Art and artist in Westlake

What is art? Leo Tolstoy gave us the quick answer when he wrote, "Art is communication." But that is not enough. Another requirement of art is Beauty. However, Beauty is not always beautiful.

This is a concept that requires serious thought. The importance of creating art is partially explained by the Elizabethan poet John Donne who wrote, "for [what] is got by chance, 'tis kept by art." 

An artist and his or her work are connected, and the question of artist or artisan might be quickly decided. That was true of my first meeting with DeAnn Harman and her painting, "The Weaving of a Dream."

When I heard that an artist had moved into my Westlake apartment complex I decided to knock on her door and introduce myself. And so I met DeAnn. The first thing I noticed in her home was the painting I mention above. It startled me. And immediately I knew it was art.

A gallant and beautiful oriental woman became the center of my attention. I saw a mystical dancer, not real, but more than real, for she had metaphor in her face, in the slant of her stance, on her clothes, and in the very air around her, all of it presenting the essence of a strong and beautiful lady, an Asian Athena, the Greek goddess of war and wisdom.

She is dancing in the air and her gown is swirling. I almost expected her to jump out of the picture and stand before me, challenge me. I stepped back in defense.  

"The Weaving of a Dream" is executed in pencil, ink pen and marker, and lives on a thick paper, not canvas. Somehow the paper makes the painting "bookish" and hints at a children's story of fantasy and intrigue.

There are golds and greens and whites, and more, all moving about, all conspiratorial. An ogre might be lurking just outside the edge of the painting. At her feet there's a small pool and two golden fish with popping eyes who seem happy enough but, on the other hand, might have just been placed under a spell, a curse, changed from courting princes to water creatures. Is our warrior lady a witch?

The point is that Harman has created a piece of art that forces us to use our reimagination and – perhaps – remember meeting a belle dame of our own..  

The lady in "Weaving" is moving in and out of fantasy. She might whip out at you if you stand too closely. She seems defiant in her presentment. And if you listen you might hear the wiry notes of an oriental string instrument and a temple drum beating outside the edge of the painting.

This warrior lady might make you think of battle, or love, or both. And isn't that true of life, the mixing of emotions, especially in the battle of the sexes! Complicated, convoluted.

"Weaving" has the excitement, charm and beauty of an oriental warrior queen. This is not art for the unimaginative. This is not simply a pretty lady, it is also her clothes, her imposing position in the fantasy, her attitude, her strength, her sensuality. She is in command. And it is also about what we do not see in the painting.

DeAnn has been an artist since she was four years old. And her mother was an artist, too. She says her mom was a taskmaster and tough as nails. And now DeAnn sees the wisdom in that approach, for art is many things, but certainly it is hard work. The Russians were close to the truth when they said an artist must suffer to create art. 

DeAnn works with watercolors, oils, acrylics, pen, pencil and marker. She prefers paper to canvas. And she prefers a simple and clean framing. She especially loves creating collages and considers them to be representative of life because many things happen at the same time.

DeAnn Harman accepts commissions. She can be contacted at dharman@roadrunner.com. Perhaps someday the lady in "The Weaving of a Dream" will have multiple existences. 

Joe Psarto is a novelist living and writing in Westlake.