when unkind, unwind

I spent my days with a woman unkind, it left me gutted and with a heart unkind. I am going to go to Mexico to start again, going to ride them green waves, drink coconut water and take my chances on the big wet plane. -an anonymous surfer/traveller/artist/maybe writer left written on a roll of toilet paper in a baño in Mexico, 2016

 

Life shows up when it wants, and how it wants. The chaos gets intense, hold on. If you can ride it out and stay calm in thee fury, you will make it. Be prepared for anything. The mind being a powerful tool, can also fool, and easily throw you onto another path. That’s ok, it happens to everyone, we all have stories to tell. These events shape our lives, however is it not so that shapes are just an illusion. Peel away the layers of perceived self, and there is a fragile thing called life, here one moment gone the next without your knowing, or controlling. To ridicule another by projecting past mistakes onto them is the antithesis to kindness. The only way to forgive is to let those wounds heal in their own time. The path to kindness is right under your feet, but do be aware of smoke and mirrors. For in the shadows are obstacles that have defeated even the best of human.

fotoMahaloness

Old stuff….

a magic bus I painted, here in the halfway mark

cosmic buddha

Mexican Reverie c.2009  In the early days I was drawn to the abstract expressive, it really depends on the environment and is definitely a painting style that requires a proper studio, I left as much paint on the house I rented as I did on canvases

 

paintings come, paintings go

wearable art I made from back in the day c.2006, it made it as far as New York City where a few lucky souls own a hälts original. 

a commercial spray job I did in Mexico c.2017…overdue for a new face

back when, live art, no sleep, grizzly bear, tutus, and unwavering commitment

Presently…

I have been working on new paintings, experiencing personal transformations, while also take care of my elders.

then and now, weird

spiders love the art

emptiness

vastness

the eagle soars

ice lake mountain

 

No matter what I write here, it will be the truth of that moment, even if I want to hide the things that don’t appear so Mahaloness… everything has its beauty, the good, the bad, the ugly, there is nothing to hide, nothing to feel ashamed of, because at the end of the day I am just like you, human, here to make mistakes, and occasionally  miracles. There is an old saying, countless mistakes makes something beautiful.

 

BC East Koots winter life, I enjoy being present with Nature as much as possible.

Current Art including painting WIP’s and also revamping my website…. relaunch in Spring 2020 ❤️💚💛

minimotion bookmarks

1. I have been BC mostly, with intermittent trips to the city for work. Been thinking a lot about this and that, and kissing the sky for she never lets me down. Life, full circle, everything changes, nothing changes, the veil falls, don’t be fooled. Fall falls, sun light shortens, frosty mornings, raining golden leaves as trees go to sleep, birds fly to their southern haunts, apple butter and hot coffee to warm the bones. 

And now a new minimoiton and some fotos of life recently followed by another new minimotion….

‘wolf feast’ ☕️ hälts minimotion with soundscape ‘strange it is’ featuring a painting sesh on some new WIPs and a proper wolf feast 

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I came across a wolf feast, on the road, between 2 worlds, a metaphor, or four, I could not believe my own eyes, how strange things happen when you let them, in other words, her far away heart a distant memory devoured by the wolf within. 

choose your own star

‘last of the radiant child’ hälts hybrid art

in the painting twilight zone

a pair of WIPs

‘dark road’ 🎥 hälts minimotion with soundscape ‘say nothing’ 

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For the curious a link to my new art shop  haltsart.com

time travel

To keep words to a minimum which perhaps might seem counterintuitive to a blog called WordPress… as the old saying goes a photo says a thousand words and my minimotions multiply that tenfold. First up some flora from my mom’s magic garden. I have been blessed all these years with her green thumb wizardry, a true sanctuary it is, so peaceful and easy on the eyes, nose, ears, touch, mind, soul….

And now a couple of minimotions including on the road footage from a recent film job I was on, travelling back in time. 

​​’saw horses’ 💛 hälts went to the ranch for some work minimoiton.

​’travelling thru prehistorica’ 🚜 hälts time travel minimotion with soundscape ‘swollen river’ featuring some on the road footage captured in the past few dayzzzzzz. 

​​​​’time travelling at the speed of the moon’ 🚜 hälts minimotion with soundscape ‘now and then’ featuring a bunch of recent footage travelling along country roads at the crack of dawn, and some backyard painting with some flash edits of a magic bus mural I once painted…perhaps a response to the recent sighting of the beast.

