The Power of Visual Art: Becoming Aware of How It Affects You

by | February 17, 2014 | Articles, Visual Artists

image003by Cary Weldy – Note:  This article contains excerpts from Cary Weldy’s upcoming book:  Creating Sacred Space in the Home:  Unveiling the Secrets of the Masters, which is expected to be released by the summer of 2014. _________________________________________________________________

“Paradoxically though it may seem, it is none the less true that life imitates art far more than art imitates life.”

                                                                                       Oscar Wilde

Artwork certainly has a profound influence on your life.  Researcher Roger Ulrich found that gallbladder surgery patients recovered faster and required less pain medication when their rooms had views of trees instead of brick walls from their rooms.  When rooms were painted with landscape scenes, similar benefits were found for heart surgery patients.  Abstract art, on the other hand, resulted in such disturbing results that the experiments to compare art with nature scenes and abstract art were discontinued.1

Taking inventory of your artwork is just as important as taking inventory of your thoughts.  A thorough clearing requires careful inspection and reflection, and looking at each piece from multiple perspectives.

During a time in my life in which I was experiencing major changes, I was ready to make some significant shifts in my home.  I reviewed all of my artwork to see if it was not only representing my life, but also promoting and contributing to my life in an intentional way of creating the life experience I wanted.  It was important to me that the symbolism, mood, emotional energy, meaning, and tone of each piece was something that I wanted to expand in my life by way of creating new realities and experiences.

While taking careful inventory of each art piece, I reflected on a beautiful painting of a ballet dancer.  When I had purchased the art piece in 2008, my heart and intent was to help out with this particular fundraiser in Florida, plus the artwork was an original oil painting.

After sitting with this piece for a minute, I knew fairly quickly that I no longer wanted this artwork.  The young ballerina in the painting looked lonely and forlorn, and her face was hidden.  At the time of purchase, I was single, dealing with issues with being alone, and feeling quite lonely.  What had happened?  Even though my heart was in the right place, I had also purchased the piece because of its intrinsic beauty.  While I am no expert in fine art, the oil painting was done quite well, in my opinion.

At a deeper level, however, I was also resonating energetically and emotionally with this art piece.  The original art piece was indeed beautiful intrinsically, but it also was reflecting pain in my life that I had not quite dealt with:

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     Frequently, people purchase art that resonates with a part of them that needs to be healed on some level, either on the physical, mental, emotional, relationship, psychic, or spiritual level.  Interestingly, the dancer also reflected the artist within me, as I played piano, trumpet, drew art…and today, I design and build interior spaces for clients.

Art will often perpetuate that energy that needs to be released or healed, as though it is a visible sign to our consciousness.  Awareness of what is happening in our lives externally and experientially and relating that to what is happening internally is the key to healing our lives.  Our artwork can provide clues to what is happening, as it provides a sort of mindful awareness in a different way.  With that new awareness, and determined to make a real shift, I ended up donating the piece.

Truly, art does reflect a deeper part of ourselves…aspects that may be hidden, or parts of us that we are afraid to look at more closely.  Sometimes we are not able to see ourselves for who or what we really are, because we get stuck in our ways of thinking, or we often may become disillusioned.

A client has a replica of Jan Verhas’ 1876 salon painting (shown below) entitled “The Broken Flower Pot” in her home .  When I reviewed the artwork in her home, it truly pointed to her desires, wishes, and unresolved issues.  What do you think this painting says about my client’s self-image, her years of suffering from guilt, and her belief that she needs to be punished?

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       These are examples that illustrate how art may reflect what is conscious or subconscious.  There are plenty of examples that show how artwork can reinforce behaviors or repeated experiences.

Let’s suppose we explore this by taking a step further.  Could it be possible that artwork can also create our reality and experiences in life?  Is it conceivable that what is painted as fiction on a canvas, or even the electronic canvas known as television, can result in an actual experience?  The answer, in my opinion, is a resounding yes, and I believe it happens a considerable amount.

How Art Can Create Reality

Our thoughts produce reality.  Artwork is a manifestation of thoughts on the conscious and subconscious level.  When we are exposed to art repeatedly, even in a form as mundane as a television commercial, it will likely have an influence on our thoughts and behavior.  Advertisers know the power of repetitively exposing the masses to particular art forms.

Physician and holistic health guru Deepak Chopra has said that we grow old because we become what we see.  In the movie Silence of the Lambs, the character Hannibal Lecter played by actor Anthony Hopkins divulged the secret to the young and bourgeoning detective Clarisse, that “we become what we see.”

