My Artist-in-Residence at the Miraval Resort

I just returned from a week in Tucson, where I was one of the first artists-in-residence at the beautiful Miraval Arizona Resort. My art has been displayed at the Resort for a couple of years, and they just launched this program to let their guests get a deeper understanding of the artwork they display. I was honored to be a part of it.

An abstract photograph of a mesquite bean pod, created while at Miraval.

I have always felt that my work has a strong affinity to resorts and spas, especially ones like Miraval that place so much focus on your emotional well-being. To my surprise, Miraval shared an even deeper connection to how I create my art. Everything at Miraval revolves around the idea of being "mindful". Every class and activity is designed to help you become fully aware, fully present in the moment. And as I worked on my art each morning, I realized that "mindfulness" is also the foundation for my own artistic process.

Mindfulness and my artistic process

Each work of art I make, whether I am in the desert or my studio at home, starts with me being mindful of the natural world and my relationship to it. I disconnect the analytical side of my brain, and quiet the chatter in my head. I try to calm the brain's reflexive need to process and categorize, and just allow myself to absorb what my senses perceive, unfiltered. Even when I am out gathering subjects to photograph, I cannot worry about the past or plan for the future: I have to just be aware of the present, and experience my environment as openly and simply as possible. Only then do the ideas and images come to me. In a way, my art has become my own form of meditation or prayer, helping me be more mindful, more present, more centered.

Annother photograph of a mesquite bean pod created at Miraval.

The plants found in southern Arizona were a source of inspiration, and a wonderful change from my focus on the plants of the Northeast. Having evolved to flourish in such harsh conditions, the plants of the desert are little seed-delivery machines, meant to bake dry in the heat, fall, and shatter on the rock-hard ground. Their complexity makes them wonderful to photograph, and perfectly suited for my style of art.

Pine leaf milkweed, cat claw acacia, snakeweed, spectacle pod, monks pepper leaf: even their names are a pleasure to say. Walking through the gardens of Miraval, I would gather these seed pods, twigs, and leaves, gently carrying them back to my room in my upturned hat. From these plants, I am creating a new series of artwork that conveys the feeling of peace and mindfulness I experienced while at Miraval.

Read more of my experiences at Miraval on my blog.

coming soon to my website

I am in the middle of creating a new feature for my website, perfect for designers and art consultants. Soon you will be able to hang collections of my photographs on a virtual wall, so you can see how the photographs work together. I'll let you know when this goes live!

 
Thank you for supporting my art!

Daniel Sroka
Daniel Sroka Botanical Abstracts

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