A Widening
By Katherine Smith
Artist Statement:
“People who sincerely search will touch upon the same truth in every age and culture. The direction is always toward more love and union – in ever widening circles.” – Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM
As we grow in this journey toward larger love and abundant life, our consciousness and awareness begins a beautiful widening outward in expanding circles. The closer we journey towards the center of life, the larger the Holy Mystery we call God becomes until human and the Divine are inseparable and indistinguishable. The arc of life towards freedom and union is always an expansion where every ordinary moment of reality is included. This expansion is committed to deep reflection, active listening, engagement with silence, and an open, discerning heart. It's a posture of our hearts towards life and towards one another. Widening circles awaken our eyes and clear our foggy lens to see that every thing, every tribe, every tongue, every person, every moment is consecrated and thrumming with divine holiness.
About the Artist:
From the westside of Cleveland, OH, I am a graphic artist with a deep desire to communicate universal truths and transformative encounters through creative expression. In my work, I visually utilize a powerful simplicity through graphical forms, bold colors, layering of shapes, and embracing a spirit of play through my art. My creative work seeks to illuminate the interconnectedness and symbiosis of the natural world, all of humanity, and the mystery of the Divine – all in relationship + conversation with one another. Exploring the incarnational beauty of creation and the real presence of the God thrumming through this present, ordinary moment are major themes in my work. My husband and I have four growing, beautiful kids who keep us busy and on the go. We enjoy adventures as a family, camping, exploring our metroparks, hiking the trails, and swimming in the rivers. I’m in progress toward earning a Master of Arts in Catholic Studies from Franciscan University and I hold a BA in Media Computing and Studio Art from University of Mount Union. By day, I’m an art teacher at St. Jude School and we are involved in our local church that we deeply love.