The Emphasis of Emptiness
The Fine Art Collection
Valerie Cecchin
“ As far back as I can remember, I have been on my own journey of seeking. My life's pursuit has always strived towards a greater awareness of the interconnection of all things. My life's journey carried me pretty far and to some pretty extreme places, thoughts, and experiences. I would have never of made it if I thought of felt that for at any moment I was alone in the search for understanding. That is why being an artist was and is the only option for me.”
Founder of Zen in Being Studio & author of Life From Now On
Mixed media, acrylic and molding paste on canvas
This is my first piece of new works that will be coming in 2018/2019. Beginninglessness, is my coming back piece that I did not know if I could even do. This piece represents the new cycle, the new journey as a realized self. The materials and form all came to me, there was no fight like it use to be. I was terrified, I had been here before in these spots where I was literally called to make art. Although I had given up everything back in 2015, but I never wanted to quit being an artist. I never wanted to stop making art. It kind of all I know how to do. I just needed a dialogue that wasn’t going to take my life. It also helped that I had a therapist as I was creating this piece.
Introduction
Valerie Cecchin is a fine artist, aspiring designer, and lifestyle architect. She is the founder of Zen in Being Studio, and the author and content creator of Life From Now On. Her vision is motivated by the self adopted philosophy that Life is Art.
As an artist, Valerie has created a strong aesthetic style. Her work is thoughtful, visceral, and holistic. The materials, composition and “style” act as bridge that makes her vision and voice accessible in the gaps between subject matter and the Abstract Expressionism style.
Tactile Dysfunktions:
Paintings from 2006 -2010
Longing
Acrylic on canvas 30” x 30”
2006
Longing (2006), was the ultimate challenge. I was in a real rut in my existence. For the first time, I truly became alone. I was falling and sinking into a dark hole and stumbling upon this canvas in the middle of the night in SE Portland changed my life.
When that moment came, It came as a moment of pure choice. In that fateful moment was my moment of surrender. As I surrendered to the reality, I discovered that I have not only the power to create but the choice to let go. And, it’s in these moments art is born.
Longing, was the first painting that I created before I took up scholarship in the Fine Arts. Prior to this I had recently, dropped out of the Art Institute of Portland in an attempt to study Interior design; which i realized that I really wasn’t that passionate about. I was more interested in other things.
Tactile Dysfunktions was the concept where I wanted to visually engage the viewer to feel with their eyes. These paintings were attempts to create that connection
Love
Oil on canvas
2007
Pathway
Acrylic on masonboard
34’ x 48”
2007
Sneeze
Mixed Media on Mason Board 24” x 18”
2007
Observations of Home
Mixed Media 24” x 18”
200
Conflict
Oil on Canvas 24”x 36”
2008
Human Nature
OIl on Canvas 72” x 48”
2009
Ohm
Acrylic on Canvas
2010
In Reverence:
Paintings from 2010-2011
In Reverence was an a solo show that focused on the aspect the process of art making. At this time I was working in a warehouse and had the space to work on the conceptual aspects of the process of art making. Given free range over incorporating new materials and methods I was able to explore movement and gestures. In Reverence, attached words and ideas through movement. As an artist I tried to capture the essences of ideas as physical gestures. Most of the pieces I made for this show have been lost. These three images is all I have left.
We Dance Together
Acrylic on Canvas board
2010
In Awe
2010
Acrylic on Canvas Board
In Defence
2010
Acrylic on Canvas Board
In the Meantime:
Paintings from 2012 - 2014
The Need for Release
Acrylic on canvas 36” x 24”
2012
In the Meantime was the show that never got shown and the show that got lost. These are the only remaining images left of this concept show which was about taking my style and transforming it into a graphic novel. These works came from the deepest part of myself that was struggling and has always struggled with addiction, depression, and suicidal thoughts. It is titled: In the Meantime because I was lost in a gap in a really vulnerable place. After a 12 week abortion, my mind had totally broke and I needed desperately to find healing. I had moved back home from Portland Oregon to Chicago, IL to specifically create this show that was an attempt to connect to my “roots”.
In hindsight, this show broke me, and put me into a destructive state and I gave up art making. I actually gave up everything I owned to finally seek out liberation from the destructive cycle of pain and suffering I was viciously spiraling. This lead to a 800 mile Thru hike on the Pacific Crest Trail in 2015 and a year of living in a van and Traveling in Asia, that became the Life From Now On Project.
In the Meantime:
Paintings from 2012 - 2014
Valerie Cecchin
How we fell together and broke apart to only fall again
Acrylic on canvas 18” x 18”
2014
