Fabio is an artist and musician. He grew up in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, graduating in stage design from UNIRIO. Currently living in Freiburg, Germany, he teaches drawing and percussion in learning institutions and works as a freelancer artist, receiving orders from around the world.

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Fabio Kohler

<h4>FABIO KOHLER is an artist and musician. Here he explores the mystical aspect of creativity, and how meditation helps him to engage more deeply with the subjects of his artwork.&nbsp;</h4>Doing a portrait is a challenging task. The face proportion has to be precise to within millimeters. Otherwise, the person will not be recognized or something will feel wrong. But this covers only the visual part. The next challenge is to catch the particularity of the person. This is similar to the process, “from thinking to feeling,” or in this case, “from seeing to perceiving.”One fine day, my Chinese teacher commissioned me to paint a portrait of herself. Our student and teacher relationship was based on artistic exchange and mutual admiration. During her classes she would sing Chinese songs or demonstrate Chinese traditional dances to the students. I went several times to see her flamenco dance performances, in the same way she attended my musical concerts where I played percussion. This interaction definitely had an impact on the final drawing.When I personally handed her the portrait, I asked her to show it to her husband. The moment he saw the drawing, he said, “非常好!”(meaning “very good” in Chinese). But what I could read in his eyes was, “What an amazing person I’m married to.”&nbsp;<figure class="image image_resized" style="width:75%;"><img src="https://cdn-prod-static.heartfulness.org/portrait_painting2_534da42b76.webp" alt="portrait-painting2.webp" srcset="https://cdn-prod-static.heartfulness.org/thumbnail_portrait_painting2_534da42b76.webp 145w,https://cdn-prod-static.heartfulness.org/large_portrait_painting2_534da42b76.webp 500w,https://cdn-prod-static.heartfulness.org/portrait_painting2_534da42b76.webp 500w," sizes="100vw"></figure>&nbsp;This episode reinforced my belief that on a conscious level the mind of the artist is occupied in formal principals (shape, proportion, light and shadow, texture, etc.), while their inner being is accessing the energy field of the person portrayed.The same process happened while drawing any spiritual person. Once you draw the human form of those souls, you start feeling the vibrational field of the person portrayed. And those vibrations are reflected through the portrait. When I showed a drawing of Jesus that I had made to Daaji, he said, “Look how compassionate these eyes are!”If you look carefully at this drawing of Jesus, you may notice that it was based on a photo of Babuji. Babuji’s eyes were strabismic. He himself used to say that while one eye was looking outside the other was always looking inside.&nbsp;<figure class="image image_resized" style="width:75%;"><img src="https://cdn-prod-static.heartfulness.org/portrait_painting3_8fa83416fa.webp" alt="portrait-painting3.webp" srcset="https://cdn-prod-static.heartfulness.org/thumbnail_portrait_painting3_8fa83416fa.webp 145w,https://cdn-prod-static.heartfulness.org/large_portrait_painting3_8fa83416fa.webp 500w,https://cdn-prod-static.heartfulness.org/portrait_painting3_8fa83416fa.webp 500w," sizes="100vw"></figure><hr><h4 style="text-align:center;">While the artistic process is flowing outwards, culminating in works of art, the practice of meditation leads inwards. Both activities combined may be very complementary.