Damon Powell is an Artist and Theologian whose artistic creations intersect the lines between art and spirituality.
Welcome to my page!!
Here you can find information about: my latest creations or inspirations, upcoming art shows, how you can order prints, and information regarding my research and writings in theology
MY EVOLUTION
Genesis
As a little boy I loved going to the grocery store so I could pour over the comics while my mother was shopping. I was always captivated by the images and the colors long before I began to actually read any of the content. These early experiences provided me with a wealth of information and inspiration to fuel my expanding inner world.
As I grew into a young man, I came to the realization that I was most happy and fulfilled when I was engaged in creative pursuits. Most of my middle and high school years were spent traveling back and forth between the art and music rooms. When the time came for me to make decisions about college, I realized that creating art was my deepest passion. Luckily, I had the benefit of a very caring art teacher who helped me to develop a portfolio for submission to an Art & Design college. I was accepted into the Kansas City Art Institute and began to hone my skills an artist using watercolor, pastel, and scratchboard.
After graduation I began to pursue a career as an Illustrator. I also began accepting commissions and exhibition opportunities in order to gain exposure in the Fine Arts milieu. Although many of my earlier works were created for editorial or graphic products, their overall quality and craft generated Fine Arts appeal. My early experience as an Illustrator helped to focus my creative mind, sharpen my technical skills, and develop my distinctive style.
Midway into my career, a series of life experiences led to what can best be described as a spiritual awakening. As a result of these experiences, I felt literally compelled to pursue a spiritual calling which resulted in my entering seminary. While pursuing a Master of Divinity degree I struggled to understand how I could integrate my identity as an artist with the theological and philosophical training I was being exposed to. I continued to create works of art and complete commissions but the content and focus of my work had begun to evolve. During this period I began to incorporate my creative activity into my spiritual practice.
By the time I completed seminary I was determined to continue exploring the connections I had discovered between the arts and spirituality. Shortly thereafter, I was accepted into the Graduate Theological Union in Berkeley, California. My research was an exploration into the intersections of Art, Aesthetics, and Theology within the African-American experience. My time spent at the Graduate Theological Union culminated in the production of a research project that utilized both my illustrations and my doctoral research.
Revelations
My present creations reflect my efforts to explore the connections between artistic creation, aesthetic experience, and spirituality. Thus all of my creative work is grounded within my experience as an illustrator, my theological training, and ongoing spiritual practice. All of my visual works are birthed from a deep understanding of the myriad ways that the spiritual and aesthetic intersect. These spiritual insights are often gained through prayer, meditation, or readings and research into various theological and philosophical texts. Each piece is based upon in-depth research and visualizations which are birthed into material form through the use of color, line, and symbol. Many of my creations are attempts to convey complex theological concepts or my own spiritual insights through provocative visual form. My hope is that they will entice you to think, feel, pray, or contemplate the many ways in which Spirit permeates our world.
