An Invitational Exhibition
September 29 – December 2, 2024
Curated by Renee Phillips, Founder / Director, Manhattan Arts International
This exhibition featured art by members from The Healing Power of ART & ARTISTS Online Gallery, Manhattan Arts International Online Gallery, and Featured Artists from our Art Reviews. The names of all exhibiting artists are listed on this page. We also included art by some of your favorite artists from art history.
The Purpose of Our Annual “Nature” Exhibitions
We are dedicated to raising awareness about how Art serves as a powerful catalyst for healing individuals, society and the environment. We believe Art has the ability to activate positive change. The Healing Power of ART & ARTISTS is an initiative of Manhattan Arts International, NYC, NY. Read About Us.
* To share superior works of art in different styles and mediums by artists from around the world that convey the many physical aspects of our natural environment in addition to their emotive, symbolic, and healing qualities.
* To raise awareness about our utmost responsibility to celebrate, respect and protect the natural world and inspire viewers to achieve a more sustainable, harmonious and healing relationship with Mother Nature.
* To initiate relationships between the exhibiting artists, nature-loving art buyers, and other individuals, organizations and businesses that share our vision about the healing power of art and artists.
Enjoy Some of the Art from the Exhibition
All rights reserved. Do not reproduce images without the artist’s permission.
Please visit the artists’ websites and contact them directly to purchase their art.
Bren Sibilsky
As a seeker of wisdom, I find truth in nature, especially when charged with passionate energy. For centuries man has been at war with nature, hoping to tame and control it. All of nature on this planet is caught in this struggle of survival and evolution. We may soon find only thru empathy for this world can we truly understand others, ourselves and the natural laws of nature. brensculpture.com
Barbara Brown
As we take in the beauty of Nature our hearts are opened so wide they can near to burst, and as they ache with the opening, our souls are healed. Reconnecting with the natural world, we find again our own true nature. It’s Nature’s beauty that inspires me as an artist, as I come upon it every day in the forest as I walk there and let it have its way with me, opening my heart and healing my soul. barbarabrownart.com
Agnes Jorgensen
Living in the Laurentians among nature is where I love to be. The forest is my enchanted place. Daily walks with my goldendoodle Whisky led me to explore and discover the social network of trees and forest animals. We have so much to learn from these majestic pillars reaching for the sky. This inspiration from nature led myself and my husband Andre Chatelain, to create tree ring artworks titled ‘Fallen Heroes’. jorgensenart.com
Peter N. Van Giesen
Every moment of life is precious. When I stop, look and listen, the natural world around me reminds me about how interconnected everything is. The trees are silent until the gentle breeze lifts their voice. I attempt to capture the eternal aura of nature. It has captured my heart and I return the favor in creating images of memories about moments of interaction with the natural order of everything. peternvangiesen.com
Nancy Staub Laughlin
My assemblages: pastel on paper and mounted photographs, are created by layering juxtaposing elements: nature vs. shimmering sparkle. The viewers are immersed into my glowing, dazzling world of color, light, dimension and beauty inspired by nature. My intent is to captivate the audience and lure them into my creation of undeniable beauty. I manipulate color and form to evoke emotions, drawing the viewers into an experiential engagement with my vision. nancystaublaughlin.com
Natalie Oliphant
As an eco artist, I continue to see the beauty of my surroundings. Colours of the seasons inspire my creativity. I often recall my favourite literature that contains beautiful words thus using them as motivation. My themed pieces showcase repurposed items and recycled textures. My inspiration for “Darling Buds of May” comes from Sonnet 18 by William Shakespeare, the colours of Spring and feelings of innocence and rebirth. natalieoliphantart.ca
Karen H. Salup
My art, without establishing a set formula, I encounter in nature many approaches for beginning. My experience of studying the skies provides inspiration. By observing the lines and shapes of any subject, I try to create from an intuitive use of expressive color, drawing that transforms images into representations on canvas or paper supports. I enjoy creating forms dancing around the canvas. The application of building of layers with additional media reconstructs the work into abstraction. karenhs.com
Kristen Palana
My images are a call to action to visualize better outcomes for our lives, communities, and the planet. My years in Myanmar and Malawi gave me a deep appreciation for the natural world and the communities closely connected to it. Even now in Rome, I feel centered when I’m outdoors. The colors, patterns, and textures of nature, along with traditional crafts, are an ongoing inspiration for my art. kpalana.com
Lisa Freidus
It is my desire to offer a respite from the responsibilities of life by engaging the viewer through cheerful images in a whimsical style, often including elements from nature. I view art as a healing vessel where its abilities to manifest change brings hope and harmony to those who patiently await. Through humor, determination, and faith, we all have the ability to push through adversity. lisafreidus.com
Nature-Inspired Art From Art History
Henri Rousseau
Nothing makes me so happy as to observe nature and to paint what I see… Nature’s instructions are always slow; those of men are generally premature. When I go out into the countryside and see the sun and the green and everything flowering, I say to myself “Yes indeed, all that belongs to me!”
