Like most parents, the passing of a child always seems so unfair and perplexing to me. From my perspective, it is an event in life which requires much more resilience from the family than our limited human comprehension can offer. I am encouraged and inspired by my good friends, Darin and Shannon White, who despite their loss one year ago, have committed to move forward. They have chosen to cherish the memories, celebrate the life, and work through their anger and frailty by leaning on something bigger than themselves. For these two, and their daughter Noel, their healing comes not by understanding the reason why, but by embracing the experience… They lean on something bigger than themselves, they lean on Life.

Creativity is abundant in the White home. It is a place filled with art, music, poetry, and song. And although one may not categorize every piece as joyful or gay, each piece is beautiful. Each artistic expression reveals an honest truth about life. Each speaks of weakness and strength, fear and hope, life and loss, and most importantly the necessity for love.

Beauty for Ashes…
The process of healing is different for each individual; for the Whites the process has actually taken on a physical form. An amazing portfolio of artwork has emerged as a byproduct of their healing process. This portfolio has become an arresting amalgam of works that push the viewer to find Peace through the process and hope through the trials and tears. To me, their work serves as a reminder that life is expressed through the living of it and that relationships are the greatest gifts we each have to offer.

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I want to close this article by expressing my gratitude for Caden, and to thank him for the gift he entrusted us with… Caden, through your life, which included your battle with cancer, we are reminded of the joy and life each day holds despite our circumstance. You are a brave man with the heart of a Lion and the gentleness of a dove. Thank you for sharing your short well lived life with us. Congratulations on your promotion from this earth to a greater life beyond.

Caden & Family Visit My Art Gallery

Darin and Shannon White are the founders of the regional Kansas artists’ group and organization: b.a.l.m. (Beauty Art and Life Movement) whose goal is to provide a forum that centers around art and friendship, where everyone’s contribution and creativity are valued.

www.DarinWhite.com

www.ShannonWhite.com

www.HavaStudios.com

www.BeautyArtandLifeMovement.org

www.CadenWhite.com

When most people in America think of motorsports we think of racing. (After all man has been racing machines since the invention of the wheel.) We think of drag racing, Nascar, Motorcross, etc. We think of sports which require one competitor to beat others to the finish line. The key goal being that one goes faster, or navigates quicker. However, I am intrigued by an emerging array of what I view are more “artistic” forms of motorsports.

The specific motorsport I am exploring here today is the “sport” (art form) of Drifting. The key techniques of drifting have been developing in Japan for decades. However, it is just in the last several years that the motorsport has gained truly global appeal. In my opinion, it is one of a few emerging phenomenons which are ushering in a new artistic expression in motorsports.

Now, if you are not familiar with Drifting, you might be asking, “What makes this sport such an artistic expression versus racing?” My explanation would be that drifting is to auto racing what figure skating is to speed skating. In competitions judges give each competitor points and they are judged much the same way figure skaters are judged. The whole sport is more about style, technique, and precision of execution than it is about the time clock or the finish line. To me this seems to be a much more subjective and artistic approach to excellence which I find fascinating.

Now please do not misunderstand me, I am certainly not saying that I think drifting is better than racing. What I am saying is that I think it is an intriguing change in our global culture, a milestone we should be aware of. The exacting movements, grace, and amazing control required to drift have captivated a global audience. To me, this says something about humanity’s desire to conquer and tame our creations. It is as though we have some inner driving desire to wield them in a composed, elegant, and flamboyant, way. (Yes, the “driving desire” pun was intentional.)

Here are a couple of YouTube videos I think you will find interesting. Once you check them out, let me know what you think. Is this an artistic expression, or just a very successful marketing ploy by the tire manufacturers?

The show opening was a blast! What an amazing array of talent. I really feel honored to be in this show alongside such talent. With 90 pieces by 49 artists spanning 18 states plus Puerto Rico, patrons were sure to find something they enjoyed. This was my first show opening at the Signs of Life gallery in Lawrence, KS. I hope it is my first of many to come. The vision Clay Belcher and his team at Signs of Life have for the art space is exciting and if this show is any indication, it is a hit!

