There Is Another Way

While I was meditating, I had a vision of the turmoil man has created in the world. I saw our planet with a large wound oozing blood. I realized that even though we have a constant flow of information flooding over us from all sources and an endless supply of “experts” and politicians offering all manner of opinions, we seem to get nowhere. The wound just keeps oozing. This is because the solution is in our hearts not our brains or our egos. I was shown that the energies from above are 100 times stronger than ever before. Strong emotions, like fear and hate, are being forced to the surface to be seen and have their consequences exposed. Healing can only come through love and nurturing, which are needed now more than ever. This is humanity’s lesson in the macrocosm and microcosm. We first need to see how this struggle plays out in each of us in order to change it. The problem is not “those people” out there. The work must begin within our own hearts and then radiate outward to others. We can only make the world better by practicing understanding and kindness in our own lives first. If we each look within and make the necessary changes within ourselves, the rest will take care of itself.

Art of the Heart in Anaheim - Artist Reception 2/8/14

by

Richard Buntin

Art Director

Saturday evening was clear and crisp for the Anaheim Art Walk.   Early birds in sweaters and light jackets began strolling on the Center Street Promenade, where 2 blocks had been closed to automotive traffic, even before the Art Walk officially began at 6pm.  Several dozen illuminated, white canopied booths and food trucks lined both sides of the street offering an interesting variety of art, crafts and cuisine in addition to the open stores and restaurants which also beckoned the crowd.

 Down a short passageway between high-rise buildings at the western end of the booths were two special attractions of the Art Walk, Museo and the CIM Group Gallery.  The Museo generously waived the admission fee to its exhibits of photography and local history for the evening.  The CIM Group Gallery featured a solo exhibit of the work of fusionartist Rickey Hoefnagel, “Visions of the Inner Landscape.”  A steady stream of visitors paraded through the Gallery for several hours to meet the artist and view the 22 original paintings adorning the walls and available for purchase.  The atmosphere was welcoming and tasteful, from the balloon-festooned entrance to the beautiful flowers, refreshments and background music all courtesy of the CIM Group Gallery staff.  The vivid colors and dramatic compositions of the art acted as a catalyst for the lively, elevated ambience throughout the evening.  Many of the guests could be seen smiling, expressing surprise that they felt so energized and moved as they lingered and conversed in front of the canvasses.

Drawn into deeper contemplation of the paintings, some wondered what the inspiration was for this unusual uplifting art.  Some of the titles – “Celebrate Life” “Color Me Free” “Love of Peace” “New Vision” - offered hints.  Hoefnagel states that she would like to offer a ray of hope in a world that often appears addicted to chronic conflict and violence.  Her paintings point to the possibility of a world of radiant joy.  By exposing her soul on canvas, she invites each of us to explore the powerful visions of our inner landscapes and express them in ways that help bring forth a happier, more harmonious world.  In the words of the artist, “I have come to understand more deeply that the love we have for anybody or anything is what keeps our inner life alive and provides us with a sense of purpose in life. That is what brings inner wealth, and nothing is more important than to let out the love within us.  Be the mirror of your own radiant soul.”

The exhibit is open to the public from 9am-6pm daily through April 30^th at CIM Group Gallery, 184 W Center Street Promenade in Anaheim. 

 

 

  
 
 
 

Some of my Favorites

Here is a collection of 10 of my favorite paintings with brief comments about them.

Dream

I began this painting fascinated by the color red. As I played with it on the canvas, I felt energized and happy. I became lost in the bright colors of red, orange and yellow. Gradually I could see the contours of a feminine figure take shape on the canvas. I felt the passionate strength of the figure’s heart, free and fully open to the dynamic flow of life, looking heavenward for inspiration, unafraid to dream great dreams.

At the Portal

This painting was inspired by Rassouli’s first Open Studio evening. I felt so at home in the creative loving energy of the evening that I began painting the following morning to express the pure joy I was feeling. In this realm of the soul we are swept up in blue waves of peace and harmony, dancing jubilantly in the love and abundant blessings showered from the robe of the divine feminine. The spirit is renewed in this sanctuary from separateness, flourishing in the community of loving beings whose journey has brought them home. At the Portal is rich in color and the blessing of meeting others in the flowing spirit and creative power of love.

