“Love can accomplish all things. Things that are most impossible become easy where love is at work”. St. Therese of Lisieux
Featured Blogger: Walter W. Smith - N e w D i g i t a l S c a p e s ... Walter
Featured Blogger: Walter W. Smith - N e w D i g i t a l S c a p e s... pier and flower in meditation
Do you love art, words, music, photography, texture, color, and poetry? I know a place that will give you some respite from your hectic day. Walter Smith is a gifted artist/writer who creates words and art for contemporary mindfulness on his blog – New DigitalScapes . If you spend loads of time on the internet, surfing from site to site, either for work or pleasure, it does get monotonous but never on NewDigitalScapes. When a fellow blogger, LesLee Hare, introduced me to Walter’s artistry several months ago, I was impressed by his abstract forms, his skill with color and texture, his honesty and mastery with words; words he weaves into the fabric of his paintings, pictures, and other creative expressions on his blog. I also found his work soothing in a hypnotic, healing way.
When we chatted online, I found out that the man behind the work is a down to earth, kind, and reflective father, grandpa and friend. Since that first connection, I have looked forward to Walter’s artistic work and I invite you to welcome Walter as our Featured Blogger for this week’s Get to Know series. Leave him a comment here and do visit his blog to learn more about his work and craft.
What has been your biggest life Challenge?
Without any hesitation, I would have to say my biggest life challenge has been maintaining my recovery from years of substance abuse. It has been nine years of total sobriety. I am very proud of that fact. But I never lose sight of what it means and what is was like to be an addict, nor how significant and beautiful life is when not escaping from reality. What I have discovered in this process is how important acceptance of the addiction is, seeking support with honest intent and personal accountability. Personal accountability is the key, I believe, that truly makes recovery possible and sustainable. You have to look at yourself in the mirror, alone, every day and say I love myself enough to make it through this day.
How does your creativity come to you; the process?
The source of my creativity and its methodology continues to be a work in progress. I recently published various posts on my art blog: n e w d i g i t a l s c a p es, examining the different influences that have, over the years, led to my creative way of thinking about art and the arts in general. The one thing that I can readily point to as being the most influential force on my art is my life experience. Personal and intimate to my sense of awareness, it has been my goal, to translate this experience into various forms of art.
The process is digital in nature, the computer being the primary tool for creating. I began using the computer for art, and video in 1985. In the 1970’s, I attended art school and studied painting, but found that particular form of expression did not meet my needs. I wanted to be able to transform my environment, and relate experiences into art in “real-time”.
Over the years, my art and the digital process has evolved, however, its consistency can be found in its ability to explore a multitude of intricate, abstract and micro-tonal possibilities. The most important thing I would like to achieve in the process of creating is establishing a rhythm in my own inner intuition—feeling its energy transform itself into every work I create.
Featured Blogger: Walter W. Smith - N e w D i g i t a l S c a p e s... in the lightness of being blue
Featured Blogger: Walter W. Smith - N e w D i g i t a l S c a p e s... mind in mirrored meditation
Where did you grow up and why do you blog?
I am originally from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and now I reside in Gray Court, South Carolina. I lived in Philadelphia the majority of my life until I moved here in 2002. I was raised by my grandmother, mother and older sister. It was their kind and nurturing approach to my upbringing that has helped me understand the importance of compassion, empathy and unconditional love for others. I began blogging in December of 2010, and the main reason was to provide another vehicle for my art in the new internet media.
In the process, I connected with and was impressed by a fellow blogger, Leslee Hare and her blog All About Enlightenment… and then other connections followed. I’ve always enjoyed writing as well, and have used prose and poetry in my visual work for years. Blogging seemed like the perfect process for combining the two. One of the more significant discoveries about blogging I have found and enjoy is the meeting of the minds. I am an introvert at heart and welcome the opportunity to meet others with common and diverse interests while simultaneously developing friendships.
