THE CYPRESS GALLERY
119 E. Cypress Ave, Lompoc • Open Tue–Sun, 12-4PM www.lompocvalleyartassociation.com
ARTIST CHAT WITH MITRA CLINE This Month, the Cypress Gallery introduces the "Artist Chat" articles featuring a member of the Lompoc Valley Art Association in each eZine. Mitra Cline, a Santa Barbara native, is an interdisciplinary artist inspired by alchemy, psychology, dreams, and world culture. Mitra's outlook on life was affected when her home burned in the 1990 Painted Cave wildfire. Only 8 years of age, the loss of all of her prized possessions, including the home she lived in, imprinted the idea that it was not useful to put too much value on the accumulation of "things" in her life, as they could be taken at a moments notice. This experience influenced her creative methods - becoming harmonious with migratory living. Mitra says, "My work aims to be both beautiful and inspire the viewer to appreciate the present. My art is about change and transformation". She holds an MA in Humanities with an emphasis in Archetypal Psychology from Pacifica Graduate Institute and a BFA with an emphasis in painting from the Kansas City Art Institute. She is founder of Foreverbird Studio, and works as a digital media consultant.
5 QUESTIONS What has been an important experience for you in your development as an artist? My home burned in a firestorm. I learned that keeping a journal, or making art, is a good way to process traumatic events, like a fire. It influenced my personal art practice, because I also see it as an opportunity beyond decorative use. Today, I speak from decades of personal creative practice, a BFA with an emphasis in painting, and an MA in Humanities with an emphasis in depth psychology.
What do you feel is core to your work as an artist? My passion is art and psychology. Core to this is a feeling like a diary. My art should feel like something personal and important to the individual. A diary is an intimate and authentic form of self-expression that many people can relate to as valuable. I believe valuing art leads to more awareness and can inspire people to deeply appreciate what they have.
How has your practice changed over time? I have become more sensitive to the ebbs and flows of creative work and keeping myself from burnout. Jung wrote that creativity is an instinct, not an optional gift granted to a lucky few. If you don't find a way to be creative in life, that instinct becomes repressed and frustrated. You feel its loss as a deflation, the spirit leaking out of your sense of self. You feel empty, disengaged, and unfulfilled. (Moore, 2009, p. 2)
In your opinion, what is an "artistic" outlook on life? I think an artistic outlook is one that sees life as a never ending adventure. How do we grow beyond limiting experience? To know what is possible, we must look to the humanities. In particular, we must seek out the great creative works of others.
What would be a dream project for you? I would love to get my PDF and complete my current project, Mermaid Type Project. The project is interdisciplinary and would let me learn more about the new field of art practice research. Art-based research is information presented so that an experiential understanding is possible, because some truths, only art itself can embody.
