My work has changed greatly over the years. During high school and college, my subject matter was reactionary to the injustices of life. I focused mainly on the pain and hurt that we experience in life. In 2003, I began a transformation which inspired me to show the viewer the beauty of life around them, rather than the dark aspects of life. I began to want the viewer to acknowledge that negativity exists, but also know that there is much more to life. This shift in viewpoint can be a tremendous catalyst for the transformation of a healthy mind, body, and spirit.
I began to focus on this concept of transformation with each of my pieces. On a surface level, each piece began to represent the natural changes of the depicted life form. On a deeper level, each of these beautiful organisms represents a transformation of the self. I began this theme with my piece Transform and Be Free, which I completed in December 2003. The painting symbolizes transformation of the self from someone who lives in darkness, to someone who lives confidently in the light of the world. Like the caterpillar, encased in its dark cocoon, transforms into the beautifully butterfly.
Since 2003, I have gone through more transformations and taken these thoughts further. In addition to the previous statement about myself and my art, I have much more to say. My mission in my life and my art is more developed.
The focus of my art is love and the transformative healing it brings. I desire to show people that life is beautiful, if they choose for it to be. Reality is based upon our perception of what life is. You can choose to look at life with love as beautiful, or you can choose to look at it with anxiety as harmful. Choose to love (accept) what you resist. For what you resist, persists. Love is the creative force, and therefore, love is the root of life.
I am seeking to inspire others to spread love and healing of all life. To do this, we must start with ourselves. We are the caretakers of the Earth. The health of the Earth is dependant on our health. We are so wrapped up in the dramas of our daily lives, that we loose the bigger picture: none of our lives will exist if we don’t care for our home . . . Earth. If we continue to act in self-destructive ways, we will destroy this home. To avoid doing so, we need to change our attitude towards all life as a loving one. Then we can create healing and new life.
No one person can do this on his or her own, and no one person should try to accomplish it for selfish purposes. This healing must be done by the world community, and for the good of that community. With each person that changes their perception to one of love, we increase our chances to heal our lives and our planet. We must learn to coexist with all our neighbors, whatever the race or species.
To begin, you can heal yourself (and all life) by looking within. The answers you seek are within your spirit. Everyone and everything has a spirit and we are all energetically connected in live and love. What we do to ourselves, also affects our human, animal, and plant neighbors. Act out of love towards yourself and others, and you will receive love in return. It all begins with you.
Let the joys of life grow within you, and then spread to the world around you . . . as a flower grows under the light of the sun, spreads its seeds across the land, and creates more beauty for all.
If we all have the attitude that one person can’t make a difference and do nothing, nothing will get gone. But if we all try to make a difference, surely some of us will succeed. Take action!
I have books available at http://stores.lulu.com/thehoelstudio
Jessica Hoel
