Jeffrey Lloyd Michels
Through my art, I intend to convey the sense that spirit pervades
all life on this planet - a belief that has always been an intrinsic part of
my being. My empathic nature began to serve me well as a young child when I
felt compelled to be in the outdoors - communing with the natural landscape,
instinctively drawing it as a way to connect. Painting and drawing landscapes
quickly became a way for me to find peace, and through the years I have found
myself returning to this ritual even while pursuing other interests. As a teenager,
my empathy helped me develop the ability to listen to and help people - leading
me to commence my studies in Psychology. Still, my creativity would not be denied
so I turned to Architecture - a profession where I believed I could combine
my creative talents with my desire to understand and work with people to design
the environments with which they interact. Feeling unfulfilled in my late 20’s,
I then turned my empathy inwards to gain a deeper level of self-awareness. In
earnest I began to develop my painting skills - focusing on watercolors, and
to work with the Healing Art - Reiki - becoming a Reiki Master/Teacher in the
process.
Incorporating these two disciplines into my life has been the greatest influence
on my personal healing and spiritual growth. In this endeavor, I have finally
grasped the importance to move beyond my shyness and fears and to contribute
my art to the world community. I have recently established Life Enhancing Arts
as the foundation of my life’s work - where I offer diverse ways for others
to utilize the various art forms that I have drawn upon to help inspire beauty,
healing and growth in their lives.
“Lessons in Survival” is a particularly appropriate theme for the
most recent chapters of my life. Soon after being initiated as a Reiki Master/Teacher
(in essence making a declaration to Spirit that I am committed to do this healing
work) I received my personal “test” in the form of the Hepatitis
B virus. Learning of the potential lethal effects of this disease and suffering
from a wide range of emotions and confusion over my predicament, I found myself
constantly looking outside myself for help. My Reiki Teacher stressed to me
that I had all the tools I need to heal myself. It was then, after years as
a landscape artist, that I recognized the need to paint self-portraits. Using
a form of color therapy, and using Reiki on a daily basis, I began to paint
my inner landscape.
The Healing Hepatitis series that is on display here was a result of this challenging
time of my life. I see the word “healing” as both a verb and an
adjective. This series began as a way to remove the stress and anxiety so I
could begin to “heal” myself from this disease, which I achieved
in one month’s time. During the process I learned more about my behavior
and was able to undergo a deeper healing as a result of this work. In this way,
the Hepatitis B served as a “healing” tool for my spirit. I emerged
from the darkness of this disease with more confidence both as an artist and
a healer. This experience planted the seed in my mind that Art and Reiki can
be combined as a healing tool. I began to appreciate these tremendous gifts
I was born with and to recognize the importance of honoring Spirit by sharing
my artistic and healing skills with the world. The truth that these self-portraits,
not my landscapes, were selected to be a part of this (my first time exhibiting
in a gallery) is a confirmation from Spirit that this is indeed the right path
for me to travel.