Category: Faculty Gallery

The artworks presented in this gallery are a select four pieces of Lindsey Vance’s (arTestimony) from the God’s and Angel’s collection. These works were created as an introduction to Artistic Alchemy, a creative collection from artists arTestimony and B/ue Robin. We are contemporary artists with two very distinct styles and creative processes, which allows us to complement one another when showing together.

The collection showcases a series of mix-media paintings anchored in spiritual vision with the theme of love and loss. Each artist experienced the loss of their mothers at young ages which has been integral in shaping their art and life missions. This collection elicits an emotional response from viewers and the artists alike with a focus on healing and understanding the divine immersed in love. The duo creates abstract paintings with figurative elements that are alive with color, texture, and glowing elements.

The four pieces selected to share are titled, Ariel: Lioness of God- a piece dedicated to grounding and mindfulness in the healing process (24×36” Oil on Canvas);  Gabriel: Blow Your Horn- a nod to the majesty of music and sounds of healing and my early trumpet playing days (24×30” Acrylic and Mixed Media on Canvas (2 panels)); Chakras Aligned- exploring spirituality and energy and holistic alignment of process, pain, and joy ( Oil on Canvas (4 panels) 24×48”).; and lastly Tribe Healer: Peace Meditation- the raw reflection of the collective and community based healing that have been integral in the growth and healing process for me and those I serve (30 x 30”  Acrylic on Canvas).

I chose these artworks at this time because I believe they speak to the collective healing that our world is seeking as we battle through a global pandemic, a rise in blatant racist attacks, and the trauma of grief and loss that we are not able to process quickly enough. I hope they offer hope, balance, joy and purpose as we reflect during this time of awakening.

Artist’s Statement

These two pieces came about because I was interested in experimenting with fluid painting. At the beginning of this year,  I had the opportunity to take a class on this technique and then bought supplies to continue on my own. 

I immediately relaxed into the playful process of moving the paint without use of a brush and letting cells of color bubble up from layers of paint.  Of letting go and letting the paint move freely with minimal pre-planning.

My art therapy intern and I had intended to create a series of fluid paintings together.  It was to be response art to exciting work we were doing with a pair of students at the special education school where I spent five days of my week for the past eight years, until March 13, 2020.

That plan was put on hold when the pandemic hit. Right now, I don’t know if we will ever revisit our idea for this joint artmaking.  

These are two of the first fluid paintings I created.  When I look at them now, I see a distinct “Before.”  

I made these paintings on March 8, 2020, when I didn’t suspect the impact of a global pandemic.  Quarantine.  Telehealth Art Therapy.  Being separated from loved ones.  My father-in-law dying without anyone holding his hand. Anxiety. Grief.  Uncertainty. Face masks.

These paintings are visual reminder of my life right before this historical stop movement of ordinary life.  Hope sustains that there will be a return to the fun and the lyrical rhythm felt in the moments of letting the paint move on its own.

Acrylic Paint on Canvas