So why this title; “Fifty shades of grey in Religion & Art”? Perhaps something to do with the painting of the cats and all the shades of grey they come in.  Well not exactly but as it is Christmas I thought this painting was a good fit even though it is not a religious artwork, which really is the topic of this art blog.

NAIVE ART BY MARIE JONSSON-HARRISON

You see I recently wrote a blog about Fifty Shades of Grey & Art about the book phenomenon and my thoughts on the matter and as I got hundreds of messages, comments and feedback on that I thought it was worthwhile to canvas the issue that was brought up time and time again.  Most of the comments were really positive and some 160 people shared the initial post from my Naive Art by Marie Jonsson-Harrison page on Facebook with over 1680 likes.

ART BLOG

The thing was that I had posted the blog with an artwork of mine made in ceramic and mosaic, a wall based sculpture depicting Adam and Eve and that caused some heated debate both from the Christian side as well as from the Muslims.

ADAM & EVE, CERAMIC & MOSAIC SCULPTURE

Some Christians thought it was an outrageous artwork and that Adam had a bottle in his hand was terrible.   That to me seemed a weird comment as I am sure both Adam and Eve had a drink, let’s get serious they would have gotten bored just eating those apples without making some apple wine or schnapps occasionally right?  The bible is all for alcohol anyway that is what every Christian church gives their followers on a Sunday morning, in the guise of the “blood of Jesus”.   That I had painted them a little bit plump which was for the most part approved of.

RELIGION AND ART

As far as the Muslim comments go, again for the most part the artwork was met with great comments and positive feedback however there were some that took offence and thought it was outrageous and anti Muslim!  So go figure if both Christians and Muslim think it is against their particular religion then I must have done something right I figure.

Which brings me to the question of religion and the fervor it stirs up in people, seems to me that all that matters is that their own point of view is right.  Why can’t everyone just believe in whatever religion that makes sense to them?  Whether that is Christian, Muslim, Jewish, Hindi, Budda or none and be an Atheist.  Why does it matter so much to some people what other faiths people believe in?

How do we even know for sure that there is a God?  I hope there is one; I do want to go to Heaven if there is such a thing.  I do believe in doing onto others and all that.  But in this evidence based world I just cannot say for sure what is true and what is fiction.  So until we get word from above as to who is running this show and what particular religion is right, let’s just try to live together and in harmony with each other.

THE ART OF THE CHRISTMAS WISH

My cousin Sonja sent me this picture from her time in Accra, Ghana.  It shows one of their favorite dancing spots where all sorts of people gather to have fun.  To the right is a Jew and to the left a Muslim, then there is two Atheists and behind are some Christians and they all had a great time together, that is the type of world I wish for.

Let me take this opportunity to wish you all a Very Happy Christmas or Happy Holidays and Happy New Year to everyone apart from the Chinese (which has their New Years a bit later).  I hope you are all able to spend some time with your loved ones, for that is really all that matters after all.

Here is a quote by the 14^th Dalai Lama, Tenzin Gyatso, which I think fits pretty well here;

“The purpose of all major religious traditions is not to construct big temples on the outside, but to create temples of goodness and compassion inside, in our hearts.”

I think he has a fair point.

Till next time,

Happy painting, sculpting and spending family time to you all,

Love Marie xxxx

If you enjoyed this art & religion blog you may also like to see some of my religious paintings here are some links; 92 Art & walk across my swimming pool and 29. Religious Paintings

Why not come and have a look at Marie Jonsson-Harrison’s PAINTINGS FOR SALE, GICLEE PRINTS FOR SALE and SCULPTURES for sale or WALLBASED SCULPTURES.  Enjoy an original artwork on your walls or perhaps one on your bed ARTnBED.

So I had the phone call this week that we all dread, a family member involved in a car accident.  But before I tell you about that let me set up the “back story”.

My brother Matt Jonsson a very talented artist in his own right and a former band member of the iconic Australian band Clowns of Decadence had just started work.  At the moment he is the head artist in charge of the sets for Cat Stevens upcoming musical “Moonshadow” which will soon be coming to the Princess Theatre in Melbourne, Australia.  The sets are designed by Cat or Yusuf as he is known by these days as he was a designer before his singer/songwriter career took off in the early seventies.

On the day in question my father was in his van en route to deliver some fruit in to my brother when suddenly the accident happened.   My father rear ended the car that suddenly came in front of him and the van proceeded out of control to the other side of the road.  His van was a right off and my darling dad was pinned by his leg in the wreck.

When my brother arrived at the accident scene he was confronted by 16 police, firemen and ambulance staff, police cars, one fire truck and two ambulances.  In the middle of all the commotion was my darling dad stuck and the firemen were cutting the van into two to try to remove him.

However the first things my father said to my brother was to get his fruit in the back of the van and that he is ok, his leg was numb by this stage and that my brother could go home because it would take a while to cut him out – as if!  I ask you who cares about fruit at a time like this!

So the phone call was from my brother who very gently said “Don’t worry sis, Dad is ok, but he has just been in a car crash and is pinned by the leg and the firemen are cutting him out as we speak”.  It goes without saying that I nearly collapsed right there and then.

THE ART OF KEEPING IT TOGETHER

My brother handled the situation admirably, made the appropriate calls, organized the tow truck and everything else and then went on to the hospital.

