Celebrating my 50th year as an artist from the 1993-1996 perspective continues to be perplexing, because it was such a difficult period in my life, and I don’t have much art to show for it. My records show that I participated in several exhibits; Day of the Dead Zodiac, Memory Theater, Boulder Artist Gallery, Craft Design ’90, Colorado Artist Craftsman, both in Boulder, CO and Shamanic Search for Soul, University of Massachusetts. I was studying with some esteemed shamanic elders. During The Next 500 Years festival I hosted several members of the Northern Arapaho tribe. It was an honor to receive my drum made by Eagle Robe.
Eagle Robe and his drum, 1994
In 1994 I started working at The Naropa Institute (now Naropa University). As part of the admissions department I operated the switchboard. You might laugh, but the truth is, I was the hub that facilitated communications. It was wild! I was hired because of the increase in activity for the 25th anniversary celebrations. The focus centered on the Jack Kerouac School of Disembodied Poetics, with original teacher Alan Ginsberg and many others returning for spectacular classes. It was entertaining for me to help him reach a live person by phone, rather than the endless busy lines or voicemail.
Other highlights of working there were some of the art classes I took. continuing my process of accessing imagery through meditative states I benefited greatly by working with Robert Venosa, master of Fantastic Realism, promoted by Salvador Dali. He encouraged me to develop this visionary style. I loved how this expanded my tool kit. This one was published in Shaman’s Drum magazine.
© Kathleen O’Brien, “Pan”, oil painting, 1995
Another great opportunity was to study with Alex Grey, visionary artist. Ever since I stumbled onto his Sacred Mirrors exhibit at the University of Colorado, I was astounded by his mastery of oil painting. In the class he presented several different methods to access imagery through meditations. I was seeing in my mind sacred sites from various perspectives; the pyramids, serpent mound, Newgrange, angels and ravens.
© Kathleen O’Brien, “Angel over the Pyramids and Serpent Mound Vision” ink drawing from Alex Grey’s class, 1995
© Kathleen O’Brien, “Newgrange Vision”, drawing from Alex Grey’s class, 1995
© Kathleen O’Brien, “Raven Vision”, drawing from Alex Grey’s class, 1995
Alex gave us homework, like doing a self-portrait from a mirror and doing a drawing from a dream.
© Kathleen O’Brien, “Self Portrait”, drawing from Alex Grey’s class, 1995
© Kathleen O’Brien, “Pathway Vision”, drawing from Alex Grey’s class, 1995
Since I had been practicing chakra clearing as a Transformational Healer, I was especially interested to draw the chakra poses from models. Each of the seven poses reflected the qualities of the energy center. I drew them in the representative color. this one is the third chakra, seat of personal power, needs and wants.
© Kathleen O’Brien, “3rd Chakra Pose”, drawing from Alex Grey’s class, 1995
Sadly, I lost my father who died on his birthday. He was such a strength for me all my life. I miss him every day of my life. The memory of his full honors ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery lives vividly in my mind, especially the flag folding ritual. Dear Old Dad, my hero.
© Kathleen O’Brien, “For Dad”, oil painting, collage 1995