Pathways to Creativity:
The Journey Towards Authenticity
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DARKNESS TRIPTICH
Artist: Dana Cohen
Materials: Tempera Paint
These paintings were created shortly after I was seriously injured. I was in physical pain and wrestling with many intense emotions. Each painting records a different stage of my healing journey - the beginning,, the facing, and the celebration, as I transformed my pain and fear into hope and acceptance.
DARKNESS I
I began this painting with shades of black and gray. A dark circle appeared and a graceful figure emerged in the center. Since my injury I had not felt very graceful, so I was surprised to see this lithe figure. As I painted, the grays slowly retreated and the colors of my family began to evolve. Shades of blue, orange, and purple encompass the figure as it explores the darkness.
DARKNESS II
I decided to peer deeper into the black lines that had surrounded the form in Darkness I. A black grid appeared: it was my pain and fear. Deep, dark colors began to fill the grid squares, but from somewhere within, colorful flowers began to push through the grid, fighting to overshadow the darkness. As I sat with my image, I could hear Guillermo's voice encouraging me to step inside one of the darkest squares. With great trepidation I entered, and "Darkness III" evolved.
DARKNESS III
Within the tiny dark square were many other darker grids. What was this painting telling me? I stayed with the process, painting an image and then reflecting on what I had done. A transformation was occurring as I looked further into each square. I could see subtleties in the colors and patterns within. The square in the painting was not just a dark space. In my mind's eye, flowers and colors began emerging. The subtleties suggested new directions, and I responded by painting them. Images slowly appeared. To my surprise, I unveiled bright, colorful, hopeful flowers within the darkness. As this dance, this dialogue, continued between me and my images, I began to further accept where I had been. I began to feel that it was okay to move on, that I could get through this dark time and move forward once again.
DANA COHN
Autobiographical Statement
Over my several years as a NEATI student, I have repeatedly experienced the powers of the creative process. Through art-making, I have deepened my capacity to reclaim my past, to acknowledge my shadows, and to celebrate my passions. Creating images has been an act of remembrance. It has guided me to know more deeply who I am and what makes my heart sing. I am always touched by a sunrise - autumn mountains - an Irish setter - a rainy day - a field of sunflowers - a cello's song - a cappella voices in harmony - a rising mist - the smell of basil - the ocean from the bluffs - a glacier lake - black-eyed susans - Ebbets field - pastels - a child.