We kicked off the show by swinging sledge hammers and axes at an interactive collaborative piece created by BALM and Rex Hausmann. This was quite the scene with a hundred people or more huddled around. It was a sea of cameras and smiles as people cheered on participants who swung heavy hand tools at the white wall filled with white goodies. With Rex and his contagious personality at the helm, soon everyone was in a festive mood. It was a real pleasure for me to see Rex again. His bubbling personality has a unique way of drawing others in, and his crazy fun-filled wall crushing experience reminded me that art IS for the masses and it can be a lot of fun! I am so glad that Darin White and the entire BALM group put the time and energy into making Rex’s interactive collaborative piece possible.

The evening continued with browsing and conversation. There was such an array of art that it was an experience trying to take it all in. With great hors d’oeuvres, great people and great art, the evening was truly a success. My piece, What is Pure, seemed to draw attention as patrons traveled around and experienced the other art. It was a real pleasure to watch patrons circle my sculpture and wonder what was going through their minds. Of course, I also had an opportunity to meet other talented artists which is always a pleasure as well.

Now, don’t think for a moment that I was only there to hobnob. I also did a little shopping of my own. I fell in love with a piece by K Hawkom Thomas entitled Emergence. Before I left Kansas I had purchased the piece and now I am in negotiations with my wife as to where it will hang it in our home once the White Show comes to a close. Of course, I am not sure when the piece will return home with me as there are currently talks of the White Show traveling to San Antonio, and then possibly on to New York City or Chicago.

One observation I have made is that we, as humanity, are all generative in nature. We create structures, offspring, poetry, waste, crops, etc. Anywhere you find life, you find creativity. With that in mind I would vantage to say that we create as a byproduct of life. Like CO2 is a byproduct of breathing, art is a byproduct of living. And while some may be more deliberate in their pursuit of creativity, we all still create.

I also believe that each person’s own perspective on purpose and faith come into play within this dialogue. I tend to subscribe to the old adage that an apple doesn’t fall far from the tree. It is my personal belief that we, as man, were created by a single God with intentionality. With that perspective, I believe that it is within our DNA to create. (Of course, that is simply my own view which makes up a single brush stroke within the painting of humanity.)

The one thing I do know for sure is that it is beyond my ability to avoid creativity. I find myself daydreaming about sculptures, paintings, custom cars, new furniture designs, lighting solutions, and more. Every napkin is a doorway into another dimension of thought and all I need to walk through it is a drawing utensil. I believe that many of you can relate. My hope is that we all continue to explore creativity and art. For whatever the reason, it is a driving desire that helps define us as humanity. Let’s Keep Creating!

The idea for this show actually started in my gallery, Blazon Studio, some time ago. I had a piece by Dennis Brown in my gallery which I thoroughly enjoyed. The piece is completely white, and is made up of 19 layers of cold press type board. Dennis cut each board a different shape and layered them one on top of the other. I loved the way the piece used only light and shadow to create form and it made me think, “What if every piece in the gallery were white?”. At that time, I was also showing Darin and Shannon White’s work in my gallery and I talked to them about planing a white show around Christmas time. Alas, I was forced to close the gallery a few months later and we never had an opportunity to host the show. Now, I am very glad that BALM and Signs of Life are carrying out the idea by hosting this up-coming show. (By the way, the piece by Dennis Brown which sparked the idea will be in the White Show as well.)

I can’t wait to meet the wide variety of contemporary artists that will be in attendance and enjoy the art together. It is always a pleasure to be around people who have a passion and appreciation for art. It will be a sea of white art… should be fun. (I even have my eye on a piece I may purchase while there.)

I find the exploration of modern art forms really fascinating and parkour is no exception. The beauty and efficiency of motion is truly expressed in this emerging art form. Parkour really began in the 80s, with David Belle of France being credited as the founding father of the art/sport. The movement was building in Europe for some time until the films Jump London and the sequel Jump Britain gave this art form a global stage. Now you can find parkour and its spin-off, “free running,” groups in every major urban landscape. I find the fluid movement, as well as the sheer stamina required, inspiring. Like street dance, this form of creative movement has a gritty, raw feel which I find refreshingly authentic.

In its purest form, the philosophy of parkour is about moving through your environment with the utmost efficiency of movement and energy. Many have called this movement an extreme sport, others consider it a form of acrobatic training, and even a few purists embrace it as a religion. Whatever your take is on it, I think you will find it beautiful.

Check out this Youtube video which features some of the best moves of David Belle. (Of course you can find thousands of others online.)