endota partners with an artist for each seasonal gifting range, and this year we have partnered with self-taught artist and Byron Bay local James McMillan.
In light of the range’s launch, James shared his artistic inspiration and the meanings behind his works that are featured across the range.
“I always thought the most important thing behind a gift was the intent. I think if something’s wrapped in a really beautiful way, it makes it even more special.”
Watch the below video to hear James touch on the intent behind gifting and how special this is from person to person, the benefits of connecting with self and our seasonal gifting range collaboration.
“I always look forward to [going to my studio]… and seeing all the colours, shapes and some of the things I’ve written. It just makes me feel good.”
artistic inspiration
I meditate before I paint. I approach art mostly spontaneously and I try not to think too much about the next move.
I have a colour palette that I’ve naturally gravitated towards for the past 20 years so there’s not much thinking in that way as I have some understanding of how the colours play out in the totality of the finished piece.
The subject matter is mostly spontaneous coming from my own spiritual experiences and understandings, as well as my everyday life. Also the daily consuming of information and visuals can manage to linger around in my psyche long enough to get a small look in as a random word or some kind of abstracted or cryptic iconography.
The final outcome usually speaks a well-known narrative to myself, and I hope they speak something positive, either profound or simple, into the life of the viewer.
“The energy that I have comes through in the paintings and people feel that.”
the featured artworks
I really appreciate the mystery and power of art to speak its many stories to each and every person. Who knows what each person will receive on viewing and contemplation of all that is presented in a piece of art.
unified field
This is about existing in the present moment either alone or with others. I’ve always been interested in how collective consciousness works in animals, particularly herds, pods of dolphins and schools of fish. They move together, changing directions in an instant. I have a side hustle as an energy healer and before I work with someone I will unify our fields through some basic breathwork methods.
emotions
This work shows both clear and cryptic symbolism, all done with my favourite colour tones of mainly pink, orange and blues. I enjoy juxtaposing the messy with the clean. As this work was unfolding, I was discovering the power of the human energy centres called chakras. It’s astounding how much of our life decisions and circumstances are affected by these, so I painted them into the composition as a reminder and maybe a teacher.
“I really appreciate the mystery and power of art to speak its many stories to each and every person.”