Claude Monet
For me, a landscape does not exist in its own right… Try to forget what objects you have before you – a tree, a house, a field, or whatever. Merely think, ‘Here is a little square of blue, here an oblong of pink, here a streak of yellow,’ and paint it just as it looks to you, the exact color and shape, until it gives you your own impression of the scene before you.
Joan Mitchell
I paint from remembered landscapes that I carry with me – and remembered feelings of them, which of course become transformed. I could certainly never mirror nature. I would more like to paint what it leaves with me.
Vincent van Gogh
If one truly loves nature one finds beauty everywhere…. and then, I have nature and art and poetry, and if that is not enough, what is enough? Normality is a paved road: It’s comfortable to walk, but no flowers grow on it…
André Derain
We become intoxicated with color, with words that speak of color, and with the sun that makes colors brighter.
Georgia O’Keeffe
A flower touches everyone’s heart. When you take a flower in your hand and really look at it, it’s your world for the moment. I want to give that world to someone else. Most people in the city rush around so, they have no time to look at a flower. I want them to see it whether they want to or not.
Paul Gauguin
Nature has mysterious infinities and imaginative power. I plunged eagerly and passionately into the wilderness, as if in the hope of thus penetrating into the very heart of this Nature, powerful and maternal, there to blend with her living elements. Advice to artists: If you see a tree as blue, then make it blue… Seek art and abstraction in nature by dreaming in the presence of it…
This is such a nice exhibition, I am grateful you chose me to contribute,
Thankyou.
You are amazing. What a Fabulous representation of Nature exhibition Renee. Congratulations!
Reading the artist’s statements about their relationship with nature and their art really moved me.
I am overjoyed and grateful to have my artwork among so many talented artists on this wonderful international platform.
Dear Agnes,
Thank you. As you know when I first saw your painting “Forest Walker” I knew it was perfect for this exhibition. And, thank you for your spirit of generosity to help individuals and nature and also for creating your “Fallen Heroes” Fund Raising project in support of CancerCare. You are amazing and one of our superior “World Changers”!
With appreciation and best wishes, Renee
Phenomenal show, Renee! You can feel the heart in everyone’s work and words about nature. Honored to be included with this amazing collection of artists.
Thank you Karen! This exhibition is indeed phenomenal because of artists like you! Your painting “As Flowers Grow” is a perfect addition and I feel honored that you accepted my invitation to participate!
Renee—Great show and Tremendous range of work from artists throughout the world!!!
Thank you Poul! It is a joy and honor to have included your gorgeous, healing pastel painting.
Stunning artistic representation of nature. And I love the inclusion of diverse and heartfelt artist statements. Renee, I am overjoyed to be included with this talented group of artists. Beautiful exhibition! 🤩
Thank you Lisa! I appreciate that you accepted my invitation to participate with your joyful painting!
Renee, it means a great deal to me. I love being included with these talented artists. It is truly a magnificent exhibition! You have a wonderful gift.🥰
Dear Lisa,
I am sure the artists feel the same way about you. Each of you brings a different expression, personality and perspective which enriches the vast depth of the exhibition.
And, I must correct you. I don’t have a gift. It is a blessing to have developed relationships with you and so many extraordinary, talented, gracious artists. The opportunity to curate shows is one of my greatest pleasures.
Now, I’m wondering… what exhibition topic should I plan to do next??? 🙂
Thank you, Renee. 😘
I am tired of the negative rhetoric I hear every day in the news and in personal conversations. My suggestion for the theme of your next exhibition is, “Art that expresses the similarities in our universe, not the negativity that divides us.”
Thank you Lisa,
Yes! I love your idea and I totally agree with you.
Lisa, you reminded me of our exhibition from 2023 “The Healing Power of Art: Love, Peace, Unity & Hope 2023-24 Exhibition” and we’re due for another similar one — needed more now than ever! And, here is a link to the video for the exhibition.Video for “The Healing Power of Art: Love, Peace, Unity & Hope 2023-24 Exhibition”
Wishing you love, peace, unity and hope today and always!
What a fantastic exhibition!
I love reading the artist statements alongside the incredible work by so many talented artists.
Thank you Renee for this wonderful opportunity. I’m so grateful to have my work shown on an international platform.
And, congratulations on pulling together such a wonderful exhibition. Warm regards, Andrea
Thank you Andrea!
Your gorgeous, spirited painting “Stitchbird/Hihi” is a wonderful choice for the exhibition.
We feel your powerful love for the natural world and your exquisite attention to details.
With gratitude and best wishes, Renee