“The
Magical and the Mystical” by Dawn Gaskill and DaNisha (Dan and Nisha Ferguson), our current Art Show at the Bordello Galería in
Casa de la Noche.
“The Magical and the
Mystical”
Get ready to take a magical
mystery tour on Wednesday, July 25th, when Dawn and DaNisha present
their exciting new work at Casa de la Noche. Titled “The Magical and the
Mystical,” this showing by three well-known San Miguel artists—Dawn Gaskill,
and Dan and Nisha Ferguson—features art that will dazzle and inspire. Their
work has a common spirit—one of joy and delight, expressed through intense
color and a blend of the sacred and the whimsical.
“I am probably the only
artist who wrote a purpose-statement before ever creating anything,” says Dawn
Gaskill, who came to art from the world of business. As a consultant to Fortune
500 companies, she taught businesses to develop purpose or mission statements.
“So it was natural for me to use those tools to start my career as an artist.”
Dawn’s vision is to
joyfully create beautiful art, product designs, and environments that capture
people’s imaginations, lift their spirits, and nurture them in their daily
lives. She does this by integrating ancient symbols from diverse cultures and
spiritual traditions into contemporary designs. When they are displayed in
homes or in work environments, they support people’s pursuit of personal and
professional intentions. “I call my work Intentional Art,” Dawn says.
Dawn’s work for this show features two new
series—an encaustic Feng Shui collection and “The Golden Ones,” a celebration
of the divine path of all spiritual traditions. The new Feng Shui series
comprise nine paintings that represent the aspects of the classical Feng Shui
Ba Gua. The medium she uses to create these is called encaustic painting. Dawn
makes her medium with beeswax, resin and colored pigments.
Her new “Golden Ones”
series is an extension of her collection “When Every Breath is Prayer.” About
it, Dawn says, “Since the beginning of time, every culture has had a belief
system in a higher power…something to drawn near to in devotion. I wanted to honor
that deep human impulse in my art.”
Canadian artists Nisha and
Dan Ferguson knew as children that they would be artists. From early childhood,
both were fascinated with drawing. When asked what they wanted to be when they
grew up, both answered without hesitation, “Artist!”
They met at the Art Centre
of the Central Technical School of Ontario, and, after graduation, married.
They are the parents of two sons, Joshua and Julian. Internationally renowned
as DaNisha Sculpture, they exhibit their work in prestigious galleries and
boutiques throughout Canada, Mexico, the United States, and Australia.
“Over time, our work has
evolved in fundamental ways,” says Dan Ferguson. “It is very true that one must
always return to the basics in order to improve and hone one’s work.” They use
two materials; ceramic and bronze. Their work then consists of three
components; sculpture, drawing/painting and design.
Much of their work is
characterized by the fanciful dances of animals around the insides and outsides
of bowls and other ceramic objects—and cityscapes, sometimes encompassing a
whole town with all its buildings around a bowl.
When people speak of
DaNisha sculpture, invariably the words used to describe it are optimism,
excitement, innocence, wonder, and awe.
“Believing in the power of
color was something I came to slowly,” says Nisha. “Grasping the depth of
emotion color can convey has been my challenge. I cross into the world of
emotion and color with excitement, searching for ways to express feelings and
love.”
Nisha, an accomplished
acrobat and choreographer, may once have been tempted to run away and join the
circus, but instead she founded the successful performance troop in Ontario known as “Gravityworks.” In San Miguel, she reformed
and trained a new group, which performs around the state of Guanajuato.
“Working with my life
partner and compromising my ideas in order to find something new is a metaphor
for our life together,” says Dan. “However, ‘compromise’ is an illusion.
Actually, it allows for possibilities neither of us may have thought of.”
The show “The Magical and
the Mystical” is a rare opportunity to savor the exquisite art of three marvelous
artists. Their work, vibrant and joyful, is a delight and an inspiration.
Joseph Dispenza is a writer
who lives in San Miguel. He latest book is “Older Man Younger Man: A Love
Story.”
How wonderful it was when a guest and my new friend Armen Kojoyian of New York showed me the fabulous review we received in the new San Miguel de Allende, Guanajuato "Moon" guide for travelers. 
