On the Cover: Spiritual-Naturalist Artist, Johnny Dame
The Ecology of a Florida Sandhill in Autumn
by Johnny Dame
With my work, I have been blessed with the
ability to fuse together my greatest loves: Nature, Art and Spirituality. Prepared
by my Parents and embellished by my own discoveries, I have arrived at this
revelation: I am a Spiritual Naturalist-Artist. I have always been fascinated
with the mysteries and glories of the sky, the land, the waters and the animals
and plants. I have also been fascinated by the Peoples of this Earth most
sincerely connected to this Earth, particularly the Native Americans, of which
I am Choctaw by heritage.
There is a special energy moving through the
Universe affecting all things animate and inanimate. Having recognized this
movement from an early age, I have dedicated my life to studying and
celebrating it. The Lakota have a name which describes it beautifully: “S’kan,
Taku S’kan S’kan” which translates to “Something in movement, Spiritual
Vitality.” The Christians recognize this as “The Holy Spirit,” the Chinese call
it “Tao,” and most ancient cultures have recognized it and named it as
well. I have chosen to describe it as “The Holy Organic Pattern.”
To recognize this pattern is to recognize the
inter-relationship of all things, and thus I create my art with a desire to
express my appreciation and devotion toward the Spirit of these
inter-relationships. We live in a unique time in the development of this Planet
and the Human Race, and we are faced with enormous tasks of healing the Planet
and providing the necessary resources for sustainability and survival. In
the Native American Wisdom Traditions, it is said that all decisions we make
should take into account the next Seven Generations.
Each and everyone of us holds a piece to this
solution, and each of us have a responsibility to share the particular gifts
and talents we have. It has been said that every time we celebrate beauty, we
advance closer to Heaven. There are many ways to celebrate beauty which include
singing, dancing, painting, writing, praying—the possibilities are infinite. This is the primary principle of the
Essential Renaissance: Celebrate beauty and you are closer to Heaven. Create
beauty and you bring Heaven to Earth.
In his travels through Florida, William
Bartram, the famous Spiritual Naturalist of the 18th Century, often encountered
a Spiritual Condition in the Land that filled him with Spiritual Ecstasy. He
described it as “Elysian” which translates to “Heaven on Earth.” In my travels
and experiences, I have also encountered this Sacred Condition in the Land. It
is from this Blessing that I am inspired and from which I create my Art.
Johnny Dame is available for Commissioned
Paintings and Drawings, Murals, Speaking Engagements and Classroom
Presentations. His email is [email protected].
Visit his website: www.johnnydame.com for
upcoming events. His Instagram page #cypresseagleincludes more and beautiful videos.
Check both out—you’ll be glad you did!