The art on the cover is from an exhibit entitled "Nude Truths: An Odyssey in Poetry, Painting and Prose," by Kristi Ylvisaker and Mary Ylvisaker Nilsen. "Nude Truths," was visually inspired by the powerful poetry of Denise Levertov (thus the "DL" on many of the pieces). Kristi explores Levertov's "descent into and through the dark night of the soul" while Mary provides descriptions underneath each work spun off from Levertov's poetic imagery. Collaborating from opposite sides of the world-Kristi in her studio in Norway and Mary in Des Moines, Iowa-the two sisters reunited in the USA in 2004 to finish the project.
The cover image "Great Energy" forms a bridge between two other paintings in the series. It recognizes the importance of times of solitude, when we hear the brooding Spirit nudge us, direct us, open us. But we also need times of communion. During these times we engage with others, struggling toward a common goal, creating that "energy field" that changes things. Our emotional and spiritual well-being and the well-being of the earth depend on our finding a way to merge energies drawn from both solitude and communion.
"Nude Truths" was being used during the Everything Must Change Tour to prompt deeper reflection and change. The entire series is compiled in book form and available from Faith At Work for $16.
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