To penetrate into the essence of all being and significance and to release the fragrance of that inner attainment for the guidance and benefit of others — by expressing, in the world of forms, truth, love, purity, and beauty-this is the sole game that has intrinsic and absolute worth. All other happenings, incidents, and attainments in themselves can have no lasting importance.

— Meher Baba

Philosophy of the Artist: Laurie Blum

When I paint I merge with what I am painting and whatever comes out of me, I just witness that. This gives me great joy. There definitely is a selective process at work and I just paint what I feel drawn to paint from my heart.

Ancient people drew shapes of animals and they believed these forms held the soul of that animal and were healing. This was called Shamanism. I feel somehow that idea of magic is present in my work. That’s also how the American Indians treated an animal, honoring its Spirit as part of the Great Spirit. I feel that theme has reawakened in me and I have felt drawn for, some time, to cave paintings and Persian Miniatures. I feel when I paint Nature and animals, that the living vitality is captured mysteriously in the work. As if I am an alchemist making living potions. All living creatures have prana, an energy field, and that energy is constantly creating actions and reactions between everyone and everything. Even inanimate objects like a stuffed animal or a canvas have a soul according to Meher Baba. There is a living consciousness present in animate and inanimate things. Our higher intelligence picks up on these frequencies that are broadcasted continually from all beings and thus there are reactions. Mine being my paintings. This consciousness continues to expand and we are inspired to do new things. I feel as if I am blind, holding onto a rope and inching my way forward on this path to unfold my destiny.