About four years ago, I was visiting North Carolina for a seminar, and had been eating frequently at an Italian restaurant.  Behind one of the booths hung two art pieces, one of which is shown below:

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       When the food arrived, it was hand-delivered by the manager of the restaurant, rather than the waiter or food runner.  Guess what?  The manager looked exactly like the waiter portrayed in the art piece.  Interestingly, the manager was playing the role of manager as well as the food runner.  Could have the artwork actually have created reality from the art piece?

In the movie and book The Secret, John Assaraf tells the story of how his young son dragged out his vision board that John had created a number of years ago.  After glancing at the vision board, he was stunned to see the photo of a large white house in California, because it was the very house that he was living in presently.  He had forgotten about the photo, but had ended up purchasing the exact home in the photo pasted to his vision board!

Proponents of vision boards and followers of the Law of Attraction are adamant about the importance of being very clear and concise with images that you produce.  “Be careful what you wish for, because you may end up getting it” is the popular mantra.  In many cases, this seems to happen…probably far more than we realize.

On March 4, 2001, Fox Television broadcast the pilot episode of “The Lone Gunmen”, a science fiction TV series.  The pilot episode depicted a terrorist plot by the U.S. government to hijack an airliner and fly it into the Word Trade Center.  Despite positive reviews, the ratings for the show dropped, and the series was cancelled after its first season three months later.

Six months later, on September 11, the tragedy actually happened at the World Trade Center in New York City.  Wilde may have been correct, in that life may indeed reflect art.

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     Artwork contains many elements that affect a person’s life, including shape, color, and the concentration of elemental energy, such as water or earth. These factors create energy patterns that send out vibrations, which then affect a person’s relationships, health, and even their finances. For example, a client who had trouble losing weight had many art pieces and figurines depicting overweight people or animals. While she probably thought they were cute and charming, the little figurines were sending a message to her subconscious, and her art was reflecting her hidden thoughts.

Another client who complained of a bland life had mostly black and white artwork throughout his home, or art pieces with very little color or extremely muted colors.  The connection between these elements and their impact is clear.

Even the motion that may be depicted in an art piece can affect what happens in a space. While eating at a restaurant, I observed a number of accidents happening in the same spot, where the waiter and patrons were dropping food and dishes repeatedly.  To no surprise, the painting above the table portrayed a sailboat that was moving into the horizon, but churning mass amounts of water, and therefore movement, toward the spot where the accidents were happening at the dining table.  The overly bright colors in the painting exacerbated the outcome.

Equally important, as an artist creates an art piece, his or her emotional energy and thoughts become imbedded in the artwork.  This energy, either positive or negative, permeates a home and affects the homeowner, much like a room deodorizer or infuser of scents.

The purpose of this article is to teach people to become aware of their artwork, the elements of an art piece that affect the space around it, and the impact that art objects make on their homes and lives.

Considerations for Selecting Artwork

Special considerations should be made when selecting artwork for either yourself or for someone else:

1)      Symbology and Meaning – If there are symbols on a piece of art, then learn about the origin of the symbols.  If there is widespread belief that a particular symbol carries a negative connation, for example, then it probably is best to not purchase and display that work of art.  Why?  Because thoughtforms create entities in the astral plane, which becomes the birthplace for all of creation on the material and physical plane.  The psychic feeding of masses of people who are thinking the same thought, especially with stronger emotion, causes the astral bubbles of thought forms to grow significantly larger.

This phenomenon has been used by people to garner control and sway the masses though psychic energy.  Hitler is one such example who used not only the symbology of the swatzika to manipulate millions of people, he also utilized symbols through movement of how the soldiers saluted in a unique way.  To this day, this symbology still brings up powerful emotional energy to many people around the world.

Essentially, symbols are powerful anchors to the human psyche, and just seeing the symbol evokes powerful thoughts and emotional energy.

Energy masters have known that even though one may not individually attach a relatively universal meaning to a symbol, that symbol can still have a profound influence on one’s life in a similar way.  An interesting example is illustrated by a particular young adult who experienced the immediate, detrimental impact on her life as a result of the symbology of the tattoo she had decided to place on her arm.  In the words of the Pranic healer whose client received a tattoo in 2010:

“A 19-year-old female client, ‘Lucy’ we can call her, came to me for a Pranic Healing session and proudly showed me pictures of a tattoo design of Lord Shiva which she was planning on having tattooed all the way down her left arm from the shoulder past the elbow.  I warned her that tattooing the destructive principle of divine transformation on her body would make her life extremely challenging.  I told her it was likely that everything impure in her life would be brought to the surface for destruction and transformation.  I warned her that Shiva is not just a symbol, but a real, living entity, with thousands of years of the collected devotion and psychic feeding of masses of people.  She ignored my warning and had the tattoo placed on her arm, but in an attempt to “soften” the impact, she had half of Shiva’s body feminized to represent his consort Parvati.  I have never seen the client again, but have heard from her mother, also a regular client, that shortly after that, Lucy lost her boyfriend, her money, her phone, her car, her job, her health, nearly died in the hospital, became an invalid with an I.V. drip for several weeks, was kicked out of the college program she had been in after failing to complete requirements, became totally estranged from her step-father, lost almost all of her friends, and gained a negative reputation around town in bars and clubs where she had worked part-time. The positive side of the transformation has not yet been seen by anyone who knows her.  Her life is a disaster.”

