angel-strehlen-artist

[angel-strehlen-artist]

Mothers don’t let your daughters grow up to be artists

Mothers don’t let your daughters grow up to be artists

They’ll probably become like me; irrelevant and poor, constantly insecure, desperate for attention, always facing rejection. My only companions are my talent and the hundreds of pieces of art that will probably end up in the landfill. Because I have avoided the status quo, I have accumulated nothing, and am dear to no one. Suffering is inevitable, and the only choice we have is how we will…

[angel-strehlen-artist]

Death of the Art gallery

Death of the Art gallery

An artist once said to me that art galleries are so 20th century, and there’s no use to show in galleries anymore. “Ronald” 8×10 inches acrylic on canvas board 2022 Like most people, my first exposure to fine art was media, books and magazines. The library was my greatest source of information and inspiration. I marvelled at works by Cezanne, Dali, Picasso, Frida Kahlo, and other masters. Of…

[angel-strehlen-artist]

The artist is a wounded healer

The artist is a wounded healer

Most artists are damaged individuals, arguably more than most. It takes an insight into human suffering to be able to express it, which is the purview of the artist. Michael 21×24 inches acrylic on paper 2022 The artist does not use the prescribed healing methods. Each artist is able to heal through their unique vision. Music, visual art, poetry and literature speak to the soul of he audience,…

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The artist as an outlier

The artist as an outlier

The creation of Art requires a unique point of view. For this reason an artist, by definition, is an outsider. We exist out of the norm to become the objective observer. It seems to be the nature of the artist; we are born this way. I have never felt like part of the scene. I have never been included in typical group events like Family weddings, Christmas, and other celebrations. I usually spend…

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Art is sacrifice

The making of Art is a ritual of sacrifice. Art is an insatiable Master that commands the life of the artist. They must relinquish extraneous activities, and focus their heart and mind, body and soul on the needs of their Ruler. “Three Burkas” by Angel Strehlen, acrylic on canvas 20×20 inches, 1987 An artist must sacrifice what others cling to. Comfort and wealth, romance and love,…

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Art is dangerous

“Young Andy” by Angel Strehlen, 2022, 11×14 inches acrylic on paper Artists are targets Salman Rushdie was stabbed, 30 years after the fatwa was declared. Andy Warhol was shot by a radical feminist. Ai Wei Wei and his father were persecuted by the CCP. Communist and Fascist governments have killed thousands of “dissadent” artists. John Lennon was shot by a religious freak. Dimebag Darrell was…

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The artists' struggle

The artists’ struggle

“Lady Wrestlers” by Angel Strehlen, 2022, 14×18 inches, acrylic on canvas The source of our madness It begins with the instinct to create, as if the artist has no agency, but rather a fundamental need. We are possessed with an urge unlike any other, an itch only art can scratch. “Lady Wrestlers” by Angel Strehlen, 2022, 14×18 inches, acrylic on canvas The struggle begins Next is the search…

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Art is wealth

“Untitled” by Angel Strehlen, 2022, acrylic on canvas, 18×36 inches Art enriches lives, and is the indicator of a healthy society. Civilizations throughout history express their unique culture through the Arts. The more affluent a society, the more the Arts flourish. The twenty first century brings more wealth to more people than ever. Now, the average person buys Art; in fact the music industry…

[angel-strehlen-artist]

Art is metamorphic

Art as therapy The act of making art is well known to be therapeutic. Because art encompasses all human experience, it is a perfect vehicle for self reflection and expression. The greatest artists have an uncontrollable urge to create, in spite of all obstacles. Artists are heroic, tenacious and resourceful. The instinct to make art defies logic. “Ed Hardy and pals” by Angel Strehlen, 2020,…

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Art, reality and illusion

Art, reality and illusion

Reality is defined as the world or the state of things as they actually exist, as opposed to an idealistic or notional idea of them. Illusion is a distortion of the senses, a departure from reality. “Untitled” (detail) by Angel Strehlen, 1984, 12×16 inches, graphite, ink and watercolour on paper Artists invent new realities. In this way, the artist is a God, a Creator of worlds, Bridging the…

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the art of intimacy

the art of intimacy

“Untitled” by Angel Strehlen, 2004, acrylic on canvas, 18×36 inches Intimacy is more than sex, and doesn’t necessarily include it. The most intimate relationship is a meeting of minds, with a heart of emptiness (openness) and awareness (full attention) for the other. Intimacy requires a sensitive intelligence, and a non conceptual view. We can not have intimacy with preconceptions. We can not…

[angel-strehlen-artist]

The Art of Death

The Art of Death

Since the murder of my kitten, Lucky in 1966, I have been morbidly curious about death. In my dark bedroom I imagined laying in a coffin, completely inert, unable to move, no thoughts, feelings, sensations; no sound, smell, taste or light….for eternity. I thought that must be Hell, and this was the source of my claustrophobia and restlessness. “Jay Jay” by Angel Strehlen, 2009, acrylic on canvas…

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The art of being a woman

The art of being a woman

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For the Love of Art

For the Love of Art

acrylic and oil on canvas 16×20 inches 1997 for the Art of Love Love is arguably the most popular subject matter in the Arts. What would Art be without Love in all it’s drama and glory? Nothing feels as good as falling in love and nothing hurts as much as heartbreak. Longing, fantasy and lust fuels the poet. Women are addicted to attention and men are addicted to sex. We see what we desire, and…

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Art is Religion

Religion is Art Without Art, there would be no religion. Throughout history, religions have relied on artists to express theology. So much music, painting, sculpture and architecture exists for religious purposes. Primitive cultures practised animism using visual language and magical thinking to conjure a bountiful and safe hunt, painting bison and other animals on cave walls. Pregnancy and…

[angel-strehlen-artist]

Art is magick

Magic is art Like Art, magick has always intrigued me. When we were young, my cousin and I would dress up and pretend to be witches. We “recited” spells from leather bound tomes, and imagined miracles. When we grew apart, I continued on my own, using a little pocket book called “Everyday Witchcraft”, where I learned little spells and rituals. I studied astrology and tarot cards, psychics and…

[angel-strehlen-artist]

Motherhood