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January/February 2009 Cover Artist
Painting Worlds Beyond

by Orna Ben-Shoshan

As an auto-deduct artist, my work is not attached to any particular location or time frame, and it's free from any familiar set of rules. It is a medium of transferring knowledge about things that are beyond linear time and thinking.

My sources of inspiration are memories from alternate states of existence. In a meditative state, I tune in and can see glimpses of information that originate from there.

My painting process starts with a clear vision of a location, a situation, a process, an experience or a ritual that exists somewhere in time-space. I ask my consciousness to send me a vision, and then wait. During a routine activity, a picture may suddenly appear in my mind, clear and vivid. Once the visualization process is complete, painting the picture is simply a technical task.

Can you imagine life without limitations, where the mind is so powerful that it can control matter? Released from the bounds of gravity, the objects in my paintings move freely in space. No normal feet are necessary, just a pair of cones that allow bouncing from one point to another.

Angelic figures perform duties for which they were created. Their faces are innocent and pure, their existence is lucid - they can appear from nowhere, quietly do what they were called for and disappear.

The process of energetic cleansing is present in many of my visions. Ongoing rituals of rejuvenation are performed by entities in order to maintain vitality and free flow of energy.

Though there is a lot of activity and development in my paintings, the overall sensation they create is peacefulness and reconciliation.

Orna Ben-Shoshan, who created The Great Bean Project on the cover of New Connexion, has exhibited in museums and galleries throughout America and abroad, and won several awards. Her art has been published in magazines in Israel and the U.S. Visit www.ben-shoshan.com.