beverly decker

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Visual Meditation / Abstract Calligraphy

With the Thought of

 Peace, Love, Joy, Compassion

Gratitude Series

Artist Statement

Beverly Decker

My recent artwork is titled, 'Visual Meditation / Abstract Calligraphy'. This theme has been ongoing throughout my career as an artist.  It is inspired by over 40 years study of Eastern and Western Philosophy and Spirituality

I consider my work as a meditative, spiritual practice.   Philosophically, I feel that everything is spiritual and therefore making art is a spiritual experience, literally, a visual meditation.  I choose the Buddhist practice ‘With the thought of …’, because it is so universal.

Handwriting, considered drawing in many cultures, expresses the movement of the paintings. Visually repeating the theme over and over in all directions. 

The words in the paintings, books and prints are the words of the Buddhist practice:

o    ‘With the thought of peace (love, joy, compassion) let me contemplate the world and may this peace (love, joy, compassion) extend to it’s four horizons and with peace (love, joy, compassion) increasing beyond measure let me encompass the whole cosmos up to its very confines.”

  Each quality is repeated separately.  I put them together here to simplify.  I write these words over and over, on top of each other, layers of words and colors.  These paintings are not meant to be read.  The finished image is a non-objective design created by the process.  

Some other images used are, the Cosmos, the Milky Way and the Earth seen from space.  Joseph Campbell called this image of the earth from space, the Icon of our time, representing all of the qualities: joy, love peace, and compassion. Birds flying on a wave, inspired by Hokasai, representing joy.  Mandalas representing peace and compassion. Birds in flight representing Joy. Each of the images was chosen as a symbol of each of the qualities I am expressing in the writing.  Peace, compassion, love, joy.

The mediums used are oil, acrylic, solar plates, mono prints, and mixed media. Glazing, iridescent, metallic, interference and luminescent. Complementary color contrasts are consistent throughout the work.  Using pure color and neutralized color transparent and opaque, warm and cool, combined to give a sense of rhythm and movement.

The combination of abstract calligraphy and transparent layers of translucent colors creates a vibratory field of the elements- line, shape, color, texture, value, space, rhythm and movement - as well as- earth, water, fire and air.  

             There are changes in the perception of color when viewed in different light.  Light, reflecting, illuminating, light of space and movement creating an impression of luminous interconnected unity.

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Short Biography           

Beverly Decker combines careers as both an artist, and an educator.  Beverly is an art instructor for California State University Channel Islands. Beverly received a Bachelor of Arts degree from California State University at Long Beach, and a Master of Fine Arts Degree from the University of Arizona. One of the founding members of Women Beyond Borders, Beverly’s work is exhibited and is in private collections throughout the World.

For more information you can visit her website at:

www.beverlydecker.com

www.faculty.csuci.edu/beverly.decker/

Or email:

beverlyd@cox.net

beverly.decker@csuci.edu