Spiritual Alchemy

Over breakfast at a 3 day Fusionart retreat a few of us had a fascinating conversation about the development of a modern creation myth. This ignited my imagination and I began reworking an old canvas I had brought with me. Letting the music take me away, I became immersed in imagery of primordial life forms evolving and gradually emerging from darkness to become transformed over eons of time into enlightened human beings. A feeling of awe came over me as I painted, and I bowed inwardly to the Source, eternally creating on an infinitely vast scale far beyond our comprehension.

Divine Love

I painted Divine Love shortly after returning from a brief stay in the hospital. I was filled with a feeling of gratitude and a vision of loving beings arriving at a divine grove of peace and beauty. The painting was on exhibit at a local gallery when a woman came into the gallery. She returned to the painting over and over. She said that when she looked at the painting, she “felt chills” and became “choked up.” Someone very close to her had just died and she was making preparations for the funeral. She had made a heart connection with this painting, which for her was a personally meaningful expression of what she was feeling for her departed loved one. She bought the painting, and I was happy to know that she had made such a deep connection with it.

Cycle of the Soul

This painting is an expression of the intangible reality of souls vibrating in a higher realm. A feeling of oneness and reverence came over me as I was immersed in a vision of the soul circling the Light just as the planets revolve around the sun. The unseen force of gravity guides each planet in its orbit, and the invisible power of the Light propels the soul through space and time. The soul sheds density and darkness when it returns to the Light of Truth after each human experience. The Light of Love acts like a vortex that inevitably draws the soul back to itself. Drawn to the Light, the soul becomes more and more transparent by mirroring the Light. Throughout untold lifetimes, the soul expands by surrendering to the Light until it finally realizes that it is the Light.

Expansion



This painting emerged out of a strong feeling of compassion for humanity. The arms remain outstretched to heaven in the midst of darkness as blossoming light illuminates the path to the divine. Embracing the mystery of darkness enables us to expand into the light of love.

Serendipity



On the second morning of a 3 day retreat I was filled with creative energy after the demonstration. I couldn’t wait to get to my easel. In my eagerness to begin painting, I accidentally tipped over my jar of red paint, spilling it over part of the canvas and onto the floor. It looked like a crime scene where a bloody murder had taken place. This was definitely the death of any expectations I had about what I would paint. Fortunately the universe had a better plan. The “accident” actually increased my concentration as I was determined to resurrect the canvas. I began by adding yellow to soften the red into orange. I played with the color until a figure gradually began to emerge. There was a magical synergy in the studio. I felt that the creative energy of the other artists was feeding me as I was feeding them. I stayed connected to the painting even while we were dancing to the music in front of our easels. Spilling the red paint was actually a great blessing. Rather than bemoaning the accident, I decided to literally “go with the flow”. This is what can happen when we let go of resistance to the present moment.

Connection



I entered a meditative state in which I was experiencing a feeling of enchantment and romance. Automatically I began applying the colors I was seeing with swirling brushstrokes. I had no preconceived idea of what I would paint. I was just immersed in the process. Our hearts and bodies recognize and desire the joy of intimate connection. At the same time we realize that the bliss of union goes far beyond the passion of lovemaking. Deeper than physical romance is the romance of the soul in which lovers climb the stairway of eternity trusting in divine guidance and protection. This work reflects the universal ecstasy of surrendering to love. The union of opposites in the oneness of love envelops all forms. It is love which ultimately unites body and spirit, temporal and eternal, sacred and profane, in its ubiquitous embrace.

Inner Landscape

I love to explore the mystery of the inner universe, and I am fascinated by the ways different realities intersect, connect, overlap and fuse together. When I entered a meditative state to begin this painting, a strong sense of mystery came over me. I felt like I was given a glimpse of another dimension I had never seen before, and yet it was familiar. The painting that resulted is an expression of that simultaneous feeling of mystery and recognition.

Blissful Encounter



When the mind lets go and becomes silent, the spirit can ascend to realms of exquisite beauty and higher levels of being. As I began this painting, the music awakened such happiness in me that I easily let go of illusory difficulties and became drawn to warm, soft colors. Absorbed in creative play, I will paint for hours in a meditative state with no sense of time. During this period I had a deep feeling of visiting a realm of tenderness and joy. I felt humbled and grateful to have entered a refined region of the soul where celestial entities radiate bliss and glow with the warmth of unconditional love. The entities move freely without limitation and separation as they playfully melt into each other and the surrounding space. This experience soothed and refreshed my heart.