</h4><hr>This can also be applied in the process of art. While the artistic process is flowing outwards, culminating in works of art, the practice of meditation leads inwards. Both activities combined may be very complementary. Personally, I feel deeply absorbed when I’m doing an artwork. At the same time, the practice of meditation itself helps me to access a subtler and deeper level of artistic expression. It’s like the material wing and spiritual wing; in this case the artistic and spiritual wing combined make the bird of creativity fly high.For me, the mystical experience is the greatest reward of being an artist.&nbsp;<figure class="image image_resized" style="width:75%;"><img src="https://cdn-prod-static.heartfulness.org/portrait_painting4_37b6fd1f4f.webp" alt="portrait-painting4.webp" srcset="https://cdn-prod-static.heartfulness.org/thumbnail_portrait_painting4_37b6fd1f4f.webp 145w,https://cdn-prod-static.heartfulness.org/large_portrait_painting4_37b6fd1f4f.webp 800w,https://cdn-prod-static.heartfulness.org/portrait_painting4_37b6fd1f4f.webp 800w," sizes="100vw"></figure>&nbsp;<figure class="image image_resized" style="width:50%;"><img src="https://cdn-prod-static.heartfulness.org/portrait_painting5_463d43a8b0.webp" alt="portrait-painting5.webp" srcset="https://cdn-prod-static.heartfulness.org/thumbnail_portrait_painting5_463d43a8b0.webp 145w,https://cdn-prod-static.heartfulness.org/large_portrait_painting5_463d43a8b0.webp 500w,https://cdn-prod-static.heartfulness.org/portrait_painting5_463d43a8b0.webp 500w," sizes="100vw"></figure>&nbsp;<figure class="image image_resized" style="width:50%;"><img src="https://cdn-prod-static.heartfulness.org/portrait_painting6_214cf668e8.webp" alt="portrait-painting6.webp" srcset="https://cdn-prod-static.heartfulness.org/thumbnail_portrait_painting6_214cf668e8.webp 145w,https://cdn-prod-static.heartfulness.org/large_portrait_painting6_214cf668e8.webp 500w,https://cdn-prod-static.heartfulness.org/portrait_painting6_214cf668e8.webp 500w," sizes="100vw"></figure>&nbsp;<figure class="image image_resized" style="width:50%;"><img src="https://cdn-prod-static.heartfulness.org/portrait_painting7_fd7879ccb9.webp" alt="portrait-painting7.webp" srcset="https://cdn-prod-static.heartfulness.org/thumbnail_portrait_painting7_fd7879ccb9.webp 145w,https://cdn-prod-static.heartfulness.org/large_portrait_painting7_fd7879ccb9.webp 500w,https://cdn-prod-static.heartfulness.org/portrait_painting7_fd7879ccb9.webp 500w," sizes="100vw"></figure>&nbsp;<figure class="image image_resized" style="width:50%;"><img src="https://cdn-prod-static.heartfulness.org/portrait_painting8_262a5b83f5.webp" alt="portrait-painting8.webp" srcset="https://cdn-prod-static.heartfulness.org/thumbnail_portrait_painting8_262a5b83f5.webp 145w,https://cdn-prod-static.heartfulness.org/large_portrait_painting8_262a5b83f5.webp 500w,https://cdn-prod-static.heartfulness.org/portrait_painting8_262a5b83f5.webp 500w," sizes="100vw"></figure>&nbsp;<figure class="image image_resized" style="width:50%;"><img src="https://cdn-prod-static.heartfulness.org/portrait_painting9_60722335dd.webp" alt="portrait-painting9.webp" srcset="https://cdn-prod-static.heartfulness.org/thumbnail_portrait_painting9_60722335dd.webp 145w,https://cdn-prod-static.heartfulness.org/large_portrait_painting9_60722335dd.webp 500w,https://cdn-prod-static.heartfulness.org/portrait_painting9_60722335dd.webp 500w," sizes="100vw"></figure>&nbsp;For more artworks and to commission a work of art, visit: <a href="www.fabiokohler.com">www.fabiokohler.com</a><hr><h4 style="text-align:center;">Artwork by FABIO KOHLER</h4><hr>

