Vedic Art

What is Vedic Art?

Vedic Art is a philosophical approach to art and to life based on the oral tradition of the Vedas where the creation of art, music and poetry are described. With Vedic Art we learn to create in harmony with our Source, our essence, rather than in resistance.

With Vedic Art you are given a GPS to your Self. While the process is more important than the results, the results are nonetheless an experience of deep satisfaction, freedom from outer constraints, peace and harmony in thought and actions.

Vedic Art is comprised of several courses, the most important ones, to begin with being the Foundation Course and the Continuation Course.

What is a Vedic Art Foundation Course?

The Vedic Art Foundation Course is comprised of 17 principles for art and for life. As these principles come from an oral tradition, you will not find anything written about them. They are geared to opening up your vision, to endowing you with artistic freedom, with the focus being on the process and on life.

The principles are meant to be experienced as you receive them. They remind you of who you really are. They also speak predominantly to the right side of your brain rather than the left, which has had so much to do in our lives to date. It is perfectly natural and logical that one can feel discombobulated and tired at times during the course, as you make the shift from constantly using the left side of your brain, to allowing the right side some well-deserved space. This passes as one becomes more and more accustomed to the new order, and peace fills you up as you move pencil, pastell, brush or whatever you choose to apply colour with over paper, board or canvas

How long is a Vedic Art Foundation Course?

The 17 principles of Vedic Art Foundation Course can be learned over a period of 6 to 8 days. The more time you have to paint, the deeper the understanding, the insights, and the feeling of satisfaction.

However, it is not always easy to find that time. The layout of a Vedic Art course can take on several variations to accomodate this. Here are the ones I prefer to use:

The 6-day course
This course is given during 6 consecutive days, during the summer, for example, usually from Saturday evening to Friday evening/Saturday morning, but the days can vary depending on the situation.

The 2 x 3-day course
This course can be held over two long weekends, Friday-Saturday-Sunday.

The 4 x 2-day course
This course is held over four weekends, Saturday-Sunday.

What is the schedule for the Vedic Art Foundation Course?

The schedule for the Vedic Art Foundation Course can differ somewhat from teacher to teacher. I prefer to follow the time tradition of the founder, Curt Källman which is as follows:

Morning session: 10 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Lunch: 12:30 p.m. - 2 p.m.

Afternoon session: 2 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.

The actual plan for the delivery of the sessions can differ slightly from one occasion to another, and it is not important here. Your experience at the course is all that matters.

It is not advisable to attempt to perform any kind of work before the course begins in the day, or when it is finished. Your full attention will be needed and you will find that your greatest inclination at the end of the day will be to eat, get some air (if we have not worked outdoors) and then to get some sleep. In the mornings you will most likely long to take things easy and use the time for self-care.

How is a Vedic Art course different from other art courses?

This is a course designed to assist you in coming home to yourself. It is not a socialising event, in fact, you are free to withdraw to your corner and give yourself the space to be unavailable for chit-chatting if that is what feels right for you. We usually talk as little as possible in the room where we paint, so as to give each other that lovely, kind, respectful space in which to develop our senses and artistic expression without interruption.

"Art is the language of silence." Curt Källman

Another difference is that you don't learn technique at these courses, that is not the aim. If you are interested in technique alone, this is not the course for you. In Vedic Art it is taken for granted that each person has their own technique inherently within them.

Yet another difference is that we do not comment on each other's work. This is simply not encouraged as even positive remarks can be disturbing. You will learn more about this should you attend a course.

Another very pleasant difference, at least in my opinion, is that you needn't take notes all day. Of course there will be things you will want to write down, but this is kept to a minimum and can, in some cases, be done at the end of the day. You will notice that as the course proceeds, you connect more and more to your own inner wisdom, a highly satisfying result of this course!

A word of caution:

It is not recommended that you use alcohol (or other recreational drugs) during a course. Especially during the 6-day course as you will need your faculties in full working order to get the most out of the course. If you are used to consuming alcohol on a daily basis, I would recommend that you refrain from a longer course as this will disturb your equilibrium, and I do not have either the time or the qualifications to help you with things that come up for you, nor do the other participants have the space to attend to the needs of others.

Where does Vedic Art come from?

In 1974, the Swedish artist, Curt Källman (1938-2010) learned the names of the 17 principles for art and life from Maharishi Mahesh Yogi (1918-2008). Curt then developed the principles, working with them in his own painting, and after a period of over 20 years, he founded Vedic Art in 1988.

Since then he held a great many courses, assisted after a while by a few friends and family, and finally he began teaching some of his participants to become teachers themselves on a larger scale in 1996.

Today, Vedic Art is practiced in more than 10 countries.