Demonstrating Fusionart in the Inland Empire

Last Wednesday afternoon, November 9th, I was invited to do a paid demonstration at the Hemet Valley Art Association, attended by 40-50 members and fellow artists. This was my first demonstration in front of a large group, and I had no idea what to expect. Since the audience was unfamiliar with Fusionart, Richard and I agreed that he would give a few introductory remarks to prepare them for what they were about to see. This allowed me to focus on painting and stay in my creative zone. He began by showing them two of my earlier oil paintings (a realistic still life and an impressionist seascape) we had brought along to illustrate my evolution as an artist. He then showed them a piece I had recently finished. They seemed impressed because it established in their minds that I can paint well in traditional styles they are accustomed to, and helped them to understand that I had become a Fusionartist because it opened the door for me to paint fully from my heart and express my spirit with complete freedom. After some brief comments on the uniqueness and relevance of Fusionart and its insight into the nature of creativity, Richard started the music on my portable ipod dock and I began to paint.

Within five minutes we could feel the energy shift as the room became silent, focused on what I was doing as the painting emerged. I was applying paint with rags, paper towels, brushes from Home Depot and my fingers as many Fusionartists do. This was new to a lot of the members of the audience, and gave them a sense of the spontaneous nature of Fusionart. There was a coffee break after 45 minutes or so because the canvas had become too wet for me to continue. During the break, I was able to talk informally with a number of people. Their comments were all positive. There were appreciative remarks about the freedom of expression. Several audience members were attracted by the synchronicity of the music and painting, which was apparently new to them. Others sensed the spiritual overtones of the work, and were drawn to that. One woman even sang part of the song “Stairway to the Stars” to me because that is what came to her when she looked at my painting. I was also asked to judge a competition (another first for me) in which members of the association submitted their work. After the break, I worked mainly with brushes on greater detail for another half hour or so. Throughout the demonstration, I could hear cameras clicking as people recorded the progress on the canvas. I was pleased that I was able to stay in my creative zone even with all those people watching. A number of people told me how happy they were to be exposed to something new, some even found the demonstration “thrilling.”

There has been much positive fallout for Fusionart in general and me in particular. There have been 5 articles in the local press about my exhibit at the Banning Center for the Arts as well as this demonstration. There were 2 articles in the largest local newspaper, the Press Enterprise. A few days ago, to my amazement, I even received a letter from our California State Senator, Bill Emerson, (I had no idea who he was) congratulating me for being featured in the Press Enterprise and commending me for my “outstanding talent and commitment to the community”. More important for me is that 4 people signed up for the 3hr workshop on Fusionart painting I will lead in my home at the beginning of December. (4 is the maximum I can handle at one time). All in all, I have thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity to expose more people to Fusionart as a “satellite” in the Inland Empire.

Finished demonstration painting, Cycle of the Soul, 30" x 24"

-Rickey

Join Me!

I hope you will be able to join me at the Banning Center for the Arts on October 22nd for the Artist Reception of my current exhibit (see flyer). Fall is starting out with a bang. New possibilities and opportunities are popping up. Movement, positive change is in the air. The world is sick of being stuck. The cries for a whole new approach are getting louder. People have had it. We are now more and more connected electronically, but less and less connected emotionally. The constant bombardment of information, mostly unnecessary, and nonstop busyness is destroying our inner stillness. We are more than extensions of our machines, more than puppets for politicians and corporations to manipulate. We need to find a way back to ourselves. That path home leads through our hearts, where our real strength lies. When we lose our connection with our inner selves, we lose our connection with each other as well. We are no longer whole; we have lost our inner compass, our sense of the deeper meaning and value of life. We need to turn down the volume of our minds until we can hear our unique inner voices, the source of our creativity and connection with the universe. Let’s learn to live our lives by surrounding ourselves with whatever we have created out of love. If it is in your heart to paint, for instance, soaring colors will bring you more joy than another techno toy. As more and more people rediscover their creativity and find the courage to express their truth to each other in whatever medium, the planet will begin to come back into balance and the downward spiral will be reversed. True transformation can then take place. My mission as a Fusionartist is to live my life creatively and to share my heart, my soul and my imagination with others through the fusion of painting. We can all become Fusionartists by simply keeping our hearts open, realizing that creativity is our essence, and letting it shine through whatever we do. Join me!