Portrait painting

<h4>
FABIO KOEHLER
 is an artist and a musician who has been living away from his native
 Brazil for over six years. Here he shares the joy of samba, and
 describes how people from all cultures have danced and made music to
 connect with life, transform pain into happiness, and come together in
 community.
</h4>

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<h2 class="has-text-align-center">
EMBRACING DIFFERENCE
</h2>

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Vejam essa maravilha de cenário É um episódio relicário Que
 o artista, num sonho genial Escolheu para este carnaval E o
 asfalto como passarela Será a tela Do Brasil em forma de
 aquarela



Look at this wonderful scenario It’s a reliquary episode That
the artist, in a brilliant dream, Chose for this carnival And
the asphalt as a catwalk Will be the canvas Of Brazil in the
form of a watercolor



Aquarela Brasileira by Silas de Oliveira https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VHN2TVwNhEo


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Whenever the word happiness comes to my mind I think of samba! I grew up
in Rio de Janeiro, which is a postcard city due to its natural beauty
and its Carnival. When I was fifteen years old, a musician taught me to
play the main beat of samba on the pandeiro, an instrument
similar to the tambourine, during a moonlit party on the beach. Since
then, I have not stopped playing that instrument! I left Brazil in 2015
and the feeling of homesickness increases day by day. Since I left, the
need to play the pandeiro, especially Brazilian music, has
grown greater and greater. Nowadays, it is easier to count the days I
don’t play the pandeiro. For me, playing samba is directly
related to happiness. There is a famous song which says:



O samba é pai do prazer O samba é filho da dor Um grande poder transformador



Samba is the father of pleasure Samba is the child of pain A
great transforming power



Desde Que O Samba É Samba by Caetano Veloso https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MB-iGuBVclo


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And another one says:


Minha beleza encontro no samba que faço Minha tristeza se torna num alegra cantar



My beauty I find in the samba I make My sadness becomes a joyful
song



Esperanças Perdidas by Os Originais do Samba https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mLj9AK0edCY


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Samba has a joyful feel, and wherever I play in the world I feel this
joy is perceived by people, especially children. They are immediately
receptive to the happy vibrations and start smiling and moving their
bodies. The pandeiro (and other frame drums with jingles) was
used in diverse cultures during dances and festivities. It is known as
the bringer of joy. Whenever there is a pandeiro, the music is
filled with happiness. It is generally represented as a heart or, more
precisely, as the “heart of the musician.”



Meu coração é um pandeiro Gingando ao compasso de um samba
 feiticeiro



My heart is a pandeiro Swaying to the beat of a sorcerer’s samba



Morena Boca de Ouro by João Gilberto https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=umbS_GJ0S50


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 <img
 decoding="async"
 width="700"
 height="482"
 alt="samba3-700x482"
 
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 src="https://cdn-prod-static.heartfulness.org/samba3_700x482_efcbf4df24.jpg?updated_at=2023-04-10T11:36:32.697Z"
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Samba had its origins in the African continent and developed in Brazil
in different areas and in diverse ways. Samba today is associated with
the city of Rio de Janeiro, because Rio was the entrance for the slave
trade coming from the African continent. There were an estimated one
million slaves in fifty years alone, which is an astonishing number.
Brazil is recognized as having the greatest number of slaves during the
colonial period.



Babuji used to say, “If you cannot leave the toilet better than before,
at least leave it like it was before you used it.” That’s why I’m deeply
grateful for the enormous work our forefathers did for humanity. During
their conditions of slavery, they transformed that pain into joy and
left us the samba! Lalaji used to sing to alleviate his stomach pains.
His sorrow would be transfigured into sweet sounds for the listeners,
just like samba music. It’s a great lesson on how to deal with sorrow
and pain. I feel very grateful to be able to play such music.



There is a song I encourage you to listen to, because the singer
Martinho da Vila is known for singing while he is smiling. You can hear
it in his voice:



Canta, canta minha gente Deixa a tristeza pra lá Canta
 forte, canta alto Que a vida vai melhorar



Sing, sing my people Leave sadness behind Sing strong, sing
loud That life will get better



Canta Canta, Minha Gente by Martinho da Vila https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FxQB1FYLu5k


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This song contains the popular saying, “Quem canta seus males espanta,” which means, “One who sings, sings his woes away.”


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 <img
 decoding="async"
 width="400"
 height="588"
 alt="samba4"
 
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 src="https://cdn-prod-static.heartfulness.org/samba4_871a8120fe.jpg?updated_at=2023-04-10T11:37:28.967Z"
 />
</figure>
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What has this all to do with my life? These are the tools I use. Besides
playing pandeiro every day, I also sing the rhythm. I sing in
the corridor, I sing on the streets, while working, and even in the
bathroom. My acquaintances know me for this, and recognize me from afar,
even making jokes about the percussive sounds I make with my mouth. And
when I walk, I dance to the rhythm of samba. Samba dancing is normally
taught first as walking and then the characteristic movements are added.



