Dreams, they are the fantastical playgrounds of the mind in which we can live out our most explicit fantasies whether that may be smiting dragons and capturing a horde of gold, experiencing with your mind just what the color purple is or flying through the heart of a star to witness the sheer elation of a supernova. But what about those unfortunate to have their sleep turn against them, forced each night to do battle with their dreams. Those few and ill-fated Dream Warriors; RAW artist David Mel is one of those fighters and this is his journey.
Every day David does battle with Narcolepsy, “It’s a disease that robs it’s victims of sleep, routine, self-esteem, relationships & eventually ….hope.” Hope for a normal life. That same dream state for the Narcoleptic is, at times, a nightmare where vivid visions encapsulate the mind & body. “I would keep my painting supplies beside my bed and when at the end of the dream I would instantly start painting what I’d experienced. As they developed they became what I call “atmospheric abstract landscapes.” Life-like astral projections, tunneling patterns of color, confrontations with a “demonic” presence & Cataplexy are all symptoms.” But through the use of his art he finds strength.
For the last two years David’s most recent obsession has been on a series of geometric mandala paintings. “I’ve been uplifted in an almost spiritual sense, in the creation of mandalas.” These paintings are carefully crafted by using old school drafting tools with elements of tribal, folk art, abstraction & pop art that go towards detailing some of the patterns seen in his dreams. The process is completely random really, I’ll start with the canvas, take a compass and make some circles, add some colors and shapes until a geometrical pattern starts to appear.” There is a tribal feel to these paintings, as if they are from an ancient unknown culture. Looking at these seemingly random compositions a veriaty of different feelings can be inferred. To some there is a calming power where to others, the sharpness of shape and line and repetition of elements could express something more carnal.
More about David’s work as well as where you can expect to see his work next can all be found on his website http://www.davidmel.net/
With the rise of RAW: Connecticut, be sure to check out our next upcoming showcase at the Russian Lady New Haven. Mark your calendars and be prepared to RAWk as we have our first showcase at our new venue, EXPRESSIONS on Wednesday May 29th. Doors open at 8 and will remain so till midnight, for tickets, our artists and more information about RAW can be found at http://www.rawartists.org/hartford
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