-Rickey Hoefnagel

Studio in the Stars

Impressions of the First Rassouli Open Studio
by
Richard Buntin

Rassouli’s first Open Studio evening for Fusionartists was an event my wife Rickey and I had been eagerly looking forward to since receiving our “e-vite” 10 days ago. An invitation to Rassouli’s studio is a rare honor. The occasion was described simply as a “friendly gathering of Fusionartists to have fun and sharing.” The Rassoulis’ home and his separate studio are a secluded sanctuary, tucked away on a hillside high above the bustling San Fernando Valley. Walking up the long driveway one enters a world where beauty, love and joy not only survive but thrive. Protected by throngs of towering trees that give the impression of a sacred grove, it is deeply enchanting and peaceful. The love of beauty, spiritual sensitivity and the refined enjoyment of life are apparent in every detail, from the architecture, which flawlessly fuses Middle Eastern and Mediterranean elements, to the ancient statues and Italian Cypress surrounding the circular driveway to the mosaic tiles of the swimming pool. In short, it is the ideal soil for creativity to flourish.

We were among the first to arrive shortly after 6pm. The light, spacious, self-contained studio is a seamless synthesis of beautiful design and practical function. As we crossed the threshold, a powerful energy was palpable. It seemed to emanate not only from the large easel standing in the center of the room under a skylight, but also from the breathtaking paintings covering every wall. It is a cathedral of creative power. A table displayed an enticing array of delicious cheese, fruit, crackers and slices of cake. Bottles of wine and other beverages were lined up on the counter behind the table. The atmosphere was very warm and welcoming in the Middle Eastern tradition of gracious hospitality. The tempo of the evening became livelier as about two dozen guests eventually arrived, primarily members of the Fusionart community. The room constantly hummed with the rising buzz of conversation and outbursts of laughter. The intoxication from the energy in the studio was much stronger than any effects of alcohol. It is so liberating, and so creatively stimulating, to be in an environment where it is safe to be open and loving.

Around 9pm, I would guess, we all began migrating spontaneously to the large patio between the kitchen of the house and the dense vegetation on the hillside. A huge shade tree stands in the middle of the patio. We arranged our chairs in a large circle underneath it, enjoying the mild night air. A harpist, Karen, had come to play for us. She is a colleague of Gitty, Rassouli’s wife, who uses the harp as a form of therapy. Listening to the heavenly chords, we floated up through the thick branches and lacy leaves into the moonlit sky. Our reverie was interrupted, however, by the delivery of several large pizzas, which were surprisingly light and tasty. During the pizza break, Rassouli asked me if I would recite some poetry. With Karen softly strumming her harp, I read by candlelight a rendition I had written of a Rumi Divan. Felix followed with one of his poems. Rassouli then shared with us an invocation poem by Hafiz, which he read twice in English and once in Farsi. As the beauty of Hafiz’ words penetrated our hearts, in my imagination the evening had magically transformed itself into a gathering of Sufis around a campfire in the desert, guarded by an army of angels winking at us from the endless canopy of stars.

When I looked at my watch, the time had flown by, and it was already 11:30. Much as we would have liked to stay with the Rassoulis till the wee hours, as some may well have done, we had a long drive home and it was time to say good night. When I thanked Gitty, who had been such an extraordinary, attentive hostess, she told me that my face was glittering while I was reading. I assumed she was using poetic language, or perhaps she was able to see my aura. When we arrived home, I noticed tiny specs of sparkle dust embedded in Rickey’s face, and I realized that what Gitty had said was literally true. I can still see a few flecks on Rickey after several days even though she has washed her face regularly. We have no idea when or how it happened. It remains a charming mystery, and perhaps a material symbol of the evening.

