Maya Just Maya, Jenna von Benedikt & Mary van den Berk – International Art Exhibition

2014 International Art Exhibition – Artist Portfolio Magaine

Mary van den Berk – Woollahra, Australia

I have come to art after a career in social work.  I am interested in visually depicting existence and memory, capturing “an essence” which might be a milestone, a memory or a transition.

I can create a personalised work of art which celebrates a special event or milestone in your life – a wedding, a christening, Bar Mitzvah, Bat Mitzvah, graduation or significant birthday.

I also create “Tribute Art” which focuses on providing a commemoration, remembrance  or tribute of a person, a pet, a place or an event.  Your descriptive material – photos or other possessions, everyday objects,  heirloom and verse which hold significance – can be transformed into art works. My work is collaborative, helping individuals and families to mark significant events in their lives by the creation of works of art.  Each art work is unique and personalised. I can also run groups over a period of weeks to help individuals create their own Tribute Art. portfolio: tribute art

A work of art can be kept for one’s own enjoyment, or given as a gift. It is a unique and permanent celebration of a special event or person.  It is part of being human to mark milestones and transitions physically and symbolically.

I developed a passion for Tribute Art as a consequence of caring for my brother Ged when he was terminally ill and we had lengthy discussions about what it meant to leave a legacy. Tribute art has provided a means of  transforming grief into art.

Jenna von Benedikt – Santaquin, UT

Nature—up close—often manifests herself in the form of abstracted landscapes, textures, and patterns, and are integral influences in my art, including my faith and spiritual education; many of my personal beliefs have distilled from time spent outdoors.

My pieces frequently have a dividing line or lines of some kind, perhaps a reminder that we are only temporarily enjoying this “landscape” and that we will continue on to another. Having been born in England & lived on another continent during my childhood and teenage yrs., I think about man’s connection with his natural surroundings, as well as how often they change- we live in an extremely transient world.The decision to emigrate was such a pivotal event and changed the course of many things in my life. My faith teaches that we lived a life before this one and that we chose to be here for our experience and learning- what I see as movement and energy vs. moments of quiet for the soul, something I try to translate through my work.

Divisions define nature and life. Chaos and calm. Solitude and intimacy. Life & death. I’m reminded there will always be opposing forces to contend with—the choices we make literally and figuratively divide and create the ‘landscapes’ we physically and spiritually live in. To understand and respect nature is to better understand ourselves.

Maya Just Maya – South Orange, NJ

Art is a portal through which I engage the complexity of the world and journey into the depths of my inner experience. I integrate an educational background in Fine Art Illustration and Gender Theory, along with my spiritual practices, to explore the layers of self-identity and delve into the realm of the collective unconscious, or spirit world, in search of higher truths. My creative process is also a psychological process towards self-realization. Dreamwork and meditation enrich the imagery and uniqueness of my work and guide my artistic vision.

Making art is a catalyst for transformative growth, through which I deepen my understanding of the cycles of life, death, and renewed life. With a distinct feminist perspective, I examine social concerns, spiritual issues, and the expression of the divine feminine. I explore how modern women channel mythical archetypes and become empowered through a connection with animal spirits and nature. Having grown up in the northwoods of Minnesota, I cherish the power of nature to nurture the spirit and open the heart. I work with a variety of media, but my main passions are oil painting and multi-media drawing. My paintings are dynamic and bold with a fearless use of color, and my artwork has a sculptural quality with great attention to detail that supports the intensity of the message.

In the great adventure of life, I pursue myriad creative disciplines: I am a dedicated visual artist, art educator, performance artist, martial artist, pianist, poet, activist, and world traveler. My greatest fulfillment is teaching art to my high school students and igniting their creativity. It is magic to observe someone transforming in front of your very eyes, and an honor to play a role in that journey. Art is a powerful tool for change. Art inspires us to feel deeper, see differently, and ultimately has the power to elevate our souls to a spiritual level.
I wish for my paintings to be visions of healing and joy.
My creative voice is personal, political, spiritual, and magical.