An interview with: Jonathan Wiltshire
- 2 days ago
- 4 min read
Astral speak with California based visionary painter @jwwwiltshire
"The act of creating is a soul-satisfying experience that draws me in to a timeless world that I visit often. Additionally, when I paint I ask for Divine participation. In a very real way I sometimes experience co-creation, the feeling that I'm not alone. I may at times step back from a work and realize something beyond my efforts came through." - Jonathan Wiltshire
Read on below for the full interview...
First of all how are you, and how is life lately?
All is well, still living in gratitude, exploring inwardly, actively creating. Only longing is to travel more.
What inspires you to explore themes of mysticism and esotericism within your art, and where do you think your interest in these ideas stems from?
Even in childhood I was religious by nature, and that desire to know the unseen side of life found its way into my art. However, I was raised under strict Catholic ideology, a throwback to past lives, I'm sure. But entering the Air Force (Vietnam era) provided me with a wider view of humanity, and an awakening. I began a move away from a narrow, dogmatic view of a spiritual life. This led me to explore metaphysics, philosophy, clairvoyance, eastern teachings, mythology, and psychology. In my mid 20s I discovered the most direct path to inner perception is through the Mystical experience. This was confirmed when I met and studied with the Christian Mystic, Flower A. Newhouse. She provided no dogma, but her inspired teachings about inner realities and the mystical path seemed to enter my awareness through intuition. This has increased my own inner experiences and creative expression.
What first inspired you to pursue a life of art and what lights the flame of motivation within you as an artist?
I still recall the day in the 3rd grade, and where I was sitting, reading a book about the early Spanish explorers of California. The book included pen and ink illustrations, and seeing those I knew I wanted to create art. I haven't stopped since. Where did that inspiration come from? According to the Swiss psychologist, Carl Jung, one of the many complexes in our subconscious is the art complex. As he said, "Art is a kind of innate drive that seizes a human being and makes him its instrument". That may set the path but that is not what ignites the flame of motivation. The act of creating is a soul-satisfying experience that draws me in to a timeless world that I visit often. Additionally, when I paint I ask for Divine participation. In a very real way I sometimes experience co-creation, the feeling that I'm not alone. I may at times step back from a work and realize something beyond my efforts came through. That's verified for me when others feel uplifted or transported by an image.
Could you tell us about the process of creating a new work of art... Firstly in terms of how you formulate the conceptual idea and then the methods that you use to create the piece?
An inspiration may come is several ways. It may be from a meaningful dream; something I feel and almost glimpse, like a temple among the Swiss Alps; or an image that flashes in my mind's eye as I ponder something I'm reading. I'm not a clairvoyant. Only a few times in my life have I been spontaneously clairvoyant. But my mind's eye is quite active and I rely on intuition, defined as apprehension of some truth without logic or empirical evidence. Listening to great music while painting lifts my feelings and I've discovered through viewers' testimony that the musical theme may be felt in the painting.
The practical process is a standard methodology. First many small thumbnail sketches to work out the composition and values, then make the final into a large drawing. Next, work on small color sketches in gouache. Finally transfer the drawing to canvas and begin painting. Adjustments may be made while in progress, and sometimes a work becomes a do-over.
Are there any particular books, artists, or thinkers that you hold close to your heart?
That would be a long list indeed and the influence would follow an evolutionary timeline. The artists I truly admire are too numerous to mention, from the Renaissance greats to the 18th century academy tradition, to those in the Golden Age of Illustration, and many in-between. Not just because of their skills but because of their pursuit of Beauty.
Likewise with books and thinkers - Pythagoras, Teilhard Chardin, Charles Fillmore, Manly P. Hall, George MacDonald, CS Lewis, Tolkien, Carl Jung, Ekhart Tolle, so many more. And that doesn't cover the influence of literature and poetry. And of course, my greatest debt is to Flower Newhouse. Her influence was directly made through our association. She possessed a Christly love and with her true authenticity and mystical insights she guided my own inner growth as well as many others.
Finally, it must be said that another great teacher has been the life altering challenges that have come my way. By accepting even great hurt that comes to my doorstep, I ultimately found liberation as crystallized thoughts and patterns are shattered bringing increased love and perception. I suppose Life is the ultimate Teacher.
How do you feel looking ahead and are there any particular feelings or emotions captivating you in recent times that you would like to share?
I am very hopeful. History has always had periods of great change that seem monumental at the time, but I must say that at age 78 I've never experienced a time in my life when old established power systems were brought into the light and challenged in a positive and necessary way. Of course there is resistance, but it's with feelings of trust that I pray the Great Inner Government within the Higher Worlds increasingly inspire and guide humanity's spiritual evolution.
What does Spirituality mean to you?
For me spirituality is a way of life that seeks to know the eternal while in physical form. This meaningful goal was beautifully put forth by a Benedictine monk named Rafe: "May you find that within you which already lives beyond death, and begin to live out of it now."
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Discover more of Jonathan Wiltshire's art via:
- Astral Magazine