All in all, it was a heart-filling, soul-satisfying evening, which certainly served to strengthen the sense of friendship and community among the Fusionartists who attended. In addition, for artists like Rickey who are very sensitive to energy, simply being physically present and absorbing the energy of Rassouli’s studio for several hours has been very valuable. I already see new growth in her as an artist.

Magic in the Mountains

Impressions of a Fusionart Retreat
May 20-22, 2011
by
Fusionartist Rickey Hoefnagel
as told to
Richard Buntin

That familiar feeling, a mixture of excitement, longing and anticipation, grew as we wound our way through the San Bernardino Mountains along the Rim of the World Highway to the Pali Mountain Retreat and Conference Center for a 3 day Fusionart Retreat led by Rassouli, the internationally acclaimed visionary artist and founder of Fusionart. I knew that this would be another extraordinary weekend of painting and poetry, music and dancing, talking and laughing around the campfire and over meals.
A cool breeze and clear sunshine kissed our cheeks as we stepped out of the car. We breathed in the crisp, fresh air. Surrounded by the timeless strength and beauty of the fir and pine trees, with vistas of mountains as far as the eye could see, the serenity of this spot was a perfect backdrop for creative magic to occur.

The two dozen participants arrived by late Friday afternoon. A large, light room in a rustic building with wooden decks overlooking the forest had been converted into our studio. The walls held our energy, while the sights and sounds of Nature flowed freely through the open doors and windows. Everyone gathered in the studio for the first time, sitting in a circle on folding chairs. Rassouli began by introducing what sounded like a contradiction: creation is destruction. He explained that nobody creates anything. Creativity is the process of destroying whatever is blocking our creative energy. When we destroy, surrender, let go of these obstacles, the innate wellspring of creative energy we all have overflows naturally and effortlessly from the heart, free of the limitations and attachments of the ego, in a state that is playful and powerful simultaneously. Rassouli then asked that each of us say something about why we had come. As we went around the circle, I felt an expansive, loving energy infuse the studio as if to bless our retreat.

Eating meals together around a large dining room table is one of the ways we get to know each other, create friendships and maintain our connection throughout the retreat. The flow of conversation frequently shifts from the profound to the hilarious. This is also true of the gatherings around the fire pit on the patio behind the dining hall after dinner. Friday night was chilly, and we were grateful for the blazing fire. We watched the sky slowly progress into night’s mystery as the sun set over the mountains. The group was invited to share, and several people read their poetry. Others offered stories about how their experience as Fusionartists had added a whole new perspective and purpose to their lives.

Rassouli gave an assignment for those of us who chose to return to the studio and paint that evening: destroy your canvas and in the process release any negative emotions you may have brought with you to the retreat. Kelly described the creative chaos that followed: “…we splashed paint in every which way, with every color, with brushes, rags, fingers, and even elbows, while dancing wildly to salsa music.” Gary, who had been experiencing a very frustrating conflict at work, attacked his canvas furiously. The thick, bright red spattered across his black canvas, accentuated by embedded objects, perfectly expressed his anger.

Laura, on the other hand, had less emotional baggage to unpack. Although she had never painted before, she found herself painting until 4am. Her friends urged her to stop and go to bed, but she was having so much fun and had become so involved with her canvas that she couldn’t stop. My experience was much the same. When the music began it awakened such happiness in me that I easily let go of illusory difficulties and became drawn to warm, soft colors. Absorbed in creative play, I will paint for hours in a meditative state with no sense of time. During this period I had a deep feeling of a Blissful Encounter
with beings in a realm of love and beauty that soothed and refreshed my soul.


I couldn’t wait to get back to my easel the next morning because I kept seeing a particular shade of blue/green, accompanied by a silent cry from within. After a riveting, impromptu demonstration by Rassouli, I began my second canvas listening to the soaring music of Kitaro. When I realized I was not sure how to go further, I became aware that Rassouli was standing behind me. I told him that I was feeling stuck, and he simply said that I could develop more contrast by adding a darker color. In doing this, I noticed a figure begin to appear with arms outstretched. I realized that the cry I felt was one of compassion for all those struggling to create a better world by Reaching Higher.


