A Crucial Moment in Time

Welcome to you all for joining us on this voyage into the spirits of art.  We are now followed in 33 states and 11 countries.

This is a critical time for all of us throughout the world.  We have to hold on to the beauty and vision of art—the miracle of the mind.  It is what makes us truly human and allows us reach together for spiritualism and the supernatural.  I see it as a communal prayer.  It may be the only way we can survive.

It is testimony to the real traumas that we share in every country and every language, religion and culture.  We do not have to abandon or even compromise our individual identities.  The collective human intellect and search for spiritual meaning makes us stronger.

My wife, Karen, and I recently traveled to Barcelona to the Basilica of the Sagrada Familia—the masterpiece of Antoni Gaudi. 

We were surprised by the throngs of excited people from around the world: innumerable languages and dress.  It was obvious that it was more than a tourist stop.

The outside of the Basilica—practically monotone—is the story of Christianity.  But it is also the story of the wondrous vision of an uncompromising man.

Inside, exploding with color and light, is the story of humanity—where we can share beauty, understanding and hope.

Gaudi’s soaring imagination encompasses the universe of ideas—every form, color and material has meaning and is a critical contribution to the whole.  Like us, it would be incomplete without a single element.

Add all of us, the collective human presence—the living energy of so many—and we bring a spiritual power that is permanent and essential.  Adding individual thoughts and dreams makes this monument, and others, an ever-growing collective of human awe.

PTSD and Art will continue to be free.  If you wish to contribute in some modest way, I suggest the monthly rate of $5—(less than a Frappuccino). You can subscribe for a full year for $50, which makes the monthly rate even less.  Substack gets a percentage and would greatly appreciate this.

Like you, I struggle with PTSD and other residues of lifetime struggles.  But, I intend to live a long time and paint and write about art as I have for decades.  If you do subscribe for a year, we can pro-rate a refund should I succumb to dementia or kick the easel.

But please, please continue to subscribe and read the very short posts. And share them. That is many times more important to me than any amount of money.  Some of you follow me through Facebook, and that’s fine, but I encourage you to subscribe and receive a notice directly.

If you have any comments or suggestions, please let me know.  Also, consider downloading the Substack App to make comments and join a conversation about art and spirituality.

I would like to be more optimistic, but we are in dark times, which could get darker in the months ahead.

So, thank you all for joining together as we continue to climb out of the darkness of PTSD and the shadows that threaten us all.

jamesjohnmagner.com jamesjohnmagner.com