Please Allow Me to Introduce Myself

[Luther E. Vann]

Drawing has always been a staple, a gratifying part of my being. It was the first creative act I knew. It is the first effort of a child to express perhaps what it cannot or will not express verbally.
When I start a new canvas I find that I am always apprehensive and shy away. I will only start a painting when I am at a space in my mind, my psyche, then I can give my full attention to the process. If I find that I have too many outside commitments I back off.

I allow my imagination through the act to bring forth the basic ideas of what I hope will be a successful creation. The slight movement of light and color begins slowly. A building process that will be an experience of speaking. Speaking in that particular language of painting.

I become immersed in the spacious present, moving to depict ‘the act’ as I follow my impulses as best I can, especially when they come three and four at a time. I move in and out of many emotions and realities, at times my characters, and I move away from each other as ‘they speak’, ‘move’ on their own. They carry me along.

It has been my personal experience that as I allow the painting to speak I become lost, it is delicious and at the same time frightening the best ones, to me, have a life of their own. At the end of each phase I am spent and wide open. The heart and soul of the work come to the surface.

The work can, and will find its own expression over all. Be it sad or joyful, or a sublime moment of deep meditation. My love for what I do comes when I look back at a work and can not tell how I got there…

Painting is a blessing and a gift. To me a way for me to express my love and my hope for this planet with all of its ugliness and beauty and my part in it. For truly the universe is my home. One.

--Luther E. Vann

[Kimmy Van Kooten]

Congratulations and Good Luck with all your endeavors, Luther...
I love how you expressed this statement, I couldn't of said it better myself! When I set out to draw, like you, the moment has to come to me...it is then, when the home of the soul curls up for a great picture show! :)

I enjoyed learning more about you and surfing your site! I commend your efforts. It's a touch road traveling with a pen and a brush...
Love and Peace~
Kimmy~

[Michael Guy]

what a beautiful and accurate statement of the artisitc process moving in you as you paint, draw... "...love for what I do comes when I look backat a work and can not tell how I got there..."
Wow can I vibe with that statment. After twenty or so years of attempting "instant composition" at my keyboards, I usually end up at the same observation. Joyously, yet frightfully since part of me wants to recreate it again exactly (in music often people want you to do that!) Yet, so impossible with some compositions that I feel I never have a repretoire. Luckily, Live and God has seen to it (with my help) that I'm somewhat an isolated "guy" and rarely does anyone ever bother me to perform much (tragically I suppose)
I am going now to view your gallery and like your ideas on the creative process.
more to you! michael...

[Mitzi Kay Jackson]

Peace brother, I feel you
nice to meet you :)