Some may believe that the impact is based on how much power you give the symbol.  This may be somewhat true, but it seems that how widespread a thought or belief is may carry significant weight to an outcome.  This phenomenon is a result of the thoughtform gaining power and force due to the widespread belief of many people feeding that thoughtform.

Finding hidden meanings that are powerful may also be important to the decision-making process of whether or not to acquire artwork that carries specific symbology.  For example, a skull might seem like cool and harmless tattoo, but some of the meanings in cultures worldwide imply mortality, death, and even chance.

The meaning and purpose behind antiques or replicas is an important consideration.  For example, swords, shields, knives, daggers, and other weapons used for fighting and killing may not be the best idea for an entire display wall in the home.  In particular, it is advisable never to have these kinds of relics in a bedroom, as it was in the home depicted in the photo below:

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     There are just too many thoughtforms that are negative around each piece, and the sum total of that negative energy can have a profound influence on someone.  What kind of energy do you want in your room, let alone in your life?

2)      Know the Artist – I believe it is important to know about the artist, if possible.  His or her skill is important, as you may want to have a quality and meaningful piece in your life that will last for many years.  Also, the emotional and psychological state of the artist is important, as these vibrational energies are often carried into the art piece.

3)      Color – The colors that are used in an art piece are important in terms of where the art piece is located in your home or office.  For example, I would suggest having pieces with calmer and more earthy color tones be in the bedroom.  Vibrant colors in an art piece could produce more energy than what you desire for a bedroom.  However, certain vibrant colors could work well in an office, where you may want to bring that energy in that space.

4)      The Artist’s Intention – The intention of the artist around making this piece may also influence your life, as cords, curses, spells, or hexes on an object can be detrimental.  On the other hand, a blessing can be invoked on an art piece that will positively influence a future owner.

5)      Emotional and Psychological State – Other energetic imprints that are absorbed into an object come from the emotions, thoughts, and psychological state of the artist.  I worked with a client who did not enjoy spending time in a particular part of her home.  She said that she felt depressed much of the time in that space.  After reviewing and scanning her art energetically in that particular area of the home, the emotional energy from three specific pieces were darker and more depressed.  The three art pieces were painted beautifully, but they were also dark and depressing.

While I am not suggesting that the art pieces are intrinsically “bad”, per se, it is important to see the relationship between you and the art.  Why?  Because resonance is a law of the Universe, and when two objects get close to each other, resonance starts to occur, where strong patterns of energy coming from one object or person can readily influence another object or person.  Being aware of this phenomenon is critical, and you can begin to understand that sometimes when you feel an emotion, it may not be coming from you.  The source could be from another person or an object around you.  It is very important to be mindful of this effect and its potential impact on you.

6)      Your Intention – It is advisable to understand your intention behind purchasing an art piece.  Purchasing something because you like it or because it is beautiful may not be helpful to you in the long run.  Consideration of some of the factors outlined above can help you bring deeper meaning and purpose in your life, when you design your life with fuller awareness and greater intention.

7)      Energetic Qualities – Before acquiring or purchasing a piece, you may want to have the energetic qualities of the art piece measured by someone who is qualified.  These include the aspects above, as well as other subtle energy fields that may be emanating from it, including cords, curses, or even entities.  We offer this service to clients.

Quantum physics demonstrates that atoms are conscious and respond to even the simple act of observing them.  While it may be difficult to believe, every shape, color, and symbol is communicating with the various dimensions of you.  At the same time, all levels of your being, including physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual bodies, are communicating with the shapes and objects around you.  With art, you can create a more beneficial conversation for better relationships, finances, and health.

Sources

  1. Book:  Green From The Ground Up.  David Johnston and Scott Gibson, p. 54.

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Cary Weldy owns a consulting firm that creates healing and nurturing environments, products, and services for clients.  His first book, “Spiritual Values in the Workplace:  The Soul of Success in the 21st Century” was published in 2012 by Hay House’s Balboa Press, and he is nearing the completion of his second book about how to harmonize a home energetically.  He speaks at workshops, seminars, and conferences around the country regarding the science of energy harmonization and other topics.  Cary also works with autistic children to lower their symptoms using the science of energy harmonization.

For more information, visit www.caryweldy.com.

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