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fotoMahaloness

be the mountain 

the badlands 
flashbackMahaloness

yellow roses from my mom’s garden

sanctuary garden

old mural days and a WIP called ‘Creator’ do we or do we not hold the key to the universe?…

red bear or blue bear (painting detail)

wolf man from the hälts drawing book collection

made moons ago, I guess I was thinking about the modern self portrait

mural spontaneous mural 2012 Paia town North Shore Maui

Everything comes around and goes around; forgetting, letting go, moving onwards is futile until one finds it within themselves to forgive and be forgiven. 

early hybrid art incorporating a b&w photo and painting using digi tech

Lastly and no less important than anything else shared on this post I wanted to continue to remind and or introduce folks to my new website haltsart.com which features my art on very useful items with you in mind, all made in Canada and with 100 % pure Aloha. 

yard art peace

Time may pass though heart makes no fuss, for love is a universal treasure trove of boundlessness.

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Some words about self, and why it is essential to be in the present nowness. 

 Introvert extrovert. Joy when I am doing what I love. Sorrow when caught up in a past that I can’t adjust. I love the ocean, and the waves. I love to glide on water with the wind. I am at heart a caring and loving human. Challenged at times by a mind that plays ticks on me. Trying to force it away only aggravates things. I sometimes wonder whether it’s been worth the effort, so many things I have no control over. What is it I want to control, never mind, it’s a futile. I have made many things, I have lost just as many. Sometimes I like to retreat inwards, to find the the light, and clean the temple. I am not one who begs to be at the center of attention. I would rather just paint, plant gardens, and bake things. When I make art I am at my most vulnerable, open to energies, and sensitive to the environment. At the same time art is a place where I feel empowered and free, guided by inner spirit, although restless on occasion. I recently lost a best friend, one who I could in trust with pretty much anything. Now I find myself again in solitude, working on freeing myself from the shackles of my own mind. Slowly I make my way, a sprout in the garden, not knowing whats next, perhaps that’s the root cause of most suffering. Liberation grows from a soil made from years of convincing myself I am not good enough. As those ideas and stories decompose, they give the plants nourishment so they can grow. All will pass, life is indeed what you make it. I have no regrets, no things I would change; it’s been pretty freaking magical, many blessings and yes some hard lessons gained. Though the darkness isn’t far away, no mind, no mind. Send love to your sisters and brothers, even if it’s just a thought. Forgive thy enemies, forgive the friends. This perhaps is our greatest challenge, I know it is for me. 

And now some minimotion yard art action…
‘yard art peace’ 🌤 new hälts minimotion with soundscape ‘goodbye hello’ and featuring a recent backyard art sesh transforming a self portrait into an abstract, this I found to be very satisfying.
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​​’fillin’ up the pool’ 🏊🏼 new hälts minimotion with soundscape ‘it’s almost summer’ featuring a backyard art sesh on a piece that is a bit full circle in a mysterious and fun kine way. 

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fotoMahaloness

I started this painting 15 years ago, it has evolved several times in the course of its life, and will continue to…for the next little while…..

A range of my artworks sits patiently, no complaints, desireless and still, Silence that Speaks.  

all the words in the world do not do what paintings do (hälts studio filling up with work)

hälts hybrid art and a reminder that this life is a journey, enjoy the moments in between.

Before I forget! I have launched my new website hältsart.com (click here to visit)  below is a kimono style garment with my painting SLO beautifully printed on it. This is chiffon fabric, nice and flowy, and see through. These garments are hand made in Montreal and well they are something to behold and very unique art wearables. I will be working on new designs throughout the summer, and running designs for short periods of time to keep them extra special. There’s been a lot of love put into each design and I look forward to sharing developments with you, Mahalo hälts ❤️

when a piano presents itself play the living shhhhh out of it.

use your youth wisely young grasshoppers.

moonlit night

Before my bed there is the moonlight. 

It lies there on the ground, looking like frost.

Lifting my head, I gaze at themoon bright;

Lowering my head, in homesickness, I am lost.v

-Li Bai  

and now a hälts minimotion with respect to the ritual… 
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Now a new minimotion called ‘homesickness on a moonlit night’ referencing Li Bai’s poem at the beginning of this post. 

