Deep into the Eyes of an Artist
- opulencevision
- Mar 5
- 6 min read
Channeling the Divine🔮
It’s Muse Wednesday, and today’s JEMM is all about Awakening Your Intuition. Intuition is that deep inner knowing, the voice that guides us toward our higher calling—if we listen. And sometimes, it speaks to us in ways we don’t expect. For me, one of the most profound ways my intuition has been activated is through art—specifically, the work of artists who seem to channel something beyond themselves.
When I was living in Toronto, I was constantly meeting the right people at the right time. It was as if something was guiding me toward the exact experiences I needed to have, and one of those experiences was being immersed in the art scene. I met incredible artists, each with their own unique flair, but one artist in particular had a lasting impact on me—Paul Zulauf. His birthday is coming up on International Woman's Day, so I thought it was fitting to write a tribute to this dear friend of mine.
Paul was one of the first people I met in the scene, and in many ways, he was the catalyst for my journey into that world. He encouraged me to step out of my comfort zone, introducing me to events like Drum 'n Dance and psytrance parties. With his guidance, this timid suburban girl transformed into the wild, courageous free spirit I became in Toronto. If it weren’t for Paul, I may never have found the courage to fully surrender on the dance floor—or to discover my passion through dance.
Paul is undeniably a beautifully striking presence—I'll admit, I was captivated by his style and charm. He carried this Peter Pan-like whimsical magic, from the sacred geometry shaved into the sides of his head to the extravagant jewelry he adorned himself with, to a wardrobe that transformed him into a modern fusion of gypsy and pirate. He was a walking, living, breathing piece of art—his exterior a reflection of his quirky, mischievous soul. But beyond the allure of his presence, it was his artwork that truly pulled me in. His pieces are intricate, layered, and deeply symbolic, filled with surreal and psychedelic imagery that whisper of ancient wisdom and unseen forces.
As I spent more time with his art—especially when I displayed it in my studio—I began to see stories within it. It was as though I was translating something beyond what was immediately visible. Each piece was a world in itself; you can literally get lost in one of his paintings or sculptures and see different elements standing on their own and also creating a story together. Now, it may not be what Paul intended when he created these pieces, but that’s the beauty of art—it invites different interpretations, revealing truths that resonate uniquely with each observer.
One piece in particular, Into the Deep, became a portal for me. This drawing, created with pencil crayon on a wooden block (which in itself is already impressive), held me captive for countless nights. It depicts three boys in a rowboat, heading toward the gaping mouth of a giant fish. To me, the fish symbolized Christ Consciousness, which is amplified by the image of the Sun beyond the horizon. The Sun looms in the background, but it isn’t just a sun—it’s composed entirely of eyeballs. There is an eye on the boat itself, and the whole scene carries an eerie sense of awareness.
The way I see it, the three boys in the boat aren’t separate individuals but rather the same person at three different points in time. The two boys on the right row the boat, propelling the journey forward, while the boy at the head serves as the guide, leading them toward the fish. They are also guided by the eye at the edge of the boat, which may symbolize the third eye—an awakened perception—moving them toward the fish, a representation of Christ Consciousness. Again, this is just my interpretation, each observer can have their own take on what they see.
The first time I really looked at it, something clicked for me: As much as we look at the Sun, the Sun is also looking back at us. There was a presence within this piece, an intelligence woven into the strokes and colors, as if it were whispering something that only the right eyes could hear. To me, Into the Deep spoke of adventure, transformation, and the inescapable gaze of the universe. It felt like a message about surrendering to the unknown, trusting that even as we move toward something vast and intimidating, we are being witnessed, guided, and perhaps even protected.
For this post, I did a bit of Facebook stalking to find images of Paul's work, and in the process, I discovered that he had written a poetic reflection to accompany Into the Deep. His words are just as mystical as the piece itself, creating a beautiful harmony between language and imagery. Below is what he wrote, along with the commentary Atlas provided for each line:
"Buoyant upon a rippling surface of undulating brainwaves, self-illuminated surface reflections assume the novel continuum of dream-time."
This evokes the idea of being suspended or floating in the current of one's thoughts or consciousness, akin to the ebb and flow of brainwaves during deep meditation or dreaming. It goes on to suggest that within this altered state, perceptions or insights arise from within, illuminated by the inner self, and time becomes fluid, like in dreams where past, present, and future converge in an endless, shifting experience.
Unreality is seen with divine clarity upon the stillness of love and acceptance, then suddenly with the changing winds of self-awareness, is fragmented by the turbulence of fear and commotion.
The word "unreality" might refer to the illusory nature of what we perceive in ordinary life, and how, when we approach life with love and acceptance, we can see through these illusions to a higher truth or clarity.
The third-eye voyager pursues life's mystery with intention coiled back, the great question hooked on the line, looking onward as the open mouth of the sublime truth awaits the mystery to unwind.
This suggests that as one gains self-awareness or insight (through the third-eye), the calm clarity can be disrupted by fear or the chaos of the ego, pulling the mind back from transcendence. Life's great questions are framed as something we are actively trying to understand, and there is an eagerness to unravel the mysteries of existence. The "open mouth of sublime truth" hints at a higher wisdom, waiting to be revealed.
Underlying currents of symbols interleave liquid sequences of subconscious adventures that steam across this ocean as the rising light of the mind illuminates the darkness of the blind.
This suggests that our subconscious mind communicates through symbols and experiences that intertwine like currents in the ocean, guiding us on a journey of inner discovery.
Sacred is the sublimely beautiful journey that takes us into the deeper levels of our being, our heads at rest, our souls to keep.
The journey of self-exploration and spiritual growth is revered as sacred, leading us to deeper self-understanding and connection to our true essence.
"Life-giving is the sublimely beautiful unreality that feeds the fountain of rejuvenation behind our eyelids while our logic factory shuts down in sleep."
Here, sleep or dreamtime is portrayed as a vital, life-giving force that rejuvenates us, feeding our soul and spirit in a way that logic and the mind can't comprehend.
Overall, I see it as a poetic portrayal of a spiritual or meditative journey into the depths of consciousness, exploring the interplay between clarity and confusion, love and fear, reality and illusion. It's a reflection on the inner voyage of self-discovery and the search for truth beyond the limitations of the logical mind.
Paul’s art reminds me that artists are channels, conduits for something greater. Whether they realize it or not, they are capturing frequencies, translating energies, and embedding messages into their creations. And those who feel drawn to a piece—who get lost in it, who see something beyond the surface—are meant to receive those messages in their own way.
It has been quite some time since I lived in that studio, meditating on his art. Yet, the stories I saw within his work are something I believe are worth resurfacing. It was a true gift to be surrounded by his creations each day, and I feel it's also my responsibility to showcase the genius I uncovered through my many meditations on his art. Just as creating art transforms the artist, I believe it has the same potential to transform the witness and observer, as long as they remain present in their own awareness.
There are two more pieces I plan to publish about Paul's art later this month. For now, I write this in celebration of his life and the profound impact both his work and his presence have had on so many of us in the city. During my time in Toronto, I felt a strong calling to showcase the artists whose work resonated with me most, and now, in this space, I feel compelled to honour that calling. I believe that artists are the modern-day prophets; and sometimes I feel like I can translate their art into stories.
Today, I invite you to tune into your intuition. Let it guide you toward the art, the music, the symbols, and the experiences that speak to you. Trust what you see, even if no one else sees it the same way. And most of all, remember that as you observe the world, something far greater is observing you in return.
Listen to your intuition, honour your Muse, and let that divine energy flow through you!
One Love Always!
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