This is the way I have found to express happiness. I’m sure each of you
has your own way. If you do not know it yet, I encourage you to find it.



The pandemic has deeply affected the artistic sector, especially live
performances. This break in live performances gave me an empty feeling
at first, and a craving to play with and for others, but it also
permitted me to develop the art of percussion. During the pandemic, I
took care of a multiple sclerosis patient. When I started to work with
her, she could not move her fingers, but she was completely conscious,
with no brain damage. During my job interview, she showed me her drum,
and when I told her that I was a percussionist she asked me to play. At
that moment she smiled like anything. On the days I forgot to play she
would tell me, “Today you did not play for me.” She was an antenna:
Whenever I played with too much mind, she would say “Today it was not
good.” Whenever I played from the heart, she would smile joyfully.



This went on for three months, until one morning she passed away in my
presence. That night, I informed her family about the moment of her
passing and the family presented me with her drum. They asked me to play
it at her burial, which was an unprecedented episode in my life. It
changed my approach to music, art, and life itself. I could understand
how the drum connects us to the other world. It shaped my soul to such
an extent that my way of playing was deeply transformed.


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<figure>
 <img
 decoding="async"
 width="400"
 height="552"
 alt="samba5"
 
 class="lazyload has-img-center"
 src="https://cdn-prod-static.heartfulness.org/samba5_558995a7c9.jpg?updated_at=2023-04-10T11:38:39.801Z"
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Even though samba music is transient, the approach to life remains. I
have witnessed many times how hard-working people, living in harsh
circumstances, are able to find joy in their music. They dance through
life. Their daily duties do not always permit them to sing or dance, but
samba-like activities can serve as the oil to our daily routine. No
wonder people feel the need to go out to bars, discos, and concerts to
relax, meet people, listen, and dance to music. All indigenous people
have used dance and music in their group activities. A lot of their
dances came out of work, like hunting, planting, and harvesting. So,
they were able to integrate work itself with dance and music!



I think joyful vibrations from music like samba make the world a happier
place. That’s why I feel like playing music until my final breath. I
would even say samba itself is my breath. There is a final song I would
like to share with you:



Vem que passa Teu sofrer Se todo mundo sambasse Seria
 tão fácil viver



Come that it passes Your suffering If everyone could samba It
would be so easy to live



Tem Mais Samba by Chico Buarque https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A5B8n0DyRtA


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 href="mailto:fabiokohlerart@gmail.com"
 target="_blank"
 rel="noreferrer noopener"
 >fabiokohlerart@gmail.com</a
 > <a
 href="https://fabiokohler.de"
 target="_blank"
 rel="noreferrer noopener"
 >https://fabiokohler.de</a
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 href="https://www.instagram.com/fabio_kohler/"
 target="_blank"
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 >https://www.instagram.com/fabio_kohler/</a
 >


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<h4 class="has-text-align-center">Art by FABIO KOHLER</h4>

