The inspiration behind the Ascending series of paintings
I believe if we all make an effort to use our influence and help uplift the world with our intention, our prayers, sharing our knowledge, our art and our actions, we can make a difference.
In these turbulent times I would like to share with you my more spiritual pieces, and also the influence behind them. In my mind, the purpose of art is to help uplift one's fellows. The paintings here are each about one's ascending and improving. Becoming more themselves spiritually. We cannot do that alone. We are all part of the larger family known as mankind.
Growing up I was influenced by my mother, who practiced Buddhism. Though I never really took to chanting, I was very impressed with the concepts of the ten realms.
The ten realms, sometimes referred to as the ten worlds, are part of the belief of some forms of Buddhism that there are 240 conditions of life which sentient beings are subject to, and which they experience from moment to moment.
I feel these Buddhist concepts influence my art, as they are part of who I am. I was also greatly influenced by my father, Artist Joe Mallin.
I wonder if I ever would have been inclined to pick up a paint brush, had it not been for my father's artistic influence. And tied into this, from my parents I learned just how devastating racism is. They taught us kids not to tolerate racism.
My father was an airman in World War II. He had to hide the fact that he was Jewish, and they gave him an alias for his dog tags to wear on mission.
Of course, my upbringing greatly influenced these paintings. And I tried to incorporate my passion and appreciation for all the cultures of earth in my paintings.
And also, they were strongly influenced by the concept of "The Eight Dynamics " from the Book. "Fundamentals of Thought" by L. Ron Hubbard.
Tying into this is the common sense guide to better living, The Way Happiness Book.
The painting HUMAN CARTOON was very strongly influenced by this book. While also incorporating the concept of the 8 dynamics.
I recently re-studied the book The Way to Happiness. I love that it is a non religious guide. I felt uplifted, comforted, and actually could see how it could help improve my world and the larger world around me, just by practicing or attempting to practice the precepts in that book.
As I studied the precepts I could see I have many of them in use as second nature, but also that I need to work on others. It is a beautiful book.
I believe if we all make an effort to use our influence and help uplift the world with our intention, our prayers, sharing our knowledge, our art and our actions, we can make a difference.
And that is what these paintings are all about.
With all my love, Kathy. Artist