john g rawlings
JOHN RAWLINGS: ARTIST & STORYTELLER
Artist, Author, and Professor Emeritus of Art and Art History.
John Rawlings is an Artist working in a variety of mediums--2D & 3D. His works are shown worldwide...in the U.S., Australia, Italy, Egypt, Mexico, and beyond. He is inspired by nature and often incorporates found natural materials in his work. He is best described as a "Symbolist" in his style and artistic focus. He is profoundly influenced by the images of ancient and indigenous art.
His home is in Mesilla, New Mexico in the Southwest of the U.S. an hour from the Mexican border. You can find him at work in his adobe studio near the Plaza. He does commissioned work, in sculpture and installations. ​
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As a published author, John has shared his love of Italy in two books titled, "Siamo Foresti" and "Giorgio". He has recently published two childrens' art books, "Clem the Chameleon" and "Clem Goes to the Zoo".
Artist Statement
I’ve been an artist and teacher for 50 years. I have always believed that to teach art with any sense of validity one must be constantly involved in the making of it. What this means is that I have been a practitioner for quite a long time, and the end product is a proficiency and skill level that is predictable; even expected. When I produce a piece of art work, I simply put these skills to work. After 50 years I honestly don’t have the faintest idea what creativity means. I simply go to work.
However, I believe that the ‘spirit’ of art is in every human and is a manifestation of some subconscious knowledge that we are all a part of the one thing…Are connected to this universe that surrounds us. When human beings are touched by beauty, either in the natural world or in the works of artists, they are recognizing this connection, most often unconsciously, and I believe that this reaffirmation is the most important function of the arts.
In my studio a photograph of my son taken when he was visiting Nepal, hangs over my bench. He is walking along a wall of prayer wheels, spinning them as he passes. This sends the prayer “Om Mani Padme Hum” (May all life live as one) back into the universe, and that because this prayer sustains and nourishes, it MUST be said. Someone must say it. I believe every art work is in fact a prayer, and no matter how inconsequential or small, I believe my efforts produce a prayer that awaits some viewer to come along and spin it.
Someone has to say the prayer.
