Choose Love
My approach for this project was to utilize abstract expression through shapes and lines to convey the teachings I learned from Kai Cheng Thom’s presentation at CBRC Summit 2021. After attending Kai Cheng’s presentation, I was so uplifted that I got some interesting visions and ideas in my mind, and all I could think about was shapes and lines! I completed this project using a thrifty DIY punk rock method, using unconventional painting tools (NO brushes!) and entry-level mediums and canvases (some of them re-painted over, so I didn’t spend extra money…)” -SD
“Choose Love” – Series of 6 art pieces created from Kai Cheng Thom’s presentation:
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Conflicts
Acrylic, watercolour, oil pastel.
Signifies the “conflict triangle.” The layers of triangles represent the multiple conflicts we experience inside ourselves and with others as we go about our day to day lives.
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The 2 keys
Acrylic, oil pastel.
2 circles intersecting, to represent conflict de-escalation and resolution happening in the middle (blue). One circle symbolizes compassion (and self-compassion) and one circle symbolizes curiosity.
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The healing spiral
Acrylic.
Symbolic to the process of post-traumatic growth. The top half of the painting represents pleasure (pink abstract) and the bottom half represents pain (black/darkness). The blue spiral shows the process of going through the depths of pain, in order to move upwards towards the feeling of pleasure once again, and personal healing.
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Selfhood
Acrylic.
Represents the multiple layers of a human being – human sacredness (center), inner self, shadow, and mask. Remember to try to notice the best self of the other person (and yourself too!).
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Choosing love at the end of the world
Acrylic.
Signifies space and time. The black circle represents the end of the world. The lotus flower represents peace, compassion, and love, and that choosing love in the end is the path to nirvana.
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The soul nerve
Oil pastel, markers, colour pencils, glue, acrylic.
The vagus nerve (soul nerve) connects to our parasympathetic system which includes our brain, heart, lungs, and stomach. Since the vagus nerve is linked to the major organs inside our bodies, it’s important for keeping us moving and grooving, happy and healthy. Therefore, it is the soul nerve that is the key to wellness. Always be mindful of the soul nerve!
About the Creator
Stephen Dash
Stephen is a Metis, neurodivergent, bisexual, genderfluid, mental health care consumer and advocate, residing in Winnipeg, Treaty One Territory. Stephen has been exploring his creative side through the realm of visual art over the past few years as a way of coping through his own personal struggles and mental health recovery. Stephen’s creative process is inspired by abstraction, philosophy, minimalism, and humour. Much of his artwork is inspired by the works of creative minds like Andy Warhol, Keith Haring, Agnes Martin, Jean-Michel Basquiat and the artists from the abstract expressionist movement
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