Artist Statement: The Oneness of Being in Still Waters

ARTIST STATEMENT

In 1997, when I moved to Hartford ArtSpace, I envisioned the city becoming more vibrant with significant public works of art, explicitly building-size murals. Over the years, I photographed dozens of blank walls, created mural designs, and presented them to the Arts Council several times over twenty-two years. Unfortunately, they did not have an existing public art mural program to fund local artists or connect them with building owners. So, I had to keep my eye out for buildings under construction and would walk in and ask to speak with the owners or proprietors of the business. I would take photos of the unfinished spaces and create comprehensive designs for murals and interior design, without pay, for a week’s worth of work, and present them to potential clients with no guarantee of selling my ideas or getting a mural job. I was not discouraged by the fact that my unsolicited proposals were rejected 90% of the time. The 10% of the proposals that convinced business owners I had something of creative value to offer their businesses made living life as a working artist worth it. The local murals I have painted in Hartford are primarily funded directly by commissions from local businesses, including the former Hot Tomato’s, The 224 EcoSpace, Hartford Public Library, Bear’s Smokehouse BBQ, Salute restaurant, Saint Mary Home, and more interior art. 

This project, The Oneness of Being in Still Waters, is an artistic transitional shift for me. As a working artist, with the partnership of my wife Amy, we earn our living by providing the artistic services of creative branding murals. Until now, the driving purpose of my murals has been to support businesses and organizations, which means the ideas for the art are defined to satisfy the client’s parameters. I am very grateful to have had many wonderful business clients. With this mural of a giant baby, Eastern Painted Turtle, I am now beginning to create art that is a self-expression of purely my own inspiration.

The baby-painted turtle rising from the dark blue depths of the water to the light represents its peaceful quiet solitude. I hope that viewers can interpret the “turtle metaphor of rising” in uplifting perceptions: 

• To reflect upon our own experiences and conscious connection with our natural environment

• The symbolism of leaving the darkness of the past behind (or below)

• That the people and our city are moving up into the light of hope and a positive future

• The turtle has a shell of self-protection that is both functional and beautiful, like us all

• Hartford has a public art culture that is rising. 

And I hope this act of human creativity will inspire others to pursue their creative passions.

The inspiration for this particular metaphorical image comes from my childhood experience swimming in Still Waters Pond, my home and the home of many turtles. “When I went swimming underwater, I left behind the upper world, its chaos, and its hardships. I could be at peace. I found my inner stillness. I would hold my breath as long as possible and then do it again. Being completely submerged in Life-giving water was the first time I realized I had a sense of Spirituality, God, and Mother Nature. Now, if I am ever not ok, I can imagine myself underwater, experiencing The Oneness of Being in Still Waters. I want everyone who sees my mural to experience peace and stillness.

— Tao LaBossiere, November 2022