Wander and Wonder

Artist Statement

“What you encounter, recognize or discover depends to a largedegree on the quality of your approach. Many of the ancient cultures practiced careful rituals of approach. An encounter of depth and spirit was preceded by careful preparation. When we approach with reverence, great things decide to approach us. Our real life comes to the surface and its light awakens the concealed beauty in things. When we walk on the earth with reverence, beauty will decide to trust us. The rushed heart and arrogant mind lack the gentleness
and patience to enter that embrace.”

John O’Donohue
Beauty: The InvisibleEmbrace

Each painting in thiscollection was inspired by a striking moment of poignancy, a feeling that here
was something to pay attention to and absorb mentally and physically. The fact
that these moments often occur as little jolts within perfectly ordinary
circumstances makes them even more surprising and precious. The images I paint
that encapsulate such experiences are often my personal favorites, as they help
me treasure extraordinary moments, and seek more.

A piece of trivia – I chose my last name, Teannalach, in my 20’s. The word was found within a story from the book by John O’Donohue quoted above. The meaning of this Gaelic word can be interpreted in different ways, but O’Donohue most succinctly describes it as “awareness.” While seeking a new last name, this word stood out to me as both beautiful, and something to strive for.

“Awe” suggests a sense ofreverence but also fear. It is interesting how “full of awe” and “awful” carry such different meanings, but both indicate a feeling of humbleness before
something vast or powerful. Art has the power to inspire awe in all the different nuances of its meaning, and it is the pursuit of the artist to cultivate a sensitivity to such vastness.