RAISON D'ETRE - STOP!

I discovered this little essay which was written on 22/02/2007, 15:00pm
(It seems as though this battle has raged within me, as far as I can remember)

We are constantly expanding our capacity. We crave new experiences. There is an insatiable drive, urgency and passion, to collect memories, flavors, ideas, friends, objects and possessions.

Gradually we become weary from our incessant searching, toiling and expanding … satisfaction denied.

What drives and motivates us to embrace success and following that, excess? Is it not ultimately our goal to create the ideal circumstances, infrastructure, network and setting or environment, wherein and from where we are comfortably able to create our ultimate work of art, our reason for being?

Is there not a point, perhaps an awareness of when and where we start becoming weary, the critical shift, when we are warned that we have indeed already passed that point?

Do we in fact ever get so far as to clearly identify and then attempt to, or complete that ultimate, unique creation which reflects our true nature?

Are we not so totally overwhelmed with the permutations and temptations of possibility, choices and consequences, that we never reach the ultimate plateau of integrating all of our experience, into a distinctly original blend, which would give each individual his unique aroma and footprint?

When we STOP!  The compounded energy we normally exert to acquire, could internalize and fuel the personal ‘work’ that beckons and awaits us. However, if we do not create, could this force have the potential to destroy us? 

Is there any point in accumulating if we do not eventually internalize?

Are we not as hollow as the books lining our shelves, but that we have no true knowledge of?  The fuller our mansions and passports become, the emptier our souls? What have we really achieved, such restless wanderers always searching and acquiring and never finding or truly possessing?

One’s energy has to be drawn inwards, where it must be allowed to percolate. Time for reflection must be a creative priority. Only then, will each individual be in a position (after correctly calculating from the blend of his uniquely diverse experiences, and his deepest feelings of soul) to wisely report and harness, his innate accumulated wisdom.   

www.aletamichaletos.com
 

   

FACILE PHOTOGRAPHY FUN

I was playing around in my glorious studio and started photographing some objects.
Blissfully it's the time of year when the poppies are blooming in our garden and I always have at least one of them around, to remind me of the miracles of Nature.
In between the joys of painting, I've chosen these 3 images to share with you and to celebrate the happiness I feel when I am able to instantly and effortlessly create.

Photographer:ALETA MICHALETOS 

 Photographer:ALETA MICHALETOS 

Photographer:ALETA MICHALETOS 

www.aletamichaletos.com

'SEEING THE LIGHT'

'Sometimes an artist intuitively and unintentionally becomes the midwife of a little gem. 

I cannot help but admire and respect these adventurers for their bravery and insistence on barging into this world uninvited, in order to gate crash our party.
This is one such little fellow, who saw the light 10 minutes ago....'

Photograph, text, concept: ALETA MICHALETOS

Copyright © 2016 ALETA MICHALETOS, All rights reserved.

2016

www.aletamichaletos.com

ADDED VALUE

My paintings are created with pigment.

I have never even considered the absurd notion that certain paintings could be superior because of the amount, or the specific shade of pigment I may have applied.

Value is added through skill, imagination, thoughtfulness and God given talent.

Therefore any judgement of a human being which is based on their amount of pigment, is far fetched.

If ever you find yourself in a judgemental mood, rather consider the alterable and unique moral and ethical traits of a human being.

The impact of variations in character such as loyalty, love, humility, honesty, patience, responsibility, tolerance, dedication and generosity, have far greater repercussions for the general moral health of the inhabitants of this world. 

These traits can be influenced and developed through nurturing, mentoring and by example.  Rather ask yourself: 'what example am I setting?'

Each human being is a blank slate (tabula rasa) when born (the mind before it receives the impressions gained from experience.The unformed, featureless mind) and his/her specific hue of skin, is merely the variation of a tinted surface on which he/she will paint his/her own character and project his/her unique individuality. 

It does not make sense to judge a work of art by the tint of the canvas, or by it's under painting. 
By carefully observing nature, one is forced to conclude that our Creator does not encourage boredom, neither repetition.... and so let's rather joyfully embrace the endless permutations of humanity and all forms of life which create the dense and magnificent tapestry of our Universe.

