Martha Loving Orgain, MFA
Artist, Educator, Astrologer and Painting Therapist
When I was eight years old I knew “there is more to life than meets the eye”. I can remember staring out into the starry sky and wondering what is the meaning of life, and what is my connection to the stars and the earth. Growing up in the country I am at one with and receive inspiration from nature and the spiritual forces behind what we can see. I strive to understand the mysteries of life as my intuition leads me.
Love is the thread that weaves all things, bringing spirit into matter. As an artist striving to create beautiful things I am lifting matter back into spirit. My ancestors who were weavers and quilters give me an impulse in my artwork where I weave together color, verse, image and astrological charts to create Star Chart Talismans, using hand processes as well as new technologies. This work is very meditative and leads me on a path of self-knowing in my becoming who I am.
The people influencing me the most and who help to form my thinking are Sonia Sheridan (www.sonart.com), Dennis Klocek (www.pacstorm.com), and Liane Collot d’Herbois (1907-1999). I am inspired by Sonia and she teaches me the importance of weaving in the past (history), working with process in the present meeting the future with enthusiasm. The latter two introduced me to the work of Rudolf Steiner (1861-1925) and Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1749-1832). Being inspired by the ideas these people brought to us helps me to understand and consciously make the connections of meaning in my artwork and in my working with others, leading me in my service to humanity.
Martha Loving holds:
Diploma in Art Therapy – Medical Section of the Goetheanum, Dornach, Switzerland based on the method of Painting Therapy of Liane Collot d’Herbois
Diploma in Painting Therapy – Emerald Foundation, Den Haag, The Netherlands recognized by the Dutch Society for Art Therapy
Master of Fine Arts Degree – Art Institute of Chicago
Generative Systems – the combination of Art/Science/Technology
Bachelor of Fine Arts
Virginia Commonwealth University
Double Major in Textiles and Photography
Martha Loving has been working and exhibiting internationally since 1977 and since 2001 divides her time between Virginia and Vermont and the rest of the globe. Her work is held in many public and private collections. She is now reappointed for a third 4-year term as a professional artist on the Virginia Commission for the Arts professional Artists Roster through 2010.