While taking a break, my eye was drawn to the subtle tones of blue on Bebe’s canvas surrounding a central figure perhaps entering a dimension of intense light. She had had a breakthrough in painting Destruction Precedes Renewal which she explained this way: “I was painting gleefully when Rassouli suggested I do something completely foolish – like throwing black paint all over the canvas. That’s when my symbolic renewal started.” This is how Rassouli guides the energy throughout the retreat. He does it intuitively and immediately in the moment. He does not give instruction per se, but he helps us to trust ourselves enough to let go and release our own creative power. He senses what each artist needs, and often it is the opposite of what the artist thinks he or she needs.

One of the most wonderful aspects of Fusionart retreats is the way the group bonds and the energy builds throughout the weekend. The music played continuously during the painting sessions is carefully chosen by Rassouli to take Fusionartists beyond the rational mind and open the heart. People respond spontaneously to the contagious joy of the music. Late Saturday afternoon, StellaMaris, who had been painting quietly near me, unexpectedly began singing so sweetly in her native Spanish that I thought I was hearing an enchanting angel. Her sister, Graciela, joined in the song. This awakened the Cuban blood in Felix, who started dancing with Graciela. Others swayed gently in front of their easels as they continued to paint, while some of us clapped in unison to the music. As Graciela said, “We completely surrendered to our space.” She was referring to both the inner and the outer space, which had become one.

Since the mission of Fusionart is to enhance creativity in all aspects of life, Rassouli enjoys bringing creative synergy to Fusionart retreats. We were privileged to have Kelly Sullivan Walden, the “dream doctor”, join us as a retreat participant and share with us her expertise and passion in dream work. Kelly spoke to us of the great value in the mystery of our dreams, particularly the “scary” ones, and the ways we can use our dreams to grow and reach our full potential as human beings. She explained how, among the Native American Iroquois and the aboriginal Senoi of Malaysia, individual dreams are often considered to affect the tribe as a whole. They may indicate a future direction, or they may present a challenge. To the extent that the dreamer is able to understand, accept and resolve the issue portrayed in the dream with the help of the tribe, this will benefit the entire tribe. Saturday evening Kelly led the group in a “dream theatre,” which is essentially a conscious reenactment of a dream. John bravely volunteered a disturbing dream which was reenacted, in an improvised fashion, by other Fusionartists he chose. I played the sun. This was a powerful experience for many in the group, and John found it helpful

Over breakfast Sunday a few of us had a fascinating conversation with Rassouli about the modern creation myth he is developing. This ignited my imagination and I began reworking an old canvas I had brought with me. Letting the music take me away again, I became immersed in imagery of primordial life forms evolving and gradually emerging from darkness to become transformed over eons of time into enlightened human beings. A feeling of awe came over me as I painted, and I bowed inwardly to the Source, eternally creating on an infinitely vast scale far beyond our comprehension. I titled this painting, Spiritual Alchemy.

Although we never discussed it, alchemy is also present in Carole’s vision of a journey which inspired her painting, Fusion Heart. She described the dramatic climax of the journey: “He (Rassouli) offered us a gift. It was the gift of alchemy. I saw a copper pot with rainbows of color and light inside. In the rhythm of unity of one heart we each dipped into the pot and began covering ourselves and the walls of the dark chambers with a vibrant prismatic light. The heart – Our Fusion Heart - became like a diamond of light and we became the rays of light shining into the universe.”

Usually the last activity is to review the works produced at the retreat. They often reveal tremendous artistic growth, even over the 3 day period. Each artist is encouraged to discuss the feeling process motivating the painting rather than technique. The rest of the group and Rassouli then offer comments on the feeling of the pieces. The atmosphere is very positive and supportive, which makes for a satisfying and fun finale.

The retreat is also a catalyst for deeper self understanding. StellaMaris’ experience reminded her of Santiago’s quest in The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho: “Every moment had a golden quality for me...It was like finding your personal legend.” Sylvia wrote this about what the retreat meant for her: “Realizing that the lightness of being is to merge with that love that creates all life, and only through innocent playfulness can this amazing energy exchange flow. It is that simple indeed. I wonder why I often so stubbornly try to block it since all that I want is experiencing this love… Being able to share vulnerability in such a safe and caring environment brings an awareness of unity with all that is.” A Fusionart retreat is about much more than painting. It provides us with a practical experience of the way creative energy can transform individuals and build communities. It teaches us that our lives truly can be beautiful, joyous and free.