Visio Divina for women: Thursday, July 1

“Our existence itself on this planet is an example of how powerful the creator is at its craft. When I tune into this creative force field I tap into something infinite. As I am connected to the creator, my work becomes an extension of the Creators craft. I am thankful to have received many of my talents from my ancestors who were writers, artists, musicians and scholars.” This is how the beautiful and multi talented Daniella Walcott begins her artistic statement to define who she is as an artist in Trinidad and Tobago.

You may remember Daniella as a former Miss Trinidad and Tobago who eventually represented us at Miss World 2016. You may also remember her from her roles as a TV presenter for the Trinity television programmer: Catholic zone (2011-2013) or as the presenter for Paradise Pulse (2017-2018). She is also popular on the music world as well most notably as a member of the Marionette’s and for many years she was an active member of the Living Waters Community.

Daniella who says she is a parishioner of both St Finbars and St Anthony’s can trace her artistic abilities as far back as two years old, “I have been practicing art since I can remember myself. At 2 years old I felt quite connected to music (classical, Latin, folk) and dance (ballet, jazz, folk, African, Latin). I eventually discovered my love for drawing, colouring and painting at five years old. I consider art and music to be an outlet where I channel energy into the physical form. I have been mentored by many local and international artists, designers and architects”.

Danielle’s love for her country and her faith are intrinsic in her designs, “Many of my paintings tell stories of the beauty of our Architecture, our landscape, cultural festivals and dance. Our country has many treasures, I am mostly inspired to captivate them in my pieces. Some of my paintings also tell stories of other worlds. I call this imaginative art. Many have told me that my paintings are reminiscent of Vincent van Gogh’s style. I’d say that the style of my work really comes from within. Over the years I developed this style from studying architecture and calligraphy”. But pays the greatest tribute to God as she says, “ A lot of my inspiration comes from the divine”.

Daniella sees herself as blessed, “I was lucky to get the opportunity to pursue my career in Theater Design and Production with Set Design and Costume Design as my majors. Creating through various art forms like: painting, batik, watercolors, and oil paints I truly enjoy. Working with children and adults in the arts through mentoring has contributed to the improvement in my artistic abilities”

VIEW MORE OF DANIELLA’S WORK HERE

Visio Divina (Latin for “divine seeing”) is a method for praying with images. Through Visio Divina we invite you to see beyond first and second impressions, and even beyond your initial ideas, judgments, or understandings. Our hope is to create a connection to the divine through local art.

So here is how we are going to do it.

1. Set aside 10 minutes in the day for the guided prayer experience

2. As you begin to prayer take a few minutes to open your heart and mind to God.

3. When you are ready, slowly look and notice the image, taking your time to let feelings and thoughts come to you as you take in forms, figures, colors, lines, textures, and shapes. What does it look like, or remind you of? What are your initial thoughts? What feelings are evoked?

4. Now, return to the image with an open heart and mind again. You may now experience new thoughts, meanings, and feelings. Start, exploring new meanings and feelings that come to you associated with the image. Be aware of any assumptions or expectations that you bring to the image. Regardless of your response to the image — delight, disgust, indifference, and confusion — contemplate prayerfully the reason for your response and what these responses might mean for and about you.

5. As you go deeper in this prayer, open yourself to what the image might reveal to you. What does the Spirit want to say, evoke, make known, or express to you in quiet meditation? What are your feelings, thoughts, desires, and meanings evoked by the image, and how they are directly connected to your life?

6. Now, take the time to respond to God. Jot down in a journal the insights you want to remember, actions you are invited to take, the wisdom you hope to embody, or any feelings or thoughts you wish to express. Bring your prayer to a close-by resting in God’s grace and love. Please email us as at forwomen@catholictt.org on the impact this activity may have had on your day, and be sure to share the artist’s image on your social media feeds.

Source info: https://www.patheos.com/resources/additional-resources/2009/07/praying-with-art-visio-divina