautifully. Wabi-Sabi refers to finding beauty in the ordinary. Kinsugi is adding beauty to brokenness. That way of perceiving, and also understanding everything as quantumly entangled, allows me to see differently. On my walks on the prairie path a simple branch or leaf on the ground can inspire me because of the patterns in everything. Even finding a cicada ended up as a painting. It’s always a surprise where the next inspiration comes from.
5. HOW DOES YOUR WORK EFFECT SOCIETAL ISSUES?
I think my work indirectly effects societal issues because it’s an example of a different way of perceiving. Also, a visual statement is often more impactful than a written one. If my work reflects hope, peace and beauty, entanglement, it is an alternative view to what’s occurring in the world. It can help uplift culture rather than speaking to a specific issue. Hopefully, if the work can model a change in the way of seeing things and the impact others, it might allow the viewers to see differently.
6. HOW DO YOU COLLABORATE WITH OTHER ARTISTS?
Collaboration with other artists is helped these days with technology. Zoom can allow us to be with other artists anywhere in the world. There are so many books available also sharing the artists thoughts, process, and work itself. I would have to say though, that rather than collaborating with other artists directly, I surround myself with creative people. Recognizing creativity expressed in so many ways and on so many different levels certainly feeds my own creativity and stretches me.
7. ENDING
Let me end by quoting Rick Ruben, the guru of artists:
He says, “The real work of the artist is a way of being in the world.”
I understand that as meaning “Dare to Dream”, and let the creativity flow.