| The Artist |
 |
 |
 |
|
I’m John Callahan. My life has had its fair share of ups and downs but I’m the kind of person who at my age, likes to think that each of those experiences was an enriching one. In the 1990s I happened to be visiting the Orient and became fascinated with the cultures there, but especially the concept of a pervasive life energy which the Chinese call “Chi”. It’s root idea relates very closely to that of breath and breathing which intriguingly is also the original meaning of the Latin “spiritus”, the Greek “pneuma”, the Yoga notion of “prana” and the modern Western concept of “vitalism”. These ideas resonated powerfully with me for some reason and only a few years ago when I was 75, something stirred. I began to see images in my dreams which seemed to me to be different aspects of that energy applied sometimes as a pure essence and sometimes to ordinary life experiences. The next thing I knew I was holding a brush in my hand in front of a canvas. The result has been a series of paintings which to varying degrees capture these thoughts. In them, about fifty paintings in all, you’ll experience the love, kindness, beauty and peace that in my view all spring from the spirit and are, by the same token, absorbed back into the spirit. Painting has become a passion. Never a job. Until those images burst forth onto the canvas, I’m restless. I have to get it done. One thing that intrigues me as much as anything is that when the images emerge, they’re dynamic, often changing in extraordinary ways as the light falling upon them changes. If you get the opportunity to see one of my works “in the flesh”, walk past it and you’ll see the image and the experience will undergo interesting changes. I also don’t generally paint for a commission or to order. The orders come from my dreams and waking spiritual moments. Another thing you’ll notice on my work is a very small monogram symbol which always appears in the lower left of corner of the frame. I’m left handed which may also tell you something about me. While generally in the oriental abstract form, people will describe my style as mixed. I’m personally not too concerned with the concept of style but some of my work, according to others, seems to draw inspiration from Joan Miro. Other works feature strong oriental and calligraphic elements. One thing is clear. My paintings will always provide new meanings and insights whenever you revisit them. In fact, I hope you can see what I see, but more importantly I want you to feel the same thing I feel in my paintings. If you do, then you’ll also sense and feel the same calming, peaceful, yet spiritually energetic effect, the more you view my work. It’s the most important aspect of my life and my work.
I'm pleased to announce the launch of my brand new merchandise store! You'll find a generous, tastefully adapted selection of products from household to office, coffee mugs, framed and mounted prints, posters, calendars, greeting cards and yes, even T-shirts! Buying any item is simplicity itself. Just use the online shopping cart and well, you know the routine! New John Callahan Custom Framed Prints
Now you can also buy my paintings as high quality prints on different papers with a huge selection of matting choices, frame choices and glazing options. I've creating sample choices for each of my paintings but please feel free to play around with your own!
|
