Outside my Comfort Zone – LIFE AS A HUMAN

There is nothing more beautiful, sacred and yet challenging than the art of one’s own soul. The longer I can draw, build and bring forward the images, the more sense I get of lives lived or in progress – my own, their own, the stories I create. Imaginings in life are so important – it is such a beautiful thing to hang on to. Within the drawings are experiences of my internal world, struggles, light, dark, love, joy, confusion, curiosity, the unknowness, and mostly the need to share. There is a certain humility I appreciate and that is what truly grounds me – it’s my sense of peace.

Color continues to be my nemesis as it requires me to step outside my comfort zone. Imagine that – a comfortable artist!! One of many spiritual teachers once wrote: ‘Confusion is the only suffering. Put your confusion on paper, investigate it, and set yourself free.’ I absolutely loved that. Within the drawing process, I become self-investigating and self-witnessing, hopefully becoming a better me. Am I free? Mostly…the other part continues to engage with myself and others in this wonderful ‘life as a human’ and draw the process out. The titles of my work have become as important to me. I take inspiration from my fave poets: Mary Oliver, Khalil Gibran, Federico Lorca amongst many other beautiful dreamers or my own ramblings.

When painting, I cut out phrases and add words, sometimes overpainting them to add information not always visible at first glance….sometimes beauty is in the long-reveal.

‘Lynn Gray’s images are described as fiery ethnic portrait and self-portrait drawings. She feels it is the viewer’s responsibility to complete the drawing through self-reflection and questioning what it means to have and engage in an inclusive community spirit and presence.’

Image Credits

All Images Are © Lynn Gray

Lynn Gray Artist Bio

Lynn is a multi award winning artist (including the prestigious ‘Myfanwy Spencer Pavelic Award’, ‘Best In Show’, ‘Honorable Mentions’, ‘People’s Choice’) whose work is purchased on an international basis. Her fine & visual art background includes an Associate of Arts in Visual Arts through Camosun College (Victoria, BC – Canada) and Bachelor of Fine Arts & Art History courses at the University of Victoria (Victoria, BC – Canada).