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.

[Show as slideshow]

 

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 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.)