In my view the most extraordinary works of art are those produced by artists who strive to communicate some deeper truth than what is seen by the casual observer. To achieve this remarkable feat they must seek an ideal environment that nurtures their creative potential.

This means, literally and figuratively, they need to find their ideal place in the world. While some artists feel the urgency to continually explore many destinations others have no desire to leave their place of origin.

We may also say where artists choose to live and the thoughts that reside in their minds have as much influence on them as the medium they choose.

Three artists – Gaia Orion, Bren Sibilsky, and Keith Morant – have chosen different locales — both geographically and aesthetically — where they excel in expressing their unique voices, with truth, authenticity and purpose.

Gaia Orion ~ Geometric Forms That Embrace Positive Universal Themes

Gaia Orion  was born in Paris, France. She graduated with honors from Ecole des Beaux Arts as an architect. Although she pursued a fine art career her innate sense of design and education imbue her art with an internal order that complements her artistic innovation.

The artist creates compelling geometric patterns with bold colors. She brings a powerful new contemporary aesthetic to the mandala which has its roots in Hinduism and Buddhism. In part, the generic term “mandala” is used to describe a plan or geometric pattern that represents the cosmos metaphysically or symbolically.

Orion left bustling Paris in order to live in the quiet forest by the river in Ontario, Canada. As she explains, “In the quest to understand myself and life I came to realize that there is a healthy, pristine, naturally intelligent state of living.”

Her tranquil lifestyle choice has positively impacted her art work. She states, “What manifested and is continuing to arise are universal, unifying themes in archetypal, geometric, and colourful oil paintings. The images that have flowered have subsequently assisted my own personal development.”

Orion has also found fulfillment by participating in many worldwide projects that strive for positive change. Her universal themes that embrace love, unity, equality, and harmony have led to numerous international exhibitions and have attracted many awards and collectors.

Global art projects have provided her with opportunities to encounter like-minded people who share her vision. For instance, she participated in Les Arts de l’Eveil (Arts of Awakening), an association from France whose mission is, “to bring beauty, joy and meaning to the lives of people and society”.

She explains, “In sharing the artwork and connecting with others I discovered that these transformational images are part of a larger visionary movement that is active in society today — those of ecology, social justice, conscious politic, alternative economy, and so on.”

To view more of Gaia Orion’s artwork visit http://artbygaia.com

Bren Sibilsky ~ Sculptures That Unify Her with Nature

Bren Sibilsky was born in Green Bay, Wisconsin and moved 35 miles away to Algoma where she lives with her husband. She exudes reverence and gratitude for the land she lives on and her many animals — including her beloved horses.

Completely content to live in a rural community, in a city with slightly more than 3,100 residents, Sibilsky enjoys the solace and inspiration she requires to create art. As she states, “We can find truth in nature.”

A master of sculptural form and classical realism Sibilsky is equally proficient in creating full standing figures, equestrian statues, portraits, and small scale reliefs. Whether she is sculpting a horse or a portrait she relates to her subjects very personally and imbues her art with a poetic sensibility.

Despite spending most of her time in Algoma, the full-time artist has enjoyed an international reputation. She has submitted her art to juried competitions and has received several awards from leading art critics and curators in major cities. She has also attracted many collectors from North America and Europe.

As a leader in the art community Sibilsky is the founder and an instructor at the Algoma Atelier of Sculpture and Art. She enjoys sharing her artistic skills and philosophy with her students.

Sibilsky has created series of mythological figures that includes “Aphrodite”, an idealized figure that symbolizes love, balance, beauty, and femininity. This exquisite work of art exudes an undulating crescendo of power and exaltation.

“Aphrodite” was selected for the “Love” exhibition sponsored by the prestigious National Sculpture Society, in New York, NY. It also won two Manhattan Arts International “Best in Sculpture” awards.

The artist shares her vision: “My artwork is driven from a need to be one with the force of nature and the world in which we live. As a seeker of wisdom, I am powerfully motivated to understand mankind’s place in the universe and the meaning of our existence. I use the myths, legends and stories of mankind, journeying into our inner darkness in search of the blinding light of our truth. Using symbolism and the phenomena of nature, I seek to create beautiful works with lasting and permanent messages.”

To view more of Bren Sibilsky’s artwork visit http://www.brensculpture.com

Keith Morant  ~ Abstract Paintings That Externalize His Journey of Discovery

Born in England, Keith Morant exhibited in London until 1973 when he moved to New Zealand and settled in Christchurch, the largest city in the South Island of this country.

The internationally acclaimed artist always seems to be in constant motion. He has had exhibitions in New York, Miami, Toronto, London, Tokyo, Beijing, Melbourne, Istanbul, Valencia and many parts of Italy, where he has won several awards. In 2013 he received The “Peoples Choice Award” at the International exhibition ‘Little Treasures’ in Bologna, Italy. In 2014 he looks forward to having exhibitions in New Zealand, Nepal, Bologna and Venice.

Morant’s oil and mixed media abstract paintings reflect his persona and vibrate with vibrant color and movement. Armed with a life-long, self-defined “obsession” with drawing and painting and superb classical training, he produces compositions with unique juxtapositions of colors, shapes and symbols.

The artist describes his preoccupation with art this way: “For me, a painting must always be positive and optimistic. It must communicate on a universal level as an uplifting element of nature or fine music. Surprise and elation are all that is worth trying for.”

Important to Morant’s creative process is acquiring a wealth of knowledge and wisdom. “In trying to come to terms with my compulsion to paint I have read deeply on the subjects of art, artists, philosophy, psychology and human creative history in general. It has been my desire to comprehend not only the multi-fold meanings of art, but also, more importantly, the reasoning behind my own innate desire to create.”

He adds, “My art is always a journey of discovery into the essence of being. It is an effort to externalise the truth of my own existence on as many levels as possible and communicate a greater awareness of the quality of life.”

To view more of Keith Morant’s art visit http://www.keithmorant.com

The next time you visit an art exhibition or an artist’s studio or view your own art collection you may want to take time to contemplate the artist’s intentions. You might ask: What do I know about this individual who created this work of art?  What is their origin and source of inspiration? I’m certain the answers will increase your viewing pleasure and appreciation for the art.