⛩ hälts minimotion featuring a day helping to install the Imagine Asian Exhibit at CSpace 4th Floor (old King Edward School) located in Marda Loop Calgary, which runs May 27th until June 3rd 10 am until 6 pm and features a diverse selection of artists and celebrating Asian Heritage Month. I am honoured to contribute a few pieces to the show and what a delight to witness a master calligrapher Simon Y. S. Wong at work on a poem that I narrate in the minimotion, soulful and magical at the same time

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Nature is soul medicine hälts minimotion 

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in the studio with hälts, inside there is a deep well of sorrow, listen for the joy, it’ll be alright. 

New WIP ‘vehicle of life’ 

there is duality, that’s why I go full spectrum 

I am honoured to be part of a group show called ‘Imaigne Asian’ which celebrates Asian Heritage Month, my painting on the right, ‘Earth Buddha’ is next to a master artist named David Noh. 

Medicine Tara hälts hybrid art

new myths

A myth can transcend space time only when it is appropriate to the time. Life is changing so fast the myth doesn’t have enough time to experience metamorphosis, and subsequently is lost. In realizing this, it is than of outmost necessity to revivify the myth. 

Q: What is good and what is bad in life? 

A: Well it’s simple…everything is as it is supposed to be, sometimes good, sometimes bad, neither better or worse, neither pulling or pushing, however to put this into practice is not so simple. 

fotoMahaloness

Building the layers of painting knowing that this image I make has been done before, however it is the right time for this one to happen now. 

creating new myths for the present. 

‘sacred place’

Sunshine Coast Mona Lisa painting on flotsam now reimagined in hybrid art

in between

This blog is more poetry than prose, one thing I have been struggling with is translating the poetry into prose, perhaps this is an ironic twist considering blogging is so word driven. My best post ever was without words, wordless, using only visual poetry and juxtaposition of images. This is by far the most efficient way for me to express the soul both through the heart and the mind. These artworks reflect the need or desire to be in the center, and let the binary oppositions be binary oppositions without the fuss, without judgement and without blame. This is a practice that will take a lifetime to master.

a painting in it’s purest state

Loving Kindness

Perhaps it can be said that there is not enough loving kindness in the world. This planet is filled with humans, there is hardly a place where you can go that isn’t occupied by other humans. What I find interesting is just how little we know about each other, and how this unknowing produces a lot of chaos. In my humble opinion we have been misguided by the powers that be, and this has gone on for a good long while. As advanced as technology may be, as sophisticated as humans might think themselves to be, the reality is that we are humans not much different from our early ancestors. We have created lots of things with our brains, some good, some not so good. We have technology that given the right application might be useful, whilst  we also have proven to have a knack for using the things in very destructive ways ; all in the name of FREEDOM, JUSTICE, DEMOCRACY, TRUTH, and LIBERTY. Consequently we are left with a lot of problems, which has created a need to find new solutions. Over the last decade I have listened to a many opinions about climate, about Earth, and about how things are. I feel that in a lot of cases the challenge of speaking about Earth and climate is that it is a complex system that has cycles and variations. The one constant perhaps is that is constantly revolving. I studied Earth and Climate at University, I was an average student as I didn’t agree with most of the information being spoon fed into my mouth. I realised that the real mandate for university is to capitalise on youth by promising them a bright future meanwhile forcing many into debt and destroying a lot of dreams. Now this might seem harsh, this was my experience and well nearly every person I know who went to school either made insane sacrifices or they borrowed money for a promise based on not much at all. Now I do not regret going to school, and made the most out of it. I made sure to learn things that I wanted to learn. I made sure to think critically and speak my mind, even when it was uncomfortable. It often was received with blank stares and on occasion threats of being kicked out of school. I took courses in areas of interest and that would be useful for cognition and building mindfulness. I think that we have a responsibility to ourselves to learn about each other, and all living things that call Earth home. In doing so we might begin to grasp just how interconnected we all our and even the tiniest of choices can make a tiny difference instead of doing nothing like a deer in the headlights. This life is a precious gift. It is not for the government to determine how we live or want to live, nor is it their responsibility to take care of us because if they did I would not be writing this blog. I am concerned for the welfare of humanity, I am concerned about the fact we are in a period of extinctions and our reaction has been a pretty good indication of just how little we stand by each other. This being said, there is a new wave of energy that is beginning to bring us a little closer together. By joining individual voices we learn form each other and what was once a tiny voice becomes a giant voice. The time for loving kindness is here, we can choose to keep destroying the precious gift or we can make real and simple changes that will give hope to the new generations, and all life on Earth.

fotoMahaloness

Precious Moments on Earth

Life on the Prairie 

That time I painted at a festival and I simply disappeared. 