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Samba

<h4 style="text-align:center;">FABIO KOHLER explores the creative process of an artist, and the interface between creativity and spirituality through consciousness and inspiration.</h4><hr>In our daily life we naturally meditate to perform our worldly duties. For instance, if an artist is creating a painting his mind will be continuously thinking about the work in progress while choosing the object, the theme, the best material, the technical solutions, and so on. It’s seems quite easy and natural to meditate on a worldly activity. On the other hand, when it comes to accessing higher states of consciousness in the spiritual realm, it’s seem quite difficult as we don’t have an object or external reference point to start with.<hr><img src="https://cdn-prod-static.heartfulness.org/fabio1_img_e918eba995.jpg?updated_at=2023-04-03T03:20:07.128Z" alt="fabio1_img"><hr>So here I will look into the artistic process of creativity, to see how a worldly activity may culminate in a spiritual experience.Before even starting any creative process, it is important to prepare some ideal circumstances. First of all, time is needed to make room for creativity. A person whose plate is full is often not able to feel or receive inspiration. The second requirement is a clean, pure heart. Third, it is helpful to create a space – an environment dedicated exclusively to artistic creation.<hr><img src="https://cdn-prod-static.heartfulness.org/fabio6_img_3be81c3325.jpg?updated_at=2023-04-03T03:21:46.441Z" alt="fabio6_img"><hr>In that first moment, the artist is inspired by something that touches him or her from inside, that develops into a feeling of enchantment. We train the eye to be like a newborn baby observing the entire world with a sense of wonder. Then, we give enough time to observe the subject, slowly and with patience. It’s like reading a 300-page novel and telling the entire story later on. If we don’t take the proper time to read the novel fully, we will not get the whole picture.Later on, we start drafting lightly on the paper or canvas. At this step we are repeating what the eyes have seen, and what we have felt, with the hands. When we observe something continuously, the eyes travel around the object. In the same way&nbsp;the hand repeats this eye movement. Initially the whole picture is drafted on the paper, defining the page setting. Later on we get into the details. It’s very important not to be lost in details at this initial stage. Like the old Chinese saying: “If you are seeing the leaf, you are not seeing the tree. If you are seeing the tree, you are not seeing the forest.”<hr><img src="https://cdn-prod-static.heartfulness.org/fabio3_img_2762fa381a.jpg?updated_at=2023-04-03T03:23:00.806Z" alt="fabio3_img"><hr>After a while, when there is enough visual information on the paper or canvas, we can start analyzing proportion, identifying geometrical abstractions in figures and making necessary corrections. Here enters the analytical mind, but even still it has to be balanced and integrated with the natural flow of the figure. Later on we observe&nbsp;light and dark, adding deep and intermediate grades of shadow, leaving blank spaces in those spots where the light is hitting most. If it is a painting, the next step would then be to add colors, observing the nuances.At a certain point the external object is not required anymore. Now we explore in depth the graphic or pictorial universe, which turns out to be a new reality. At this stage we express our innermost feelings, enjoying the total liberty of contemplating the inner world. This stage may take hours, days, weeks, months or even years. And even when an artwork is finished, we can easily keep on ‘cooking on a low fire’, making continuous small perfections and refinements.<hr><img src="https://cdn-prod-static.heartfulness.org/fabio4_img_b021020a04.jpg?updated_at=2023-04-03T03:24:04.422Z" alt="fabio4_img"><hr>There is a saying that an artwork is never finished, it’s only an abandoned process that others perceive as finished. A famous example is the unfinished painting, the Mona Lisa by Leonardo Da Vinci, which he painted over 3 years and continued refining for another 11 years until he separated himself from the work.I find that it’s preferable to spend more time on one or just a few drawings, going deep into each one, rather than working on many at once and finishing them too fast. There is an importance to the depth we achieve in each work. This depth continues to deepen, and each previous work leads to greater depth in the next one. It’s a vertical journey.<hr><img src="https://cdn-prod-static.heartfulness.org/fabio5_img_be4b9c5e83.jpg?updated_at=2023-04-03T03:24:57.120Z" alt="fabio5_img"><hr>At the end, stepping out of the artistic process and contemplating the work, all sorts of feelings arise, like “How was this done?” and “Who did this?” At the same time, all the effort and feeling of doing the work is still very much alive and leads to future work. We have no choice but to keep on excelling, because the previous artwork, yesterday’s effort, no longer satisfies the soul. This will continue until our final breath on Earth marks the end of this process.So the ultimate beauty of artistic creation is to refine the tool to such an extent, that we become a channel of creation coming from the deepest inspirations of the heart. Then we are able to completely integrate the artistic process with spirituality.To see more of Fabio’s work, please visit&nbsp;<a href="https://www.patreon.com/fabiokohler">https://www.patreon.com/fabiokohler</a><hr><hr><h4 style="text-align:center;">Art and article by FABIO KOHLER</h4><hr>