"Aura"

I spent years, surrounded by friends who were painters, occasionally doodling or making abstract smears of
colors with pastels before realizing that deep down I too yearned to make art. I thought writing was my only creative outlet, having written stories since I was a child. A terrible experience in the seventh grade with a bitter art teacher
left me afraid to explore my artistic side. Instead I was convinced that I could never be a good artist, an idea that was often confirmed by society and others who said if you can't draw you can never paint. It took me thirteen long years to become aware that art had nothing to do with ability, and all to do with the creative process. 

"Touching - Muladhara"   

I began painting two and a half years ago, after a surreal experience in Joshua Tree National Park. After spending
a week camping in the park, walking through the desert and meditating with the ancient, mysterious Joshua
trees, I began to sense the trees had a language of their own. My perception of the world is highly visual and I could literally see the vibrations that emanated from the trees in the form of yellow and blue cubes. I became fascinated with these cubes and began to draw them on everything I saw. Finally, I began to paint them and they later evolved into my first series of the elements: Earth, Air, Water and Fire. 

"Cracking the Wombs"

I became pregnant a few months later and with the
creative juices flowing, I attacked painting with uninhibited fury. I converted a high tower with windows on all sides
into my studio and found myself immersed in the abundance of my decision. Friends donated paint, brushes, a large easel and canvas to get me started.
Using The Artist's Way as a tool to guide me I began the process of cracking open my subconscious and allowing
it to flow through my hands, instead of simply reading symbols as in Tarot or writing words as I had done in the past. After taking two painting classes for adults, I
realized I adore painting from within and that is my main technique to this day. 

"Coming into Light"

Traveling in India opened my eyes to thick, rich vibrant color. I took a basic figure drawing class in Dharmsala
with an Australian art teacher. I read about Zen and the
arts, using space as a tool within the painting. The loss of my baby girl, the drama of the Indian woman's life, the magic of travel, the timeless cycle of the moon continue to inspire my work and help me to work from the subconscious, to paint the very language of my soul. 

"Baby Buddha"

Now, pregnant with my second child and living in South India, I am painting hope, painting as a woman who
heals, a woman who constantly yearns for more. Passion and spirit are my guiding lights, color and brush my
faithful tool as I grow onward into Being. 

Katalin Koda
Artist/Writer/Healer

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