Recycled Art series, using materials over and over again. 

Ready to be mounted 

DaliBasquiat Recycled Series no. 123

caught in the maze

citylife

one step at a time 

‘Humans and Art are like bees to pollen’ ❤️ took place MAY 11 at the Junction YYC 628 8 Ave SW @junctionyyc 💚 which shed light on some very talented Calgary and Alberta folk including

Shanise Ford @humans_and_art
Suzanne Piechotta
Alexandra Jaco @musicization
Dean Miller (incredible painter artist human featured at the end of the minimo) @deanmillerart  @bluvelvetti  @colville_troy. @dawsonbrown.sickbassbro @gkpainting @mahalones @plasticheartsurgery@saga_of_the_frog

to name a few and representing a new wave of talented art folk from the underground and up.

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The Junction YYC Humans and Art Lounge Space open for the next few months for viewing which I highly recommend to Calgarians and visitors alike. If you want to see true Canadian art and fresh perspectives on what it means to be human than do yourself a favour and get down and check out the art before this wave passes.

located 628  8 Ave. SW

The Junction YYC link

the mind is similar to a crystal, it has many facets 

The Blue Medicine Tara dedicated to @gretathunberg in her courageous and necessary stand for a better world and brighter future ❤️

Humans and Art

I recently took part in a group show in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. The show was under the title ‘Humans and Art’. It featured around 180 artworks and really could easily be called a true Alberta biennale as it showcased some truly remarkable Alberta talent in visual art, performance art, sculpture and music. In Calgary it’s easy to become sceptical of the local art scene. For one it is run by some of the old guard and with all due respect, these people should of attended this show if they truly care about emerging artists in this city. Being a bit of an underground movement this will take a little time to catch on no doubt. In my humble opinion it’s better to meet a living artist and celebrate their work with the artist present, than it is to revere and celebrate dead artists. Don’t wait until we’re dead to support us, this stigma is so damn cliche and frustrating to the hard working artists who are trying to make a go of it and legitimize themselves as part of the arts and culture of Calgary. We deserve to be part of the dialogue, we have plenty to say and this wave is  growing, which most likely makes the old guard shake in their skin. For me it was a real honour to contribute to this show. It is a movement with a tonne of potential and if I were you I’d pay it some appreciation otherwise similar to movements before in this city, it will go where it is appreciated and we will lose yet another truly talented and awesome group of individuals who truly benefit the soul of the ‘small town’ that is the City of Calgary. These are just some of my thoughts, whether you agree or disagree it doesn’t matter, the point is you can’t put a price on an energy that is this positive, so make an effort to come enjoy and support the next shows, you will leave with a heart full of love and be so damn inspired, you will most likely pick up a paint brush yourself and ride the wave.

🌊 ‘Humans and Art’  a new hälts minimotion docu special with soundscape ‘SLO unravel’ featuring the @humans_and_art group show which took place May 12, 2019 and featured an incredible Alberta talent pool of artists in visual and sound, coming together in one room which reminds me of an early wave that came through Calgary many moons ago…it was a real honour to be in a room full of some truly passionate and hard working artists and also for all who came and supported, a beautiful night of celebration in the small town city of Calgary ❤️💛💚 

Shoutouts to 

@colville_troy , Shanise Ford, Suzanne Piechotta, Alexandra Jaco , Dean Miller (incredible painter artist human featured at the end of the minimo) @bluvelvetti @gbglassblowing @gkpainting @dawsonbrown.sickbassbro @saga_of_the_frog @plasticheartsurgery and all the artists and humans involved @junctionyyc 👌 please tag people I missed in the comments ❤️ my Mom and Dad and Nicole, to all my family and friends, couldn’t have done it without your help, you know who you be, you rock👌🌞👌

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fotoMahaloness

Getting up at 4:30 am seems ridiculous, when it’s for art it’s alright with me. 