- Aleta Michaletos 

www.aletamichaletos.com 

NOT NICE

I feel shattered today...... senseless and unexpected atrocities, have once again, devastated innocent civilians and the world at large.
The brutality is chilling.
I could feel the excruciating pain, as I saw images of the remains of broken bodies trampled like cockroaches and strewn across the road.
I could feel the anguish of parents fleeing the horrific scene, whilst cradling a precious child against their breast. 

I have a daily habit of going for a meditative walk.
I intuitively gather discarded objects that happen to attract my attention and these bits and pieces, I lovingly call my 'Catch of the Day'.

However, on many occasions these little collections, which I intuitively arrange into scenarios, have uncannily predicted or reflected, the Mood of the Day.
Today was no exception.

Photographer: ALETA MICHALETOS

Title: 'NOT NICE'

16 July 2016 

www.aletamichaletos.com

‘EARS ARE FOR KISSING’

‘EARS ARE FOR KISSING’

Aquarelle on paper 

Paris 2007 

90 mm x 140 mm

Whenever I visit Paris, I stay in the Cité Internationale des Arts. I’ve noticed that on all three occasions I’ve been there so far, there has been a definite ‘change of direction’ in my work as far as the subject matter and the technique is concerned. I allow myself the privilege of labeling these pieces, as slightly ‘naughty’!

This ‘shift of focus’ can be ascribed to several factors, all of which exert a direct influence and they are as follows:

1)   Traditionally, I visit the Cité during an icy December/ January, which in itself stretches the modest baggage allowance of 23Kg and hardly allows the luxury of excessive amounts of heavy art material. I make do with my paint box containing aquarelles, an aquarelle pad, pencils, pens, notebooks and camera, with which to satisfy my artistic urges.

2)   There is an entire absence of ‘censorship’ during this period of creative solitude. I have the luxury and freedom to express whatever comes to mind, with the additional bonus of being able to destroy the result, without any explanations. 

3)   Relieved from the many duties I normally perform at home, I am capable of immediate expression of any idea. The direct medium of aquarelle is totally suitable for this very purpose.  At home, I find myself in the situation of mostly working on a ‘backlog’ and often the ‘freshness’ of the idea is compromised.

4)   Paris is the City of Love and one is surrounded by it, day and night! Possibly, living alone for an extended period increases one’s awareness of what you lack and most probably, previously took for granted. It’s understandable that the amount of  ‘kissing’, ‘pouting’, ‘whispering’, ‘stroking’, ‘touching’, caressing and ‘sighing’ that surrounds you, can eventually become rather overwhelming and unsettling! The sight of lovers everywhere transforms you into a unintentional voyeur…… unnerved, as you watch a lover softly brush away the dark locks of his sweet heart and then gently nibble on her delicate, ivory ear…. it sets your heart racing!

5)   And so, literally bombarded with images such as these, you become saturated and need to find creative relief. Infinite varieties of sculptural, organically shaped little ears, resembling sensual shell or floral motives, become the focus of one tiny aquarelle, saturated with erotic emotion and ‘EARS ARE FOR KISSING’ sees the light!

www.aletamichaletos.com

EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE (knowing so much yet understanding so little)

'Ive just returned from a brisk little walk in my neighborhood, where I happened to notice two rather plain (but bright-eyed) grey doves on the tarmac, nodding their little heads at each other & indicating towards the unexpected puddle of water in  front of them.......

I could not help but think how short their life span was and yet, how they had managed to reach such maturity as far as their emotional intelligence was concerned.

They were planning a morning dip into a delightful liquid pool that reflected the blue sky and a few drifting clouds....... whilst elsewhere, in a parallel universe, arrogant, 'intelligent' humans, where planning, plotting and scheming to wipe out or maim their own kind, without ever having had the opportunity to celebrate or share with each other, the gifts of nature.

NO EXCEPTION

I always receive unexpected gifts when I go for my customary walk. Today was no exception.
A car approached me from behind and I braced myself for the anticipated wave of stifling fumes that would temporarily mar my joy in nature.
I could hear stifled giggles through the sealed windows as one young girl next to the resolute male driver and four more girls on the back seat, tossed their hair and bared their teeth as they squealed with laughter.
And then, unexpectedly, I was startled as the car glided past me and I was overwhelmed by an exceptional aroma of sweet perfume.... '