ABOUT VISIONARY ART
“Vision is the art of seeing things invisible.” ~ Jonathan Swift
In the spirit of the words of writer Jonathan Swift, Roger Hanson allows the invisible to become visible through art, and creates a powerful multidimensional experience for the viewer. Moving into a trance-like state induced by the artistic process, the illusions of time and space are suspended in order for Roger to connect with other levels of consciousness.
The connection between these other levels of consciousness and Roger occurs in the unlimited subconsciousness of the right hemisphere of his brain which Roger accesses through the artistic process.
By using unconventional methods such as multi-directional pastel smudging, or Roger's unique rapid doodling/scribbling process, he releases control and moves into a fearless state of allowance where images begin to appear bit by bit. Roger never feels as though he is trying to draw a picture. It's as if the images reveal themselves, their details subtly laying within the textures and lines that naturally occur during the art making process.
As Roger moves deeper into the art process, he connects with the "voice" of the consciousness which he feels as inspiration within him. He then translates this inspiration into either the written or spoken word so that it can be shared with others. Roger believes all things are, at a wider level, connected. It is his willingness to meet in the point of connection that makes this entire process, which some call channelling, possible.
Although Roger always comes to his own feeling of completion with each image, in his opinion they remain infinitely open - a portal through which viewers of the art can each have their own experience. The voice of the art, as expressed by Roger, is but one perspective. When one is open to multidimensional experiences, they can have a very powerful and personal experience of clarity and love through Roger's art.
Because Roger never considered himself a traditional artist and always felt his actual process was more significant than any finished product he could ever produce, he struggled for many years with what to call himself. One day while in the midst of his art process, the term visionary artist came to him. It was only later, when he came across the website for the American Museum of Visionary Art, that he discovered visionary art was already an established genre . Here is what the museum has to say about the subject:
“Visionary art is produced by self-taught individuals, usually without formal training, whose works arise from an innate personal vision that revels foremost in the creative act itself. Visionary art is entirely spontaneous and individualized. Visionary artists don’t listen to anyone else’s traditions. They invent their own. They hear their inner voice so resoundingly that they may not even think of what they do as art.”
HOW ART CHANGES CONSCIOUSNESS
"With so much talk about the evidence of the positive effects of yoga and meditation, you might be surprised at what scientific research also says about how art effects the brain. Long before modern neuroscience, artists were creating works to inspire people and today complex brain imaging scans can show us just how art changes the physiology of our brains. Contemplation, observing, and taking in beauty all stimulate pleasure centers within the brain while increasing blood flow by up to 10% in the medial orbitofrontal cortex. This can lead to an elevated state of consciousness, wellbeing, and better emotional health." Read the full article by Jacob Devaney, HERE.