The setup is a lot of work, editing 180 art works is no easy task however with a bunch of hyper talented artists working in unity you get is me pretty sweet results. 
KillMidi from Lethbridge AB was one of many folk on the wheels of steel and made the room vibrate with some sweet sounds. 

Yes I put art up in the entrances of the washrooms, one of my first art shows I did was in a restroom hallway, turned out to be a great place to show work, who knew…

Art is a bridge and brings us together, end of story. 

‘The Symbols of Spring’ by Shanise Ford and Alexandra Jaco 

Hälts in nearly all white, pre show and ready for the night, a light in the night, fresh canvas, clean slate, reclaiming spirit, pure soul, authentic to the bone and so on.

The future looks bright. 

some moments from hälts pop shop

It’s hard to be bold and put yourself out there into the unknowing, that’s why I appreciate the ones who unassumingly chip away at it and do something that most would pass up for a good time. 
fotoMahaloness  
Behind the scenes moments in space time at the hälts pop shop: an art experiment featuring live art, art performance, art installation, day art, night art, art boutique, mini art gallery, sacred space, and life in a fishbowl. 

day art live painting performance prior to transforming space into mini art gallery and boutique.

where light meets shadow

hälts Pop Shop (mini art gallery/boutique)….which featured a new line of hälts art wearables, original art, prints and art novelties

made my own sign….

night art test prior to entering small space gallery 102 424 10 St NW a unique space in Kensington to do a pop up in.

hälts hybrid art ‘Tara azul’

prepping for the night art

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hälts taking in the night art and visualizing the next time.

For those interested I have opened up a online shop click here to visit hälts art online shop with some art wearables, prints and unique art items, some of which you have seen here on Mahaloness. ❤️

I think therefore I paint

Over the course of my artistic practice I have been thinking about what it means to be a painter. Some artists believe they were born to paint. Others were born into paint. While some artists are just enigmas, and we may never really know why they made the art they did. So why paint? What should I paint? Who am I painting for? Am I any good? These are good questions to ask yourself, however in the act of doing these tend to become irrelevant. In the act of being a painter my intuition takes over, which is higher state of self that I have come to know and trust in my work. This is a good thing as there is a lot of uncertainty involved in the process which the doubting mind loves to feed on. It is key to see things through, this has been my life motto, even when all seems lost, and nothing is going right, I keep working through it, and this has been a real area of discovery for me.

My curiosity with painting is perhaps the mystery of painting in itself. I can’t help myself but be drawn to the mystery and, I have made it my life’s purpose to explore it. I have focused on learning ways to make pictures that are genuine hälts; with all the weirdness, the magic, the sorrow, the joy; the nuances of being human whilst living in these silly world. I am by no means well known, however I make art that is both beautiful, celebrated and adorned by some very beautiful humans out there who through chance I have had the great pleasure to meet in this lifetime.

Side note and after thoughts on painting….

I once met a man who believed our lives are predetermined, such that we have no say in our destiny. I am more inclined to believe we do have the capacity to steer our own ship, however there is a flow and rhythm to life, so determining how you want to ride through it is a good starting point. My ship happens to be art, and my main sail is painting. Art has some pretty deep roots to tap into and even after all these years of practice I have yet to fully understand it. Art remains to me a truthful experience documenting life’s mystery and just as winters reveal bits of the truths about ourselves, mark by mark, painting by painting I am revealing my experience. This may not be your experience however surely there is some common ground, that which defies the rational, and hits on some deeper spiritual level. In my practice I am expressing my truth, my inner light, and channeling what gos through my mind. This perhaps is not too disimliar to what my ancient ancestors were doing when they painted on a cave wall. When I work I am very aware of my feelings, my mood, my thoughts and my spirit. This in part is what I am communicating along with the mystery, the unknown and the irrational.

hälts minimoiton archive 2016

hälts working on a mural called ‘Creator’, a public art installation piece for peace of mind.

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fotoMahaloness

a window into the hälts painting oeuvre

hälts working on his painting Interwoven c.2005-6

‘abstrakto’ acrylic on watercolour paper c.2018 copyright hälts

‘Paul’s Boutique’ acrylic on found wooden shipping container c.2018 copyright hälts

hälts creator mural c.2016

‘la luna’ watercolour c.2018

‘the healer’ acrylic on wood c.2018

‘life cycle’ watercolour on paper c.2018

‘mawyucan’ acrylic on canvas c.2017