However as the story unfolded my brother said; “It appeared dad was ok from the start, if dad was bleeding or you had no idea if there was any internal damage or not then you would panic more thinking every second is vital in him getting to hospital, but when dad is more concerned about getting me to take my fruit out of the van that he was going to deliver then you have to ask yourself is he in shock or is he still your normal crazy caring loving dad. “

Now that typifies my dad, never concerned for himself but always caring how his kids and grandkids are, just one of the lovelies men you could ever meet.  My dad was home from hospital after a few hours with just a bandaid on his leg and a few bruises, lucky him and lucky us.

THE ARTIST CAT STEVENS

Matt made it back to work on the Cat Stevens “Moonshadow” set and that connection makes the full circle for me as many “moons” ago when I was modelling in Europe I had dinner with the manager of Cat Stevens in Chelsea, London.  We were having a Whisky Sour and he was bemoaning the fact that his very successful and famous client had decided to give it all away – change his name to Yusuf Islam and become a Muslim and drop out of the fame game.  At the time I nearly cried too, who can forget Tea for the Tillerman and the very poignant song “Cats in the Cradle” which has shaped my own way of raising my kids.

So I leave you then with those wonderful lyrics written by Harry Chapin (the song was based upon a poem written by Harry’s wife Sandy) which my parents kept in mind when they raised me and I in turn did the same with my kids.  So thank you Cat, Harry & Sandy, you shaped several generations!

My child arrived just the other day
He came to the world in the usual way
But there were planes to catch and bills to pay
He learned to walk while I was away
And he was talkin’ ‘fore I knew it, and as he grew
He’d say “I’m gonna be like you dad
You know I’m gonna be like you”
And the cat’s in the cradle and the silver spoon
Little boy blue and the man on the moon
When you comin’ home dad?
I don’t know when, but we’ll get together then son
You know we’ll have a good time then

My son turned ten just the other day
He said, “Thanks for the ball, Dad, come on let’s play
Can you teach me to throw”, I said “Not today
I got a lot to do”, he said, “That’s ok”
And he walked away but his smile never dimmed
And said, “I’m gonna be like him, yeah
You know I’m gonna be like him”

And the cat’s in the cradle and the silver spoon
Little boy blue and the man on the moon
When you comin’ home son?
I don’t know when, but we’ll get together then son
You know we’ll have a good time then

Well, he came home from college just the other day
So much like a man I just had to say
“Son, I’m proud of you, can you sit for a while?”
He shook his head and said with a smile
“What I’d really like, Dad, is to borrow the car keys
See you later, can I have them please?”

And the cat’s in the cradle and the silver spoon
Little boy blue and the man on the moon
When you comin’ home son?
I don’t know when, but we’ll get together then son
You know we’ll have a good time then

I’ve long since retired, my son’s moved away
I called him up just the other day
I said, “I’d like to see you if you don’t mind”
He said, “I’d love to, Dad, if I can find the time
You see my new job’s a hassle and kids have the flu
But it’s sure nice talking to you, Dad
It’s been sure nice talking to you”

And as I hung up the phone it occurred to me
He’d grown up just like me
My boy was just like me

And the cat’s in the cradle and the silver spoon
Little boy blue and the man on the moon
When you comin’ home son?
I don’t know when, but we’ll get together then son
You know we’ll have a good time then

Till Next time happy painting and sculpting and maybe singing,

Love Marie xxxx

If you enjoyed this art blog you may enjoy this on also with music connection; 111. Indie music, Art and Paintings with James Abberley I’ll be a Bird

Why not come and have a look at Marie Jonsson-Harrison’s PAINTINGS FOR SALE, GICLEE PRINTS FOR SALE and SCULPTURES for sale or WALLBASED SCULPTURES.  Enjoy an original artwork on your walls or perhaps one on your bed ARTnBED.

As you may have figured out by now, I do like to paint just about everything, any subject matter, most of the time colorful and busy.

I am often asked about my religious scenes like the one here, Noahs Ark.  Am I religious – well, I do hope there is an afterlife, I have so many people that I would so dearly like to see again.

Is there a heaven and will my loved ones that died before me be waiting for me ?     Oh I truly hope so.  Well if that is what I hope, what about God and Christianity and all the other religions?

MAKING THE WORLD BETTER THROUGH ART

My belief is that all religions play a part and all have more similarities than differences.

To me it doesn’t matter whether your beliefs are of the Muslim, Hindu, and Buddhism, Catholic or any of the other Christian flavours.

We are all people of the world and ideally we should care for each other and help each other.  I do think the 10 commandments make sense and try to live my life in ‘doing unto others’ and all that.  Sometimes I fail but I do try to Pay It Forward, small kind gestures that make this world a better place.

So to sometimes paint a scene from the bible gives me a sense of peace.  I will have to familiarize myself a bit more with the other religious books as I am sure they also have very rich and interesting material for new paintings, sculpture and artworks in general.

Here is a thought from one of Douglas Pagels books, which I like.

You have the ability to..

Follow your heart.

Trust your instincts.

Listen to the song that sings in you.

And let your spirit Dance to that tune

I hope you will visit me again.

Till then happy painting and sculpting to you all.

Love Marie xxxx                                                                     (c)

Why not come and have a look at Marie Jonsson-Harrison’s PAINTINGS FOR SALE, GICLEE PRINTS FOR SALE and SCULPTURES for sale or WALLBASED SCULPTURES.  Enjoy an original artwork on your walls or perhaps one on your bed ARTnBED.