At one of the first beautiful and warm days of the new year I went to see the Winter Street Studios, one of Houston’s most striving art communities and home of 87 local artists, who open the doors of their studios once a month to the public.
The building itself seemed like a maze where one could meander in and out of the artist studios, walk along white painted corridors with neon lights. There was quite a crowd, and yet it didn’t feel overly busy. So, I went from room to room, soaking in the creative spirit that was visibly present within these walls.
There were mostly paintings displayed in all kind of different styles. Even though I liked a few, there was one particular artwork that truly mesmerized me. It was different than the other paintings in the studio of artist Denise Liebl. While there were some very elaborate water color paintings with many details and shapes and textures, this one was extremely simplified and voided of all extras. It showed an empty Tibetan singing bowl sitting on a surface that was not clearly defined. The singing bowl took up only the upper one third of the vertical painting. The entire painting glowed in gorgeous beige, orange-golden colors and the light reflections within the bowl were intricate and powerful.
After I had looked at the painting for quite some time in true admiration, I got to talk with Gloria, the wonderful “art sitter”, as she introduced herself to me. We had a nice conversation about a few things, but one stuck in my mind. I had said to Gloria that this piece should adorn a very spiritual place, when she answered: “And if it’s not one yet, it will be.” Then she offered me a chair. So I placed it in the corner of the studio right in front of the painting and sat there, gazed at the canvas, and got lost within it. I couldn’t help, but contemplate that we were very much like singing bowls ourselves: vessels of intricate beauty, waiting to be brought to life. Waiting to resonate and vibrate to the right impulse, that would make us sing in the most magnificent ways.
